When Jericho Rosales received the offer to star as Manuel L. Quezon in ‘Quezon,’ he immediately jumped at the chance to do it – but it took him to fully understand the purpose in portraying the country’s former head of state.
‘I jumped [at the opportunity] right away without understanding what it meant. I just said yes, [then director Jerrold Tarog asked], ‘Gusto mo ba basahin ang script?’ May meaning pala ang pag-play ng presidente ng Pilipinas, and now I understand how important it is,’ he said during the film’s grand media con.
Years before Rosales took on the titular role, he admitted that he was not fond of his history classes when he was young. ‘I was bored to death, and I just fell asleep,’ he recalled, although it was the film that reminded him of why loving one’s country matters.
‘Because of this film, nabuhay ang pagka-Pilipino ko. It’s such a blessing. The timing is perfect. We all know that it was going to be played by TJ [Trinidad], but he went on a different path, and we talked with him. He was so wonderful and graceful,’ he said. ‘I understood the reason why I fall asleep in history class was because I didn’t care about the country, it is care that makes you move. It is love that makes you move.’
Despite the challenge in portraying Quezon, Rosales said he also understood the importance of ‘taking responsibility’ for his own country, as it is a manifestation of being a faithful citizen.
At the same time, it taught the actor that history plays an important role in why loving one’s country matters.
‘Because of this film, I saw how important it is for everyone to take responsibility and know saan tayo nanggaling, sino ba ‘tong naihahalal natin, and sino ine-elect natin. But it’s important for us to understand what we love the most about our country so we can be proud again. Through history, diyan mo malalaman bakit mo mahal ang Pilipinas,’ he said.
Embodying Quezon
When the actor was asked if he ever felt he was ‘possessed’ by Quezon’s spirit at one point, he said it wasn’t the case, but he had no choice but to bring home the former president’s personality. Almost to the point that his girlfriend Janine Gutierrez and his staff took notice.
‘When you say sinapian kasi – not in a spiritual or horror way – parang pinasok ng ugali niya ang katawan ko. One time, bumisita si Janine [Gutierrez], and she said, ohmigod, ‘Kamukha mo si Quezon.’ And then my staff said, ‘Sir, para kang matanda,” he recalled.
‘Inuwi ko siya and there was no choice. You have to bring it home. I’m not a method actor, but I have to bring it home,’ he continued, noting that Benjamin Alves (who plays a younger Quezon) went through the same experience. Rosales then pointed out that he had to emulate Quezon, instead of simply acting out the character. ‘Kapag inacting mo kasi, hindi totoo. Kailangan maging totoo sa’yo kaya mahirap siyang gawin,’ he explained.
‘We all have to show paano siya mag-isip, ano ang karisma niya, papaano siya sa tao, sa relasyon, sa mga gamit, sa pananamit, kailangan namin gayahin at magkaintindihan,’ he further added, saying that the film’s production team did a good job of ensuring that proper research was done to be faithful to the period in history.
This explains why even if ‘being possessed’ by Quezon was difficult for Rosales, it was difficult for him to let the character go.