Cover Jericho Rosales in ’Siargao’ (Photo still from the film)
Jericho Rosales in ’Siargao’ (Photo still from the film)
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Jericho Rosales has spent two decades playing characters who, in their struggles and heartbreaks, remain profoundly human. Here, we revisit seven of his most unforgettable roles
For over two decades, Jericho Rosales has captivated audiences with performances that leave a lasting impression. His roles transcend the fleeting nature of fame, with each character etched into the memory of Filipino television and film. Whether playing a star-crossed lover or a conflicted hero, Rosales has an ability to make his characters feel real and timeless, resonating with viewers long after the final scene. His career is marked by roles that challenge, entertain and touch the heart, securing his place as one of the industry’s most enduring figures.
In this piece, we revisit seven of his most iconic roles, exploring what makes them continue to captivate audiences today.
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Angelo Buenavista in ‘Pangako Sa ’Yo’
Above ‘Pangako Sa ’Yo’ trailer for iWant (Video: Youtube/iWanTFC)
He was the original dream boy. However, Angelo wasn’t just a heartthrob. He embodied the fault lines of class and family duty, long before Filipino teleseryes had the vocabulary for it. Rosales gave him a wounded restraint, making his longing for Yna not just romantic, but existential. In over 20 countries, audiences watched him wrestle with the weight of legacy—and choose love anyway.
Christian Soriano in ‘Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas’
Above Second episode of ‘Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas’ (Video: Youtube/ABS-CBN Teleseryes on TFC)
Christian was, in many ways, a second coming of Angelo—but rougher around the edges, marked by more mistakes. Here, Rosales reunited with Kristine Hermosa, and their chemistry matured into something smokier, more tragic. Christian’s arc—of loss, regret and reconciliation—was carried by Rosales’ ability to withhold and erupt at just the right moments.
Anton in ‘Forevermore’
Above ‘Forevermore’ by ABS-CBN Star Cinema (Video: Youtube/ABS-CBN Star Cinema)
Overshadowed by the massive success of his other projects, Forevermore saw Rosales playing a vineyard heir returning home from Europe to fulfill a dying wish. He was more polished here. But Jem’s internal conflict—between duty and freedom—showcased Rosales’ range, proving he could carry quieter, more contemplative roles without sacrificing intensity.
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Miguel Ramirez in ‘Dahil May Isang Ikaw’
Above Ella (Kristine Hermosa) asks Miguel (Jericho Rosales) to marry her in ‘Dahil May Isang Ikaw’ (Video: Youtube/ABS-CBN Entertainment)
By the time Rosales played Elias—a man separated from his twin brother and pulled into the criminal underworld—his acting had deepened. The character was turbulent, often at odds with himself and the duality of the twin motif allowed Rosales to explore emotional opposites: love and vengeance, grief and resilience. Here, he was not just a romantic lead but a man hardened by the weight of justice.
Adrian De Villa in ‘The Legal Wife’
Above Jericho Rosales with Angel Locsin in ‘The Legal Wife’ (Video: Youtube/ABS-CBN Star Cinema)
If there was ever a role that cemented Rosales’ ability to provoke national debate, it was Adrian. As the unfaithful husband caught between his wife (Angel Locsin) and his mistress (Maja Salvador), he became the face of a moral dilemma that Filipinos couldn’t stop arguing about. But Rosales didn’t play him as a villain—he played him as a man whose weakness destroyed what he loved. It made for gripping, uncomfortable television, precisely because it felt so true.
Catalino Bartolome in ‘Halik’
Above First episode of ‘Halik’ (Video: Youtube/ABS-CBN Star Cinema)
In Halik, Rosales played Victor, another man struggling with fidelity, but this time with more internalised conflict. He was no longer the impulsive young lover; he was a man trying to rebuild something that perhaps was never whole to begin with. Rosales’ performance was quiet, aching. He brought to Victor a kind of middle-aged melancholy that viewers couldn’t look away from.
Bong in ‘Basurero’
Above Jericho Rosales in ‘Basurero’ (Video: Youtube/NFMLA)
In this short but searing independent film, Rosales steps away from primetime polish to play a fisherman moonlighting as a body disposer for corrupt policemen. There is no romantic subplot here, no easy redemption. Just a man quietly drowning in complicity. Rosales strips down every performance tic, delivering perhaps his rawest, most haunting work to date.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is the assistant digital editor of Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
