Cover In a dialogue with Tatler, actor Jericho Rosales shares his insights on playing Manuel Quezon (Photo: Karen De La Fuente)
In a dialogue with Tatler, actor Jericho Rosales shares his insights on playing Manuel Quezon (Photo: Karen De La Fuente)
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In this exclusive interview, actor Jericho Rosales briefly talks about his upcoming big role: Manuel Quezon
With a career spanning decades, Jericho Rosales has stepped into the shoes of a fisherman cleaning up corpses for crooked cops by night, to a heroic blacksmith and a hopeless romantic haciendero.
This year, the actor shares that he is taking on his most challenging role yet—as former president Manuel Quezon in Jerrold Tarog’s Quezon. The film follows Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral in the Bayaniverse, a series of films directed by Tarog and associated with TBA Studios.
When asked what sparked his interest, Rosales eagerly points to the richness of the history during the titular character’s time.
“It was a very exciting period. There was a lot of battle, not with weapons, but with words, with intellect, with relationships,” he tells Tatler. It was a deeply strategic time in his career. He was fighting for independence, yes, but there was also this underlying question of leadership and power, and I love that.”
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Above In a dialogue with Tatler, actor Jericho Rosales shares his insights on playing Manuel Quezon (Photo: Jove Moya)
In a dialogue with Tatler, actor Jericho Rosales shares his insights on playing Manuel Quezon (Photo: Jove Moya)
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“We put them on pedestals, praise them and expect everything from them. But leadership is a two-way street, and we must always question them. Leaders don’t always have to be heroes”
Rosales was most intrigued by how Quezon thinks, both as an individual and as a person in power. “I know everyone’s unique, and this particular person thinks differently. He’s a genius. He has different ways of understanding and conveying things, working on stories. But the question of power is very vague. Plus, you only get to know this question for your books if you’re given stories, then you hold on to those things.”
He sees a surprising amount of himself in the late president’s journey, recognising that leadership isn’t always about titles or power, but about the moments that test you in unexpected ways.
“I am a leader in my own way, whether at home, at work or with various projects. But this one went beyond leadership. Understanding that has been an incredible journey for me. I still can’t believe I came across the people and situations that actually helped me step into the role.”
More from Tatler: Iain Glen dives into Philippine history for his role in upcoming biopic ‘Quezon’
Above The trailer for Jerrold Tarog’s ‘Quezon’ (2025)
Through this biopic, the actor aims to champion cinema as more than just entertainment, but a tool that enlightens people and preserves culture at once. “It’s a time in my life where I’m really coming to appreciate the importance of cinema. We’ve been doing a national tour for schools—kids, teachers—partnering with activists and people who genuinely care. It’s about more than just promoting the movie Quezon; it’s about keeping cinema alive, keeping our culture alive. This feels like a fight for a vital part of who we are as Filipinos.”
Rosales throws down the gauntlet, encouraging Filipinos to think twice: about what they watch, what they believe and how often they let things slide without asking why.
“To put simply, we often see leaders as heroes, but we often confuse the two,” he says. “We put them on pedestals, praise them and expect everything from them. But leadership is a two-way street, and we must always question them. Leaders don’t always have to be heroes.”
For Rosales, Tarog’s Quezon (2025) is a “call to action,” a story that will challenge audiences to reflect, question and engage with the deeper truths of leadership, nationhood and their own role in it all.
“As for the film’s culmination, we don’t yet know what will happen next. I’m incredibly proud and lucky to be part of this. From the training to now playing Quezon, it’s been a journey. Could the next leader be someone we look up to? Could it be about thoughtfulness and understanding?” he asks.
Quezon is showing in cinemas on October 15, 2025.
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Jove holds a degree in Journalism and is currently pursuing graduate studies in Philosophy at the University of the Philippines–Diliman. She has flair for in-depth, interview-driven stories that explore politics and culture, shaped by her background in national broadsheets.
When she’s not on assignment, Jove spends her days painting, sipping lemonade, and walking her dog, Jupiter. She can often be seen in Escolta with a film camera in hand, browsing novelty shops in search of rare memorabilia. For leads, reach her at Jove@tatlerphilippines.com.
