Jericho Rosales hopes Pinoys go back to watching movies in cinemas

September 7 ------ As the star of the upcoming historical film Quezon, the third and final installment in TBA Studios's Bayaniverse trilogy by director Jerrold Tarog, actor Jericho Rosales steps into the role of Manuel L. Quezon, a lawyer and public servant who worked his way up from being a representative up until he became the second Philippine president who served his term from 1935 until 1944.

Currently busy with promotions for the film, which is set for release on October 15, Echo shared why, more than wanting his current project to be a success, he also has a personal advocacy to bring people back to watching movies in the cinema.

“I think ginagawa na namin ngayon to promote films is beyond inviting people to watch it. But para maibalik na yung kultura ng panunuod ng pelikula. We have spending power naman. We do. We just need to know where to spend it. Kung saan tatama di ba? And if you watch movies, you’re supporting culture. Because dito natin pinapakita katulad nung story ng Sunshine, yung mga pinagdadaanan ng mga atleta, ng mga kabataan, ng mga current na issues ngayon. ang pinagdadaanan ng bawat Pilipino.

"History, like Manuel Quezon. Watching Heneral Luna, Goyo, and all of these, like, monumental films, big or small, you’re actually supporting people in our industry, who are working more than 12 hours a day—more than 12 hours a day, actually. Yun ang importante dun. The history and culture in the industry are alive, therefore more work, business, and more things to talk about. It just goes beyond cinema,” he explained during the Maya Black card launch event.

The Quezon star also shared how important he thinks movie watching is to Philippine culture and families. “You know, these films go beyond inviting you to watch our film and stuff. Come on, let’s make movies. Let’s romanticize cinema again because it’s part of our culture. And it just goes beyond what we’re hoping for what we’re showing. I just like the feeling of cinema because most days, I know a lot of kids feel alone, even though we have social media and stuff. And being in the cinema makes you feel like it’s so thick, the spirit and the comforting feel of cinema is so alive. Of course, if you have your friends and your family, and you did something together. So it’s nice. So it’s a great feeling talaga,” he admitted.

The movie also comes on the heels of the Buwan Ng Wika celebration, which aims to promote the love for the national language and can help Pinoys from all over the world trace back their Filipino roots. “It resonates now because marami na sa atin nakakalimot magsalita ng Tagalog. Marami tayong FIl-Am, maraming part ng mga pelikula namin na nakakapanuod na baluktot magsalita, okay lang pero as long as naintindihan nila yung Tagalog. So Buwan ng Wika focuses on the national language, Tagalog. Siyempre respetuhin natin yung salita ng mga Cebuano, yung salit ng mga Ilonggo. Importante yan eh. Ang importante diyan. nagkakaintindihan tayo and it’s just about communication. For me, yun yun,” he added.

Quezon stars Jericho Rosales as Manuel Quezon, Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmeña, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Benjamin Alves as the younger Manuel Quezon. The film opens in cinemas nationwide starting October 15. Directed by Jerrold Tarog for TBA Studios.

Source: news.abs-cbn.com