Jericho Rosales to play lead role in Manuel Quezon biopic

Jericho Rosales has been confirmed to play the role of Manuel L. Quezon in an upcoming biographical historical movie about the late Philippine president.

In a press release sent to PhilSTAR L!fe on Tuesday, Feb. 18, TBA Studios said the actor will lead the cast of the biopic, marking his return to the big screen after a seven-year-break. His last movie project was The Girl in the Orange Dress, which hit Philippine cinemas in 2018.

"Coming to a script like this which is so potent and so entertaining, I feel so lucky and happy," he said. "Here, you will see Quezon as a person. He's not written as a hero. He is cunning, he is charming, he is intelligent. Quezon is such an interesting character to play; there are so many things I can put into the role to build Quezon as a character. That adds to the pressure, but at the same time I am very excited."

Get a first look at Rosales as Quezon in the video below.

Joining Rosales in the cast are Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo, Benjamin Alves as a younger Quezon, Karylle Yuzon as Quezon’s wife Aurora Quezon, Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmeña, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Cris Villanueva as the older Joven Hernando, the only fictional character in the series.

Quezon will follow the titular Filipino lawyer and soldier who became the president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. It will highlight his tumultuous presidential campaign against Emilio Aguinaldo.

Jerrold Tarog, who directed and co-wrote the two Bayaniverse movies Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral, will be at the helm of Quezon.

TBA Studios President and Chief Operating Officer Daphne Chiu said Quezon will be released locally and internationally later this year.