We were the first one to predict that he’ll win best actor right after the movie’s press preview, but he won’t believe it. “Akala ko talaga, si John Lloyd Cruz ang mananalo, e,” he says. “So nagpapasalamat talaga ako sa judges na nagustuhan nila ang performance ko. And I’m so happy that our movie has earned na raw almost P150 million.”
Jericho joined showbiz 20 years ago and it’s been a fruitful career for him. He’s glad that Star Magic helped him celebrate his success and significant contribution to the world of showbiz by hosting a thanksgiving dinner for him at the ballroom of the new B Hotel on Sct. Rallos.
People first saw Jericho as the winner in Eat Bulaga’s Mr. Pogi then he went on to explore the world of acting and eventually found a home in ABS-CBN when he became part of Star Magic’s Star Circle Batch 4 in 1997. Echo has his a solid fan base in Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia and South Africa because of his hit teleserye “Pangako Sa Yo.” with Kristine Hermosa. He also starred with iconic Malaysian artists Aaron Azia and Tiz Zaqyah Razak in “Kusinero”, a TV series shown in Malaysia’s Astro Musika HD 134 channel.
From a teen idol, Jericho eventually transitioned into a hunk dramatic actor and became part of ASAP boy group “Hunks” alongside Piolo Pascual, Diether Ocampo, Carlos Agassi and Bernard Palanca. Jericho was able to express his musical side and this led him in having a singing career with his band Jeans. Because of his popularity in Asia, especially in Malaysia, Jericho even did his band’s album launch in Kuala Lumpur. He launched his first album with his band titled “Loose Fit” in 2006 followed by a self titled album. “Change” and “Korona” albums were released in the market.
As a serious actor, Jericho continued to make quality television shows and movies. He did the remake of Fernando Poe Jr’s “Panday” and Koreanovela “Green Rose.” He also did another soap with Kristine titled “Dahil May Isang Ikaw” which got nominated Best Telenovela in the International Emmys and New York Film Festivals in 2011. He did “Kahit Isang Saglit,” which was partly shot in Malaysia and also starred Malaysian actress Carmen Soo.
He won Best Drama Actor in the 26th Star Awards for TV for “Dahil Sa Pag-ibig.” He got several nominations for his works in various award giving bodies including FAMAS, Star Awards for Movies, Golden Screen and Metro Manila Film Festival. His film Alagwa (Breakaway) won in film festivals around the world and recognized as the Most Outstanding Achievement in Film Acting Award at the 2013 Newport Beach Film Festival. Most notable are his awards for Best Actor for the said film in the country’s respected award giving bodies Gawad Urian and FAMAS in 2013. For sure, Jericho’s career will continue to bloom after winning another feather on his cap at the recent MIFF. Definitely, the best is yet to come for Echo.
