Jericho Rosales on Janine’s heartbreak, playing Quezon, and secrets to staying grounded

Janine’s losses started in April with her paternal grandmother, singer Pilita Corrales. Four days later, her maternal grandmother, National Artist Nora Aunor—also Lotlot de Leon’s adoptive mother—passed away. In May, her uncle, actor Ricky Davao, died. Most recently, her longtime nanny, Yaya Pat—someone she considered a second mother—also passed.

Jericho hasn’t let her face it alone. “I asked Janine to come to the beach with me and her sister. I told her, ‘You don’t need to work. Just take the time you need,’” he told reporters at a party thrown for him by Maya Black, a premium credit card under the digital bank Maya.

“For her, it’s about more than one getaway,” he added. “Just sitting down, listening, and being there… that matters so much. I can’t take the pain away, but I can be there. That’s enough.”

After a year of dating, Jericho says he’s learning a lot about Janine’s family along the way. “For the first time, I’ve seen a family outside my own that’s this close. It’s inspiring.”

Jericho is also busy promoting Jerrold Tarog’s biopic “Quezon,” which was released in cinemas in October. The actor says he’s aware of comments saying his portrayal is so convincing that some are calling him the present-day image of the late president.

“A lot of people—the ones who really matter—say I did justice to the role. I worked hard to achieve what you see on screen. I don’t think I’m the image of Quezon. It’s just that ako ‘yong mas accessible ngayon. When they Google Quezon, it’s probably me, the movie, and some pictures of Quezon that they will see,” he said.