MANILA, Philippines -- Coming off a string of successes on TV, the big screen and recently in the music scene, Jericho Rosales feels particularly triumphant over the international acclaim he has received for his latest independent film.
"Alagwa," headlined by Rosales, child star Bugoy Carino, and Malaysian Kapamilya star Carmen Soo, recently participated in the 17th Busan International Film Festival, which concluded last October 13.
Directed by Ian Lorenos, "Alagwa" earned raves from international media, on top of being received warmly by Korean audiences in Busan.
"Kung ano 'yung in-expect ko, mga 10% lang nung lahat ng nangyari," Rosales told reporters at the sidelines of a Tuesday fashion show by local clothing line Collezione C2, which he endorses.
The Kapamilya actor, who also recently launched his newest solo album "Korona," was recounting his experience as the Philippine's representative to the international film fest.
"It was the longest red carpet ever na nilakaran ko, and lahat ng nandun, karamihan, movie fans, film fans, and lahat sila mahal nila 'yung festival," Rosales said.
According to Rosales, large screens were displayed along the red carpet. The screens projected those who were involved in the participating films -- from the producer and the director to the actors.
"Lahat kami, nung naglalakad kami sa red carpet, pinapalakpakan kami. Sobrang laki ng venue, and we were well-received, lahat ng mga stars," said Rosales, who had previously starred in an internationally released film, "Subject: I Love You," just last year.
"Doon pa lang naramdaman ko 'yung support ng mga tao sa Busan, and that made me feel so good as an actor. Even Kim (Jones, Rosales' current girlfriend) was so happy, kasi magkasama kami lumakad. Ibang klase 'yung experience talaga," he added.
In "Alagwa," which has the international title "Breakaway," Rosales plays a single father whose 9-year-old son (Carino), becomes a victim of human trafficking. The premiere screening of the film in Busan, the Kapamilya leading man recounted, was particularly well-received.
"The first screening, puno siya and the last also, meaning they (audience) liked the film siguro, at talagang supportive sila sa mga pelikula. So sana ganoon dito sa Pilipinas," Rosales said.
Another source of triumph for the ABS-CBN actor were the reviews for his performance in the movie. One in particular, from the international trade magazine Hollywood Reporter, "wowed" Rosales upon reading it.
In the review, Rosales' portrayal was described as "nagging, brusque and hyper-critical." The review also said the actor "expertly conveys the over-compensation of the single parent in the tough love Robert shows his son."
The Hollywood Reporter called the Filipino movie, which is also co-produced by Rosales, a "powerful" film about human trafficking and a "small gem portraying a father-son relationship with nothing fake or sentimental about it."
For Rosales, being recognized as an actor is "nakakataba ng puso."
"Makikita mo 'yung connection sa mga tao, plus we got a review from the Hollywood Reporter nga, so wow. It was a very blessed trip," Rosales said.
source: abs-cbnnews.com
