He could easily be one in a multitude of stars pitching for a fashion label, but Jericho Rosales knows why he doesn’t have to be. He chooses labels that aren’t as popular, yet gives him enough freedom to do what he feels can help the labels achieve their marketing goals.
In fact, he had not renewed his ties with an innerwear label for some time. A couple of weeks ago, we learned that Walker has renewed his contract with him as its premier endorser.
These days (and nights, especially), we see him on ABS-CBN in the Sunday variety show ASAP, and as the affable former street kid-turned lawyer in the top-rating Dahil May Isang Ikaw along with former sweetheart Kristine Hermosa and actors Gabby Concepcion and Lorna Tolentino.
He claims to have a zero love life, choosing instead to focus more on his career and other interests, like singing, (he has just released a new CD titled, Change) and sports, among them surfing, skateboarding, and boxing.
Echo actually has long been a loyal member of the Walker family since 2000 after his Mr. Pogi stint. Now, he gets the privilege of once again being the face for the company’s latest collection: the Graffiti Design.
Playful, sporty, yet trendy, the Graffiti Design personifies the outstanding traits of Echo, and only he can pull off promoting this line composed of stylish and comfortable underwear made from 95- percent cotton and 5-percent spandex. Colors and designs of the Graffiti line are classic yet contemporary, for a tasteful appeal that young men like him can wear every day.
In citing reasons for choosing Jericho as their model, Walker noted his pleasant personality as a role model to the youth. “He is kind, approachable, and humble despite his success; he knows how to look back to his humble beginnings and pay gratitude to the people who helped him in and outside showbiz,” according to the management of Walker Underwear.
In a similar pattern, Echo has developed through the years as has the Walker brand. From a simple manufacturer of calzoncillos, Walker has evolved into one of the country’s pioneers in the manufacture of quality underwear. For his part, Echo started just like any struggling actor, but his star now shines brighter as one of the well-admired actors of today.
To launch Echo’s Graffiti collection, the actor posed for Ronnie Salvacion. The pictorial was a collaboration of ideas among Walker management, Genesis Management’s senior vice president Marinez Elizalde and head of sales/vice president-creative Paeng Altavas, makeup artist Peps Silvestre, stylist Janet de la Fuente, and Salvacion, one of today’s most talented young photographers.
Jericho was made up to look ruggedly handsome like James Dean, showing little skin but oozing with raw appeal. Echo’s toned physique and natural tan made him look extra fit and fabulous, while sporting Graffiti underwear matched with stylish wardrobe.
Ronnie exerted so much effort for this shoot, giving his best to achieve the desired look and effect, even rendering the images in black and white for a classic touch. The Walker products featured in the shoot included the classic Camisa Chino, sando, sleeveless roundneck shirt, checkered boxer shorts collection and the Graffiti boxer briefs.
“I am settled in my heart to be endorsing Walker because we share the same vision of no- compromise in quality. In my profession where only the most talented and those with enduring appeal survive and leave their mark, I am blessed to still be here doing what I love doing, just like Walker which has established its brand in the industry,” Echo shared.
No legal hitches to show Panday in December
Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. is glad that the Commission on Elections has clarified the ruling on premature campaigning, thus allowing Panday, the movie his movie company Imus Productions is co-producing with GMA Films, to be screened in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival.
“I am crossing my fingers that no one will raise a protest against it,” the actor who has turned down invitation to run for vice president said at a recent press do.
This Panday is what he promised his fans the first time he donned the Panday costume in a movie.
“We have many surprises in store for the public,” promised Bong who saw to it that this reinvention of Panday deserves the reputation of its predecessors. “We guarantee great holiday package for movie fans of all ages.”
Besides its being a “first” for Bong and director Mac Alejandre, this Panday also marks the “debut” of Phillip Salvador as a villain, a daring career move after years of playing the protagonist in many action movies before the local film industry slid down to limbo.
“I didn’t mind shaving my head for the role,” says Phillip. “Maganda talaga.”
Plus, of course, he couldn’t say no to Bong who is his bosom buddy. The two comprise a well-knit barkada that also include Senator Jinggoy Estrada and the late Rudy Fernandez.
In Bong’s political sorties, Phillip was a constant companion.
“But in this movie,” adds Phillip, “mortal kaming magka-away. Hindi lang mano-mano ang laban namin. Mas pa doon.”
Completing the cast are Rhian Ramos, Geoff Eigenmann, Iza Calzado, Luz Valdez and Dan Fernandez.
“Each actor perfectly fits the role,” says Bong. “We made sure of that.”
New Moon’s successful premiere
The new film from the Twilight franchise, New Moon, distributed locally by Wilson Que’s Pioneer Films, had a very successful premiere night last Thursday. The premiere screening of the much-awaited New Moon was held in four different theaters. In attendance were celebrities and fans of the Twilight franchise.
The Cinema 3 at Promenade in Greenhills was jam packed with enthusiastic moviegoers. The premiere was sponsored among others by Dewfoam, the country’s leading manufacturer of superior foams, mattresses and beds for 40 years now. Its latest innovation is the Everest Optimum Spring Bed, known as the Chiropractic Bed because of its unique formation and number of springs designed to effect an improved level of contouring to our irregular body shape.
According to Dennis Uy, Everest Optimum Spring Bed helps prevents osteoporosis or skeletal deformity, prevents neck pains or stiff neck, prevents poor blood circulation, and prevent interrupted breathing. The brand is available at all Abenson outlets in NCR and Luzon areas, according to Cheryl Kho.
Actress Ana Capri, who was at the premiere, said “Dewfoam is the only company that manufactures its own industrial foam and sleep-related products using European state-of-the-art technology.” Driven by its corporate statement “quality and comfort,” Dewfoam continues to innovate sleep-related products by upgrading its plant facilities and manufacturing machineries in NCR, Visayas and Mindanao.
CCP Alternative Film and Video tilt reset
The Ika-21 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video will be held on Dec. 8 to 11, instead of Nov. 17 to 20 as originally scheduled.
The Ika- 21 Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video is the longest running film and video competition in the Philippines. It is a competition for works in 16mm and 35mm format for film and DVD and MiniDv formats for video. It is held in the categories of Short Feature/Narrative, Experimental, Documentary and Animation.
Cash prizes will be given to winners of the different categories. Special awards will be given for Best Regional Entry, Best Entry based on or inspired by the works of a Filipino National Artist and Best Entry for/on/by Children. Honorable mention may be awarded by the jury.
Winners of the competition will be announced in the awards ceremony on Dec. 11 at the CCP Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino. All entries to the competition will be screened during the Festival week from Dec. 8 to 11 at the CCP Tanghalang Manuel Conde.
For more information, call CCP Media Arts at 832-1125 locals 1702,1704 and 1705.
Personals
My deepest and sincerest condolences to Laurice Guillen, Ana Feleo and Ina Feleo, I know they are missing terribly Johnny Delgado (we knew him as Juan Feleo, his real name) who had been laid to rest yesterday at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina.
I have met Johnny when I was still in college when our group that included Lorrie Atienza (now Mrs. Joey Lina and Herky del Mundo, brother of screen-playwright and director Doy del Mundo) did a short film with him in the lead role. I remember him as a very cooperative actor, despite his stature then in the movie industry, he enjoyed the days he spent with us in the Cordilleras where we shot the film. I would meet him later when I was already writing articles for the newspaper.
