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Jericho Rosales To Play Manuel L. Quezon In TBA’s New Film

by Alexa Villano
February 18, 2025

Quezon is the third movie from the TBA Studios trilogy, which includes Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral

TBA Studios has found its Manuel L. Quezon. On Tuesday, February 18, the film studio behind Heneral Luna and Goyo shared a reel showing Jericho Rosales reading one of Quezon’s biographies.

“Jericho Rosales is Quezon,” the film studio confirmed, announcing it will be shown this 2025.

Jericho Rosales teasing his role as the late Manuel L. Quezon in the movie Quezon — Photo from tbastudiosph

The actor also confirmed the news on his Instagram, sharing the same reel.

Jericho will star alongside Benjamin Alves, who reprises his role as the young Quezon. In an Instagram post, Benjamin shared a picture of him and Jericho holding the 20 pesos bill with Quezon’s face.

“From our initial meetings, rehearsals, and readings: this is going to be a Quezon we have never seen or read about. [I’m] honored to explore such a deep, historic, and colorful person with you Kuya! Like I told you, I will do my best to keep up. Welcome to the Bae-yani Universe, Señor Presidente!”

The much-awaited completion of the trilogy

With the announcement of Jericho as Quezon, TBA officially completes its historical trilogy that started in 2014 with Heneral Luna, starring John Arcilla, and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral in 2018, starring Paulo Avelino. Both films were directed by Jerrold Tarog, who will also return as director for Quezon.

In its announcement last January, TBA said that Quezon marks the continuation of its cinematic “Bayaniverse.” Filming for Quezon starts this March.

The story picks up after the war, with Quezon becoming the president of the country and his tumultuous presidential campaign against then-President Emilio Aguinaldo.

Jericho Rosales plays the late Manuel L. Quezon in the latest movie Quezon — Photo from tbastudiosph

Who Is Manuel Quezon?

While the name Quezon is synonymous with Quezon City and the province named after him, Manuel Luis Quezon is a lawyer, soldier, and politician. He was also a senator and became the senate president. He is credited for passing the Jones Act , granting the country’s independence at that time. He also fought for the Tydings-McDuffie law, which provided the Philippines with full independence after a transitional period.

Manuel L. Quezon became the country’s president in 1935 during the Commonwealth Era. He was re-elected president in 1941 but fled to exile when the Japanese invaded the Philippines during World War II. As narrated in the film Quezon’s Game, starring Raymond Bagatsing, Quezon also permitted Jews fleeing Germany to come to Manila.

Quezon died of tuberculosis in 1944 before seeing the country’s full independence from its colonizers. His family includes his wife Aurora and three children. His grandson, Manuel Luis “Manolo” Quezon III is a known host and writer for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. Manolo served as former Undersecretary and Officer-in-Charge for the Presidential Communications Development and Strategic Planning Office during Noynoy Aquino’s time.

Jericho’s growing list of achievements

Jericho is no stranger to playing real-life characters. He previously played the role of Manny Pacquiao in the film Pacquiao: The Movie in 2006. He also appeared in the romantic war film Baler, starring Anne Curtis. Coincidentally, Baler is the capital of Aurora, the province named after Quezon’s wife.

A father himself, Jericho has a son, Santino, who is now making a name as a model. Jericho was last seen in Lavender Fields, starring alongside girlfriend Janine Gutierrez and veteran actress Jodi Sta. Maria.