ECHO  WANTS  NEXT  GF  TO  BE  NON-SHOWBIZ

MANILA, OCTOBER 19, 2009 (MALAYA) STUDIO WHISPERS by ETHEL RAMOS  (All his past loves were from showbiz: Angelica dela Cruz, Kristine Hermosa, Cindy Kurleto, and Heart Evangelista.)

JERICHO Rosales has clarified earlier reports that he was a victim of Ondoy. While almost all of the streets in the subdivision where he lives, Loyola Grand Villas in Quezon City, were flooded, his was spared. "Perhaps, because we were in the upper portion of the village," Echo (Jericho’s pet name) said.

Echo could have chosen to stay put in the safety of his house until typhoon Ondoy left the country.

"But that wouldn’t be Echo," said someone close to him, "If he didn’t do his share for the victims of the typhoon which radio and TV announcers kept reporting about in their shows."

Echo, using his surfboard, went to the affected areas in their subdivision and started helping his beleaguered neighbors.

"But there were those," according to Echo, "especially those na may second floor ang mga bahay, who preferred to stay where they were. Actually, all they wanted to know and hear is that there were people representing the government sector who were available and willing to help them.

"I kept assuring them that the MMDA (Metro Manila Development Authority) wouldl come as soon as they could."

Echo said he would have wanted what he did to remain a secret. That’s why for a while he refused to have himself interviewed, especially on television.

But when the pastor of his congregation advised him to tell his story, as it might inspire others to emulate him, he acceded.

"I’m happy and proud that our group, the Aloha (all surfing enthusiasts, like him), did their share. They are, in fact, still actively involved in helping the victims.

"What happened is an eye-opener for all of us. What happened to one can happen to everyone.

"We could have been all naked. So, ano ba ang pagkakaiba natin sa isa’t isa?" he said.

***

What is keeping Echo busy right now is the promotion of his new album, "Change," his first with Star Records.

Star Records is releasing the CD in time for Echo’s 12th anniversary in the entertainment scene.

The album contains 14 tracks. And each song has a story which, said Echo, merited its inclusion in the album.

The CD’s carrier single is "Pusong Ligaw," which Echo wrote himself. It is a track that is very personal for the singer.

"I Love Your Ways" is the song he would dedicate to Heart Evangelista, his last girlfriend.

"I wrote it when one time I attended a party in her honor. Spontaneous ang pagkaka-awit ko noon.

"But every word came from the heart," Echo said.

"Naaalala Ka" is for his mom. He knew the song is a Rey Valera composition. Gabe Valenciano, the son of singer Gary V. and Angeli Pangilinan, who is Echo’s talent manager, made a new arrangement of the song. Likewise, they added new lines to the song, with the proper permission of the original composer.

"Di Bale Na Lang" is an old composition of Gary V, which he sung himself and made popular.

"As for ‘Lost Without Your Love’," Echo narrated, "my (talent) manager personally requested me to include it in the album."

***

Carmen Soo’s visit to the Philippines has nothing to do at all with the release of Echo’s album. Echo wants this clear.

"But I’m glad she is back in town," Echo said of Carmen’s sudden arrival in the country to help promote a new endorsement. "It happens to be her birthday. Kaya, very significant ang araw na ito."

Carmen, a Malaysian actress, played leading lady to Echo in the drama series, "Kahit Isang Saglit," which is nominated for best series in the 2009 International Emmy Awards.

Carmen was suspected to have been the reason why Heart broke up with Echo.

Heart has denied this. She revealed that it was the American actress with whom Echo had worked with in a foreign movie that she got jealous of.

"Now, at least, everybody knows that nothing really happened between me and Carmen while we were working in the series," Echo revealed, "although we really became good friends.

"I want to take this opportunity, too, to deny that something happened between me and the foreign star who was my leading lady in the foreign movie I did."

He has remained loveless since his break-up with Heart. He is not expecting a reconciliation.

"When I fall in love again," he declared seriously, "I hope sa isang ‘di na taga-showbiz."

Aside from Heart, who was his leading lady in the series, "Ang Panday," all the other girls linked to Jericho were movie stars: Kristine Hermosa, Angelika de la Cruz, and Cindy Kurleto.

***

During the presscon for his album, one of Echo’s endorsements, Extra Joss, through Daniel Subrata, country manager of Klabe Int’l, producer of Extra Joss, presented Echo with a check for P1 million. The money was the company’s contribution to the ABS-CBN Foundation, for the building of portable toilets and shower rooms in evacuation centers.