February 18, 2025: Actor Jericho Rosales has officially signed on to play the lead role in TBA Studios’ upcoming historical biopic Quezon, where he will portray Manuel L. Quezon, the Filipino lawyer, soldier, and the first President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944. This film marks Rosales’ highly anticipated return to Philippine cinema after several years of absence. His most recent big-screen appearance was in the 2018 romantic drama The Girl in the Orange Dress. On television, he is currently starring in the popular ABS-CBN drama Lavender Fields.
Directed and co-written by Jerrold Tarog, Quezon follows the intriguing life of the politician, known for his sharp intelligence, cunning nature, and charm. Tarog, who is acclaimed for his direction of historical biopics such as Heneral Luna (2015) and Goyo: The Boy General (2018), will once again collaborate with TBA Studios for this historical project. Filming is set to begin in March 2025.
Rosales expressed his excitement for the role, calling it an honor to be part of the project. He shared, “Coming to a script like this, which is so potent and entertaining, I feel so lucky and happy. Quezon is such an interesting character to play; he’s not written as a hero. He’s cunning, charming, and intelligent. There are so many things I can put into the role to build Quezon as a character.”
The film also stars Mon Confiado, who reprises his role as Emilio Aguinaldo, Quezon’s political rival, and Benjamin Alves, who portrays a younger Manuel L. Quezon. Karylle Yuzon will play Quezon’s wife, Aurora Quezon, while other notable cast members include Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmena, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Cris Villanueva as the older Joven Hernando, a fictional character created for the film.
More cast announcements are expected in the coming months as the production gears up for filming. The biopic promises to delve into the life of one of the most significant figures in Philippine history, with a focus on both Quezon’s personal and political journey.