YES, he is a hunk! Jericho Rosales can make the ladies swoon with his tall frame, kayumanggi skin and disarming smile. More than the face and the frame, this guy has impressive credentials- major nominations, 14 movies, a long list of TV guestings, concerts, recordings and product endorsements. Currently, he is doing Panday 2 and filming for a Manny Paquiao movie. One Philippines had the occasion to chat with Echo about his roles and interests. Read on!

There has been so many great career opportunities that the talent center has opened up for you. To take the place of FPJ in the role of Panday is definitely a big shoe to fill.

How did you prepare for this role? What is it like reliving two legends, one of your character in Panday and the other of FPJ?

I'm honored and privileged to be chosen as the next Panday. Panday is a challenge for me as an actor. Doing this project is certainly one of the highlights of my career. Not everyone in this business is given this kind of break so I’m thankful for the trust na binigay nila sa akin. Mahirap mapantayan ang role ni FPJ for Panday pero I gave my best para ma-bigyan ng justice ang role. FPJ is FPJ; wala na makakatalo nun- kumbaga legend na siya. Sa Panday, gusto ko rin mapakita yung difference at mag-iwan ng marka, with me playing the lead role.

As part of my preparation for the role, I watched FPJ's Panday. I've been through a lot of trainings for the fight scenes. Madugo ang training, sobra!

Any plans of bringing back the Panday to the big screen with you playing the role?

Syempre, Maganda yun if a producer becomes interested enough to bring Panday to the big screen. That would definitely be great!

Heart Evangelista is your reel and real life girl friend. How is it like working with her? Does the relationship off screen help while filming the romantic scenes? Or is it a challenge to delineate your professional and personal life?

Masarap ka-trabaho is Heart. She's very professional. Nakakatulong rin in a way sa romantic scenes namin kasi we don't have to exert much effort. Di na naiilang. Its not much of a challenge naman to delineate my professional and personal life. But ever since naman, I know how to handle both my career and personal life.

If we can ask, how did the relationship start? And how do you maintain the relationship?

We started as friends way before pa. Then, naging magka-trabaho nga kami sa Panday. It all started sa work e. Most of the time, kami ang magkasama sa mga location shoots. We had the chance to get to know each other well. Constant textmates and dates kami for quite some time. Ayun, we fell in love.

What is your dream role? My dream role?

Gusto ko tulad ng "Troy" or role ng isa sa lead characters of Lord ofthe Rings.

What are your other interests? How do find time to do surfing or your other interests?

I'm also into music. I have a band named Jeans. Whenever I have time, I jam with them. Of course, Surfing! Lagi akong may time mag-surf, di pwedeng wala. Yun ang pang-relax ko! I love to eat! I always find time to relax!

How do you keep in shape?

I go to the gym and surf as much as possible. Eat less carbs specially now that I’m doing Manny Pacquiao. Kailangan disipilina para maganda tingnan sa big screen.

Who are your showbiz idols and why?

Marami akong idols sa showbiz. Syempre isa na dun si FPJ. With all his contributions to the industry, he's someone I look up to even before I got the role of Panday. Maganda rin kasi ang image niya ever since he started his career in showbiz.

We wish we could have chatted longer with Echo, but he had to go back to his busy schedule. But we will keep you, dear readers, posted on Echo. Abangan!