The stuff Rafael is made of

MANILA, Philippines - A person of conviction and strong will, Jerome Padilla is the character portrayed by sought-after leading man Rafael Rosell in the newest primetime installment of the Kapuso Network, Second Chances. For someone like Jerome’s character, it takes a lot of guts and plans to achieve the things he values the most.

Rafael has been known as one of the lead actors of GMA 7. However, it was not originally his plan to go into show business.

Growing up in Norway and having to practice Filipino traditions under the supervision of his Filipino parents, Rafael craved to immerse himself with the culture that he grew up with while being in a different country.

When he visited the Philippines for a vacation in 2000, his mother was able to book an audition for him. It was the first door that opened to a lot of opportunities. Right now, he has grown into a both natural and versatile actor, and continues to prove that he is a man passionate about what he does. His latest character, Jerome, can attest to that.

And for someone like Jerome who is willing to do anything just to get his most treasured thing in life, Rafael shares the things and people he values the most and how he cares for them.

On top of his list is his mother. Rafael expresses how his mother’s open-mindedness towards worldly visions and new knowledge made him realize that learning should be prioritized. They were taught that anything is possible.

“With that mindset, we evaded a lot of judgment when new knowledge came in. We were raised with open minds and parang ready to adapt to certain circumstances,” Rafael says.

He also shares about how every moment with his mom is a treasure. Looking back when he was still a little boy living in Norway, his mother would always pick him up from school and they would take long walks in the forest on their way home. Although it was just a short distance, he enjoyed his time with his mother, and brought this hobby with him until he grew up.

“’Pag gusto ko ng solitude, I take long walks sa UP or sa kung saan may grass. I like walking barefoot,” he admits.

Aside from walking, Rafael spends his leisure time surfing. In fact, one of his surfboards has a special place in his life.

“I have this surfboard that’s been like my girlfriend whenever I’m in the ocean. It’s always there carrying me. It’s been with me kapag malaki o kahit maliit lang ang alon, it’s been with me through storm surfing and sunny surfing, it’s been with me through near-death experience under a big wave, it’s been with me through simple surfna relax lang.”

He named his favorite surfboard, Bruce Lee. For him, it’s like Wilson from Tom Hanks’ movie, Castaway. He tells about how Bruce Lee can serve as a little boat that can help save people whenever there is flood.

Rafael has his happy place, and although he can’t tell you the location, he claims that it’s a secret surf spot wherein it breaks in an A frame. He can surf it from left to right and there aren’t much currents. But what he’s most excited about it is it’s being shark-free. He loves how there’s not much development so it’s just him, the nature, escaping, camping and being on his own.

Surfing is his way to break free from the demands of being an actor. However, he adds that there is no room for complaints because he is very much thankful for what he has already made for himself as an artist. So far, he is most proud of the outcome of Temptation of Wife. It was aired in Malaysia, and a lot of Malaysian fans started supporting him in all his endeavors.

“A lot of them became friends with the local Filipinos because of the show. I think I brought people together so para sakin, Temptation of Wife is special because it’s an extension of what I want to live for,” says the Kapuso actor.

Now starring as an ambitious and competitive Jerome Padilla in Second Chances, he believes that all of us want second chances. He explains, “There are various ways in grabbing those second chances. There are various perspectives on who are those second chances for, and I think throughout this show, not only with my character, but sa lahat ng character sa show na ‘to, may mapupulot kang paraan kung matutupad yung second chance na yun, at kung paano mo maibibigay o kukunin, or para sayo ba yung second chance o para sa iba.”

Rafael still has a long way to go, and he is thankful for all the opportunities the Kapuso network has opened for him. As a Kapuso artist, he values the moment when he shook the hand of GMA chairman and CEO, lawyer Felipe Gozon.

“It’s a new field, a new company, and I sat there with all the bosses and not for one second did they make me feel like a stranger. That felt good,” Rafael proudly exclaims.

As someone who is followed by many people, even outside the country, Rafael aims to be an inspiration to all of them. He wants to share knowledge above all else. He asserts, “All the knowledge that they never thought was actually knowledge, the truths they never believed in before, mind blowing information that you would never believe existed, I want to share that stuff. Some knowledge sana that will widen their perspective, so we would all set towards the goal of kabutihan para sa karamihan.”