On the road with Jericho
MANILA, Philippines - Wrangler got actor and riding enthusiast Jericho Rosales as its ambassador for this year’s #TrueWanderer campaign. Jericho parks his awesome BMW bike for a bit to talk about his passion for motorbikes, road-trip playlists, and having gasoline virtually run through your veins.
What’s your first motorcycle and what’s your current bike?
My first motorcycle was a Yahama R6. My current one is a Ducati Scrambler.
What’s your favorite destination when using a bike?
It would be Palawan. The scenery, the fresh air, the food — it’s amazing. It’s a playground for bikers. There are no cars, nothing gets in the way. You can just stop anywhere and take a beautiful photo.
What’s your favorite part of riding?
Waking up early in the morning and beating the traffic. Whenever I have to go to work, I arrive faster. The ride is much shorter. I have a reason to be the rugged self that I am. It’s like the gas is also flowing through my bloodstream. The entire feeling of riding the bike —the twist of the throttle transports me. There’s just really so much emotion when riding a bike. It depends on the kind of bike that you ride: the bigger the engine, the more exciting.
So do you ride different bikes for different moods?
Oh yes. When I want an easy ride to have coffee or deliver a message, I use a scooter. But when I want a little grapple, I use my Ducati.
How old did you start biking and did anyone convince you to ride a bike?
Around my teenage years to my early twenties. I don’t remember, but I think I taught myself how to ride a bike.
If you were to compile an imaginary bike-ride soundtrack what would the top 5 songs be?
Wow, that’s hard. It depends, if I want slow jams, I would listen to the blues. If I want an emo, fast and long ride — Coldplay. If I want na medyo makulit, I’d go glam rock. When I use an old-school bike, I play jazz or instrumental. When I use my scooter, I go Euro-beats like Phoenix or The 1975. I still listen to Jam Rock quietly. It changes everything, when you listen to music when you ride.
What makes a true-blue Wrangler True Wanderer?
You got to have that passion for adventure, for discovering new things, connecting with people, taking photographs, writing about it. You got to be able to say “I want to conquer this destination. I’m gonna bring my bike, pack my stuff and go.” You got to have that “go” or “bahala na si Batman” attitude, but plan it a little bit. You have to have that respect for the road, the bike and nature.
Whenever I ride my bike, my stress level really drops. I get disconnected. When I’m stressed, I surf or I bike. I just find a way to disconnect myself and refresh.
