Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in “The Chosen” TV series, visited the Philippines and delighted fans last Nov. 22.
Known for his profound portrayal of Christ and unwavering faith, Roumie’s presence brought excitement and inspiration to a nation of ardent supporters of the groundbreaking series.
At Shangri-la The Fort in Bonifacio Global City, Roumie met the media for interviews and discussions, talking about portraying such a difficult role, his spiritual journey, and the universal impact of “The Chosen.”
"The Chosen" star Jonathan Roumie at SM Megamall (Contributed photos)
In the evening, fans gathered at SM Megamall cinema in anticipation as Roumie—looking stylish in white jacket, black pants and sleek pulled back hair-- walked the teal carpet, radiating warmth and gratitude.
He took time to connect personally with supporters, posing for photos, signing autographs, and exchanging heartfelt moments.
The evening culminated in the premiere screening of “Christmas with The Chosen: Holy Night” the Christmas special that has captivated audiences worldwide.
The Christmas Special also features The Feast Worship in a musical video along with the other global gospel artists that will open exclusively at SM Cinemas on December 11.
Tickets are now available at SM cinemas / The Chosen
The fan screening event reflected elements seen in other “Chosen” hubs, such as a live musical performance by Virlanie Voices and interactive fan experiences at the teal carpet.
What unfolded, however, was far from an ordinary fan event. It became a true Chosen event, with many attendees arriving in costumes as their favorite characters from the series. As the evening’s hosts went around asking random fans, "What are you excited about tonight?" one young man eagerly said, "I'm excited to finally meet Jonathan Roumie in person!"
A woman cried into the mic, "I'm excited to meet Jesus!"—a moment that surprised and cheered the crowd. Also spotted among the audience were three genuinely disabled persons in wheelchairs, loyal fans who unabashedly said their presence in the event was an answer to a prayer.
This profound display of faith and devotion underscored the transformative power of “The Chosen” and its ability to touch lives in ways beyond storytelling.
His visit not only celebrated the global success of “The Chosen” but also deepened its resonance among Filipino fans, uniting faith and fandom in a truly unforgettable way.
Local celebrities who are also well-known fans of “The Chosen” such as Rabiya Mateo, Roxanne Guinoo, Andrea Del Rosario, Wendell Ramos, Betong Sumaya, Camille Prats-Yambao and iconic artist Gary Valenciano also graced the event.
Valenciano, said, “I am thrilled to see everyone here for this event. I have been a solid Chosen follower since the very beginning, actually during the pandemic. I am really really blessed that they are here to a nation that has been hungry for the Lord. And the series resonates so well with me because and, I can’t wait to make Jonathan know this, but ever since I was a child, the way I’ve always felt Jesus talking to me is exactly the way Jonathan portrays Him to be.
“You know, very tender, but very firm, very loving but with authority with every word that he says. That resonates with me really well because I’ve also been given a chance to speak with other young people and I do try my best to bring Jesus into their lives in a way that is different, in a way that would make them feel how precious they are to Jesus. You know, Jesus was human, and that’s what you see in ‘The Chosen.’ Life changing, there were times I have to pause (when watching) and just realize the goodness of God presented this way for the world. I think it’s great, and what the world needs right now. And with social media being so much a part of our mind, I think ‘The Chosen’ can be a part of our hearts,” he added.
Roumie was in awe with the warmth and passion the fans showed for the series, saying, “Salamat! Thank you Philippines. We couldn’t make this show without your support, without your passion.”
At the event when the hosts asked what can fans expect on the Christmas special “Holy Night” premiere, Roumie said, “I heard you guys like the Christmas season a little bit, is that true? I think that you’re going to love the way that ‘The Chosen’ tells the story of the nativity and the fact that we do it in a way that we also invite worship music to be a part of the film, to be a part of the experience of the story of nativity, with so many wonderful artists including The Feast Worship playing in the film as well. I think it’s an opportunity to remember what this season is about. It’s about Christ as the reason for the season of Christmas.”
As for “The Chosen” Season 5 that will finally drop in April next year, he said, “Your heads are gonna pop off when you see what we did. It’s gonna be so intense and beautiful and a little bit of heartbreak as well.”
"The Chosen" star Jonathan Roumie with Gary Valenciano 
"The Chosen" star Jonathan Roumie at SM Megamall (Contributed photos)
“You can always expect a good cry when you sit down to watch a season of ‘The Chosen.’ So, Season 5 will be no less intense, no less joyful, no less heartbreaking than season 4. Each season, we try to give more than what we gave from the previous season, the show gets a little bit bigger. God just seems to be bringing us through the series in a way that is profound and mysterious and I really hope you enjoy it this coming Easter,” he said.
He added, “Continue to be a people of faith, continue to be a culture of faith. You guys are leading the way for so many of the other nations in the world as to what it means to be a culture that puts God above everything else. And we thank you for that example. God bless you Philippines!”