Dennis Trillo: ‘Green Bones’ is tribute to good, yet misjudged people

CEBU, Philippines — If the intense dynamic between Dennis Trillo and Ruru Madrid as adversaries in “Green Bones” feels genuine, it’s because the actors intentionally kept their distance during the shoot.

“We actually didn’t talk a lot during filming,” Trillo shared at the Cebu press conference held at SM Seaside City on December 22, just three days before the Metro Manila Film Festival was set to begin. “This was to ensure our dynamic on-screen would come across as authentic.”

Trillo commended his co-star Madrid, who is making his MMFF debut more than a decade after launching his career in 2012 as a finalist in the second season of the talent search “Protégé.”

“Ruru is going to be GMA’s next big star and you can see that from ‘Lolong’ and ‘Black Rider’. Here in ‘Green Bones’, this is his time to shine and you will see how much he matured as an actor and how serious he has been ever since he started,” he said.

Trillo portrays Domingo Zamora, a man who declares he is not a "good person" after being accused of murdering his sister. His case being high-profile, he is transferred to a prison island to serve his sentence. However, his good behavior over time earns him consideration for parole.

One person staunchly opposes his release: Xavier, a prison guard played by Madrid. Grieving the loss of his own sister, he harbors resentment against Domingo and accuses him of putting on an act.

Revolving around a reformed prisoner and a skeptical guard, the film explores whether someone who might have done something terrible can have the chance to be a good person again.

Following the critical success of GMA Pictures’ “Firefly” last year, director Zig Dulay reunites with writer Angeli Atienza, this time joined by veteran screenwriter Ricky Lee.

With a powerhouse team behind the scenes and a strong cast that also includes Iza Calzado, Alessandra De Rossi,  Royce Cabrera, and Sofia Pablo, “Green Bones” promises audiences that they will be in tears, potentially even more than “Firefly.”

“This is a message about finding hope in the darkest places. It’s a tribute to truly good people who might feel misjudged by society,” Trillo remarked.

The film is co-produced by GMA Public Affairs and Brightburn Entertainment, the studio founded by Trillo and his wife Jennylyn Mercado. Columbia Pictures Philippines will handle distribution under a two-film deal with GMA Pictures, which includes “KMJS’ Gabi ng Lagim: The Movie”, slated for release next year.

Challenges

For Trillo, portraying Domingo was a challenging experience. One was learning Filipino Sign Language (FSL) as his character doesn’t speak following a traumatic incident.

“I thought I’d struggle with FSL because the language felt foreign to me. But as I learned, I realized it’s not word-for-word  when you sign. We had someone on set to ensure my gestures were accurate,” Trillo explained. “It was a challenge to make sure people could understand what I was conveying without speaking.”

Another hurdle was juggling the shoot with “Pulang Araw” (which will have its TV finale on December 27), where he plays Colonel Yuta Saitoh. Transitioning between two different characters required mental agility.

“From one set to another, I had to completely switch characters. It’s crucial to ‘switch off’ the previous role to focus fully on the next,” Trillo said.

To ease into Domingo’s character, Trillo used the time spent in make-up — applying a wig and fake tattoos — as a transition period. “It takes a while, so I use that time to relax and clear my mind, making it easier to absorb my role,” he said.

Adding to the challenge was the production’s tight schedule, with less than 20 days for principal photography. Thanks to Dulay’s leadership, the team maximized their short schedule of filming.

“This kind of project usually needs a lot of time to get everything right, but Direk Zig’s guidance helped us overcome the obstacles,” Trillo said. “We are in good hands with Direk Zig because he is passionate about this movie. He is a great storyteller with detail in visuals. He always put his heart into his work.”

Strong positive buzz

Following its December 20 premiere and a screening for critics and influencers two days prior, “Green Bones” has generated significant positive buzz.

Mike Diez of PhilStar Life wrote, “Madrid and Trillo deliver incredible performances, drawing the audience deeply into their respective characters’ struggles and arcs. When the movie reaches its climax, we are left grappling with profound questions about justice, redemption, and humanity.”

Philbert Dy of Spot.PH added in his four-star review, “It’s a human-sized story that asks us to believe in something, and maybe to wish for something good in ourselves. Perhaps it’s exactly what we need in times like this, when the world feels like a circus, and the news makes us think things can only get worse.”

Reacting to the reviews, Trillo said, “I’ve read them, and I am happy with the positive feedback. It sets the bar high for the film. It’s a simple story, but its impact is immense.”

While appreciative of the acclaim of his performance, Trillo remains grounded and avoids setting high expectations for winning Best Actor at the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal on December 27.

“I don’t want to stress over the competition. It’s Christmas — we should be with our family at the movies,” he said. “Let’s appreciate the other entries too because the line-up of the 50th MMFF is exceptionally unique.”

As of writing, “Green Bones” is set to screen in Cebu at Ayala Central Bloc and SM Seaside on its opening day, December 25, along with the rest of the 50th MMFF entries. — (FREEMAN)