Dennis overcomes career bumps

MANILA, Philippines - Dennis Trillo said that he had already felt his career had hit a plateau, and if not for the success of his last TV project My Husband’s Lover, GMA 7’s biggest hit in 2013, he’d still be stuck in it.

“Yes, honestly, I already felt it before. Matagal (the plateau). Kung di nangyari yung My Husband’s Lover baka nandun pa rin ako sa plateau na yun. I had a lot of bumps in my career, and siguro ang isang bagay na pwede ako maging proud ay kung papaano ko napagdaanan lahat yon at kung papaano nakatayo ulit, at mas naging OK and effective and mas matagumpay ako ngayon. So palagay ko, that’s one thing I can be proud of,” Dennis told The STAR following the renewal of his exclusive three-year contract with GMA 7. 

During the lull after My Husband’s Lover, which concluded October of last year (and the show’s thanksgiving overseas tour that came after), he spent “quality time with my family, friends, I did what I couldn’t do when I was busy. For one, I surfed. Basically, that’s it. There was work on the side, but not that many, but at least I was able to maximize my time-off.”

Dennis admitted that there were offers from other networks, although he explained that it took some time before he signed up anew because details of his contract (which expired early this year) had to be hammered out, including legalities. “Of course, pinag-isipan din po namin (with manager Popoy Caritativo) ng husto. At the end of the day, it’s still a business, you have to think hard on the next step you’re going to take and this is it, I’ve come to a decision to stay with GMA. I feel secure with GMA. I’ve been with them for 11 years, and I know di nila ako papabayaan.”

He also maintained previous statements that he wants to take a break from gay roles despite fans of My Husband’s Lover wanting for a Book 2. “Konting pahinga lang dahil yung yung tuloy-tuloy kasi na ganun baka ma-typecast, baka magtuloy-tuloy din ang fantasy na ganun ako.”

When asked if he feels that his status as one of the leading men in the Kapuso fold limits the kind of projects given to him, he answered, “In TV, bihira yung makakuha ka ng kwento na gusto mo, yung magfu-fulfill ng needs as an actor, so yeah, nalilimitahan mostly shows na ginagawa are based on formula… but with me I try to suggest (in the particular projects that they give me). I don’t demand but I offer a few suggestions.”

As for his next project, there’s nothing specific yet. However, Dennis said that during the negotiations, the possibility of doing a once-a-week drama series cropped up. If given the opportunity, he’s wishing for a project that is akin to the time travel concept of the US TV series Quantum Leap (the show was a ‘90s hit wherein “the lead character goes from era to era, briefly inhabiting the body of a human being in that period”). 

“Every week, there will be a different artist guesting and a different story. Hopefully that so as di ma limitahan, na puro drama lang, isang kwento lang puro kabit. You also get tired of those kinds of stories,” said Dennis, also weighing on the infidelity theme as an apparent trend on TV and in the movies, “Ako naging kabit na ako ng babae, naging kabit na ako ng lalake, alam mo yun. Dun lang umiikot eh. Gusto ko sana ma-promote, katulad ng mga ginagawa ng mga Koreans, pinapakita yung culture nila. Doon sila nakikilala. Natatakot lang ako na pag yung Pilipino hini-highlight yung mga (infidelity stories), baka isipin nila yun yung mga kwento/ love story ng mga Pinoy. Gusto ko ma-highlight yung ibang kwento.”    

The dramatic actor also expressed his desire to do lighter fare. “What makes an actor happy is not all heavy scenes. One factor that makes an actor shine is actually his versatility. You should be able to offer more.”

Among the Kapuso actresses he wants to work with (either for the first time or again) are Heart Evangelista, Carla Abellana and Lovi Poe.

Amidst the exciting surge happening in his career, Dennis, 32, likes that he’s now loveless, and he plans to keep it that way indefinitely. He denied reconciliation talk with any ex, but he’s not closing doors on that possibility. “Siempre di naman lahat ng naging ka relasyon ko di maganda ang ending. Most of them are still my friends.”

If he had his way though, he wants his next relationship to be with someone non-showbiz. “But the problem is, I hardly go out.”

Nevertheless, he said, “I’m better off single for now. Mas enjoy ako. It’s really a conscious decision (to remain single) because I get to focus on other important things.”