“Thank you. Oo nga, ang daming blessings (Thank you. Yes, a lot of blessings have come my way).” That was Dennis Trillo responding when a member of the media congratulated the actor for the recent milestones in his professional and personal lives in a virtual media call.
As everybody knows, he, along with director Erik Matti and producers Quark Henares and Dondon Monteverde, represented the Philippines via the On the Job: The Missing 8 film at the 78th Venice Film Festival (which awarded co-star John Arcilla the Volpi Cup Best Actor trophy). At the same event, Dennis met head of the jury, Oscar Best Director Bong Joon-ho of the Parasite fame. He was also part of its six-part HBO Asia Original Series version. Then, he and Jennylyn Mercado announced that they’re engaged and expecting a baby.
Aside from that, Dennis’ Legal Wives has made a good showing in the ratings game and the latter airs its last episode tonight after 24 Oras on a high note.
With that, the actor was a picture of happiness when he graced the virtual event for the season finale of his family drama series.
“Well, one of the things I’ve learned from workshops before is, when (the scenes end or) the director says, ‘Cut!,’ you have to stop acting and you’re back to reality,” said Dennis on how he “detaches” himself from his characters like that of Legal Wives’ Maranaw Ismael, who engages in polygamy. “Hindi naman naging mahirap sa akin kapag mag-de-detach ako sa isang character (I don’t usually have a difficult time detaching myself from or ‘shaking off’ a character).”
But Dennis might take some time to fully distance himself from his Ismael character since “somehow I’ve learned to love him,” said he, who was also privy to the time and energy devoted by the creative people in helping him create a solid role. After all, being and becoming Ismael immersed Dennis in Ismael’s culture like norms and ways of dressing, some aspects of language and religious practices (i.e. prayers).
“Napakaraming mahihirap na eksena doon (I had a number of challenging scenes),” he looked back on his series. “My role Ismael is not the usual character (na) OK gagawin ko ito kahit hindi ko pag-aralan yung script, kahit hindi ko i-check yung background nung character, kahit hindi ko i-check yung relihiyon niya (that I could easily play without giving much time reading the script and checking his background such as religion). Itong character ay ma-detalye. There was a (bunch of) information I needed to know before I could do the scenes. The difficult scenes (too) were the ones when I had to deliver lines with Maranao words. Good thing was, we had people on set who taught (and guided) us.”
That’s why it was a bit challenge for Dennis to again let Ismael go “(kasi) yun nga napamahal na (ako),” added he, who is taking his time at the moment and will soon be ready in taking on someone else’s shoes and reality.
Asked about his takeaways on family and relationships after playing Ismael, Dennis said, “I think one of the important takeaways is yung hindi paghusga sa kapwa, lalo na kapag hindi mo siya kilala o hindi mo alam kung ano yung pinagdadaanan niya (not to easily judge a person, especially if you don’t know him or her well).”
“Dahil napakadaling manghusga nang isang tao, titignan mo ang kanyang hitsura, pananalita, lalo na sa kanyang kultura at relihiyon (Judging others is easy since you just look at his or her appearance, manner of talking, culture and religion),” he added. In Legal Wives, viewers should also emulate how the characters respect each other, shared Dennis.
As for lessons gained from his character that he can apply as a future husband, he had this to say: “One of the good traits of Ismael I like (and) that others (should emulate) is, pagkakaroon ng mahabang pasensya (long patience), pagiging kalmado niya habang nilulutas niya yung mga problema niya (his sense of calmness in dealing with problems and finding solutions).” That’s why Dennis considered Ismael as one of the characters he will never ever forget. It was mission accomplished for the Legal Wives team that has become successful in entertaining audiences through a compelling narrative.
“I feel proud that they’ve given their time for the show, ang dami naman nilang pwedeng panoorin,” said Dennis of viewers’ support. “They’ve chosen to watch the show. Nakakatuwa, kahit papaano minahal nila yung show and they religiously follow it. I’m really proud to be part of it.”
Accepting the role of Ismael is one of the good decisions Dennis has made. If he had let the opportunity pass, he said, “Malamang nagsisisi ako, baka umiyak pa ako kung napunta sa iba.” Again, he felt lucky to star in one of GMA’s big shows during the pandemic. Hats off to the Kapuso network for continuously producing drama series that entertains and informs audiences.
So, what’s next for Dennis after Legal Wives?
“Ngayon nandito lang ako sa bahay madalas, nag-aalaga ako kay Jen (I’m just staying at home and taking care of Jen),” he said of his daily routine. “Yung work ko siguro mga ilang weeks pa (I think I have few weeks before I work again). But I’m not part of the regular cast. So, mabilis lang yun. Aside from that, I’m busy editing videos for the YouTube channel. Those are the things that keep me busy these days.”
With his inspired performance in On the Job: The Missing 8, Dennis said he also looks forward to have a similar acting opportunity, and if one may add, that will showcase his talent and the Filipino artistry in the international arena.
“Sana magkaroon na ng ganun (I hope to have another one in the future),” said he. “Perhaps each one of us here (Filipino actors) aspires that to happen in our careers. Magandang naging panimula na nasama yung pelikula namin na para maging isang mini-series dun sa HBO. So, sana masundan pa yun.”