The quintessential leading man

CEBU, Philippines — In a world obsessed with being perfect, versatile actor Dennis Trillo finds it difficult to play the ideal man despite the number of iconic and diverse roles he has portrayed.

Taking a break from melodrama, the Kapuso Drama King currently stars in GMA-7’s romantic comedy series, “The One That Got Away,” (TOTGA) as the guy that captures the hearts of three stunning ladies played by Lovi Poe, Max Collins and Rhian Ramos.

In the series, Dennis breathes life to the title role of William Dominic "Liam" Ilustre, a handsome, smart, loving and true gentleman. The picture of the ideal, almost perfect, boyfriend, Liam manages his own organic farm, has big dreams and wishes for a huge and happy family.

“Yung character ko yung tipo ng lalaki na gusto mong ipakilala sa magulang mo. Ideal talaga siya na partner. Nakikita ko nga sa ngayon, parang wala pa siyang masamang ugali. Almost perfect si Liam, kaya siguro hindi siya makalimutan ng mga ex niya,” Dennis explains.

Yet despite having such a clean-cut, generally simple character, Dennis says he doesn’t identify with Liam’s persona as much, and even finds it difficult to be in his place.

“Hindi ko masabi na malapit ako doon sa character. Pag sinabi ko yan, parang sinabi ko na rin na perfect ako. Siyempre tina-try ko maging ideal, maging perfect. Kung tatanungin niyo ako, hindi ako doon kalapit kay Liam kaya nag-e-effort ako para karapat-dapat akong pag-awagan,” Dennis quips.

After being asked if the Dennis Trillo even needs to try, the actor laughs and modestly adds: “Opo kailangan. Nakita niyo naman ang gaganda ng mga leading ladies ko.”

In "TOTGA," Liam has three women in his quest for finding “the one." Upon waking up from a coma after being involved in an accident, Liam finds all three ex-girlfriends (who conveniently are all still pining for him) at his bedside.

Lovi portrays the first ex-girlfriend, Alexandra Rey "Alex" Makalintal. She is beautiful, independent, family-oriented and incredibly career-driven. Alex and Liam fall madly in love, but being a career woman, Alex puts her work first and their relationship takes a turn for the worst.

After breaking up with Alex, Liam meets Darlene "Darcy" Sibuyan, portrayed by Max Collins. Darcy and Alex bring the “friends to lovers” type of relationship to the table. However, an opportunity abroad presents itself to Darcy. The distance took a toll on their relationship, and the two eventually call it quits.

The third ex-girlfriend is brought to life by Rhian Ramos in the form of Sophia Elizabeth "Zoe" Velasquez, a swimwear designer and blogger who's always out for fun. With separated parents, Zoe finds a family in Liam. Unfortunately, her possessive tendencies and Liam's busy schedule contribute to the failure of their relationship. But Zoe regrets the breakup and wants Liam, still.

Being “The One That Got Away,” Dennis admits that he does feel special.

"Siyempre masaya dahil feeling mo ang special mo,” he muses when asked about how he feels being hailed as the person which Lovi, Max, and Rhian have to “compete” for in the show.

“Masaya ako na napili ako para sa role na ito. Ibang timpla ito sa primetime, and nakakatuwa kasi ibang dynamics na naman. Pakiramdam ko nga sobrang swerte ko, feeling ko ang gwapo ko naman na hindi nila [characters] ako makalimutan. Tsaka sobrang thankful ako sa GMA na ako napili nila para sa show. Nakaka-proud maging parte nito, and makatrabaho sila Lovi, Max, and Rhian,” he says.

With 17 years of acting under his belt, the award-winning actor is taking his latest project as a breath of fresh air from all the heavy drama he’s usually assigned. But that doesn’t mean rom-coms are easier to do than tearjerkers. Not for Dennis, at least.

“Hindi siya madali,” Dennis replies when asked if romantic comedies must be a walk in the park for him.

“Actually mas nahihirapan ka nga kasi sobrang bait. Hindi madali na almost perfect ka. And lahat naman talaga ng trabaho may challenge. Walang trabaho na walk in the park, kailangan may effort palagi,” he says.

That said, it doesn’t mean there aren’t perks to working on something that’s a light and cheery take on the otherwise angsty theme of lost love. Both Lovi and Dennis, who have done mainly heavy dramas, reveal that it does feel good to work on something lighter for a change.

“Maganda yung ma-break ang trend na drama lang ang ginagawa ko. Refreshing ang ganitong project hindi lang sa amin, pero pati na rin sa viewers na sanay na makita kami sa mabibigat na eksena. Ang maganda kasi, ang show is nakaka-good vibes and positive siya,” Dennis quips.

Although he’s gotten better at internalizing and letting go of the characters he portrays, Dennis says that it usually depends on how conditioned you are for the day. Some days it’s easy to get into a scene, sometimes it takes longer. When the director says 'cut,' you have to learn to let go, especially after heavy scenes.

Now that he’s working on “TOTGA,” Dennis finds little room for comparison between rom-coms and heavy drama.

“Depende yan sa araw or depende sa load. Mas nakakapagod talaga yun [drama] kasi uuwi ka na sobrang exhausted mo sa kakaiyak. Kasi may mga araw na buong eksena, buong araw puro iyakan. Ngayon sa ‘TOTGA,’ wala kami masyadong  ganun. Imbis na pagod na pagod ka, yung makakatulog ka na pag-uwi mo, ngayon hindi eh. Pag-uwi mo hindi ka pa nga makatulog kasi mataas pa ang energy mo,” Dennis offers.

This year, Dennis aims to be healthier to better his quality of living and to make the most of 2018.

As for his relationship with actress Jennylyn Mercado, will we be hearing wedding bells anytime soon?

“Wala pa naman. Pero masaya naman kami pareho. Siyempre, meron pa kaming dapat i-prioritize like sa career, mga trabaho namin. Mas yun ang focus namin ngayon. Kapag okay na lahat, dun na tayo sa next level,” Dennis says.

As the TOTGA of three lovely women, Dennis shared his view on the idea of “the one that got away”— whether he has someone like that or if he believes in the concept at all.

“Sa term na yon, marami ang makaka-relate kasi may point sa love life na nangyayari run, yung may nakakawala. Pero parang wala akong ganun. Tingin ko, pag meron kang gusto, pag-feel mo na kayo ang para sa isa’t-isa, kailangan mo ipaglaban yun. Sa panahon ngayon, maraming maiinggit, mas dapat mong protektahan,” he says.