Dennis Trillo wants full-on baddie role

CEBU, Philippines — Dennis Trillo, often seen playing charming leading men, has been itching to channel his ruthless side for once.

Currently seen on primetime television as Miguel/Elias Larrazabal in the GMA-7 series “Cain at Abel,” the 37-year-old actor said he’d love to take his character’s antagonist arc all the way to the end.

“Pangarap ko talaga magkaroon ng role na kontrabida, na masama,” said Dennis. “So kung ako yung masusunod, pangangatawanan ko na yung pagiging masama ni Elias hanggang sa dulo. Kung ako lang. Pero meron kasi tayong script na sinusunod.”

Until that dream project lands on his lap, Dennis is just as committed in tackling whatever role he’s tasked to do, whether it be the cookie-cutter boy-next-door or the conflicted father out to redeem his name. Proof of that dedication is his 2018 MMFF Best Actor award, earned for his convincing performance as a selfless lover opposite Kim Chiu in Regal Entertainment’s “One Great Love.”

Up next for the Kapuso Drama King is another movie titled “Mina-Anud,” still with Regal Entertainment, but this time in partnership with Epic Media Productions which is known to produce art house films that are often recognized in festivals abroad.

“Sila yung nagpo-produce nung art films nila Lav Diaz, John Lloyd Cruz…So sabi namin, mukhang magandang project ito, knowing the people behind it. Yung director namin [Cebuano director Kerwin Go] magaling din. It’s his first movie. He’s been directing commercials for 10 years,” he said.

“Mina-Anud” – also starring Matteo Guidicelli, Jerald Napoles, Anthony Falcon, Mara Lopez and Marc Felix – is inspired by real life events in December 2009 when high-grade cocaine bricks were found washed up ashore in Eastern Samar.

“Nung nabasa ko yung script, naisip ko parang wala pang nagagawang ganito sa Philippine movies. Natuwa din ako kasi based on true events yung pelikula. Pero ginawa naming light, naging dark-comedy siya,” said Dennis.

In a December 2009 report that came out on The Freeman, operatives of PDEA, the PNP and military troops were said to have recovered 139 bricks of cocaine, initially found by fishermen in the shorelines of coastal towns of Eastern Samar, one of which was an island barangay named Mina-anod. The bricks were estimated to be worth around P800 million.

Authorities theorized that the shipment from South America was thrown into the waters after the crew received a tip that they were under surveillance by international drug enforcement agencies.