The treasures of Dennis

Dennis Trillo became an unwitting figure in the local gay community, thanks to his role in the Kapuso primetime blockbuster series My Husband’s Lover (MHL). In the show, the Kapuso actor plays the role of Eric, who is in love with the closeted homosexual Vincent (Tom Rodriguez). But Vincent is married to Lally (Carla Abellana), thus creating the unusual love triangle that took local television by storm.

The show has been constantly trending on Twitter since its premiere on June 10 and has attracted rave reviews and some scrutiny from conservative sectors. But it is also a consistent winner in the ratings, proving that there’s room for a show this edgy on primetime TV.

The Kapuso actor, who recently starred in the local adaptation of Temptation of Wife, welcomes his role as an icon for homosexuals with open arms.

“’Pag ganyan karami yung nanonood sa’yo, meron kang responsibilidad na alagaan yung pinapakita mo sa TV. Kumbaga, para akong naging icon so dapat lang maayos yung pinapakita ko para kung pamarisan man nila ako, hindi doon sa negative na side,” Dennis said.

He added, “Kung against ako sa homosexuality, hindi ko magagampanan yung role ko. Gusto namin ipaabot sa maraming manonood na lawakan ang isip nila, na hindi porke’t may homosexual relationship sa show ay malaswa na kaagad.”

In fact, Dennis revealed he instantly wanted to be part of the show when it was presented to him. And he was open to playing either Eric or Vincent. But since he just recently played the role of philandering husband in Temptation of Wife, he chose to play the openly gay character of Eric instead.  

This early, Dennis can already say My Husband’s Lover is his most treasured show in GMA. “Sobrang phenomenal talaga ng show. From day one hanggang ngayon, trending siya. Hindi naman siya big deal sa akin dati dahil di ako active sa social media. Pero ngayon nakikita ko siya na nagte-trending, nakakatuwa,” he said.

“Swerte yata sa akin ’pag nagbabading,” Dennis joked.

Here are more of the treasures in the Kapuso actor’s life:

Most treasured person: Dennis considered his son, five-year-old Calix, as the most treasured person in his life.

“Wala naman siya sa akin lagi, so kung wala akong work nasa akin siya. Lahat ng times na ’yun, equally precious talaga. Yung moments with him, hindi mababayaran o hindi mapapalitan ng material na bagay,” he said.

Most treasured thing: The Kapuso star says he spends a lot of quality time with his new Ford Explorer, which he bought to replace his previous five-year-old car.

“’Yun kasi ang kasama ko lagi. At ’pag gusto kong mapag-isa, kunwari sa taping, gusto kong mag-unwind dahil sa stressful na eksena, papasok lang ako dun. Naging shelter ko rin siya,” Dennis explained.

Most treasured travel destination: “Baler,” Dennis said. The actor shared he’s currently into surfing, and Baler in the province of Aurora is one of the more popular surfing destinations in the country.

“Ngayon, ’pag ganitong panahon na hindi pa-surf season, stoked ako na makabalik dahil masarap din yung pakiramdam na nakakapag-surf ka e. Nakakalimutan mo lahat, focused ka lang sa moment na ’yun,” he said of his new hobby.

Most treasured advice: It was from his father (Dennis is born to a Chinese father and a Filipino mother).

“Lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin yung golden rule. ‘Kung hindi ka nangaagrabyado ng tao, mas konti rin yung chance na may magagrabyado sayo.’ Ayokong nakaka-hassle ako sa ibang tao para di nila ako i-hassle in return,” he explained.

Most treasured moment: Dennis considered 2005 — when he won numerous awards for his portrayal of a homosexual spy who fell in love with a Japanese general during World War II in the film Aishite Imasu 1941 — as the tipping point of his career. It was a career-making role that led to numerous Kapuso show lead roles and movies — as well as several other acting awards. “Naging training ko ’yun para mawala yung inhibitions ko,” Dennis said. “I can say na naging magandang training ’yun para sa show ko ngayon.”

Most treasured moment as a Kapuso artist: The acclaimed actor appreciates GMA 7 for sticking with him during the more trying times of his life. Dennis didn’t elaborate, but he said this was around the same time his 2008 primetime fantasy show Gagambino was airing.

“Nung time na medyo nagkakaroon ako ng problems sa personal life ko, ’di ako binitawan ng GMA. Instead, binigyan nila ako ng show para makabawi,” he explained.

What can viewers treasure in My Husband’s Lover? “Yung dedication naming mga artista sa show saka yung irony na walang bading dito sa cast ng My Husband’s Lover pero napaka-believable pa rin yung pagganap namin,” Dennis said.

What treasure do you want to impart with your followers? Although Dennis is as straight as they come, he hopes people will understand the gay community more through My Husband’s Lover.

“Sana yung mga di pa sanay sa ganitong klaseng drama, sana maunawaan din nila na wala kaming intention na magpalabas ng malaswa. Pinapakita lang namin yung totoong nararamdaman ng bawat tao, lalaki man o babae. Nagkataon lang na ibang package ngayon,” he said.