Dennis is going against the norm

MANILA, Philippines - “It is exciting and refreshing,” Dennis Trillo describes his latest small-screen partnerships with Kris Bernal and Lauren Young on GMA 7’s Hiram na Alaala, with Rocco Nacino completing the rigodon of hearts.

It’s Dennis’ weeknight-primetime outing after the highly-successful My Husband’s Lover. Once the nightly soap premieres, Dennis is practically “lording it over” since he also stars in Sa Puso ni Dok on weekends. “In the show, shared (or borrowed) memories (hiram na alaala) will play a vital role,” adds the Kapuso actor.

The story revolves around two pairs of lovers — Joseph Cruz and Andrea Dizon (played by Rocco and Kris) are childhood sweethearts, while Ivan Legaspi and Bethany Sandoval (Dennis and Lauren) are boyfriend and girlfriend. As soldiers, Joseph and Ivan will be sent on a mission to stop a rebel activity. In the midst of crossfire, a friendship will be formed between the male lead characters.

“We’ve become almost friends,” says Dennis. “(Rocco) would tell stories about Kris, including their love story. Then we have an encounter with the rebels. We fight and we’ll have traumatic experiences like torture in the hands of our enemy.”

This will change the lives of the characters, prompting an emotional-roller-coaster-ride conflict to break loose.

“My character Ivan is different from those I have done in the past,” shares Dennis, who has done offbeat roles like in Aishite Imasu (as a cross dresser) and The Janitor (assassin). “He is jolly and a daredevil. He appears to me like a modern-day hero. He does small things to level himself up aside from being a soldier.”

In real life, is Dennis also a daredevil like his character?

“I’m a bit of a daredevil, but not the extreme type,” he answers. “I’m daring (enough) to go against the flow. I don’t go with the trend.” Proof to this is his choice of projects. Dennis always has surprises up on his sleeve. Example is his upcoming participation in the Bench show, where he will be seen in his sexiest replete with abs, graduating from the tight-pants ensemble. This is Dennis’ most physically daring outing thus far.

As for his personal life, Dennis says it is “very normal. It is never boring.” He goes out mostly with non-showbiz friends and is not on a dating mode. “When you get used to (not having special someone in your life), it feels OK. When it comes to relationships, you can’t force things. Relationships come. Yung relasyon mas mahirap pilitin, mas may komplikasyon. I’ll wait (for the opportunity to come) and I think I should go out a bit.”

Looking back, Dennis thinks he is now husband material because he has learned much about life, relationships and work. But tying the knot is not yet on his checklist. “I want to establish myself more. I want to study again, taking up a course in cinematography at Mowelfund. It is normal to admire girls. When you take it seriously, you have to think twice. I want someone with a sense of humor and who is health-conscious — mahilig mag-exercise. Malawak ang pang-unawa. Gusto ko rin na mature na mag-isip. (She should be understanding and mature.)”

That’s the kind of chemistry Dennis looks for in a real-life partner but in reel life, Dennis says, “Chemistry can be achieved if actors are serious (with their work). They read the script and study their characters.” Putting romance in the work equation is not necessarily the be-all and end-all.

(Hiram na Alaala will premiere on Sept. 22 on GMA Telebabad.)