Dennis Trillo INQUIRER File Photo
Actor Dennis Trillo, one of four lead stars in the controversial film “My Neighbor’s Wife,” has admitted that he cheated on former girlfriends.
“I’m only human. I was still so young then,” he told Inquirer during a recent media gathering hosted by the film’s producer, Regal Entertainment. “I’ve learned my lesson; I’ll never do it again.”
Complications
In the movie written and directed by Jun Lana, Bullet (portrayed by Jake Cuenca) cheats on his wife, Jasmine (Carla Abellana), by engaging in an illicit sexual affair with her best friend, Giselle (Lovi Poe). To avenge this act of infidelity, Jasmine then gives in to the advances of Giselle’s husband, Aaron (Dennis Trillo).
The movie attempts to explain how complications destroy the sanctity of marriage, Dennis explained. “Each of these characters went through a lot of pain. Should something like this happen to me, I think I’d have a hard time coping,” he confessed. “Compared to the others, my character, Aaron, suffered the most.”
Just once
For Dennis, marriage is something permanent, and so he won’t marry unless he’s truly ready. “I don’t believe in getting married for the second or third time,” he said. “I’ll do it only once. I’ll make sure she’s really the one, and do everything I can to keep our marriage intact. I’ve experienced a lot of troubles in my past relationships.”
He admitted dating actresses Rufa Mae Quinto, Cristine Reyes and Jennylyn Mercado. He has a 3-year-old son with former beauty queen Carlene Aguilar.
The issues tackled in the movie are very realistic, observed Jake. “Many people deal with these so-called problems every day. Getting married is no joke. Once you marry, family should be top priority. I’m amazed at couples who have been married for 20 to 30 years.”
He doesn’t think society has been fair in its treatment of women who commit adultery. “It’s as if it’s cool for a man to frequent strip clubs, to have an affair with some girl. I don’t understand why it’s unthinkable for girls to do this pero okay lang sa lalaki,” he stressed. “If this ever happened to me, I’d probably still forgive my wife. Paninindigan ko ang ‘’til death do us part. ’”
Jake considers his role as Bullet one of the most daring he has done, although he said some sensual scenes with Carla were “things that are quite normal for a married couple.”
Nothing beyond decent
“Our director never asked us to do anything beyond what is decent. I didn’t feel ill-at-ease with Carla because, while working on these intimate scenes, I simply thought of her as my wife,” he explained. “I’ve done teleseryes with the same theme. My role in one film (‘In the Name of Love’) also required me to show some skin. In terms of sensuality, the four of us really had to open up. We had to let go of our inhibitions.”
Lana said working with the four actors was one of his most rewarding experiences. “They didn’t just give their all; they had chemistry, they had talent. Since everything was already there, all I had to do was to put the camera in front of them and let them shine.”
Lana added: “The film was inspired by the lives of a number of people I know. It’s provocative, not just because of the love scenes but also of the subject matter. It’s for the mature audience.” “My Neighbor’s Wife” will premiere in local theaters nationwide on September 14.
E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph.