Significant TV starrer for Dennis Trillo

TRILLO. Cast as a barrio doctor in “Sa Puso Ni Dok.”

The most fully realized performance by any actor in the Director’s Showcase at this year’s Cinemalaya was turned in by Dennis Trillo, who delivered a thespic high-wire act as a disgraced cop who is as ruthless as an assassin as he is gentle as a much-abused son in Mike Tuviera’s exceptional action-drama, “The Janitor.”

Upon the invitation of GMA 7’s Jojo Aquio and Rica Torres, we grabbed the chance to interview Dennis at last week’s Kadayawan Festival in Davao City, where Trillo performed with some of the lead stars of “Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real,” “Dading” and “My Destiny.”

The 33-year-old actor flew to Mindanao’s premier city to promote “Sa Puso Ni Dok,” the six-part miniseries about barrio doctors directed by Adolf Alix Jr. (“Bayan Ko”), which premieres Sunday (Aug. 24) night on the Kapuso network.

Is Dennis choosy with the roles he essays onscreen? He shares, “I hate repeating myself, because I don’t want people to get tired of watching me do the same roles over and over again. Like, when I portray gay characters (‘My Husband’s Lover,’ ‘Aishite Imasu’), there has to be something different about them that I can sink my teeth into.

“‘The Janitor’ was both physically demanding and emotionally punishing. To help me with character research, direk Mike took me to interview two former members of the hit squad, Alex Boncayao Brigade. You wouldn’t know how dangerous they are just by looking at them—because they don’t look like assassins at all!

“I don’t mind doing mainstream movies (he’s set to costar with Maja Salvador in Dondon Santos’ ‘Now and Forever’), which follow a certain formula—but, you can only do so much in terms of characterization, because you’re limited by a controlled environment. Indie productions offer a different kind of fulfilment, because of the unconventional roles and themes they tackle.

“Masunurin ako as an actor, because I know that every director has his own style. But, I dream of playing a full-on kontrabida, like Javier Bardem’s character in  ‘No Country for Old Men.’

“In  ‘Sa Puso Ni Dok,’ it’s my first time to get cast as a physician. The series tackles different issues that reflect the state of healthcare in far-flung communities, and reveals the sacrifices public health professionals make to fulfill their duties.”

How close is he to Tom Rodriguez?   Dennis replies, “Tom and I are like brothers. We have many things in common—we draw, and we both like games and comic books.”

How has he changed since he starred in his breakout debut film, “Aishite Imasu,” 10 years ago? The actor beams, “I used to worry a lot, kasi mahiyain talaga ako—but, I have already overcome that. I’ve become more optimistic and comfortable in my own skin—I can say whatever I want without worrying.”

What should a girl do to break through his deceptively impenetrable veneer? Dennis shares, “I tend to pay more attention to women who ignore me. Sure, there are aggressive women who are kagiliw-giliw (adorable)—but, more often than not, they turn me off.  I don’t like pretentious women!”