Why Dennis Trillo encourages combat training for actors

Dennis Trillo

Just like fellow actors Matteo Guidicelli, Dingdong Dantes and Gerald Anderson, Kapuso star Dennis Trillo said he once attended military-style survival and combat training, but this was to prepare for future roles that he was targeting.

“As an actor, I believe that immersion and training are important. They help in terms of characterization,” Dennis explained to the Inquirer.

The actor said he trained under the Philippine Military Academy at Fort Del Pilar in Baguio City.

“Alam mo kung saan huhugutin ang emosyon. You are able to empathize with your character because you know the difficulties he is experiencing; because just like him, you also went into training. To subject yourself to such intense physical activity for several days or weeks is no joke,” he declared.

Dennis encourages other actors to do the same, “especially if you’re serious about your craft and you want your audience to believe more in your performance,” he pointed out. “’Pag ’di mo alam, para kang ligaw. You are clueless as to which direction your character should head for in terms of emotions. Mas maganda na inaalam mo ang bawat detalye.” —MARINEL R. CRUZ