(From left) Dennis Trillo, Bea Alonzo. Image: Instagram/@niceprintphoto
Since it’s been more than 20 years since Bea Alonzo and Dennis Trillo worked together in “K2BU,” they admitted that they were initially awkward during the first few days of filming their reunion project “Love Before Sunrise,” until they eventually found their rhythm.
Alonzo said sharing the spotlight with Trillo “feels familiar,” but “it’s all new” during the show’s press conference, while noting that she can always “trust him” despite the awkwardness.
“For me, it feels familiar but at the same time, it’s all new. I got this feeling because there’s this level of familiarity kasi sabay kaming ni-launch sa Star Circle (because we’re both launched in Star Circle),” she said, in reference to being part of Star Circle (now Star Magic Batch 10).
“Somehow, I feel that I can trust in him, na kahit na magkalayo kami ng matagal na panahon, naging fan niya ako from the sidelines (that even if we’ve been apart for so long, I became his fan from the sidelines). I would always cheer for him, I would always root for him in his different projects,” she continued.
For the actress, she feels “honored” to work with the “Maria Clara at Ibarra” star again, while noting that they had to get used to each other in filming their relationship scenes.
“I’ve seen him grow as an actor, so I just feel lucky and honored working with him on this one. First day sa set namin, sa totoo lang, may ilangan. Ako medyo naiilang kasi we had to do scenes na dapat kami na,” she said. “At first, mahirap kasi kailangan naming makilala ulit ‘yung isa’t isa. But then, we’re professional actors so we got over that easily.”
(I’ve seen him grow as an actor, so I just feel lucky and honored working with him on this one. On our first day on set, we were honestly awkward. I felt awkward because we had to do scenes where we’re in a relationship. At first, it’s hard because we had to get to know each other. But then, we’re professional actors so we got over that easily.)
The Kapuso star also noted her “familiarity” with her leading man as an essential tool in making their onscreen romance believable to viewers.
“I just feel that the sense of him being familiar to me was a huge help. His pain and touches somehow feel familiar. I [also] think he’s very mysterious, and nakatulong ‘yun (it helped) in terms of our ‘falling-in-love’ stage, but I can only speak for myself. That’s what I’ve experienced,” she said.
Starstruck by Bea
On the other hand, Trillo echoed Alonzo’s initial awkwardness, but confessed that it was due to him being starstruck by his leading lady.
“Hindi mawawala ‘yung ilang talaga. Pero noong first day, sobrang nerbyos at kaba ko. Nasa-starstruck ako everytime ka-eksena ko [si Bea Alonzo],” he said. “Kaya kapag nasa taping ako, chine-check ko kung gaano katagal ang breakdown ng eksena kasi kailangan ko talagang galingan ‘yung bawat eksena.”
(You really can’t avoid the awkwardness. I was very nervous and anxious on our first day. I was very starstruck by Bea Alonzo. This is why I have to check how long our breakdown of scenes were because I had to give my best in every scene.)
The actor then sang praises for his onscreen partner’s acting prowess, while they eventually found their “flow” as filming progressed.
“Dahil siyempre, Bea Alonzo ‘yan — Box Office Queen. Nakaka-pressure ka-eksena siya kasi ang galing niya sa mga pelikula at shows. Pero once nakuha na namin ang aming rhythm at camaraderie sa set, talagang naging komportable at maganda ang flow,” he said.
(Because of course, she’s Bea Alonzo — the Box Office Queen. I feel pressured to work with her because she’s really good in her films and shows. But once we found our rhythm and camaraderie on set, we became comfortable and we had a nice flow.)
Alonzo will take on the role of Stella Domingo, while Trillo stars as Atom Menandrez Jr. in the upcoming series. They will be joined by Andrea Torres, Sid Lucero, Rodjun Cruz, Ricky Davao, Jackie Lou Blanco, and Isay Alvarez. EDV