Dennis Trillo. Image: Instagram/@aguilaartists
Of the handful of villain roles he has had in his career, Dennis Trillo senses that Yuta Saito, the Japanese Imperial Army officer that he plays in the war drama “Pulang Araw,” could very well end up being the viewers’ most-hated.
“For sure, people will be angry at him. Because he really is shameless. He has no redeeming factors so far. The kindness he shows is just a facade. But deep inside, he has dark secrets and evil plans,” Dennis said at a press conference.
“But that’s how you gauge how effective you are. If they find your portrayal good, then they will get affected,” he pointed out. A story about the plight of Filipinos during World War II wouldn’t be complete without delving into the horrors comfort women endured at the hands of Japanese soldiers. It goes without saying that depicting sexual abuse has been the toughest for Dennis yet.
“It was difficult because it was my first time doing something like that for a scene. It was a very sensitive scene. And before we shot it, we had to rehearse it carefully in a safe space where we could be comfortable,” the GMA 7 star said.
Dennis typically plays the hero or romantic lead. But portraying the antagonist is just as crucial for Dennis, who approaches his role as Saito with the same dedication he gives to his other roles. “The protagonists wouldn’t be as effective if there were no villains to challenge them,” he pointed out. “They also draw anger, emotions from the villains.”
Aside from the depravity of his character’s actions, language posed the next biggest challenge for Dennis. He needs to sound fluent in Japanese and, at the same time, speak Tagalog and English with a thick accent. Thankfully, he has access to Japanese language tutors who guide him along the way.
“There are a lot of Japanese lines I have to study. It’s information overload. We’re telling important stories, so we can’t afford to make mistakes. That’s why our director, Dominic Zapata, checks every detail,” said Dennis, who did his own research about World War II and watched films related to the subject, like “Pearl Harbor” and “Letters from Iwo Jima.”
‘Muscle memory’
“It’s not easy. I don’t let go of the script during taping. I listen to the recordings of my Japanese lines over and over again until I’m able to familiarize myself with their sound … until it all becomes muscle memory for me.”
In a way, the 43-year-old actor felt like a student all over again. “It’s as if I have an exam to prepare for. Seeing my Japanese teachers happy and pleased with my work gives me a different kind of satisfaction,” he said. Dennis is no stranger to projects set during the Japanese occupation. In his first big movie break, the 2004 war drama film “Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita,” Dennis portrayed a transgender woman who falls for a Japanese soldier, but later on becomes a spy in the guerrilla movement
“It’s different from ‘Aishite Imasu.’ They’re both set in the same period, but of course, the characters are very different. I find it interesting that this time, I play the Japanese character. I’m the villain. It’s like coming full circle,” he said.
How does he shake off such a heavy character after the director shouts cut? “I watch funny videos at home. I can’t sleep right away when I get home. I still have to take a bath, do other things. So, I watch more funny videos for positive energy,” he said.
Dennis has been in show biz for two decades. That he continues to land important roles in high-profile projects is a blessing.
“I first got wind of this project years ago. The story still wasn’t what it is now. I remember telling myself that if it pushed through, it was going to be one of GMA’s biggest, most important projects—a story about the hardships and bravery of Filipinos. I dreamed of being part of it,” he said.
“When I saw that the cast was already complete, I told myself, ‘I will just watch it.’ However, after a few weeks, I got a call. There was still a role to be filled, and this was it,” Dennis recalled.
“I have been in the industry for 20 years. I want to give viewers something new to watch. You don’t want people to get tired of watching you,” he added.