DENNIS TRILLO says his role as Crisostomo Ibarra in GMA-7’s historical fantasy “Maria Clara at Ibarra” is one of his most challenging assignments so far.
It will start airing on Monday, replacing “Lolong” right after “24 Oras”.
“Sa last drama series na ginawa ko, I played a Muslim at pinag-aralan ko talaga ang kultura nila pati ang pagsasalita in Muslim,” he says.
“Now, set naman during the Spanish regime ang ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’ at pinag-aralan ko rin ang kultura noong unang panahon pati ang pagsasalita in Spanish.”
“Maria Clara at Ibarra” is a reimagining of Jose Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere”, with Barbie Forteza portraying a Gen Z nursing student from the present who is transported to the past and meets the characters in “Noli” like Ibarra, Maria Clara, Sisa, Padre Damaso and Padre Salvi.
“I really made an effort para mapaghusay ang performance ko as Ibarra kasi hindi siya isang basta-bastang role, e. Kailangan mo siya talagang aralin.
"Sa ibang shows, puede kang mag-adlib ng lines mo pero dito, hindi ka puwedeng basta-basta mag-adlib na lang ng mga gusto mong sabihin kasi kailangan, consistent ka sa character mo at sa time frame ng story nyo.
"Iba kasi ang kultura noon sa kultura natin ngayon.”
He says he’s not the only who had to study the Spanish period they portray in the show but the entire cast.
“We all have to be careful kasi iba ‘yung pananalita nila nung araw. Iba ‘yung hitsura nila and behavior nila We’re all proud kasi we believe na-capture naman namin ang requirements ng roles and historical period na ginagampanan namin.”
He says the entire cast and crew are very careful in mounting each scene.
“Sobrang bigat ng aming responsibility kasi parang hindi ka puwedeng magkamali sa bawat eksena. We have to be accurate and precise.
"Every time na mayroon kaming mga Spanish na salita na babanggitin, palaging nakabantay yung aming coaches to help us. I think the viewers will appreciate our efforts kasi makikita nila talaga yung contrast noong mga characters noon sa characters ngayon.”
What if they make a mistake in delivering their Spanish lines?
“Aba, kapag may mali, kailangan mong ulitin. Mahigpit din ang director naming si Zig Dulay. Hindi puede yung puede na yan.
"Ang mga damit namin, our costumes, kailangan angkop lahat sa period, mula sa sapatos, sa hat, at sa iba pang mga detalye ng pananamit.”
He’s happy that GMA got the right consultants for the project.
“Mahirap siya pero masaya naman siyang gawin dahil marami kaming katulong sa set at sa location para buuin itong project na ito at masiguradong magiging authentic at maayos lahat ng ginagawa namin sa bawat eksena.”
Dennis officially tied the knot with Jennylyn Mercado last year and they now have a baby daughter named Dylan. She was born on April 25 and they now personally take care of her.
While he’s taping “Maria Clara at Ibarra” in Vigan, Jen is very hands on in taking care of their kids. Jen would soon resume her acting career in taping the series “Live, Die, Repeat” that she started with Xian Lim but had to stop when she got pregnant.
“Pero next year pa naman sila magpapatuloy ng taping so mas malaki-laki na ang baby namin that time,” says Dennis.
“At ako naman ang maiiwan sa pag-aalaga sa mga bata.”