It’s been over a week since the premiere of “Love Before Sunrise,” the newest primetime drama series on Viu Philippines and GMA Network! From Atom (Dennis Trillo) and Stella’s (Bea Alonzo) kilig moment under the orange umbrella to the intense confrontation scenes with Czarina (Andrea Torres) and Stella—with powerful lines and the classic sampalan—we’ve been taken on an emotional journey through the superb acting skills of our lead cast so far.
So much has happened to our characters that we’re left wondering how they’ll further grow, fall in and out of love, and lead their lives. And with Roald (Sid Lucero) coming into the picture soon, things will just grow even more exciting for the show.
With such endearing yet complex characters to portray, how did the main cast of “Love Before Sunrise” prepare for the role, and what have they learned from embodying them?
Viu Philippines got the exclusive opportunity to ask these questions to Bea Alonzo, Dennis Trillo, Andrea Torres, and Sid Lucero, and we’re sharing their answers with you!
Bea Alonzo on why Stella is like her
Bea shares that she and Stella have similar backgrounds, allowing her to resonate with her character’s life.
“I didn’t grow up with a dad, and [Stella] lost [hers] when she was a teenager. I could relate to that feeling of loss. She’s also a breadwinner, just like me. I know the feeling of prioritizing my family above all, sometimes even above love and dreams.”
The multi-awarded actress stresses that “Love Before Sunrise” is a character-driven show—it is not about big plot twists. She adds that the story unfolds as the characters make life choices.
“I want the audience to have that piece of Stella in every Filipino viewer—that sometimes we make bad choices because of our circumstances. [Sometimes,] we tend not to think of the bigger picture of life. I want them to know that we’re imperfect and that’s okay.
Dennis Trillo’s quiet and observant demeanor
In playing Atom, Dennis’ style of being quiet and reserved to conserve his energy works to his advantage. “Syempre, sobrang observant ako and I can create the character of Atom because my co-stars are great and talented. It’s all based on how I interact with [them.]”
Respect, especially in the context of partnerships and relationships, is the foremost value that Dennis learned from Atom.
“You need to know and respect what they need and what they are going through in their lives. [Atom] really felt that Stella was the right one for him and so whatever problem she faced in her life, [he] wanted to be a part of them and to help. I feel that’s very important: to respect [your] partner and listen to them.”
In watching “Love Before Sunrise,” Dennis wants viewers to understand the value of patience in relationships. “The right person will arrive in your life at the right time. Maybe not now but eventually. That’s the lesson. [There’s this] one line [from the show that] I remember: “in life there are some things worth waiting for.”
The complex character of Andrea Torres
Meanwhile, Andrea banks on doing her research and over-preparation to be confident with her roles.
“Whether you’re given a background of your character or not, you have to make a routine. You have to ask: what are her values? Who are her friends? Where does she go? Those very detailed things. She has to be real.”
With a character like hers, Andrea finds joy in telling stories of complex characters, especially those that may be often misunderstood. “Czarina is very playful and unpredictable but at the same time always polished. Every time there’s a party, she’s always prepared. She has that confidence in herself.”
“She has a lot of issues and that’s what I like about her. She’s not just a kontrabida; you can see her heart also. You can see her struggles—with her parents, family, growing up she wasn’t noticed that much. You can understand why she’s like that. I’m always like that whenever I’m looking for a role. It’s my chance to tell a story and I’m sure someone like Czarina exists. So this is the chance to tell her story the way she wants it [to be] told.”
Sid Lucero on playing a doctor
Sid took on the challenge of playing a doctor—something that he’s never done before. “[It’s] terrifying, especially since it was shot inside a hospital. It’s fun, especially since I like learning stuff. I never played a doctor before. I have Google on the side and it was nice learning new things on the side.”
“I did my best to interpret his character. I tried to fill in the blanks with the realer parts of humanity. I never studied biology. I was given a skeleton and I tried my best to flesh it out,” he added.
As a character who wanted to give back to his mother, Roald being a doctor is a fitting pair, said Sid. “His life with his mom really describes how Roald was able to decide what he wanted to be. It was fueled by how he wanted to give back to his mom. It’s a perfect occupation for this character. To be a doctor is to be committed and so I think it’s a [perfect fit].”
However, Sid’s internalization of Roald became complete once he got on set and went with his gut. “I can cross-check things in my life and all that, but until I get into the set and find out, that interactions add flavor to the set and that in turn creates the character. You learn to adjust and that changes the dynamic.”
Watch Love Before Sunrise on Viu and GMA!
With such a star-studded cast, an engaging line-up of characters, and an emotional high with the intense scenes, “Love Before Sunrise” will be your everyday Viu-ing habit!
Witness how Atom, Stella, Czarina, and Roald’s stories will unfold in the coming weeks by watching advanced episodes of “Love Before Sunrise” on Viu (48 hours before TV airing), and with simultaneous streaming on Viu for FREE alongside its broadcasting schedules on GMA Network Primetime.