Dennis Trillo has established himself as one of the most talented actors in the country. With a career spanning over two decades, his impressive filmography highlights his outstanding skills in front of the cameras.
Needless to say, his impressive track record of portraying complex and multifaceted characters brings a unique depth to such a role. Thus, his inclusion as a villain in the top series Pulang Araw has viewers excited to see what he will bring to the table.
Beginning Aug. 21, Trillo will debut as Col. Yuta Saitoh, a character that has generated considerable buzz among viewers. The series is currently topping the charts on Netflix Philippines.
In a recent press conference, the 43-year-old actor delved into his role as the ruthless Japanese soldier.
“At the start, they will definitely feel anger because Col. Yuta Saitoh is a villain and a bad guy. But I think, in some way, my character will have a redemption, and that’s important. No villain suddenly becomes a villain out of nowhere,” Trillo said of his character.
He elaborated on Saitoh’s backstory, revealing that his character’s hostility towards Filipinos stems from a traumatic experience during his childhood in the Philippines.
“He harbors anger towards Filipinos because when he was growing up here, thieves broke into his house and killed his family. Everything has a backstory, and everyone who is bad has a chance to change,” Trillo added.
The actor, who is playing a baddie role for the first time, also highlighted the series’ significance for Filipino viewers, particularly younger generations.
“Not everyone knows what happened during the Japanese occupation. People need to watch this to understand their history and feel more proud of being Filipino. They will also see the bravery of Filipinos at that time and how difficult the war was, something we don’t want to experience again,” Trillo said.
“What I learned from this, aside from the very hard experiences Filipinos went through during that time, is the importance of avoiding conflicts in life. We should be peace-loving people and value everyone around us,” he added emphasizing the broader message of the show.
Trillo also expressed his appreciation for working alongside fellow stars Barbie Forteza, Sanya Lopez, David Licauco, and Alden Richards.
“It feels great to work with superstars. It’s my first time working with Alden, and you can see his passion and energy; he seems tireless. As for Barbie, David, and Sanya, I’m happy to work with them again, and as time goes by, I really see their growth,” he said.
Pulang Araw airs from Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m. on GMA Prime, Kapuso Stream, and GTV. Global viewers can catch it via GMA Pinoy TV and stream it on Netflix Philippines.
