Dennis downplays ladies’ man image

Aside from his acting prowess, Dennis Trillo is well-known for his winning way with women. Ogie Alcasid, his co-star in “Boy Pick-Up” sums it best: “Hindi na kailangan ni Dennis ang pick-up lines!”

And he could be right. Because beautiful women – Carlene Aguilar (mother of his three-year-old son Calix), Cristine Reyes, Jennylyn Mercado and Bianca King – fall for him as easily as a leaf falls from a tree without anyone touching it.

But Dennis is the first to downplay this ladies’ man image.

“Siguro ganon ang image kasi mostly showbiz ang ka-relasyon ko,” he explains. “Pero kung papipiliian ako, ayoko ng ganong image.”

He would rather be known as a good actor “na pilit ginagampanan ang lahat ng trabaho ko.”

Take his role as the dark force in Boy Pick-Up’s (Ogie) life, for instance.

“May utang na loob ako kay Ogie kasi binigyan niya ako ng chance na magampanan ang dream role ko,” Dennis relates. “For the first time, ginawa kong maangas ang villain role na ito. Sa bawat superhero sa pelikula, kailangang may matinding kalaban para maganda ang contrast.”

Dennis followed Ogie’s idea of a “dark knight na villain na mala-Heath Ledger.”

But no, “Boy Pick-Up” is no suspense horror. It’s a comedy. So Dennis added humor to his Bagwis role. He refuses to say how he did it. Just watch the film, he teases.

The bad boy role is temporary, though. Dennis reverts to romantic lead in July, when he hopes to do a primetime soap. Dennis is just as excited about “Ang Katiwala,” an indie film to be shown at the Cinemalaya Film Festival in July. A project with award-winning director Brillante Mendoza is under negotiation.

Bianca and Calix

Dennis’ personal life is just as rosy. Girlfriend Bianca King and Calix are hitting it off well, with the boy obeying his “Tita’s” wishes all the time.

“Happy ako na close sila. Walang negative energy, panay positive vibes lang,” Dennis reveals.”Sa akin lang hindi nakikinig ang bata. Nawiwili siya dahil spoiler ako. Minsan tumitigas ang ulo niya.”

Like all dads, Dennis wants his child to be always happy.

“I try to give Calix lahat ng nagpapasaya sa kanya.”

In fairness to his son, Dennis says the boy knows his limits. He behaves in front of other people, like Bianca, of course.

“Matalino ang bata,” Dennis crows.

The boy doesn’t run for cover when he sees his dad’s body riddled with scary tattoos in the “Boy Pick-Up” trailer.

“I explain to him that I’m just pretending to be bad. Naiintindihan niya yon. Mabilis siya maka-pick up,” Dennis points out.

And that’s why Bianca is on the right track. By hitting it off well with Calix, she is winning more and more points in Dennis’ heart.

By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom