Dennis Trillo tries to emulate the Drama King

Dennis Trillo, who, for the third time, is recreating a Christopher de Leon movie role for GMA-7’s adaptation of Lino Brocka’s “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak,” aspires to follow the career path of the Drama King.

“Kasi hanggang ngayon Christopher de Leon pa rin s’ya at lalo pa s’yang gumagaling kaya gusto ko [ay] maging katulad n’ya,” he says of the award-winning actor who was introduced in 1974’s “Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang.”

Dennis recalls that he became an instant fan when he watched Christopher in “Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon,” and his admiration deepened when he took on his idol’s old roles for the TV remakes of “Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap,” “Magdusa Ka” and now “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak.”

He shares that he’s awed by Christopher’s sincerity, intensity and dedication to the acting craft. “’Pag pinanood mo s’ya, natural na natural [ang acting], parang gano’n talaga ang ginagawa ng mga taong pino-portray sa movie,” he points out.

Dennis also takes his hat off to Christopher for turning his turbulent experiences into a reservoir of emotions that aids him in bringing his characters to life – an approach that the younger actor, who made his mark in the biz via the 2005 war drama, “Aishite Imasu,” likewise tries to follow.

“Ang mga pinagdaanan kong experiences [ay] nagpatibay sa akin bilang tao and at the same time nagamit ko na pinaghuhugutan ng emosyon na dati [ay] hindi ko kayang gawin kasi hindi ko pa nararanasan,” he elucidates.

Joining Dennis in the main cast of GMA-7’s newest daytime soap are Jennylyn Mercado and Al Tantay. Also part of the cast, is Sandy Andolong, who announced during the February 4, 2010 press conference that Dennis was the perfect choice for the role originated by her husband.

“S’yempre ando’n ang pressure kasi asawa n’ya ‘yun, kabisado n’ya ‘yung ginagawa tapos hindi ko pa pinanood [ang movie],” replies Dennis when asked what it was like working with Sandy. “Pero kahit gano’n, gusto ko na makita pa rin n’ya na kahit hindi ko magaya or mapantayan ang ginagawa ni Sir Christopher de Leon, gusto ko lang na maramdaman n’ya na meron akong effort na ginagawa para hindi ako mapahiya sa kanya at sa lahat ng mga nanonood.”

But there’s one path that Christopher is trying to tread that Dennis swears he’s not interested in: politics. “Mag-e-endorse na lang ako ng candidate o kaya magpe-perform sa mga campaign,” says the star of “Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak,” which touches on some political issues.