Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born May 12, 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (Tagalog pronunciation:[ˈtɾiʎo]), is a Filipino actor, model and recording artist. He is currently an exclusive contract talent of GMA Network.[1] He was known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the first ever gay-themed series on Philippine TV, My Husband's Lover aired on GMA Network in 2013.[2]
Now being recognized both locally and internationally, he still continues to work as GMA Network's "Drama King."[6]
Personal life
Dennis Trillo, born as Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho on May 12, 1981, in Quezon City, is the son of Abelardo Leslie Ho, a Chinese Filipino from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental, and Florita Florencio, a Filipino. He completed his high school education at Jose Abad Santos Memorial School in Quezon City and attended grades 1–7 at the Ateneo De Manila University. For his college education, he enrolled at Miriam College , earning a B.A. in International Studies.[7]
He has a son with his ex-girlfriend, Carlene Aguilar, born in 2007.
On November 15, 2021, Dennis Trillo married his longtime girlfriend, Jennylyn Mercado. Together, they have a daughter named Dylan, born on April 25, 2022.[8]
Career
Early years
Prior to starting his career in show business, Trillo was once a member of a band called Moyg. For a short period, he played the drums for the DIY band in Baguio.[9] His career in entertainment started in ABS-CBN in 2001 when he was introduced as part of ABS-CBN's Star Circle (now known as Star Magic) batch 10 along with Bea Alonzo, Alfred Vargas and TJ Trinidad.[citation needed] He took part in ABS-CBN's hit television soap operas Pangako Sa 'Yo as Ruel and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan as Jojo; both were minor characters.
2003–2005: Breakthrough as Kapuso
After transferring to GMA Network and becoming a contract star, he landed his first role for the network in the youth-oriented drama Kahit Kailan where he played a supporting character named David. He was also cast in several outings like Twin Hearts and Love to Love.
Following this recognition, he received five more Best Actor trophies from the Film Academy of the Philippines, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), the PMPC Star Awards for Movies, Golden Screen Awards and the Young Critics Circle. He was also included in the third installment of Mano Po.[11]
The following year, 2005, Trillo officially became a leading man when he was paired with Angel Locsin in the television adaptation of the iconic superhero Darna. He also starred in an afternoon family drama Now and Forever: Agos where he received a Best Drama Actor nomination from PMPC Star Awards for TV. That same year, he reprised his role for Mulawin: The Movie, and appeared in the film Blue Moon.[12]
2006–2010: Kapuso leading man and music debut
In 2005, in GMA Network fantasy series Encantadia, Trillo was cast as lead character in Etheria, where he portrayed the Sapirian prince, Raquim. Midway through the series, GMA Network management announced that Trillo would be pulled out from the said show to once again star in another fantasy-themed television series Majika, in the end Trillo was allowed to complete Etheria. He also starred in the horror-suspense film Pamahiin and was included in the network's noontime show SOP as a co-host where he also played drums as part of the show's "Starband".
On April 27, 2008, five thousand spectators witnessed the Battle of Mactan play, with Trillo playing Ferdinand Magellan at the Mactan, Cebu Shrine.[15] The same year, Trillo joined the stellar cast of Magdusa Ka, an afternoon soap opera which later earned an International Emmy nomination the following year. Late 2008 when he starred in the comic-based superhero series Gagambino, playing as the main character.[16] The following year after Gagambino, he starred in two more primetime dramas: Adik Sa'Yo and the 2009 remake of Darna.[12]
2011–present: GMA's Drama King; My Husband's Lover
In 2011, Trillo appeared in the romantic-fantasy series Dwarfina where he teamed-up with Heart Evangelista. After playing the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of Temptation of Wife, Trillo lead his most controversial role to date as Eric del Mundo in his second International Emmy nominee[19] drama series My Husband's Lover where he received one acting award from two nominations and a commendation from Asian TV Awards.[20]
After the success of the series, the cast of My Husband's Lover held a concert at Araneta Coliseum named "One More Try: My Husband's Lover The Concert".[21] The same year, Trillo and his screen partner Tom Rodriguez released their album titled TomDen, which is now a certified Platinum record according to the PARI with over 15,000 copies sold.[22]
Trillo starred in Erik Matti's crime thriller film, On the Job: The Missing 8 in 2021. He played the role of Roman, a prisoner who is temporarily freed from prison to perform assassinations.[26] For this film, Dennis wore a prosthetic over his nose, making it appear disfigured to immerse himself in his character.[27]
