At the media conference for Maria Clara at Ibarra with the press, including LionhearTV, on September 23, Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo highlighted that he saw potential in his co-star Barbie Forteza to be a great actress.
Trillo said he saw the traits of seasoned actors in Forteza while working in the period fantasy series.
“Napakasaya noong experience dahil si Barbie, nakatrabaho ko na siya dati, pero para sa isang series lang yun na maikli. Pero dito, nakita ko talaga ‘yung potential niya bilang isang future talagang magaling na actress dahil makikita mo lahat ng traits and qualities niya, ‘yung mga ginagawa niya, parang galawan na ng mga beteranong artista.
“So nakakatuwa na ganon ‘yung mga nakakatrabaho namin, at mas maka-arte kami ng tama, makaka-interact kami. Mas nagiging tama ‘yung pag-portray sa mga characters namin.”
As for his preparations for his role, he noted that he checked online references about the attire during the Spanish Era in the Philippines to portray the role of Crisostomo Ibarra.
“Siyempre itong role na Crisostomo Ibarra, hindi ‘to pangkaraniwan na role na pwede mong gawin ng may kaunti kang preparasyon. Medyo kailangan mahaba ‘yung preparasyon mo dito. Kailangan alam mo ‘yung kwento ng Noli me Tangere at El Fili.
“Siguro maswerte tayo dahil marami tayong reference na makikita sa Google, sa YouTube, makikita mo ‘yung mga look kung sino ‘yung mga dating gumanap ng Crisostomo Ibarra. So doon pa lang, siguro mahirap ‘yung pagpili ng look dahil si Crisostomo Ibarra ay representation ni Rizal sa lahat ng adaptation parang iisa lang ‘yung itsura nila.”
Aside from research, he also thoroughly read the script for the series in preparation for his role.
“Siguro importante rin na basahin ng maigi ‘yung script dahil–para makita mo ‘yung dynamics ng magiging eksena pag nag-meet na ‘yung past and present. And bago rin kami mag-start ng taping, ay nagkaroon din kami ng kaunting Spanish class para sa dialogue namin na Espanyol.”
Maria Clara at Ibarra stars Barbie Forteza, Dennis Trillo, and Julie Anne San Jose.
The supporting cast includes Tirso Cruz III, Manilyn Reynes, Rocco Nacino, David Licauco, Juancho Trivino, Juan Rodrigo, Lou Veloso, Ces Quesada, Dennis Padilla, Gilleth Sandico, Karenina Haniel, and Andrea Torres.
Catch the series premiere of Maria Clara at Ibarra, directed by Zig Dulay and written by Suzette Doctolero, on October 3, via GMA Telebabad.
