Kapuso actor Dennis Trillo is earning strong reactions from viewers with his portrayal of Col. Yuta Saitoh, a leading figure in the Japanese forces, in GMA Network’s prime time drama ‘Pulang Araw.’
Fans of the show have expressed both fear and frustration toward his villainous role as one of the antagonists aiming to take control of the Philippines.
In an interview with GMANetwork.com, Dennis shared insights on how he prepared for his first major antagonist role. Interestingly, he revealed that he didn’t have a specific inspiration for his character.
“Sa totoo lang, wala talaga akong nag-iisang role model,” Dennis said. He emphasized that perfecting his character’s Japanese dialogue was a key focus for him. “Ang importante lang doon ay ‘yung nahanap ko ‘yung boses ni Yuta. Napaka-importante niyan para sa isang karakter na bukod sa look, e, makahanap ka rin ng boses na babagay doon sa look and doon sa karakter ko lalo na nagsasalita ng Hapon ‘yung character ko ngayon.”
To achieve this, Dennis studied Japanese films, paying close attention to pronunciation and intonation. “Mas naghanap ako ng mga peg na boses at kung paano talaga makakasalita because ‘yun ‘yung mga Japanese na lines. Kadalasan, marami akong pinanonood ng mga Japanese na movies nilalagyan ko lang ng mga subtitles pero pinapalitan ko ‘yung audio para makuha ko ‘yung tamang intonation o pag-pronounce nila,” he explained.
Dennis also had a message for viewers who have already begun disliking his character. “Masasabi ko sa inyong lahat, ‘Thank you sa pananood at nararamdaman ko na effective ‘yung ginagawa ko dahil kiniinisan ninyo ako. Pero ‘yun talaga ang gusto kong maramdaman ninyo. Kaya abangan n’yo pa ‘yung mga susunod na mga mangyayari, mas lalo pa kayong maiinis sa akin and sana kahit nainis kayo, huwag kayong bibitiw sa pananood.”
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In the latest episodes of Pulang Araw, the storyline focuses on the arrival of Japanese forces in Manila on January 2, 1942, following the failure of the U.S. to defend the country. The invasion will bring fear and hardship to the lead characters, Eduardo (Alden Richards), Adelina (Barbie Forteza), and Teresita (Sanya Lopez), as they discover their friend Hiroshi (David Licauco) has joined the Japanese Imperial Army, led by Col. Saitoh.
As the war intensifies, the series will depict the struggles of Filipinos during the Japanese occupation and their fight for survival during World War II.
Pulang Araw airs Monday to Friday at 8:00 p.m. after 24 Oras on GMA Prime.
