Dennis Trillo staying strong in showbiz

by Michelle Licup
Dec 24, 2021
Dennis Trillo bio
Dennis Trillo has been in showbiz since 1999. Twenty years later, the shy guy is now one of GMA-7's most reliable leading men.
PHOTO/S: Cyrus Panganiban

Dennis Trillo has been in the entertainment industry since 2001.

Through the years, he has showcased his talent in acting and singing, and gained recognition locally and even internationally.

Recently, Dennis made headlines when he and long-time girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado got married in a simple ceremony, following the announcement of their engagement and pregnancy.

But save for his publicized relationships, Dennis has preferred keeping his personal life private.

Here's to give you a gist of his 20-year showbiz career.

BACKGROUND

Dennis Trillo, whose real name is Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho, was born on May 12, 1981 in Quezon City.

His mother is Florita Florencio Ho, and his father is Abelardo Leslie Ho, a Filipino-Chinese man who hails from Dumaguete, Negros Oriental.

Dennis studied at Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU) in grade school, and at Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (JASMS) in high school. He took up a Bachelor of Arts in International Studies at Miriam College.

CAREER

Dennis Trillo in Star Circle batch 10

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In 2001, Dennis started his showbiz career with ABS-CBN as part of Star Circle Batch 10, with Bea Alonzo, Nadine Samonte, Andi Manzano, Karel Marquez, Alfred Vargas, and TJ Trinidad as his batchmates.

Before this, from 1999 to 2000, he was part of Tabing Ilog.

Afterwards, he played minor roles in hit teleseryes such as Pangako Sa 'Yo and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.

Dennis Trillo as a Ravena in GMA-7 series Mulawin

He transferred to GMA Network in 2003. After several supporting roles in the shows Kahit Kailan, Twin Hearts, and Love to Love, Dennis got his big break when he landed the lead role in the hit 2004 series Mulawin.

That same year, he took a starring role in Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita. It was an official entry to the 30th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), and Dennis won the Best Supporting Actor award for his portrayal as a transgender woman during World War II.

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NOOD KA MUNA!

Dennis Trillo in GMA-7 series My Husband's Lover

Among his most remarkable roles was portraying a gay man in My Husband's Lover in 2013.

Here are the rest of Dennis' films and TV shows from 2004 onwards:

2004:

Mulawin

Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita

Mano Po III: My Love

2005:

Mars Ravelo's Darna

Now and Forever: Agos

Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia

Mulawin: The Movie

2006:

Majika

Now and Forever: Dangal

Blue Moon

Pamahiin

TxT

2007:

Super Twins

Sine Novela: Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap

Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan

Shake, Rattle and Roll 9

2008:

E.S.P

Sine Novela: Magdusa Ka

Carlo J. Caparas' Gagambino

I.T.A.L.Y.

Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam

2009:

Adik Sa 'Yo

Mars Ravelo's Darna

Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie

Astig

Tarot

Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love

2010:

Sine Novela: Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak

Endless Love

Jillian: Namamasko Po

Rosario

2011:

Dwarfina

Sinner or Saint

Temptation Island

My Neighbor's Wife

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

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2012:

Legacy

Biritera

Temptation of Wife

Boy Pick-Up: The Movie

Ang Katiwala

Shake, Rattle and Roll 14: The Invasion

2013:

My Husband's Lover

Sapi

2014:

Sa Puso ni Dok

Hiram na Alaala

The Janitor

Shake, Rattle & Roll XV

2015:

My Faithful Husband

You're Still the One

Felix Manalo

2016:

Juan Happy Love Story

Oh, My Mama!

Lakbay 2 Love

Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend?

2017:

Mulawin vs. Ravena

2018:

The One That Got Away

One Great Love

2019:

Cain at Abel

Mina-Anud

Hellcome Home

2020:

I Can See You: Truly. Madly. Deadly

Mother

2021:

Legal Wives

Dennis also received numerous awards and accolades, such as Best Actor in Luna Awards in 2005, Movie Actor of the Year in PMPC Star Awards for Movies in 2016, and Best Actor in MMFF in 2018.

This year, he landed the fourth spot in PEP.ph list Greatest Movie Actors in Lead Roles (from 2000 to 2020).

As a recording artist, he released a few singles and a couple of albums under GMA Records, such as the TomDen album in 2013, his collaboration with My Husband's Lover co-star Tom Rodriguez.

RELATIONSHIPS

Carlene Aguilar

Carlene Aguilar and son Calix Andreas Ho

Dennis dated Carlene Aguilar for five years, from 2001 to 2006.

The end of their relationship created quite a stir because in 2007, Carlene got pregnant. Though at first, Dennis denied that the baby was his, eventually, he admitted to being the father. On September 22, 2007, Carlene gave birth to a son named Calix Andreas in Los Angeles, California. The two are now co-parenting Calix.

Rufa Mae Quinto

Rufa Mae Quinto

In 2007, Rufa Mae admitted her short-lived romance with Dennis, which lasted for just a few weeks. According to Rufa Mae, they kept their affair a secret.

"Itinago namin iyon dahil inaalagaan kasi nang husto ng GMA ang career ni Dennis, at naiintindihan ko iyon.

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"Nagsisimula na si Dennis sa Darna opposite Angel Locsin. Malinaw ang planong ipinagpe-pair sila, kaya hindi ako dapat umeksena.

"Alam ko kung saan ako dapat lumagay kaya tumahimik lang kami ni Dennis kahit kinukulit kami noon," she said.

Cristine Reyes

Christine Reyes

Dennis and Cristine dated from 2007 to 2009. In 2013, rumors that they were rekindling their romance surfaced after they were seen together in Cebu.

Cristine denied.

In an interview with The Buzz, she said, "Hindi naman po yun sadya. Nagktaon lang na nandoon din siya sa lugar at nandoon din ako kasama ang mga kaibigan ko. It doesn't mean na makita kami in public, nagde-date na kami."

Bianca King

Bianca King

Dennis and Bianca dated in 2012, but broke up in the same year. In 2015, Bianca revealed that Dennis broke up with her via a text message.

Jennylyn Mercado

Jennylyn Mercado

Dennis and Jennylyn dated way back in 2010, but broke up the following year. However, in 2015, the two found their way back in each other's arms.

After dating for six years, the two got married this 2021, following the announcement of their pregnancy.

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Dennis Trillo has been in showbiz since 1999. Twenty years later, the shy guy is now one of GMA-7's most reliable leading men.
PHOTO/S: Cyrus Panganiban
  • This article was created by . Edits have been made by the PEP.ph editors.
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