# Dennis Trillo

Abelardo Dennis Florencio Ho (born May 12, 1981), known professionally as Dennis Trillo (Tagalog pronunciation:), is a Filipino actor. His accolades includes 18 total wins of 2x MMFF Best Actor Award, 1x MMFF Best Supporting Actor Award, 1x Asian TV Awards Best Actor Award, 1x FAMAS Best Actor Award, 1x LUNA Best Actor Award, 2x PMPC Movies Best Actor Award, 1x FAMAS Best Supporting Actor Award, 2x Golden Screen Movies Best Supporting Actor Award, 2x Golden Screen TV Best Actor Award and a Seoul International Drama Award. He is known for his role as Eric del Mundo in the first ever gay-themed series on Philippine TV, My Husband's Lover, Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra y Magsalin / Simoun in Netflix's Maria Clara at Ibarra, and Colonel Yuta Saitoh in Pulang Araw aired on GMA Network and on Netflix .
Trillo received his first acting award in 2004 for his role as a cross-dressing spy in the 2004 war film Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita. In May 2016, he appeared in another primetime television series, Juan Happy Love Story, opposite his Dwarfina leading lady Heart Evangelista. Trillo has worked with GMA Network for over 20 years, being dubbed as the network's "Drama King".

## 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.
He has a son with his ex-girlfriend, Carlene Aguilar, born in 2007. Cristine Reyes and Trillo began dating in 2007 and later broke up in May 2009.
On November 15, 2021, Dennis Trillo married his longtime girlfriend, Jennylyn Mercado. Together, they have a daughter named Dylan Jade, born on April 25, 2022.
In December 2024, Trillo and Mercado relaunched and re-branded their lounge, beauty salon and nail spa, with the new name DYLN Style Lounge at Barangay U.P. Campus, Quezon City.

## Career
### Early years

Prior to starting his career in show business, Trillo was once a member of the band Moyg. For a short period, he played the drums for the DIY band in Baguio. His career in entertainment started on 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. He had minor roles in ABS-CBN's hit television soap operas Pangako Sa 'Yo and Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan.

### 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.
In 2004, was cast in his first main character role in the fantasy show Mulawin as Gabriel, a half-human and half-Ravena. In film, Trillo landed his breakthrough performance when he starred in the Metro Manila Film Festival official entry Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita as a transgender woman during World War II. In this film he received his first acting award as Best Supporting Actor in the 30th Metro Manila Film Festival.
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, 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.
The following year, 2005, Trillo was paired with Angel Locsin in the 2005 television adaptation of Darna. He also starred in the 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.

### 2006–2010: Kapuso leading man and music debut

In 2005, Trillo was cast as lead character in Etheria, where he portrayed the Sapirian prince, Raquim. Midway through the series, GMA announced that Trillo would be pulled from the 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".
Trillo released his self-titled debut album in 2007 under IndiMusic. That same year, he made his fourth Lenten drama special for GMA Network under APT Entertainment entitled Unico Hijo. On August 21, 2007, he started taping for the fantasy series Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan with Aljur Abrenica and Marky Cielo.
On April 27, 2008, five thousand spectators witnessed the Battle of Mactan play, with Trillo playing Ferdinand Magellan at the Mactan, Cebu Shrine. The same year, Trillo joined the cast of Magdusa Ka, an afternoon soap opera which later earned an International Emmy nomination. Trillo also starred in the comic-based superhero series Gagambino. After Gagambino, he starred in two more primetime dramas: Adik Sa'Yo and the 2009 remake of Darna.
Trillo's hosting roles continued when he replaced Dingdong Dantes as a co-host in Season 5 of StarStruck in 2009. In 2010, he also began co-hosting the variety show, Party Pilipinas. He appeared in Sine Novela Presents: Gumapang Ka Sa Lusak opposite Jennylyn Mercado and portrayed Andrew Tantoco in the Philippine adaptation of the hit Korean series Endless Love.

### 2011–2021: GMA's Drama King; My Husband's Lover

In 2011, Trillo appeared in the romantic-fantasy series Dwarfina with Heart Evangelista. After playing the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of Temptation of Wife, Trillo was cast in his most controversial role to date as Eric del Mundo in the gay drama series My Husband's Lover. Trillo received one acting award from two nominations and a commendation from the Asian TV Awards.
After the success of the series, the cast of My Husband's Lover held a concert at the Araneta Coliseum named "One More Try: My Husband's Lover The Concert". 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.
In 2014, he top-billed the primetime drama series Hiram na Alaala with Kapuso actress Kris Bernal. He also co-starred in the weekly medical drama Sa Puso ni Dok under GMA News & Public Affairs. Trillo visited ABS-CBN via his guesting in Kris TV to promote his 2015 movie You're Still The One alongside Maja Salvador, Ellen Adarna and Richard Yap under Regal Entertainment Inc. and Star Cinema. The same year, Trillo launched his first VIVA Films movie, Felix Manalo, where he received a Movie Actor of the Year award from the PMPC Star Awards for Movies.
After doing several heavy drama soap operas, Trillo starred in 2016 in the light drama series Juan Happy Love Story.
In 2021, Trillo starred in the cultural drama series Legal Wives where he played the role of a Maranao Muslim with Alice Dixson, Andrea Torres, and Bianca Umali as his wives.
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 temporarily released from prison to perform assassinations. For this film, Dennis wore a prosthetic over his nose, making it appear disfigured to immerse himself in his character.

### 2022–present: Television shows Maria Clara at Ibarra, Voltes V: Legacy

In 2022, Trillo starred as Crisostomo Ibarra, the main character in Jose Rizal's novels, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo in the TV drama Maria Clara at Ibarra.
In 2023, Trillo renewed his exclusive contract with GMA Network on 20th anniversary with the network. He stars in the family drama Pulang Araw and reunion movie project with his wife Jennylyn Mercado for 2024.

## Philanthropy and activism

In 2024, Trillo donated his P100,000 MMFF Best Actor award (sponsored by Playtime PH) to persons deprived of liberty as requested by Jennylyn Mercado. Trillo's road manager Jan Enriquez handed the amount to Green Bones' content creator Joseph Conrad Rubio for the General Trias PDL's "Wish tree" facility. The GenTri jail's real Tree of Hope inspired Rubio to conceive the theme of the Metro Manila Film Festival Award for Best Picture,in memory of his late father Zaldy.

## Discography
### Albums
#### Studio albums

* Dennis Trillo (2007, IndiMusic)

#### Collaboration albums

* TomDen (with Tom Rodriguez) (2013, GMA Records) (PARI Certification: Platinum)

#### Compilation appearances

* Seasons of Love (2014, GMA Records)
    Track 6: "Tibok ng Puso"

### Singles

* "All About Love" (2007)
* "Lumilipad" (2007)
* "Hinahanap-Hanap Kita" (Adik Sa'Yo theme song) (2009)
* "Forever" (with Tom Rodriguez) (2014)
* "Kailan Man" (A 100-Year Legacy theme song) (2014)
* "Tibok ng Puso" (Sa Puso ni Dok theme song) (2014)
* "Sa Iyo na Lang Ako" (Hiram na Alaala theme song) (2014)
* "Overdrive" (Lakbay 2 Love theme song) (with Solenn Heussaff) (2016)

## Filmography
### Television
#### Television series

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 1999–2000 | Tabing Ilog | Nanding | ABS-CBN |
| 2000 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Ruel | ABS-CBN |
| 2001–2002 | Sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan | Jojo | ABS-CBN |
| 2002–2003 | Kahit Kailan | Jaime | GMA Network |
| 2003–2004 | Twin Hearts | Glenn Saraga | GMA Network |
| 2004–2005 | Mulawin | Gabriel | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Efren / Lalaking Ahas | GMA Network |
| 2005–2006 | Now and Forever: Agos | Danilo Cortez | GMA Network |
| 2005–2006 | Etheria: Ang Ikalimang Kaharian ng Encantadia | Young Raquim | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Majika | Argo | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Now and Forever: Dangal | Adrian Villanueva | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Super Twins | Eliseo Castro / Eliazar Vergara | GMA Network |
| 2007 | Sine Novela: Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap | Rustan "Stan" Ilustre | GMA Network |
| 2007–2008 | Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan | Gallian Magdalion / Blue Zaido | GMA Network |
| 2008 | E.S.P. | Jared | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Sine Novela: Magdusa Ka | Rodolfo "Rod" Henson | GMA Network |
| 2008–2009 | Carlo J. Caparas' Gagambino | Gambino "Bino" Bayani / Gagambino | GMA Network |
| 2009 | Adik Sa'Yo | Ruben Domingo | GMA Network |
| 2009–2010 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Pancho Macaspac | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Sine Novela: Gumapang Ka sa Lusak | Levi Ramiro | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Endless Love | Andrew Tantoco | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Jillian: Namamasko Po | Danny Evangelista | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Dwarfina | Lyndon Valencia | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Sinner or Saint | Raul Marcelo | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Legacy | Young Cesar Alcantara | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Biritera | Andrei Marcelino | GMA Network |
| 2012–2013 | Temptation of Wife | Marcelito "Marcel" H. Salcedo | GMA Network |
| 2013 | My Husband's Lover | Enrico "Eric" del Mundo | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Sa Puso ni Dok | Doc. Dennis | GMA Network |
| 2014–2015 | Hiram na Alaala | Ivan Legaspi | GMA Network |
| 2015 | My Faithful Husband | Emman dela Paz | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Juan Happy Love Story | Juan Dela Costa | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Mulawin vs. Ravena | Haring Gabriel Montenegro | GMA Network |
| 2018 | The One That Got Away | William Dominic "Liam" Ilustre | GMA Network |
| 2018–2019 | Cain at Abel | Miguel Anthony Larrazabal / Elias Ledesma | GMA Network |
| 2020 | I Can See You: Truly. Madly. Deadly | Andrew "Drew" Rivera / Warren Devira | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Legal Wives | Ismael Makadatu | GMA Network |
| 2022–2023 | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Crisostomo Ibarra / Simoun / Barry Torres | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Voltes V: Legacy | Baron Hrothgar / Dr. Ned Armstrong | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Love Before Sunrise | Artemio "Atom" Menandrez Jr. | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Pulang Araw | Colonel Yuta Saitoh | GMA Network |
| 2025 | Sanggang Dikit | | GMA Network |
| TBA | Severino: The First Serial Killer | Juan Severino Mallari | TBA |

#### Television shows

| Year | Title | Role | Network |
| 2006–2010 | SOP | Co-host/performer | GMA Network |
| 2009–2010 | StarStruck V: The Worldwide Invasion | Host | GMA Network |
| 2010–2013 | Party Pilipinas | Co-host/performer | GMA Network |
| 2013–2015 | Sunday All Stars | Co-host/performer | GMA Network |

#### Drama anthologies

| Year | Title | Episode | Role | Network |
| 2020 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko | Sa ilalim ng buwan: Part 4 | Santi | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko | Sa ilalim ng buwan: Part 3 | Santi | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko | Sa ilalim ng buwan: Part 2 | Santi | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko | Sa ilalim ng buwan: Part 1 | Santi | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman | OFW Most Wanted: Part 2 | Rens | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman | OFW Most Wanted: Part 1 | Rens | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman | Patawad ama ko | Samuel | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Dear Uge | Who's Your Daddy? | Roy | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Karelasyon | Various episodes | Various roles | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Wagas | Ang Turista at Ang Probinsyana | Rome | GMA News TV |
| 2016 | Magpakailanman | Ang Kakambal Kong Ahas | Michael/Lucas | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Magpakailanman | The PO2 Ephraim Mejia Story: Ang Mamatay ng Dahil Sa'yo | Ephraim Mejia | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Magpakailanman | The Eduard Folayang & Mark Sangiao Story: Mga Bagong Mandirigma | Eduard Folayang | GMA Network |
| 2006 | Magpakailanman | The Darius Razon Story | Darius Razon | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Magpakailanman | The Mars Ravelo Story: Buhay na Walang Hanggan | Mars Ravelo | GMA Network |
| 2005 | Magpakailanman | The Joey Faller Story | Fr. Joey Faller | GMA Network |
| 2004 | Magpakailanman | The Diego Llorico Story | Diego's Boyfriend | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Spooky Night Presents | Siyam | — | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Spooky Night Presents | Kalaro | Chris | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Claudine | Bingit na Kaligayahan | Jed | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Love Bug Presents | The Last Romance | Hero | GMA Network |
| 2009 | SRO Cinemaserye | Exchange Gift | Miguel | GMA Network |
| 2008 | Dear Friend | Chinoy | Edison | GMA Network |
| 2004 | Love to Love | Kissing Beauty | Alfred | GMA Network |
| 2002 | Wansapanataym | — | — | ABS-CBN |
| 2002 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Treehouse | — | ABS-CBN |
| 2001 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Songbook | — | ABS-CBN |

#### TV specials

| Year | Title | Role | Network | Notes |
| 2004 | Angel Villa | St. Rafael | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special |
| 2005 | Sa Kamay ng Diyos | — | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special |
| 2006 | Binibining Pilipinas | Presenter | GMA Network | Along with Dingdong Dantes and Pia Guanio |
| 2006 | Sa Ngalan ng Anak | — | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special |
| 2007 | Unico Hijo | — | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special with Eddie Garcia |
| 2009 | Sugat ng Kahapon | Sonny | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special with Marian Rivera |
| 2011 | Maestra | — | GMA Network | APT Entertainment Lenten special with Agot Isidro |
| 2011–2012 | Countdown to 2012: The GMA New Year Special | Performer | GMA Network | |
| 2014 | Ilaw ng Kahapon | Dante | GMA Network | Eat Bulaga! Lenten special |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role | Producer(s) | Notes |
| 2004 | Mano Po III: My Love | Sigmond Dee | Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2004 | Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita | Ignacio Basa/Inya Marasigan | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Judy Ann Santos |
| 2005 | Mulawin: The Movie | Gabriel | GMA Films, Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2006 | Blue Moon | Kyle Pineda | Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2006 | Pamahiin | Noah | Regal Entertainment | Leading role |
| 2006 | TxT | Alex | Regal Entertainment, APT Entertainment GMA Pictures | Leading role with Angel Locsin |
| 2007 | Shake, Rattle and Roll 9 | Jerome | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Roxanne Guinoo |
| 2008 | I.T.A.L.Y. | Paolo Guzman | GMA Films | Leading role with Jolina Magdangal |
| 2008 | Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam | Paul | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Judy Ann Santos |
| 2009 | Yaya and Angelina: The Spoiled Brat Movie | Yaya's neighbor | GMA Films, APT Entertainment | Cameo role |
| 2009 | Astig | Ariel | Cinemalaya Foundation | Leading role with Sid Lucero |
| 2009 | Tarot | Miguel | Regal Entertainment GMA Pictures | Leading role with Marian Rivera |
| 2009 | Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love | Daniel Chan | Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2010 | Rosario | Alberto Fernandez | Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2011 | Temptation Island | Antonio | GMA Films, Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2011 | My Neighbor's Wife | Aaron Santillan | GMA Films, Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Lovi Poe |
| 2011 | Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow | Derek | Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2012 | Boy Pick-Up: The Movie | Gabbs/Bagwis | GMA Films, Regal Entertainment | Supporting role |
| 2012 | Ang Katiwala | Ruben | APT Entertainment, Bigtop Media Productions | Leading role |
| 2012 | Shake, Rattle and Roll Fourteen: The Invasion | MSgt. Martin Barrientos | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Paulo Avelino |
| 2013 | Sapi | Dennis | Centerstage Productions, Solar Entertainment | Leading role with Meryll Soriano |
| 2014 | The Janitor | Crisanto Espina | APT Entertainment | Leading role with Richard Gomez |
| 2014 | Shake, Rattle & Roll XV | Henry | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Carla Abellana |
| 2015 | You're Still the One | Jojo | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Maja Salvador |
| 2015 | Felix Manalo | Felix Y. Manalo | Viva Films | Leading role with Bela Padilla |
| 2016 | Lakbay 2 Love | Biker | Erasto Films | Leading role with Solenn Heussaff |
| 2016 | Bakit Lahat ng Gwapo may Boyfriend? | Diego | Viva Films | Leading role with Anne Curtis and Paolo Ballesteros |
| 2018 | One Great Love | Ian Arcano | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Kim Chiu |
| 2019 | Mina-Anud | Ding | Regal Entertainment | Leading role |
| 2019 | Hellcome Home | Peter Villareal | Regal Entertainment | Leading role with Beauty Gonzalez, Raymond Bagatsing and Alyssa Muhlach |
| 2021 | On the Job: The Missing 8 | Roman Rubio | Reality MM Studios, Globe Studios | Leading role with John Arcilla |
| 2024 | Green Bones | Domingo "Dom" Zamora | GMA Pictures, GMA Public Affairs | Leading role with Ruru Madrid |
| 2025 | Everything About My Wife | Dominic "Dom" Brizuela | GMA Pictures, CreaZion Studios, Glimmer Studios | Leading role with Jennylyn Mercado and Sam Milby |