Dennis Trillo credits Mother Lily for big movie break

In 2004, the late Mother Lily Monteverde took a chance on a then up-and-coming Dennis Trillo, and gave him his first big role in a movie.

It was “Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita,” a World War II-themed drama that had Dennis playing a transgender woman who falls in love with an Imperial Japanese Army officer and, later on, becomes a spy for a guerrilla movement.

“It was my first movie … I had yet to make a name in the industry, but she trusted me. She gave me a big opportunity, a big role,” he told the Inquirer at a recent press conference for the GMA 7 series “Pulang Araw.”

The movie helped Dennis prove his mettle as an actor. The role remains as one of the most iconic of his career. His performance earned him a slew of accolades, including best supporting actor awards from Famas, Luna and the Metro Manila Film Festival.

“She trusted me and believed in me … I owe her a big debt of gratitude,” he said of the late Regal Films matriarch.

The success led to more collaborations with Regal: “Blue Moon,” “Rosario,” “Mano Po 3” and “Mano Po 6,” “Shake Rattle and Roll” (9 and 14), “Mina-Anud,” among others. “[Mother Lily’s passing] is such sad news. We lost one of the pillars of Philippine cinema,” he said.

Asked to share some of his fond memories of Mother Lily, Dennis said, “During her birthday parties, you would always see her playing the piano. It was something she was so happy doing. She was jolly. She talked loudly and laughed loudly. That’s an image I will always have of her.”

“I will miss her,” he added. INQ