Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado are partners in action, for real, in comeback series

For Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado, “Sanggang Dikit FR” marks a milestone — their first teleserye together as a married couple. Contrary to expectations perhaps of a romance or drama like their last GMA project a decade ago, this time they dive into action, drawing on their real-life teamwork to portray police partners who, despite constantly clashing, ultimately rely on each other.

In a one-on-one with The STAR on Friday, Dennis got to share his excitement over “Sanggang Dikit FR,” premiering on primetime come June 23.

“Nag-enjoy, of course. First time to be together again in a teleserye. And it’s not just any teleserye,” he began. “Kundi isang napaka-exclusive na action-packed presentation. We’re together in fight scenes — there’s a lot of fight scenes — and dangerous stunts. So, it’s exciting.”

According to the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actor, it’s been 10 years since he last starred with his wife on GMA through the soap “My Faithful Husband.”

All in all, they’ve lost track of the number of times they were paired on screen. But they could say that “Sanggang Dikit” is a whole new acting experience because of the genre and the storyline (where their characters don’t see eye to eye — or at least, in the first two weeks of the series).

“Kakaiba ‘tong series na ‘to. It’s my first time to do action. Napa-yes ako lalo na nung nalaman kong kasama ko yung asawa ko. Kaya excited talaga ako na mapanood ito,” Jennylyn shared.

The couple also praised the production and their director, L.A. Madridejos, who is responsible for some of the highest-rated Kapuso programs, including “Abot-Kamay na Pangarap,” “First Yaya,” “My Special Tatay,” among others. “Na-discover namin kung gaano siya kagaling, kung paano niya kami inaalagaan, yung kwento at may malasakit siya sa lahat ng characters sa kabuuan ng story,” said Dennis.

DenJen steps into action as police partners who clash but ultimately have each other’s backs.

Both Jennylyn and Dennis took their action roles seriously, even doing their own stunts in fight scenes.

The rom-com queen said, “I pushed myself to do all the stunts and keep up. Of course, it looks better if we’re the ones actually doing the scenes.”

Dennis added, “In this series, we really worked on getting in condition so we could do those kinds of scenes.”

“It’s really physical so we have to be strong, we need to be fit,” admitted Jennylyn.

The action show balances drama and comedy well. Dennis explained, “There’s drama but a lot can relate because the direction of direk L.A., he’d make sure that kahit ganito yung tema, may puso pa rin (even with this theme, it has heart). He’s able to show different kinds of people (characters).”

Jennylyn added, “And there’s a good balance of comedy.”

Talking about their personal takeaways from “Sanggang Dikit FR” — by the way, FR means “for real,” not the pain reliever to treat sore muscles due to all the action, as direk LA quipped at the presscon — Dennis said the show is all about team work whether at home or in the line of duty.

“You’ll see here that with teamwork, you can solve any problem,” Dennis said.

“You help each other, work together — not just as police partners, but also in relationships, as husband and wife or as friends. This really shows how important teamwork is,” he added.

For fun, The STAR did a “this or that” challenge with the couple. Excerpts of the Q&A are below, with full video up soon on this paper’s official YouTube channel.

Jennylyn and Dennis grace the presscon with co-stars Juancho Trivino, Nova Villa, Jeffrey Santos and Maria Benipayo. Not pictured are Al Tantay, Allen Dizon, Sam Pinto, among others. They are joined by director L.A. Madridejos (second from right).

Photos from Jennylyn’s Facebook page

Stunt double or do it yourself?

Jennylyn: “If you can, do it yourself. Pero kung alam mo na alanganin at hindi ka confident, hindi masama na ipagawa sa stunt. They have more experience.”

Dennis: (Jokes) “Sayang naman yung mga TF (talent fee) nila hahaha! But as much as possible, maganda kung ikaw talaga. (Hardest action scene I did) was the bus explosion. Ako yung pinakamalapit dun, tapos hindi in-expect na sobrang lakas. Yung salamin, nagtalsikan. Pero kahit ako yung pinakamalapit, wala akong tinamong tama. That was one of the most intense scenes I’ve done in my career. Talagang nakakakaba dahil sa lakas ng explosion.”

Jennylyn: “I really felt scared for him. Paano kung may malaking part ng glass na tumama sa likod niya? Tumalsik kasi. Ang dami ring mga nasugatan na malalayo.”

Dennis: “But yun nga, magandang makagawa ng eksena na may ganung dedication.”

Jennylyn: “(As for me) hindi ko ito usually ginagawa sa ibang taping. Doing jujitsu and incorporating it into the fight scenes. It was somewhat challenging for me.”

On-screen kilig or off-cam kulitan?

Both: “Off-cam kulitan.”

Jennylyn: “Kasi ‘di ba, pagka on-cam, ang dali lang magpakilig. It’s easy to fake it. Pero ‘yung totoo, hindi mo mapepeke.”

Rom-com or action?

Dennis: “Action movies.”

Jennylyn: “Now, I also like doing action. It gives me a different kind of challenge and thrill.”

During taping break, power nap or merienda?

Jennylyn: “Merienda! I don’t do power naps.”

Dennis: “For me, power nap. Mabilis akong matulog para may energy.”

As a couple: holding hands or surprise kisses?

Both: “Pareho (the same).”

Jennylyn: “Yes (physical touch is our love language). Mahigit sampung taon na kaming malambing.”

Jealous type or chill?

Dennis: “At this point…”

Jennylyn: “Chill na chill lang. Yes, tapos na ‘yon (jealousy). Nung mag-boyfriend-girlfriend pa kami, grabe! No? (turns to Dennis).”

Dennis: “O! (Laughter).”

Love letters or random love texts?

Jennylyn: “Paminsan-minsan lang kami nagla-love letters. Usually, if there’s an occasion or a gift, it comes with a love letter. It’s more on text because it’s more convenient. Cellphone na talaga ang gamit sa communication. Call or text every day.

“Yes, every day. Kahit hindi kami magkasama, may report, ganyan, para alam mo lang kung nasaan at ano ginagawa ng isa’t isa. At least, we don’t have to worry.”

Romantic getaway or staycation?

Jennylyn: “Sometimes we like to go on getaways, but we really enjoy just staying at home.”

Streaming binge or concert night?

Dennis: “We rarely attend concerts unless (the artist is our) super favorite.”

Jennylyn: “Parang sa loob ng limang taon, isang beses lang kami nanood. Ang huli natin parang Anderson .Paak pa yun eh.”

Dennis: “Last time was before the pandemic… What will convince us to watch a concert again… maybe Adele.”

Jennylyn: “With Dennis kasi, wide ang range ng music interests niya… Pwede siya sa classic, pwede rin sa rock or metal. He’s into bands like (the hard rock band) The Darkness.

“We watched Metallica in Amsterdam. Malay mo, makapanood ulit. But it was a long time ago, we were not yet married at that time.”

Dennis: “Mostly, gano’n (metal, rock).”

Jennylyn: “Then I call him a music genius — because if you ask him the title, who’s the singer, what album it’s from or when it came out — he knows right away.”

Love team forever or solo projects?

Dennis: “Siguro ayaw naman namin malimitahan sa forever kami lang palagi ang magkasama. In real life, it’s a given. But of course, gusto rin naming magkaroon ng mga projects na ibang-iba, para makatrabaho rin ang ibang artists. Marami pa naman besides us (working with each other).”