Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado’s film outfit co-produces 2024 MMFF entry ‘Green Bones’

MANILA, Philippines — Dennis Trillo and Jennylyn Mercado are not just partners in life, but also partners in business.

They have set up their own production outfit, Brightburn Entertainment, with the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Green Bones” as their first-ever venture into co-production, particularly with GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs.

Dennis also topbills the film with Ruru Madrid.

“Ma-swerte kami na ang pinaka-unang project namin ay aming pelikula for MMFF na ‘Green Bones,’” Dennis told The STAR during an interview on the sidelines of the relaunch of his wife Jennylyn Mercado’s salon business DYLN Style Lounge in Maginhawa, Q.C.

When it was announced as among the first five entries of the 50th MMFF, Dennis recalled that “dun palang feeling ko winner na kami. Napakaswerte namin. This Christmas season is the perfect time to produce a film.”

According to a media release, “Green Bones” is based on an original story by JC Rubio, senior documentary manager of GMA Public Affairs, with screenplay written by National Artist Ricky Lee and MMFF 2023 Best Screenplay winner (“Firefly”) Anj Atienza. Director is Zig Dulay (“Firefly,” “Maria Clara at Ibarra”).

Dennis with co-star Ruru Madrid (rightmost), GMA senior vice president Annette Gozon-Valdes (second from left) and GMA Pictures executive vice president Nessa Valdellon.

According to the synopsis, it tells the story of a man (Dennis) who is notorious for the grisly murder of his sister and her daughter. Already up for parole, a newly assigned prison guard (Ruru Madrid) takes a personal interest in making sure that he remains behind bars. “Green Bones” will be distributed by Columbia Pictures for Sony Pictures Releasing International.

“Nauna yung project (It was first offered to us). Sobrang naniniwala ako dun sa project. Gusto namin maging partners sa pagbuo ng pelikula. By partners, meaning there’s capital infusion,” said Dennis on how “Green Bones” became their big-screen debut as producers.

“We really want to do this because this is the best time to produce films and this is the season where audiences really come out to watch films. For other people, it’s already their ritual every year to watch all the entries. Thank you to Ms. Annette Gozon because they allowed us to co-produce ‘Green Bones,’” he added.

Since setting up Brightburn, the couple has received a lot of pitches for possible project collaborations.

“Nakakakilig kasi dati lang kaming umaarte in productions, kinukuha na artista sa mga projects, ngayon kami na yung (nag-a-approve),” said Jennylyn.

Dennis also said that this new business is a chance for them to turn dream projects into reality.

“Masaya kami kasi yung mga ideas namin na-vo-voice out na namin and we’re able to materialize projects that we want to do but haven’t done as actors. It’s a chance for us to realize projects that we’ve long envisioned to happen,” he further said.

Dennis and Jennylyn with other Brightburn executives – Kat Aguila (head of business development) and Jan Enriquez (head of productions).

Of course, the couple said they are still experiencing some birth pains and challenges, the biggest of which is picking out and discerning the right projects to produce or co-produce.

“Of course, kelangan makuha namin ang tamang timpla na mag a-appeal din sa mga audience,” he said.

They said they don’t even have to be the stars of these film projects.

“Ang importante maikwento muna and then i-ma-match kung sino yung mga bagay sa mga characters sa kwento,” Dennis said.

On what kinds of projects they are looking for and what would be the identity of Brightburn as a production company, the actor said, “For sure, it’s going to be out of the box — doing both indie and mainstream. We don’t want to limit ourselves to the indie because of course, this is still a business and we need it to be an income stream.”

First phase of Brightburn projects involves producing dream projects, while second phase will be about projects wherein they will focus on wearing the producer’s hat.

“Gusto rin namin yung ganun yung wala kami dun sa project. Siguro mga cameo lang kami. Marami naman kasi magagaling na artista na pwede (ma-cast),” said Dennis.

'Green Bones' tells the story of a man (Dennis) who is notorious for the grisly murder of his sister and her daughter. Already up for parole, a newly assigned prison guard (Ruru) takes a personal interest in making sure that he remains behind bars.

Under Brightburn, the award-winning actor hopes to also explore directing films. Jennylyn wants her husband to direct one of the music videos for her comeback music to be released in 2025.

“Noon pa (I’m interested in directing),” confirmed Dennis. “And ayoko na ma-delay and then siempre, marami pang pwede matutunan and until now, I’m still learning.”

Meanwhile, with the year ending, the couple was asked what they are most grateful for the year 2024.

“Grateful kami kasi ang daming blessing and daming work. Ito (Dennis) hindi nagpapahinga, talagang after one project, meron na naman ulit. So happy kami,” said Jennylyn, who besides music will be seen acting again with her husband in a film to be produced by CreaZion.

Dennis added, “We’re happy to have established the company Brightburn Entertainment and hopefully in 2025, makaka-produce pa ng mga magagandang projects that a lot of people can appreciate.”

“And not just local films, sana pati international,” Jennylyn said.