TomDen’s effortless chemistry

CEBU, Philippines - GMA Network’s top-rating primetime series “My Husband’s Lover” (MHL) may have ended its reign on television a few months ago, but until today, avid viewers still can’t get enough of its story—one that revolved around a not-so-usual theme. Even the show’s lead stars, Dennis Trillo and Tom Rodriguez, more popularly known as TomDen, remain in awe of how the series managed to draw a lot of attention to date, and more importantly, how it elevated their respective careers to a whole new level.

In the show, Dennis played the role of Eric, a gay architect who was deeply in love with his high school best friend Vincent (Tom). But Vincent, unfortunately, happened to be committed to his wife Lally (Carla Abellana).

With TomDen’s effective and seemingly effortless portrayal as gay lovers, MHL was able to break the stereotypical depiction of on-screen gay couples.

In an interview with the phenomenal love team at the sidelines of the Kapuso Summer in Boracay last May 10, Dennis shared how MHL changed his life. “Malaki talaga yung nabago ng show sa career ko at sa buhay ko kasi siyempre nakagawa ako ng isang character na minahal ng tao. Lumalabas na parang mahal na rin nila ako bilang ako dahil minahal nila yung character ko,” he said.

Tom, on the other hand, was surprised how MHL was able to capture the interest of people of diverse ages. This, he witnessed during their regional tours around the country courtesy of GMA Regional TV.

“Akala namin we’ll expect a certain age of people lang na manonood sa mga mall shows namin, pero magugulat na lang kami na may mga bata, mga tatay, mga lola, na hindi lang pala isang demographic yung na-touch ng show namin,” he explained, to which Dennis agreed saying, “Nakakagulat talaga kasi hindi naman pambata yung show pero kilalang-kilala nila yung characters namin.”

Does this mean Kapuso viewers can expect an on-screen reunion of the two? “Hindi pa rin naman nawawala yung possibility na magkaroon ng follow-up yung My Husband’s Lover, hindi lang namin alam kung kailan,” declared Dennis.

Keeping them busy at the moment are their respective projects: Dennis has a third indie film titled “Janitor”; Tom recently starred in Regal Film’s “So It’s You” with Carla, and has a special role in the new GMA-7 series “Niño.”

According to Dennis, the Cinemalaya entry “Janitor” recounts the bloodiest bank robbery that happened in Laguna a few years back. “Bloodiest ito at hindi pa naso-solve since pinatay lahat ng hostages sa RCBC bank,” he said. In the film, he gets to portray the role of a policeman opposite Richard Gomez, Raymond Bagatsing, Alex Medina, Derek Ramsay, and LJ Reyes. “Nakuha yung four names ng mga kasangkot sa robbery and ako yung inutusan para hanapin at iligpit yung apat na yun,” he added.

While Dennis feels fulfilled as an actor in doing indie films once in a while, Tom finds it refreshing and fun to do romantic comedy films such as “So It’s You.”

“Napaka-feel-good ng ginawa naming romantic comedy movie. It’s the story of two people na napaka-serendipitous ng journey nila at ng pagkikita nila. Siguro ngayon na mainit ang panahon at nakakalungkot na balita ang naririnig natin, pakiligin naman natin yung mga sarili natin, magpasaya tayo, magpatawa tayo,” he enthused.

But what really sets them apart from the other actors of their age is the fact that they do not limit themselves to just acting. GMA Records found a great opportunity to come up with an album titled TomDen featuring the two heartthrobs which just recently achieved a Platinum Record for outstanding sales.

Talking about balancing their career and personal lives, Tom admits it’s the real challenge and “hindi talaga siya madali” while Dennis explains how an actor needs to be flexible and “kailangan mabilis mag-adjust.”

Meanwhile, both couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed because their fan base seem to grow bigger and bigger everywhere they go. “Masaya yung nami-meet namin yung fans namin all over the country. Karamihan sa kanila gusto lang naman magpa-picture and madali lang naman yun pagbigyan,” said Dennis.

“Nakakataba ng puso kung paano nila kami tinatanggap. Mahirap suklian pero sobra kaming nagpapasalamat,” ended Tom.

After participating in various Kapuso Summer beach activities together with 15 other fellow Kapuso stars, TomDen will banner a mall show today at the open parking area of Gaisano Grand Mall Toledo, beginning 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, in Cebu City, “Taste Buddies” host Solenn Heussaff and “The Borrowed Wife” actor Rafael Rosell star in another mall show, this time at the Activity Center of the Gaisano Capital South, which starts at 4 p.m. today. With Andrea Torres

This Saturday, “Taste Buddies” hosts Solenn Heussaff and Isabelle Daza together with Andrea Torres explore the hidden gems in Clark, Pampanga.

In this episode, the girls get to relish the hearty dishes served at the Horseshoe Saloon such as savory sisig, tenderloin steak and Angus burgers. Later, Isabelle visits El Kabayo for a horseback riding adventure while Solenn and Andrea explore the world of chilling giants in Dinosaur Islands, a two-hectare park, and get chased by these huge dinos, all for the sake of fun!

Solenn transforms Andrea into a fashionable cowgirl in Gandang Kayang-Kaya while Belle does her DIY fire starter in That’s Incredi-Belle! Also, learn some tipid tips in planning a picnic and find out which recipes are affordable and easy to prepare on the road. Steven Silva tries out some of the well-loved Pinoy inihaw dishes like barbecue and liempo at a new-found dining place called Mamang’s.

Find time to enjoy the outdoors on a budget and yet have some fun with your “Taste Buddies” 8:45 tonight on GMA News TV. PR (FREEMAN)