The Look of Gagambino

Dennis Trillo discusses the look of his friendly and gigantic spider, and why he's keeping his scruffy look. Text by Jason John S. Lim; with additional interviews by Connie M. Tungul. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Carlo J. Caparas' newest superhero has already hit the small screen. And as most people have seen, the giant spider that's supposed to strike fear in the hearts of men? Isn't very scary. Lead star Dennis Trillo explains that the creative team decided not to make the giant spider terrifying. "Yung gagamba kasi, medyo malaki talaga siya, eight feel tall. [Kaya] ginawa namin na hindi masyadong nakakatakot 'yung itsura niya, para at least kahit giant siya, and isa siyang creepy crawler, magiging lovable pa rin siya pag napanood." The actor says fear of spiders, or any other creepy crawlers, is not uncommon. After all, he himself is afraid of cockroaches. So they kept that in mind when creating the look of the giant spider. Aside from the friendlier look (admit it, the eight eyes look like one giant smiley), Dennis says that they've also lessened the fear factor in scenes. "Ginawa namin doon sa mga eksena, parang barkada lang 'yung [turingan] namin. So friendly siya, and 'yung mga eksena medyo may konting comedy. Kaya siguradong hindi matatakot, kundi ay mamahalin talaga siya lalo ng mga bata." Dennis describes Gagambino as a different take on superheroes—"meron siyang ibang style na Pinoy na Pinoy talaga 'yung dating." He says that aside from the giant spider that his character Bino is keeping as a pet and sidekick, his spider powers are not the usual ones spider-bitten heroes get—in fact, he doesn't even get bitten by the spider. Instead, the powers he has were passed on to him by the gatekeeper of Tierra Higanta. "[Ang] nakuna niya, 'yung dexterity tsaka 'yung agility ng mga nagagawa ng spider; tsaka 'yung super human abilities niya." But, where have you ever seen a Filipino superhero that's not very clean-shaven? "Sila Miss Redgynn [Alba]," Dennis points to Gagambino's Program Manager as the reason for him keeping his scruffy look from his previous show, Magdusa Ka. "Gusto nila ma-retain pa rin 'yung medyo scruffy na ganoon kasi natuwa sila doon sa Magdusa." But there is a difference, Dennis declares. "Si Rod kasi, sa Magdusa Ka, parang lagi siyang bad trip eh. Dito, although si Bino [ay] lumaki rin sa kalye, 'yung character niya [ay] mas bubbly ng konti." And just like the unclean-shaven look, he continues, "nandoon pa rin 'yung pagka-kanto boy niya." Want to learn more about the look of Gagambino? Or are there any other questions you want to ask Dennis? Catch GMA's newest superhero on the web this Tuesday, October 28, from 2 to 4 in the afternoon as he takes on the live chat hot seat for the third time! And don't miss the action every weeknight on Carlo J. Caparas' Gagambino. New episodes air after Codename: Asero. Plus, be on Dennis’s update list wherever you are in the Philippines! Keep in touch with the superhero by subscribing to his Fanatxt service. Just key in DENNIS on your mobile phones, and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusively for the Philippines only.)