We got to talk to Dennis on the set of “Alyas Robin Hood” the day after the presscon of Julia’s movie. “Siempre I want to see how she’ll do in comedy kasi comedian ako. Gusto ko makita kung may minana siya sa’kin at sa lolo niya (Dencio Padilla) sa pagko-comedy.”
Dennis reveals that he almost made it as a cast member of “Vince & Kath & James”. “Actually, the role of her father in the movie was first offered to me. Na-excite nga ako. Kaso, may conflict sa tapings ko for ‘Alyas Robin Hood’ at hindi na nila puedeng i-delay ang shoot. Sayang nga, first time sana namin to do a movie ng anak ko. Pero ang hula ko, ang movie nila ang magiging topgrosser sa filmfest. Kasi sila lang ang rom-com na puedeng manood ang mga bata at bina-back up pa sila ng ABS-CBN sa promo, kaya mas marami tiyak manonood sa kanila. Ang wish ko lang is magkaroon sana kami ng reunion ni Julia at ng mga anak ko pang sina Claudia and Leon sa Christmas. Kasi gusto kong pakilala sa kanila ang mga anak ko ngayon, sina Gavin, 4 years old, at ang bunsong si Madeleine who was just born noong November 30. Si Gavin, kilala si Julia dahil sa pictures at billboards niya. Tinatanong ako, when will they come to our house?”
Gavin and Madeleine are his kids with his Aussie wife, Linda Gorton. His first wife, Monina Gatus, now lives in the States and he has two kids with her, aged 24 and 23, now both professionals. "Sabi ko nga sa panganay ko, bigyan niya na ako ng apo. E, ayaw, so gumawa na lang ako ng bago kong baby."
How’s his relationship with Julia’s mom, Marjorie Barretto? “Well, I’m really sad na hindi kami magkaibigan, kasi kahit anong balasa ang gawin mo, ina pa rin siya ng tatlong anak namin.”
How about he and Marjorie’s two other sisters? “We’re okay. Si Gretchen, Kuya pa rin ang tawag sa akin. Nagte-text kami every now and then.”
Dennis is very happy with his villain role in “Alyas Robin Hood”. “Bale comeback project ko ito sa GMA-7 after 14 years. Dito naman talaga ako nag-start noong heydays ni Randy Santiago sa ‘Lunch Date’ in the late 80s, then nalipat ako sa ABS. First time ko gumanap ng kontrabida role na sobrang sama, mukhang pera. May touch of comedy ang treatment ko, pero kahit nagpapatawa si Wilson, bad guy talaga siyang nagpapapatay ng mga taong against him. Earlier, it was shown na mamamatay ako, pero nakatakas pala ako at nagtatago. I will ask my people para mahuli nila si Dingdong as Alyas Robin Hood at abangan nyo dahil madadakip nila ito, then ihaharap nila sa akin.”
