TWO months later, his hands still bear the scars of a mishap that almost cost his life.

Although there are also small black-and-blue reminders on his torso, actor Dennis Trillo remains upbeat.

From all indications, he is determined to make the most of this, his second lease on life.

Last September, Dennis and actress Maxene Eigenmann almost drowned in an accident that resulted in the death of their friend Jollibee Bordajo in Boracay.

?I thought it was the end,? Dennis recalled that beach holiday gone awry. ?But I told myself I should remain strong. I didn?t want to be forever traumatized by what happened.?

Instead, the incident has made Dennis more introspective and appreciative.

Giving thanks
?If before, I?d let a day pass without giving thanks, now I express gratitude even for little things ? from the minute I wake up ? [and] when I get home at the end of the day ? I?ve learned to value everything and everyone in my life.?

He said the saddest part was losing his friend.

?That was hard. But I?ve grown closer to his parents and siblings. They helped me recover. Our friends were also there to comfort us,? he said.

Including Maxene.

?I had just met her then ? and even though we seldom see each other now, I know that that experience has made our friendship stronger,? he said.

While he was battling the undertow, the sharp rocks and the waves, a million things rushed through his mind, he said.

?I tried to keep focused ? and strove to swim [back to the boat],? he said. ?I didn?t want to lose everything that quickly ? Maybe, it wasn?t my time yet. I still have a lot of things to accomplish ? in my family life, in my career. I was worried about my son Calyx.?

True enough, he has been showered with all sorts of show biz assignments of late.

Apart from ?Darna,? GMA 7 also tapped Dennis to host the reality talent search ?Starstruck V,? taking over the slot vacated by Dingdong Dantes.

He?s also in the cast of ?Mano Po 6: My Mother,? Regal?s entry in next month?s Metro Manila Film Festival.

He?s thrilled to share the screen with Sharon Cuneta for the first time, too. ?My knees were shaking when we shot our confrontation scene.?

He?s also glad that he finally gets to work with Heart. (Their planned afternoon soap opera for GMA 7, ?Muling Buksan ang Puso,? was shelved.)

He?s impressed with Heart?s work ethic. ?She showed us why she won Famas Best Actress recently. She always comes to the set prepared.?

Hosting ?Starstruck? is another big challenge he welcomes.

?It?s my first time to host a big show like this,? he said. ?Fortunately, my manager (Popoy Caritativo) taped old episodes of ?Starstruck.? I?m reviewing them now, studying how Dingdong used to do it.?