Has Derrick Monasterio fallen for Bea Binene?

After winning the Best Director trophy at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival for “Kinatay” in 2009, Brillante Mendoza makes history by being the first Filipino director invited by Institut Francais to be the “Godfather” at the 70th Cannes Film Festival. The event was held from May 21 to 23 as part of the La Fabrique de Cinemas du Monde of the elite gathering of noted filmmakers.

He was the first Asian and Pinoy to clinch the Best Director award at Cannes where actress Jaclyn Jose won the Best Actress award for “Ma Rosa” last year. His other film, “Foster Child,” was screened at the Director’s Fortnight in 2007 and this was followed by “Serbis” in 2008. The film vied for the Palme D’Or, the highest award given at the festival.

He considers it a big honor to be chosen as Godfather or mentor for the new breed of filmmakers from various countries around the world. “While I may not have an entry at Cannes this year, being chosen as Godfather is another reason to celebrate and be thankful because I carry with me our country’s name,” he said.

Direk Brillante just finished the latest episode of “Brillante Mendoza Presents: Panata,” which was screened at the Director’s Club at the Mega Fashion Hall last week.

The movie made for TV stars Kristoffer King, Sue Prado, Arnold Reyes, Lou Veloso and Edwin Nombre. He is thankful to TV5 for giving him the opportunity to do “Panata” and showcase it to the public via “Brillante Mendoza Presents.” The fourth offering of the program titled “Panata” will be shown tomorrow night on TV5.

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There is no doubt that Derrick Monasterio is a girl and gay magnet. No wonder, gays are kind of jealous of Bea Binene, who plays Derrick’s love interest in “Mulawin vs. Ravena,” the new fantaserye that started on Monday.

Should we believe rumors that Derrick, who is tall and handsome, has fallen for the charms of Bea?

For the members of the gay community, it seems there is no way for them to capture the attention of the hunk from the Kapuso network.

Derrick claims he has yet to receive an “indecent proposal” from the gays populating this world. And if ever he does receive one, he will promptly turn it down.

Of course, there are those who give him gifts even he is not asking for it or there is no reason for it, like it’s not Christmas or not his birthday.

“When someone gives you a gift, it is a polite to say thank you once you accept it. Besides, you can sense if there is more to it than the simple giving of a gift. I just tell him that I will be willing to accept the gift provided there are no strings attached, that there is nothing that he will ask from me in return,” Derrick disclosed at the recent press conference of the Kapuso fantaserye.

“If you are honest and they know your heart is in the right place, the person making the indecent proposal will no longer pursue it. They won’t text you anymore or attempt to see you again,” he said.

Derrick has this image that he is pilyo and playful with gays. “I am just being friendly. I believe some gays should not take it to mean that I am game for any fancy stuff just because I am nice to them. But I respect them because they are good people.”

When Derrick did a somewhat sexy pictorial for a broadsheet, his star value among gays skyrocketed. Well, he takes good care of his body, making sure that he takes regular trips to the gym to work out and tone his muscles.

For his role in “Mulawin vs Ravena,” he decided to make himself lean. “It is easier to do flying scenes when you are lighter. If I bulk up, I might have a hard time to lift myself up in the flying scenes,” he said.

Lean or muscled up, Derrick will continue to be an eye candy. Another thing that will make him more interesting is if he will make an effort to hone his acting skills. Guwapo na, mahusay pa sa acting. That will be a good combination, isn’t it?