Derek doesn’t burn bridges

There’s no burning of bridges for Derek Ramsay who is probably aware of the reality that in showbiz, there’s no permanent friends nor enemies, only permanent interests.

His newest starrer, Ex With Benefits, marks his return to Star Cinema (affiliate of ABS-CBN) which Derek left three years ago when he signed up with the Kapatid TV5 network.

Didn’t Derek feel awkward during the shooting?

“It was just kind of surreal that I was back,” admitted Derek whose last movie with the company was No Other Woman. “It didn’t feel at all like I left. Of course, I recognize the fact that it was Star Cinema that gave me a chance to make a name as an actor. I was just so happy that I’m back doing movies for them again. Sila rin, paulit-ulit na sinasabi na they were happy that I was back.”

Actually, Derek has done not just one but two movies for the Kapamilya Network. The other is Pangil (as a nature-park ranger who wrestles with a giant crocodile, for Skylight, Star Cinema’s sister indie company), with Yam Concepcion as leading lady, directed by Toto Natividad. 

Directed by Gino Santos, Ex With Benefits (a joint venture with Viva Films) is opening nationwide tomorrow, with Coleen Garcia as leading lady. It’s the story of two lovers who parted without formal closure and meet again after several years.

And how does Derek deal with his exes in real life? Doesn’t he also burn (romantic) bridges?

“As much as I can, I like to be friends with them. I can put things aside, even if it does hurt. The healing process varies with everyone. You just have to move on, move forward. Kung masaya kayo na hiwalay kayo, you shouldn’t be afraid to say so. If both of you are no longer happy with the relationship, then by all means go your separate ways. I try not to sever my friendship with my exes.”

According to Derek, the best way to mend a broken heart (breakups do break the partners’ hearts, don’t they?) is not to find someone more special, a new one, especially if you’re not ready (the hurt not yet healed).

“Give yourself time, go on a holiday, keep yourself occupied,” explained Derek, speaking from experience. “Give your heart time to heal. Prayer also helps.”

Reminded that, as of last count he has had three broken showbiz romances so far (first with Solenn Heussaff, then with Angelica Panganiban and then with Cristine Reyes who has found a new love in a foreigner athlete by whom she has a child), Derek corrected me.

“Only two,” he said. “Noong kami ni Solenn, she wasn’t in showbiz yet.”

How does he react when he has chance encounters with his exes?

“I bump into Solenn many times. In fact, we are doing a movie together. That’s exciting. I get along with Solenn and her family. We had four great years together. With Solenn, walang problema. I haven’t bumped into Angelica but hopefully, someday we can have an exchange of a few words, although there’s really no need for that, and move on. We also have had good times together.

“I’m very happy for Cristine; she’s in a happy place right now with her boyfriend and their baby. I really can’t call what was between Cristine and me a relationship. It was short-lived. We realized na hanggang friends lang talaga kami. There’s no animosity between us.”

A greenhorn in passionate love scenes, Coleen was quoted praising him for being a gentleman.

“I’m really protective with my leading ladies,” Derek assured. “Before the shoot, I talk to them. The moment the wall is broken, comfortable na sila sa akin. That’s what I did with Coleen. I told her na kapag gagawin na namin ‘yung mga eksena, dapat pagbutihan namin at itodo na para one take lang. She was relaxed, comfortable with me. I gave her words of encouragement. She took my advice at hayun, mabilis namin nagawa ang mga love scenes.”

Coleen said that she has advised Billy Crawford, her boyfriend, to close his eyes (“Or I can’t do it,” said Coleen) so he won’t see the love scenes if and when he escorts Coleen to the premiere (although Billy said that he could take it). But Coleen is worried how her father would react.

Any word of assurance for Coleen’s father?

“I think her father will be very proud of Coleen. I have met him and he’s really a cool guy. Coleen has worked with our director. Her father will see how I and our director took good care of Coleen, na inalagaan namin siya. It might be a bit hard for the father to see his little girl in those scenes but he should realize what industry she is in. He should know that Coleen is a smart girl and mature enough, that she just wouldn’t do any scene kung hindi talagang kailangan.”

As a respect for his partner, Derek makes sure that, aside from making her feel comfortable, he brushes his teeth and gargle with mouthwash.

“Nakakahiya naman sa partner mo if you don’t do it,” he laughed.

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