Exclusive: Derek talks fan encounters, projects, travel plans with Angel

CEBU, Philippines -  There are men, and then thereare MEN. And Derek Ramsay is one of them. Rugged and manly, the 31-year-old hunk has evolved into one of today’s leading male stars.

When I posted on Facebook that I was soliciting fresh questions to pose to the actor-model-athlete-sought-after endorser during his recent visit to neighboring Dumaguete City for an event of Red Mobile, his new endorsement, the replies came in a flurry.

Most of them, however, were declarations of adulation rather than questions. Blame it on his “hotness”—magnified by billboards, print ads and commercials. His TVCs for Red Mobile, in fact, poke fun at this hotness, but the drool factor is just the same.

More than that, the Kapamilya leading man, who started out his career as a model then VJ and host, has become “watchable” for building for himself a solid dramatic resume, both on TV and the big screen. Never mind, if his character (a lot of times) perishes in the story, because he doesn’t even mind.

But this US- and UK-educated heartthrob’s biggest charm perhaps lies in his being a fan’s ideal movie star. His road manager said that it takes long for him to move from one place to another because he accommodates every single request for a picture, handshake or kiss of every single fan. He’s very game and generous with his attention, and he explains why in this exclusive interview prior to his Red Mobile show at the Macias Sports and Cultural Center last Feb. 11.

The FREEMAN: I’ve seen how you’ve worked up the crowd during your shows. And their reaction to you can be too overeager. What were the wildest fan encounters you’ve had?

A lot! (laughs). The wildest? Well, I just came back from Vigan, and I got touched in places that you know... But I don’t know if they did it on purpose. Yes, if fans ask for a kiss, I give it. That’s why I get myself into trouble sometimes with scandalous pictures. I don’t have a personal Twitter or Facebook account. I’m actually anti-Facebook so the only way I could give back to fans is to come out and be accessible. Do I ever get irritated (at the requests)? No. It’s a nice feeling every time. I’ve been doing these for six years now.

TF: Speaking of scandalous pictures, what’s your general attitude when it comes to dealing with controversies, especially those involving you and your girlfriend, Angelica Panganiban?

Whether true or false, most of them are false anyway, I answer them. But I don’t fight with anyone. I just like to express myself. I am human being, I make mistakes. Same with Angel. But the relationship has moved forward, despite the intrigues, because we trust each other. At the same time, ang bawi dun sa intrigues, there are people saying na magpakasal na kayo, and they want us to end up together. But you know it’s a test, if we cannot get over those [intrigues], how are we gonna stay in a relationship? We know eyes are on us. But we don’t give that importance to it. We still live our lives. I’m going to name one of the scandals and it’s that picture of me and Angel—well, it’s not another girl with her hand in my pants. Anyhow, Angel and I are very playful, we make sure we give a lot of time to ourselves, and we don’t spend time talking about things like that.

TF: Speaking of Angel, your female fans think that she is one very lucky girl to have you.

I think it’s the other way around. But we’re lucky to have each other. I helped her in many ways, and she has helped me in many other ways. Yes, I love giving her gifts (Note: he gave her a Mini-Cooper car, Hermes bag, among other gifts, that the media got wind of). But when I give her something, I don’t expect anything back. Same with her, if she gives me something, she doesn’t expect anything in return. This Valentines, however, it is the only time that she gave a gift, it’s called the Book of Derek. And it was really cool and really nice for her to compile all photos of me—from playing Frisbee, to being candid, to playing stupid (laughs).

TF: How did Angel endear herself to you?

She showed me her side eh. Our first date was in Tondo. I was introduced to his friends and family, and where she grew up. It was cool. But I didn’t have culture-shock naman, because I don’t know if you’ve heard this about me, but I ran away after college and lived in Masambong, Manila for over a year. I really lived in the streets, man. That was how I learned to speak Tagalog. It was a wonderful experience.

TF: After a very busy 2010, what projects can we expect from you this year?

I’m going to be hosting the Philippine edition of “The Biggest Loser” with Ms. Sharon Cuneta. And the movie I’ve worked hard on last year for eight months with Erich Gonzales is going to come out this March or April. That’s a project I’m really excited about. I really like my role there. And no, my role is not going to die; I know my roles always die (laughs). People have been asking me bakit ganyan, lagi kang namamatay, dapat di ka ganyan. But I don’t mind, because it’s just a role.

I’m also in negotiations to star in another teleserye. It’s a horror-drama and the story is really nice. Although I’m contemplating on whether I should jump into another teleserye right away because last year, I shot two teleseryes (“Habang May Buhay”, “Magkaribal”) at the same time that I became an insomniac. So I’m kinda scared to do another one.

And you know what, I was actually offered a theater role, but I was like whew, that’s kinda hard. But maybe that could be a challenge, because it was through theater back in school that I overcame my stage fright.

TF: Last year, you went to South Africa. Tell us about your travel plans for this year.

In the past three years, Angel and I spent Valentine’s Day with street kids, but this year, we’re doing the party a day earlier because we’re leaving for Bali. We love Bali; it’s the second time we’ve been there, the last time, I had a Frisbee competition. Is a marriage proposal going to happen there? Not yet. If it’s going to happen, it’s going to happen here in the Philippines.

This year, we also hope to visit Machu Picchu in Peru, or Tibet kasi gusto kong akyatin yung Mt. Everest. Or kahit hanggang base camp lang. This early, we’re also already planning for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. We’re that excited.

For the trips, I’m the one who really takes charge of the itinerary and the one who plans the creative things we will be doing while there.

TF: Because you’re adventurous, how do you keep the energy up and maintain your tip-top shape?

Through my sports like Frisbee, basketball... I only go to the gym a day before I go to a shoot to pump. But to keep my body in shape, I get that from all the running I’m doing in my sports. In addition, I do 100 push-ups every morning, and I’ve been doing that ever since I was a student. Sometimes I’m puyat, (which I don’t suggest you do) but I still do push-ups, because my body looks for it. And I eat what I want to eat like lechon, because when you maintain your metabolism at a high rate, you can eat anything.