Derrick speaks up, clears himself in issue linking him to Maine Mendoza

MANILA, Philippines - “Wala. Hindi po. Walang ganun. Nagulat na lang po ako kung saan nang gagaling yung issue (There’s nothing like that. I’m surprised where it is coming from.) Hindi nga kami nag-uusap (We don’t talk to each other),” clarified Derrick Monasterio the rumor of him courting Maine Mendoza, Yaya Dub of Eat, Bulaga’s Kalyeserye.

The pairing probably started from a video showing Maine with Derrick on the set of the latter’s Sunday show, Vampire Ang Daddy Ko and their “meet-up” in Subic on Valentine’s Day. They were also seen in a bar of the hotel where GMA held its trade launch.

With Hanggang Makita Kang Muli co-star Bea Binene, who portrays a feral character

“I was glad because when we met (on the set), she said, ‘Hoy, Baste,’ the name of my character in Half-Sisters,” Derrick recalled. “Natuwa ako kasi nanunuod pala (siya) nito. Makulit siya (‘pag kasama). (As for the meet-up in Subic,) my friends decided to go to a beach there. Wala kaming magawa, (at nag)-road trip kami. We arrived dinnertime there. So, we decided to eat. (After,) we walked around, chill lang ng konti until I bumped into Eat, Bulaga staff. So I greeted them. They told me that Maine was also (with them). Dinala nila ako duon. I said hi to her kasi medyo naging magkakilala kami. Bumeso ako. Yung paglapit namin sa isa’t-isa ay hindi tumagal ng 30 seconds. Kasi marami ding tao at kilalang kilala siya, kaya siguro nabigyan ng malisya na magkasama kami.”  

Although he is not smitten by Maine, Derrick shared some endearing traits of the Dubsmash personality-turned-most-sought-after endorser. “As a fan of AlDub, nakikita ko na parang sobra siyang sarap kasama. ’pag kasama mo siya, tatawa ka lang nang tatawa. Tsaka feeling ko, totoo siyang tao. Bonus na yung maganda siya. (I think she’s fun to be with. When you’re around her, you will laugh all the time. I think she is real, no pretentions. Her being pretty is just a bonus).”

Aside from Maine, Bea Binene has also been linked to this tall, handsome but fair-skinned man. “I won’t give up. Kaya yan,” said Derrick on winning Bea’s heart. “Kailangan ko lang ng konting pagka-gentleman.”

According to Derrick, his admiration to Bea began in their Tween Hearts days. He might have another chance to get closer to her leading lady in the newest Kapuso family drama Hanggang Makita Kang Muli.

In the GMA Afternoon Prime series, Bea’s Ana Medrano, a person who is isolated from any human contact, will find a knight in shining armor in Derrick’s Calvin Manahan, a psychology student.

“My course is legal management and (I had subjects) in Psychology. I can relate to my character because I have studied behaviors of both humans and animals,” said Derrick, a San Beda College student, of his character and the demands of playing it. “I have the chance to show my dramatic side. My character will have a relationship with an ‘animal’ (a feral child) and (the challenge is) why would I cry over an ‘animal’? (Another) challenge for me is to fall in love with an animal. Bea is not human here, she is an animal.” Televiewers should religiously follow the TV series, which premieres on March 7 after Wish I May, to understand Derrick’s description of Bea’s role.

As a young actor, Derrick said he makes sure that he tries to bring something different in his every role. That’s why it is a must for him to know “the being” or his character well. Derrick wants to tread the same path Dingdong Dantes has successfully taken and wishes to become a dramatic actor. “I think I have the tools and I just need to hone them,” said Derrick, who loves watching movies, particularly suspense like Captain Phillips and Argo. 

How does Derrick keep himself busy away from the klieg lights?

“I hit the gym and I play basketball. I do boxing. I’m a very active person,” he answered. “I eat everything and I just make sure that I burn them after. Yes, being fit adds to my confidence.”

Although he has a promising future in showbiz, Derrick said he also sees a career in public service. “I want to be a politician someday. My mom used to be one in Quezon City. I also want to serve the people.”

(Hanggang Makita Kang Muli also stars Raymart Santiago, Angelika dela Cruz, Ramon Christopher, Rita Avila, Luz Valdez, Ina Feleo, Marco Alcaraz, Kim Rodriguez,  Shyr Valdez and Jak Roberto.)