The anatomy of a former ladies’ man
Given his Filipino, American, Jamaican and Italian lineage, Derrick Monasterio is a walking heartbreaker who admits using his charms on girls left and right for kicks when he was younger.
Given his Filipino, American, Jamaican and Italian lineage, Derrick Monasterio is a walking heartbreaker who admits using his charms on girls left and right for kicks when he was younger.
“Talagang nakikipag-fling pa rin ako sa iba kahit na may pinopormahan na ako,” he recalled.
At the time, Derrick was not one to commit, describing himself simply “malandi.”
“Alam nyo naman kapag teenager, tipong hindi pa talaga serious,” he said. But, of course, that was before. “Nag-mature na ako,” he said. “Naisip ko dapat ’pag pumasok sa relasyon, seryoso na talaga.”
At 21, Derrick doesn’t even get to know a girl just for the heck of it, if there’s no “spark” as “alam ko na ngayon na ang pagmamahal eh, hindi lang ’yun dahil nagandahan ka lang o ano man.”
Derrick, who counts the beautiful Issa Pressman among exes, said he doesn’t have any preference when it comes to looks.
“Like ’yung ex ko, morena siya tapos nagka-crush din ako kay Barbie (Forteza) na maputi naman, so paiba-iba talaga.”
Derrick disclosed he courted actress Bea Binene while they were doing “Twin Hearts” in 2010.
“Pero na-turn off siya nu’ng nalaman niya na babaero ako,” he revealed. “Siguro naisip niya na ‘Ay hindi naman seryoso ’to eh.’”
Derrick and Bea were also paired on “Hanggang Makita Kang Muli” and on “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko.”
The actor maintained things are getting better now between them. “Mas naging close kami,” he said. “Dati hindi talaga kami nagkaka-text eh pero ngayon na nagkaka-trabaho na kami, araw-araw kami magkasama, mas naging okay ’yung relationship namin.” Derrick sees the possibility of him courting Bea anew. “Iba ’yung tingin ko sa kanya kasi,” he said. The hunk also believes there’s a big chance he could win Bea’s heart. “’Di ba ’yung ibang love team parang super tropa? Kami hindi ganu’n, may feeling ako na may chance talaga (na maging kami) in the future. Dati kasi ang relationship namin platonic, ngayon nagkaka-textan na kami. May kilig na. May something na talaga.” Derrick is in no hurry, though. “Inaantay ko ’yung tamang timig, no pressure,” he said. So what is it about Bea that he likes, we asked. “Matalino siya eh, matapang. Kasi ’di ba kapag hiniwalayan (ng boyfriend) sobrang end of the world na? Siya, wala siyang pake, parang ‘Okay hiwalayan mo ’ko, pero maganda pa din ako.’ Kaya niyang tumayo sa sarili niyang paa, independent siya,” he said. Derrick added: “Strong ’yung character niya, ’yung hindi dumedepende. Mas maganda ’yung ganun kasi maba-balance ’yun sa character ko, kasi ako medyo strong din naman pero parang kailangan ko pa din ng someone. And si Bea talagang masasabing girlfriend material talaga siya.” Derrick will be the newest superhero to hit TV screens as he banners the GMA’s comedy-adventure series “Tsuperhero.” An original concept of comedian Michael V, “Tsuperhero” tells the extraordinary story of Nonoy (Derrick), a jeepney driver who turns into a super- hero because of a mysterious object from a distant planet. Nonoy’s journey becomes more interesting as he develops feelings for Eva (Bea), a barker who finds his attitude irritating and endearing at the same time.
Derrick is grateful to GMA-7 for entrusting him the role. “It is my first time to portray a role like this na isang superhero. Nakakakaba talaga siya pero at the same time, nakaka-challenge din kaya mas pagbubutihan ko po talaga ’yung trabaho ko,” he said. “Nakaka-flatter din po kasi dahil ako ’yung napili ng GMA to portray this role. So I have to work hard on this project.” Under the helm of LA Madrilejos, “Tsuperhero” also stars Gabby Concepcion, Alma Moreno, Albert “Betong” Sumaya, Philip Lazaro, Miggs Cuaderno, Valentin, Annalyn Barro, Jemwell Ventenilla. It is set to air Sundays in November. (With report from Bhenj Agustin)