Derrick’s big leap

When he was growing up, Derrick Monasterio

(photo) wanted to be a professional cager.

“I really wanted to be a professional basketball player,” the Kapuso actor said in an interview during his photoshoot as the newest endorser of Blackwater.

It’s easy to see why — standing at six feet tall with a build that can rival that of professional athletes, he has the traits and potential to play for big leagues like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).

But fate had a different idea. In 2010, Derrick found himself portraying Rick Montano in the now defunct GMA youthoriented series, Tween Hearts.

He recalled, “I tagged along while my mom (actress Tina Monasterio) was doing a show when my (eventual) manager saw me. He asked me to do a photo shoot so he could submit the photos to GMA. At that time, they were looking to cast for one more guy for a show they were about to launch.”

Proving that he inherited his mother’s talent and charisma, he clinched the role.

Taking the leap to showbiz is something he is grateful for.

Tween Hearts led him to win Best Male New TV Personality at the 25th Philippine Movie Press Club Awards for TV and be nominated as New Male Recording Artist of the Year at the 60th Filipino Academy of Movie, Arts and Sciences. He also earned nominations at the Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS) Golden Awards under the Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor category both for his work on television and in the movie, The

Road. After playing mostly supporting roles, 2016 saw him lead his own show, Tsuperhero.

While he enjoys acting, he maintains his natural athleticism and love for basketball. Describing himself as “super human,” he swore that he doesn’t tire easily: “Even at 1 a.m. after taping, or during my rest days, I play basketball.”

Like his “dual personality” as an actor and athlete, Blackwater also offers fragrances that target his different lifestyles. To keep him smelling good, he said, “While playing or working out, I prefer Blackwater Sports, but when I’m at tapings or attending events I always go for Blackwater Classic.”