Derrick is glad that he finally has an album. He confesses that he’s been dreaming of this since he was introduced in “Tween Hearts” four years ago. He’s been singing as a tenor since he was in grade school in Claret School of Quezon City, where he was a member of its glee club that brought him to Europe to perform in a choral competition. He then got to sing in GMA’s musical shows like “Party Pilipinas” and “Sunday All Stars”. He also recorded theme songs for the movie “Tweens Academy” and some TV shows, but it’s only now that he’s given the chance to record an album for GMA Records.
“Dream come true talaga ito for me kasi singing is my first love,” he says. “In school, sumasali ako sa singing contests at nahasa ako roon sa pagkanta. Now, people will know na hindi lang ako actor but also a singer.”
His album has seven songs, with three originals (“Batobalani”, “Reyna” and “Pa’no nga Ba”) and four revivals. Its carrier single is “Give Me One More Chance”, a remake of a song by Sipol Band. The other revivals are his version of Ogie Alcasid’s “Kailangan Kita”, “Ang Aking Puso” (duet with Julie Anne San Jose) and “Kailangan Mo, Kailangan Ko” (duet with new singer Hannah Prescillas.) How will he describe his style as a singer? “I’m a balladeer. Sabi nila, luma na raw yun, but I’ve always loved ballads, especially those by Josh Groban, and also the RnB songs of Brian McKnight. But I can also do rock like the songs of Bon Jovi and even opera, like Andre Bocelli.”
And he starts singing Bocelli’s “The Prayer” in Italian. Quite impressive. Derrick’s album can be downloaded via iTunes, Amazon Music, eMusic and Qobuz, while its CD versions are now available in Astroplus, AstroVision, The Landmark and SM Music outlets nationwide.
As an actor, he is currently the leading man in the hit afternoon prime series “Hanggang Makita Kang Muli” with Bea Binene. “Abangan nyo dahil maraming exciting na mangyayari sa story,” he says. “Dadalhin si Bea as Ana ng dad ko, si Ramon Christopher, sa States para ipagamot siya sa isang espesyalista and when she returns, sosyal na ang hitsura at kilos niya. Amgirl na.”
He’s also part of the Saturday night sitcom with Vic Sotto, “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko”, but he’s sad that it is ending soon. “Nag-last taping day na kami. Nakakalungkot, but I’m happy to have been a part of that show. Two years din kaming tumakbo sa ere and I have very good memories ng experiences ko especially with Bossing Vic Sotto from whom I learned a lot about doing comedy.”
He was last linked to the sister of Yassi Pressman. So who is he romancing these days? “No one. Since then, wala akong naging bagong girlfriend kasi I became so busy with my shows and with the album. Sa career ko muna binibigay lahat ng efforts and attention ko. Love can wait, but the opportunities coming my way will not, so magseseryoso muna ako sa trabaho ko.”
And besides, the dutiful son that he is, he’s their family’s breadwinner so he really prefers to strike while the iron is hot. For the latest updates about Derrick and his album, visit the website www.gmanetwork.com/records and gmarecordsreleases.blogspot.com
