DERRICK MONASTERIO is spending the Christmas holidays in the States to attend the wedding of his mom, former actress Tina Monasterio.
“I’m spending Christmas and New Year in the USA,” he says at the zoom presscon for the “Oh My Oppa” episode of “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko”.
“First time to spend the holidays away from home, kaya makiki-Christmas kami sa mga Pilipino roon. So I’m announcing now that I will be in LA, is there anyone there who wants to adopt me? My mom’s wedding is in January, so I will meet up with her there.”
Did his mom ask for his permission to get married?
“No, hindi siya nagpaalam at all. She just sent a picture of her wearing an engagement rins, so sabi ko, wow! Ayos na ang lahat at pupunta na lang kami roon ng kapatid ko.
"I’m very happy for her, very supportive kasi nagbago talaga ang mood ng mother ko and nag-bloom siya. You can see na in love talaga siya.”
In “Oh My Oppa”, he plays Toti, a guy who has secret feelings for Sanya Lopez but she doesn’t notice him because he walks with a limp and his rival is a robot, played by Gil Cuerva. In real life, has he also been rejected by a girl?
“Oh yes, I’ve been rejected na rin a couple of times, but I don’t mope. I just move on. The important thing is confident ka sa sarili mo and you love yourself more. Yun ang golden mantra ko, mahalin mo ang sarili mo.”
How is it working with Sanya?
“I love Sanya so much, siya ang favorite kong lady. Teenagers pa lang kami when we worked in ‘The Half Sisters’, then we did a film for Regal.
"Siya rin ang pinakamabait kong leading lady, down to earth, sobrang galing na artista, very professional pa so working with her is always a pleasure. Dahil sa husay niya, nadadala niya ako sa galing niya.
"At ang maganda sa kanya, hindi siya nagbago at all despite her success in ‘First Yaya’. Marami kasi, lumalaki agad ang ulo. Siya, ganun pa rin siya and I’m so proud of her.”
He is working out in the gym religiously and has one of the best physiques among our actors today.
“My plan is to be a full time athlete who competes. I got myself different coaches for different techniques to master my body and be a professional athlete na nagbubuhat.
"I messaged si Hidylyn Diaz to ask for her help, but no response, baka busy. I’m very serious about it. I eat healthy, no alcoholic drinks, just water, and I sleep early.
"I take real good care of my body. Month by month, nabibi-break ko ang personal record ko, so I’m going higher and higher. But then hindi rin ako dapat masyadong lumaki, kasi I will look so big on screen.”
He likes appearing in a kiddie show like “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko”.
“Yes, I enjoy doing ‘Daig’ kasi mga bata ang audience at nakakatuwa sila maging fans. Very genuine ang smiles nila kapag nakikita ka and masarap sa feeling.”
If he’d play a superhero role, who would it be? “I want to do Thor, kasi ang pogi niya and he’s a demigod.”
