Derrick: The award inspires me to do my best

MANILA, Philippines - Tween star Derrick Monasterio promises to do his best in every acting project that will come his way after winning the Best New Male TV Personality award in the recently-held 25th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for TV. He believes bagging an award need not be a reason for an actor to be complacent. Hard work, he says, is a must as he feels great expectations are looming ahead.

“I’m glad that they noticed my talent but more than the happiness, I am all the more challenged to show what else I can offer,” said Derrick. “It inspires me to do my best.”

His trophy, displayed in one corner of his bedroom, serves as an everyday reminder that he needs to take his career seriously.

Thus, Derrick has decided to put love in the back seat. According to him, he has stopped sending text messages to his crush Sarah Lahbati, explaining, “It’s been three weeks now since the last time I texted her. I know she’s busy with her show, ayaw ko din naman kasi makaistorbo pero friends pa din naman kami.”

It was a year ago when Derrick started to show acting potential via GMA 7’s teen-oriented show Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts. The GMA Artist Center talent was also cast, together with the other tween stars, in Tween Academy Class of 2012 and in Yam Laranas’ thriller The Road. Lately, he, too, is showing some promise in singing. He regularly performs in Party Pilipinas every Sunday.

“I like both — acting and singing — but I want to concentrate more on acting. I was in Grade 6 when my teachers in Claret praised my acting in one of my performances in school plays. I remember I played the lead part in the drama Bohemian Rhapsody where I got good feedback which inspired me to try showbiz. Nag-pictorial muna ko.”

His manager discovered Derrick when he accompanied his mom Tina Monasterio in one TV station.

“Now that I’m already here (in showbiz), I promise to do my best lalo na ngayon na nanalo ako ng award mas na-enganyo ko na pagbutihin.”

Will he now be choosy about accepting roles? “Any role will do for me to gain more experience. But I like to portray a drug addict, ‘yung tipong adik na nag-bago. Yun ang gustong-gusto kong gawin.”

Asked if his mom is giving him tips, the 16-year-old Derrick answered, “She tells me to act natural, ‘yung di halatang umaarte. She also reminds me to always be humble and give respect to people around me.”

Does he believe in what some people are saying that “there’s a jinx” on the Best New Male TV Personality award?

“Someone told me about it so I became curious. I searched on the Net who the past winners were. I learned that Gerald Anderson and Erik Santos won before kaya nakampante ako na di malas.”

On the contrary, there are many who also predicted that Derrick will be one of the most popular actors in the future.

“Sana nga di ma-jinx. I wish to stay long here (in showbiz) at sumikat talaga ako.”