With ‘Ibarra,’ Derrick Monasterio rediscovers first love

Sparkle GMA actor Derrick Monasterio is returning to his first love — singing — in the forthcoming stage production titled “Ibarra… Ngayon.”

He will collaborate with Tanghalang Una Obra and creatives such as director Frannie Zamora, librettist Jomar Fleras and composer-musical director-arranger Joed Balsamo in the musical. The latter will somehow remind everyone that Derrick has the voice and vocal chops of a storyteller and the stamina to embody a character in an entire show and a performance after another. He also has recording singles under his belt.

“Ibarra… Ngayon” will run from June 11 to 21 at the GSIS Theater.

“Yes, since this is a musical (in which) almost 80 percent is singing, I feel like bumabalik nga ako sa aking roots, sa aking first love (I’m returning to my roots and my first love),” answered Derrick when The STAR asked him about this latest development in his showbiz career during a recent group chat, “kasi I only get the chance to sing on (the Kapuso weekend variety program) ‘All-Out Sundays,’ eh. Sometimes, it’s not even (a) full song or the songs that I like to sing or the songs na bagay sa akin (that suit my vocal range). So, ngayon parang nakikita ko na maganda ito for myself para rin ma-train ako lalo (I look at the musical as a good opportunity for me to further hone my singing).”

“Ibarra” is the second musical Derrick has embarked on. His debut was “Rak of Aegis” back in 2019, where he played the character Tolits, a boatman and an ardent suitor. So, he is, in a way, navigating a familiar territory. This time around, he is taking on a role originated by actor-singer Piolo Pascual in 2023. From doing comedy-romance, he is trying his hand at serious drama on stage.

“Ang saya nun (it’s fun), grabe ako yung, grabe yung trust nila sa akin (they have so much trust in me) to be able to pull this off,” shared he, “and of course, may ano, may pressure din kasi siyempre galing din ni Piolo kumanta (there’s also pressure since Piolo is also good at singing) and Piolo is Piolo, di ba?, pressure.”

“And I think more on I handle it as a challenge din kasi i-ta-try kung lagyan ko ng sariling flavor yung role, lalagyan ng onting youthful energy ganyan (I will try to give it my own flavor or interpretation, like a bit of youthful energy),” added he.

Derrick is there to display that fervor and love for country that Crisostomo Ibarra possesses as well as the character’s idealism and societal reforms. “Ibarra” is based on the novel Noli Me Tangere (Touch Me Not), by National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal.

As for the working schedule he has nowadays, Derrick shared that his Afternoon Prime “Apoy Sa Dugo” is in its “midway” or “second half,” which he describes as more challenging since the drama has already heightened.

“Actually, the first time sinabi nila sa akin na i-no-offer nila sa akin yung role, yung naisip ko talaga is baka mag-clash talaga sa ‘Apoy Sa Dugo’ (when they offered the role the first time, I thought it might clash with my TV schedule) kasi I don’t wanna naman compromise the play kasi puyat ako sa ganito, may iba akong ginagawa (that I can’t do this because I didn’t get much sleep and I’m attending to other work),” said he, “pero masyadong ang ganda kasi nung role masyado para tanggihan (but the role is very wonderful for me to pass up). So, ano na lang i-ta-try ko na lang talagang i-balance at super discipline na lang (I will try to balance everything and be disciplined).”

To recharge his batteries and be on his toes, he makes sure he gets enough sleep.

“Tulog po talaga, yun nga ngayon kumuha na ako ng driver (it’s about getting better sleep, and I’ve gotten my own driver) kasi di ko na kayang mag-drive (I can’t do that now),” said he. “Before I would drive (from one workplace to another), ngayon yun kailangan talagang matulog (I need to get enough sleep).”

During the group interview, Derrick named the musicals he has watched, such as “The Phantom of the Opera,” “The Lion King,” “Wicked,” “Les Misérables,” “Rak of Aegis,” before becoming part of it, and “Ang Huling El Bimbo.”

From being a theater enthusiast, watching the story unfold and anticipating what comes next, Derrick takes the lead in sharing the story of Ibarra.

(The Tanghalang Una Obra production is also presented in cooperation with the Government Service Insurance System and for the benefit of Rise Against Hunger Philippines. For details on ticket prices and sponsorship package, call Mary Anne Gomez at 63918-9182395 or Ron Hicarte at 639369498875.)