KAMAKAILAN AY binigyan ng special citation si Derek Ramsay at maging si Jennylyn Mercado para sa critically acclaimed at box office hit nilang pelikulang English Only Please. Ito ay sa katatapos na Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Awards.
“It’s a different experience with Guillermo,” sabi ni Derek. “They’re the the first awarding body that gave me an award to recognize my talent in the industry. So this is a special award for me.
“And they’re giving recognition for your hard work and giving recognition to your talent. So I think what every actor looks for is not just having a successful project but also having your efforts recognized.”
Indie film ang pelikulang English Only Please pero parang malaking mainstream movie ito na na pinag-usapan at nag-hit nga sa takilya.
“Yeah! It’s pretty cool na kahit hanggang ngayon, nag-i-international screening kami… matagal-tagal na. But English Only Please is one of the best films that I’ve done. I really enjoyed doing it and I really enjoyed working with Jennylyn.”
Nitong nakaraang Father’s Day, hindi nagkaroon ng pagkakataon si Derek na mai-celebrate ito with his son. Pero he was able to spend it with his dad naman.
“We always have something to opt for on Father’s Day. Whether it’s five minutes together or we spend the entire day together. Basta we make sure na bago matapos ‘yong araw, magkita kami.”
Wish daw ni Derek na balang araw ay maging gano’n din daw ang samahan nila ng kanyang anak.
“Most definitely. But he is in school kasi… dati na siya sa Dubai. He is studying, so unfortunately I can’t be there. But… marami pa namang panahon.”
Kumusta naman sila ng girlfriend niya ngayon na si Joan?
“Ayos naman!” nangiting sagot ni Derek.
Ano ba ang kaibahan na non-showbiz ngayon ang girlfriend niya?
“Less pressure. Less pressure. A… there’s not much difference. Kasi when you go into a relationship, dapat totoo ka. So… gano’n lang naman din, e. Pero less pressure. I think I can breathe a bit more. And it’s easier to be a little bit more private with your life. So, you know… taking things slow. One step at a time na… ‘yon na lang ang kulang sa buhay ko, e. ‘Di ba? E, ito nga ang sinasabing lucky year ko. In 2015, sana ‘yong suwerteng ibigay… tamang babae.”
Sunud-sunod ang nagpapakasal na showbiz couples ngayon. Pinakahuli nga ay sina Toni Gonzaga at Paul Soriano.
“Huwag naman tayong dumiretso sa kasalan!” Natawang reaksiyon ng aktor. “Pero… you know, one day iyon ang gusto kong mangyari. Gusto ko nang magkapamilya.”
Ano na ang balita sa pinaplanong part two ng English Only Please? Tuloy na ba ito?
“Sa 2016 pa siguro ‘yon. There are talks na gagawin abroad either in US or somewhere… maybe in Europe. Sana matuloy, kasi ang ganda nga ng concept. As of now sabi nila…tuloy raw.”
Pero bakit kaya may balitang hindi na siya ang makakapareha ni Jennylyn kundi si JM de Guzman na?
“Uhm… hindi ko alam. Hindi ko pa naririnig ‘yan. E, if that’s what they decide to do, okey lang sa akin. Maganda ‘yong concept, pero hindi ko maintindihan kung paano mangyayari ‘yon kung English Only Please Part Two. Baka ibang pelikula na magtatambalan sina Jennylyn at JM.”
May mga bagong movies ba na naka-line up para sa kanya ngayon?
“Yes. Actually I’ll be starting a new movie with Ms. Coleen Garcia. ‘Yong Ex With Benefits. Medyo sexy na naman tayo!” sabay ngiti ni Derek. “A… medyo serious naman ‘yong film. So… abangan n’yo ‘yan this year. And kakatapos ko lang ng pelikula with Direk Toto Natividad under Skylight as well. Pangil ang title no’ng movie, so ang ka-loveteam ko ay isang buwaya!” tawa na naman ng aktor.
‘Yong movie na pagsasamahan nila ni Kris Aquino, tuloy rin ba? “Hindi pa sure. Pero… sana!”
Open kaya siya to do a movie again kasama ang ex-girlfriend niyang si Angelica Panganiban if ever may mag-offer?
“Most definitely. I did a movie with Angelica before. ‘Yong I Love You, Goodbye na magandang pelikula ‘yon. Magaling na artista si Angelica so… yeah! No problem for me to be paired up with Angel. If ever na may tamang script na pareho naming magustuhan, sana magkatrabaho ulit kami.”
Rubbing Elbows
by Ruben Marasigan
