“I really wanted to be a professional basketball player,” Derrick Monasterio candidly shares in an interview during the shoot for Blackwater the product he is endorsing. It’s easy to see why —standing six feet tall with a build that can rival that of professional athletes, he has the traits of one playing for the big leagues, like the Philippine Basketball Association (PBA).
But fate had directed him somewhere: in 2010, Derrick found himself portraying Rick Montano in the now defunct GMA youth-oriented series, Tween Hearts.
He recalls, “I tagged along while my mom (actress Tina Monasterio) who was appearing in a show, when my manager (now) saw me and asked me to do a photo shoot so he could submit the photos to GMA. At that time, they were looking to cast one more guy for a show they were about to launch.” Proving that he inherited his mother’s talent, charisma and persistence in working hard, he clinched the role.
Taking a leap into showbiz was something to be grateful for – Tween Hearts catapulted him to fame. It led him to win Best Male New TV Personality at the 25th Philippine Movie Press Club Awards for TV and be nominated as New Male Recording Artist of the Year at the 60th Filipino Academy of Movie, Arts, and Sciences (FAMAS). He also earned nominations at the Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS) Golden Awards in the Best Breakthrough Performance by an Actor category. After playing mostly supporting roles, 2016 saw him play the lead in Tsuperhero.
While he enjoys the challenge of acting, he maintains his natural athleticism and love for basketball. A self-confessed “super human,” he admits that he doesn’t tire easily: “Even at 1 a.m. after taping, or during my rest days, I play basketball.” The dedicated fitness buff adds, “I go to the gym every other day, and I spend about one and a half hours doing workouts that vary from weightlifting to cross fit. But my personal favorites are cardio like burpees and jumping jacks or body weight training. ”
Of course, both sports and showbiz demand that he be physically fit, well-groomed, and polished. And being the new face of Blackwater, a brand that caters to men’s personal grooming needs, he stresses the importance of maintaining good personal hygiene: “My daily routine is composed of a shower in the morning and another at night, and putting an ice cube on my face to close my pores.”
Like his dual personality as an actor and athlete, Blackwater also offers fragrances that target his different lifestyles. To keep him smelling good, he says, “While playing or working out, I prefer Blackwater Sports, but when I’m at tapings or attending events I always go for Blackwater Classic.”
Whether he’s portraying a role or playing basketball, Derrick is always grateful for the support he gets, especially from Blackwater. “This is such a milestone for me because Blackwater’s campaign is to really build up their endorsers,” he says. “I know I am in good hands with them.”
★★★★★
Multi-talented actress Kris Bernal remains a loyal Kapuso. She renewed her ties with GMA Network, Inc.
She feels grateful for her strong relationship with GMA through the years, “Eto yung gusto ng puso ko, kung saan ako kumportable, where I feel complete, where I’m satisfied and contented. I’m very thankful na nandito pa rin ako at binigyan ulit ako ng chance.”
After her commendable portrayal of a woman with learning disability in Little Nanay, GMA once again entrusted Kris with another challenging project as she topbills the remake of the successful TV series Impostora where she will play a dual character.
“Masaya ako dahil ang ganda-ganda ng project na binigay nila sa akin, yung Impostora. Dito talaga ako mahahasa, at mag-go-grow. Ito na siguro yung pinaka-challenging character para sa akin. Sobrang hirap din nung sa Little Nanay pero at least dun, isa lang ang role ko. Eto kasi sa Impostora, pabago-bago ako, hindi lang sa acting, sa pananamit din, may prosthetics pa ako and iba’t-ibang makeup at look.”
★★★★★
An overwhelming number of Kapuso fans were at Abu Dhabi National Theater to personally experience Wowowin’s brand of fun and entertainment on Feb. 17.
The afternoon and evening shows featured Willie Revillame with co-hosts Donita Nose, Super Tekla, Kimchi, Ariella Arida, and Randy Santiago.
The worldwide tour stop in Abu Dhabi was a dream come true for many GMA Pinoy TV subscribers in the Middle East who have been clamoring to see their beloved “Kuya Wil” in the flesh. For them, Willie, through Wowowin, helps cure their homesickness as they are always reminded of home whenever they watch the daily Kapuso show.
The show served as a venue for Filipinos to share their stories about being abroad and help fellow Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW) cope with their struggles.
Willie got the chance to talk to Lina Villalon, a widower and a “master cutter” in Abu Dhabi, about having no choice but to go overseas to send her four children to school. She proudly shared that all her children are now professionals. A video message of her daughter was flashed onscreen affirming how good Nanay Lina is as a mother.
One of the contestants, Simonette Prendol, used to be a hospital receptionist before she was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer in December. In an interview with Willie, she said that she’d rather go home to her kids but could not do so because she spends most of her savings to her chemotherapy sessions. Willie gave him the signature Wowowin jacket along with a plane ticket and $500 so she can reunite with her family in the Philippines. A member of the audience also went onstage to give her financial help.
As the show concluded, Revillame expressed his gratitude to all GMA Pinoy TV supporters and OSN subscribers in the Middle East who attended their first worldwide tour. “Maraming salamat po sa GMA Pinoy TV, sa tiwala po nila na kami ay nakapag-show para sa inyo… Nandito kami para pasayahin kayo. It’s a reunion ng ating mga Kapuso’t kababayang katulad niyo. It’s a party place, it’s a party day para po sa inyong lahat,” he reiterated.
★★★★★
GMA Network’s programs and personalities remain the choice of students and educators, taking home once again numerous recognitions from the Holy Angel University (HAU) and the Communicators’ League and the Guild of Educators, Mentors, and Students (GEMS).
At the 4th Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards organized by the HAU and the Communicators’ League, the Kapuso Network earned 10 awards in a ceremony held on Feb. 18 at the Holy Angel University Theater in Pampanga.
On top of winning the ratings game, GMA Flagship newscast 24 Oras once again took home the Best News Program award. The Best Public Affairs Program award went to I-Witness while the Best Magazine Show went to Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho. Wildlife documentary show Born to be Wild, meanwhile, was named Best Educational Program. Longest-running investigative program Imbestigador was named Best Investigative Program.
Arnold Clavio was honored as this year’s Best Male News Anchor for the late-night newscast Saksi and morning TV show Unang Hirit.
Meanwhile, Dingdong Dantes was honored as Male Personality of the Year.
Pepito Manaloto won Best Sitcom while Eat Bulaga took home the Best Noontime Show award.
Various Kapuso programs and personalities were also honored at the 1st GEMS Hiyas ng Sining Awards on March 1 in Laguna Bel Air Science School in Santa Rosa, Laguna.
