Derrick Monasterio evolves

Actor Derrick Monasterio is bent on furthering himself by offering fans a new, mature version of himself.

He has already made the big step, involving himself in the Cosmopolitan Carnival, previously known as the Cosmo Bachelor Bash, which had him displaying his chiseled bod.

The 20-year old Kapuso heartthrob is proud of the achievement noting how hard he prepared for it.

“Matagal po (akong nag-prepare), mga 4 months. Tsaka kung dati siguro once a week lang akong pumupunta sa gym, ngayon, ‘nung nalaman ko na kasali ako mga thrice a week na po siguro,” he said.

He added, “I avoided fatty foods, hindi ako nagle-lechon. Chicken lang na walang balat tsaka isda.”

Asked why he didn’t show more skin even as fans were obviously clamoring for more, he explained, “Hindi mo kailangang magpasilip para maging hot ka eh. Kahit nga naka-sando lang kaya ko silang talbugan eh.”

He added, “Tsaka bata pa ako eh. Siguro next time ‘yung ganun kapag medyo veteran na ako sa showbiz. ‘Yung mala Jay Manalo na Tom Rodriguez.”

As to other stuff he wants to get into nowadays, Derrick related how he is also trying his hand at dancing.

“(Pero) kailangan pang pakuluan ‘yung katawan ko, matigas pa eh. But for a change nga po sana, gusto kong sumayaw,” he said.

Derrick feels lucky to have stayed as long as he is in show business. “Kasi hindi ko naman talaga ine-expect ito. Nagulat din po ako kasi nag-bunga ‘yung paghihirap ko.”

Just a break

Derrick was taken off GMA’s “The Half Sisters.” He made clear it wasn’t because he was causing headache for the production.

“‘Yung show po originally was for 10 months, ‘yun lang dapat ‘yung itatagal niya, eh na-extend po. Eh, ako naka-book na po akong trip sa ibang bansa. Kapag nagpa-cancel ka ang mahal, so ‘yun, they had to take me out, nothing personal naman,” he said.

He explained how important the trip was for him, relating how he longed to see his father, George Crimarco, a lawyer who is based in the States.

“Madalang kami magkita. He’s busy kasi, madami kaso (hinahawakan),” he said.

“Yung tatay ko ano eh, parang ang daming problema sa buhay. Hindi ngumungiti. Pero andun naman ‘yung pagmamahal niya sa amin, nakita ko naman,” he added.

He related how his dad, stopped supporting him and her sister when he joined show business. He noted, however, “When I asked for a graduation gift, binigyan ako ng 6,500 dollars.”

Although he is still seen on “Vampire Ang Daddy Ko,” Derrick is apt to lay low for awhile.

“Hindi muna pwedeng tumanggap ng shows until November. Nag-aaral din po kasi ako ngayon ng Legal Management sa San Beda,” he said.

With the sixth season of “StarStruck” now well on its way, we asked Derrick if he is worried about the influx of new talents. He said, “Kaya nga po ako nagwo-workshop para kahit papano po mag-level up naman, para may bago naming ipakita. Nagpapakadalubhasa po ako sa mga acting workshops and singing.”

He went on to tease fans about his upcoming partnership with actress Bea Binene.

“Masaya po ako na si Bea ‘yung ka-loveteam ko kasi first time po. Basta po ‘yung samahan namin, iba eh, may kilig pa din,” he said.

Manila Bulletin Entertainment