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I remember someone asking me how’s it like being friends with Derek Ramsay, a man who’s probably once upon a time was in every woman or woman at heart’s fuck, marry, or kill list. I think my reply was “okay lang.” It’s not as if I don’t see how special this guy is. He is special; all my friends are, but not all of them can make a grown woman squeal at a grocery store after he has given her a kiss on the cheek. True story. But the thing is, amidst all the movies, TV series, billboards, commercials, and magazine covers that he has graced, within the confines of his house, he’s just a regular guy. He’d have his days where he’d spend hours fixing fixtures in his house, sink on his sofa while checking Instastories, declare a movie night, play basketball with his neighbors, try to be a barista and make everyone a cup of espresso, or just complain about how his entire body hurts. He’s a certified tito from the South.
I will no longer reiterate all of Derek’s achievements, but I must mention that recently, he did such a good job in the movie All of You, which he co-starred with Jennylyn Mercado and was directed by Dan Villegas. So impressive that he was given the Best Actor award for the recently concluded MMFF. He’s currently working on a movie with Bea Alonzo and Paolo Avelino and on his spare time, enjoys playing golf.
I dropped by at his home with Tanduay Rhum inside my backpack, just like the good ol’ days. It was the drink of choice for this Drinks with Denise interview. I’m no stranger to the brand since it has been my go-to rum when I want to drink rum. I remember a friend who would always carry a lapad and would perfectly fit inside his jeans’ back pocket. Flask? What flask? After Derek offered for me to just sleepover, we’ve decided to make this interview a bit more special. It’s the first time that a Drinks with Denise interview got recorded on video. Hurray! It will be the first of many, hopefully. You can either watch the video [stay til the end] or read the transcription below on what Derek and I talked about.
HOW DID WE MEET?
Derek’s Version:
We have a common friend, let’s not name who, but he introduced us together and you were cool enough to give me a funky shirt that you make. You came with to a basketball game and we just hit it off since then, you’ve been supplying me with cool shirts. That was like 2012, I think? Yeah, 2012.
My version:
May tama sha! Hahaha! It’s true that we were introduced by a common friend during one of their TV series shoots and we’ve been like family since then. He’s like the popular kuya that I never had. And just like any siblings, we’ve already butt heads on few occasions but nothing that’s never mended. We’re both stubborn…so.
WHAT FOOD CAN YOU EAT EVERY DAY?
Derek: That’s easy, donuts and I would have to say, sinigang na baboy. I love sinigang na baboy. Nothing beats sinigang na baboy…or pancit canton. Andami na.
WHAT IS A TRAIT THAT YOU HAVE THAT YOU’RE VERY PROUD OF?
Derek: I’m loyal to my friends. I’ll stand up and defend my friends. I have the longest patience but if I go beyond my patience, oh my God, that’s when everything comes out. But yeah, I’m a very, very loyal friend. I’ll stand up for my friends; I’ll do anything for my friends.
“I’m loyal to my friends. I’ll stand up and defend my friends. I have the longest patience but if I go beyond my patience, oh my God, that’s when everything comes out.”
HOW DO YOU CHEER YOURSELF UP WHEN YOU’RE SAD?
Derek: Playing golf or sports or just being around family. Best is to be around with family and play sport. That’s why I play golf with my dad, which can sometimes be stressful.
IF YOU CAN BE TRANSPORTED ANYWHERE RIGHT NOW, WHERE WOULD THAT BE AND WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU’LL DO THERE?
Derek: Probably in Dubai so I can see Austin [Derek’s son]. I’d go pick him up and then go to Palawan.
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST FRUSTRATION IN LIFE?
Derek: I guess it would be that I can’t sing. I just can’t sing. I don’t have the confidence to sing. I can carry a tune but when I sing, I don’t know if purposely,but it just comes out all funky because I’m just not comfortable doing it.
IF YOU’RE NOT AN ACTOR, WHAT WOULD BE YOUR CAREER? AND WHY?
Derek: I’ve asked myself that so many times, no one’s going to believe me except for the people who really know me, that I will probably be a teacher. My friends say that I’m good with kids, they see me as a leader. I have the patience for it. I can be really, really strict with friends or with the kids I teach sport. I’m very, very tough on them, I don’t give up on them, but they say that sometimes, I’m a little bit too much. But I think that’s a good trait of a teacher because it shows that you care, and you really want them to learn.
“Everything that I’ve been through in my life has got me to where I am now, and I like who I am now and I like where I am in my life so, no regrets.”
WHAT’S YOUR BIGGEST REGRET IN LIFE?
Derek: I don’t have any regrets. Everything happens for a reason. If I didn’t learn anything from those mistakes and from those crazy things that happened in the past, then that would be my regret because I didn’t learn from it. Everything that I’ve been through in my life has got me to where I am now, and I like who I am now and I like where I am in my life so, no regrets.
WHAT ARE THE 3 IMPORTANT THINGS THAT YOU PRAY FOR?
Derek: I pray for my family, I pray for my health, and I pray for my friends and family’s health.
IF THERE’S ONE IMPORTANT LESSON THAT YOUR PARENTS HAVE TAUGHT YOU THAT YOU CAN TEACH YOUR SON, WHAT WOULD IT BE AND WHY?
Derek: My dad and my mom always told me, before you go to bed, make sure that everything is good between the two of you.
Jo: Excuse me.
Derek: Boom! Oh my God, see! She’s reacting.
D: Ano, Jo?
Jo: Ako ang laging nakikipagbati before bed.
Derek: I try to apply what my parents taught me but with this one, it’s really difficult, so sometimes I don’t have the patience. They said, that’s how they’ve lasted that long. That’s one of the good reasons to be in a relationship, I wish I could apply it to my life.
WHO WOULD YOU CALL FOR THE FOLLOWING:
If you get arrested
Derek: Mommy!
If you want to have something cooked
Derek: Ah. Junday.
If you want to hang out
Derek: My golf buddies. I just like hanging out at the golf course. I’ll just call my golf group, and just hang out with them and play golf.
WHY IS TANDUAY YOUR FAVORITE DRINK?
Derek: Dude! I grew up with this. You grew up with this. It’s affordable, it tastes good, and it gets the job done. Di ba? Pampatibay ng loob. Manly. It’s world-class that’s why the foreigners love it. Steven Seagal endorsed this, man, because it’s so good. I grew up with Tanduay, it’s my dad’s favorite drink. I’ve had an infinite amount of this stuff. Sakto yung tagline ng endorsement namin “Tibay ng Loob” just drink this and you’d really feel like you’re the best-looking dude in the world.
Follow Derek on Instagram
Denise J. Mallabo 