Mommies’ boys
‘MAMA’S BOYS’ (From left) Jake Vargas, Alden Richards and Derrick Monasterio
It takes charming candor for teenage boys to admit being close to their mothers. But the young stars of the GMA Films-SMDC movie “Tween Academy: Class of 2012” proudly declare that they are, indeed, mama’s boys.
“Boys are usually closer to their moms, and girls to their dads,” explains Derrick Monasterio, son of former 1970s sexy star Tina Monasterio.
Derrick says he tries to be a good boy for his mom’s peace of mind. “When I get home, I kiss and greet her. I make lambing and try to be sweet, when actually I just want something from her,” he jokes.
Seriously, he’s glad that he’s able to catch mom’s old movies on cable TV. “I want to improve in my craft so I could make her proud of me, too,” Derrick says.
He understands quite well why costar and best buddy Jake Vargas is particularly devoted to his mom, Magdalena Vargas, who’s currently battling colon cancer.
“We make it a point not to talk about his mom’s illness on the set. We don’t want Jake to get sad. We want him to forget his problems even for a while,” Derrick says.
Jake relates that he joined show business precisely to help his mom—who was diagnosed with cancer in 2004—meet skyrocketing medical expenses.
“She’s bedridden now and stays in our house in Olongapo,” Jake says. “But I admire her. She’s strong and brave. She’s been able to overcome the ill effects of chemo therapy.”
He hopes to make her proud of his new movie.
“Although she couldn’t travel to Manila when the movie opened on August 24, I hope she can catch ‘Tween Academy’ when it’s released on DVD,” Jake says.
She watches his TV shows all the time, he points out. “She’s happy that she gets to see me grow up on television.”
Jake also has a new teleserye in the works, GMA 7’s “Pahiram ng Isang Ina,” with partner Bea Binene.
Derrick and Jake are lucky because they can still enjoy their bonding moments with their moms, unlike “Tween Academy” costar Alden Richards who lost his mother, Rosario Reyes-Faulkerson, to pneumonia three years ago.
“I miss her a lot,” Alden confesses. “She was so caring and loving.”
When she was still around, he was his mom’s pet, too. “Whenever we had little misunderstandings, I would always make an effort to reach out and fix things,” Alden recalls. “I did my best to be a good son to her.”
Alden prays that he’s making her proud with his flourishing career. “I joined show biz to fulfill her dream for me and to help my family,” he says.
He feels his mom is guiding him every step of the way. “Four other actors auditioned for ‘Alakdana.’ I was surprised that I got the role even though I was a newcomer then,” Alden recounts.
Alden and dad, Richard, are pretty tight, too. “He’s my show-biz adviser. He constantly reminds me to be professional and approachable.”
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