HEARD: Derrick Monasterio’s disarming candor

DERRICK Monasterio photo courtesy of GMA Network

What sets Derrick Monasterio apart from other pretty boys and matinee idol hopefuls? His disarming candor. Recently, when we asked the 21-year-old GMA 7 heartthrob what his thoughts were about the sex videos that were leaked on the Internet involving male celebrities and eager-to-please starlets, Derrick said, “Blame it on teenagers’ (and young men’s) raging hormones. But, they must have been coaxed into [doing the deed]. Everybody goes through that stage naman.

“Look, there are so many sex videos in cyberspace, but theirs are sensationalized because they’re celebrities. But, you won’t catch me in such a ‘compromising’ act any time soon. Yes, I’m outgoing and I always have a lot of energy, because I’m a Leo—but there are things that I still keep to myself.”

Derrick’s shirtless photos have been generating a lot of interest lately. How often does he work out? “My exercise regimen is no longer as rigorous,” he told the Inquirer. “I think I’ve already maximized my growth potential, and I know when to stop. I won’t grow  anymore—I’m 6 feet tall now.

“I only started working out because I knew it was going to help me stand out from the rest. Iba na ang labanan ngayon; you can’t just be good-looking. Uso na ang abs (laughs)—a good physique gives you an edge.

“Then, I noticed that I was already getting too bulky—from 160 lbs, I gained 20 more lbs of muscle. I was heaviest at 185 lbs. So, I decided to slow down, because I didn’t want to look like a bouncer.” Rito P. Asilo