Derrick bares what makes love team with Barbie click

Derrick Monasterio (left) and Barbie Forteza

Derrick Monasterio and Barbie Forteza make “kilig levels” rise and spread good vibes in the charming rom-com “Inday Will Always Love You” (produced by GMA News and Public Affairs and airs weeknights on GMA Telebabad).

I find the title so endearing because it reminds me of my late mom Inday Badiday. (Trivia: Ma’s screen name was supposed to be “Inda Badida,” which was the name of an old lady who wandered in the streets of Balingasag, Cagayan de Oro. But my grandma Lala thought of adding the letter “Y” to make it relatable to Visayans.)

The series puts the spotlight on the Queen City of the South and the Cebuano way of life. So aside from giving us a daily dose of romance and comedy, Team “Derbie” (Derrick and Barbie) also takes us on a free tour of Lechon Republic. Lakat ta. Nindot kaayo (Let’s go. It’s so nice).

Here’s my chat with Derrick:

What makes your love team with Barbie click even if you are not a couple? What makes our love team click is the fact that people know we started together as tween stars. [Then,] we became friends. I tried to court her before, then we became friends again. It’s also the sincerity of the way we treat each other. It shows naman kasi even onscreen.

What do you find hard to understand about girls? Their erratic mood. At [one] point they’re OK, then after a split second, they’re different.

What’s something new you discovered about Cebu during the shoot of “IWALY”? People in Cebu are shy, but I was surprised with the hospitality they showed us.

Team “Derbie”

What’s the craziest thing you did for love? I don’t know if it’s the craziest. But I guess, cooking something for a girl is something I am proud that I did for love. I’m not an expert cook, though.

What’s the best love advice you heard? Fight for someone you love and follow your heart.

Is Barbie best friend material or girlfriend material? Barbie is both. We’ve remained best friends since the day we met. She’s one person you can confide all your problems in, and that won’t change how she treats you. Sobrang kakulitan ko rin ’yan. And she’s also girlfriend material because she’s beautiful inside and out.

Guess list

Pretty Actress 1 (PA1) bumped into Plain-looking Actress 2 (PA2) and her actor boyfriend (ABF). PA2 beamed as she told PA1, “People often tell me that we look alike.” PA1 just smiled. Then ABF reprimanded his girlfriend PA2, “You better stop hallucinating. PA1 is too pretty to be your look-alike. I’m embarrassed to hear you say that to her.” What could be more awkward than that? No wonder PA2 and ABF have split up. No attraction, just distraction.

Veteran Actress (VA) heard rumors that her costar (CS) is gay but he refuses to come out of the closet. VA could no longer contain herself so she asked CS point-blank “Are you gay?” CS retorted: “Let’s talk after our play.”

Everyone in the dressing room froze. Sometimes what happens behind-the-scenes is more exciting than the show itself.