Derrick Monasterio —INSTAGRAM
Derrick Monasterio isn’t shy about flaunting the fruits of the hard work he put into his fitness.
The actor’s Instagram feed is dominated by his bare-chested photos, which unfailingly amass thousands of “likes.” Needless to say, lots of the comments his fans and oglers leave on his posts are naughty or laced with double entendre.
But Derrick doesn’t take offense to any of those—it’s actually quite the opposite.
“I see them as compliments, whether it’s coming from girls or gay people. At least they find you desirable, which somehow makes you feel good, too,” he told reporters in a pocket interview for GMA 7’s new drama-fantasy soap, “Dragon Lady,” which starts airing today.
He insisted that he doesn’t post such photos with the intention of teasing or titillating his followers on social media. “Well, maybe sometimes!” Derrick said, laughing. “But I don’t really pose, touch my body or anything. I would like to believe that mine’s a bit artsy … or for inspiration.”
Last year, the 23-year-old Kapuso star topbilled the steamy romantic movie “Wild and Free” with Sanya Lopez. He has also taken part in sexy runway shows in the past. And if these things are indicative of the direction his career is headed for, Derrick wouldn’t say no.
“It’s OK, in a way, because not a lot of guys in GMA 7 are on that route. If that’s the kind of image I will be known for … if I become the first option [for such projects], I will be glad,” he said.
But still, there’s a limit on what he can do—or show. “I haven’t tried appearing in just underwear. I’m still not comfortable doing it. But maybe in the future,” he said.
What does his mother, Tina Monasterio, think about his going sexy? “My mom is cool with it; she has never meddled in my career. She doesn’t tell me, ‘Uy, grabe naman ’yung ginawa mo,’” he related.
Derrick is currently dating beauty queen Kathleen Paton, who won the Miss Manila 2018 and Miss Teen International 2017 pageants. “We’re not yet in a relationship, but we do go out,” said the actor, who prefers to keep his love life—unlike his body—under wraps.
“I don’t want any competition! I can be possessive. But yes, it’s normal for a single guy like me to go on dates. Nothing wrong with that,” said Derrick, who feels that being in a relationship with a nonshow biz girl is better in the long run.
“It’s less complicated, with less people talking,” he said.
Derrick will appear only in the first week of “Dragon Lady,” as the young Charles Chua, the biological father of the series’ main protagonist, Celestina Sanchez, a young lady born with dragon-like features and mystical powers (Janine Gutierrez).
Joining him in the first couple of episodes are former “Tween Hearts” coactors, Bea Binene and Kristoffer Martin, who play the young versions of Celestina’s mother, Almira, and stepfather Bryan, respectively. “I’m looking forward to working with them, now that we’re more experienced,” Derrick said.
His outlook in life and career, he added, has changed considerably since his “Tween” days. “I was clueless and I didn’t know what was in store for me. I didn’t envision my career turning out this way. I simply wanted to earn some money and buy shoes!” he recalled “But now, we have matured.”