Derek: Pain has taught me what true love is

“SEX IS not my priority in a relationship,” says the actor.

WE ALL have that one great love that got away. That’s why Viva Films and Star Cinema’s latest offering, “Ex with Benefits” hits romantic fools comme moi bullseye.

We gave the romance drama a grade of A at the Cinema Evaluation Board. The lead stars, Coleen Garcia and Derek Ramsay, complement each other well. They have the right amount of sensuality in their love scenes and they do not go overboard in their dramatic scenes.

The movie is something like an anatomy of pain. The film makes you look at pain in the eye and shows how you can bear the unbearable.

I was pleasantly surprised when Derek replied to my text. I thought he was mad at me because of a news item I wrote which did not sit well with him. In his message, he said that he never felt anger toward me. What a gentleman he is indeed.

I always say that exes are excess emotional baggage. But after watching the movie, I suddenly yearned for an ex of mine. It made me wonder, how could we keep on searching for something we already found many heartbeats and heartaches ago?

Here’s my tête-à-tête with Derek:

Can ex-lovers really be friends?

I truly believe so. No matter how long the relationship is, I believe there are moments worth remembering. Even if things don’t work out, something brought the two of you together. You just need to see the good in the relationship you had and use that to carry on to a new friendship.

How do you handle a bad breakup?

If the woman I love breaks up with me, I handle it by telling myself she is happier without me. If you really love someone you want her to be happy.

What has pain taught you?

It has taught me to know what true love is.

What have you learned from your ex-girlfriends?

A lot of things. But the first thing that comes to mind—never give up on love.

What are your tips for moving on?

To move forward after a heartbreak, the best thing to do is to keep busy with work and hobbies. Traveling helps, too.

What was Billy Crawford’s reaction to your love scenes with his girlfriend, Coleen Garcia?

Billy was awesome. No awkwardness at all. He’s a supportive boyfriend to Coleen and a supportive friend to me.

Would you take an ex back?

I believe in second chances but once an ex-girlfriend becomes a friend, I don’t think I could risk destroying that.

Are you willing to work with your ex, Angelica Panganiban?

I would be honored to work with her. She’s a brilliant actress.

How important is sex in a relationship?

It is important but not my priority in a relationship.

Is it advisable to have an “ex with benefits”?

Never sleep with an ex. That’s my rule.

‘Kapuso awards’

The Kapuso Network bagged 13 awards, besting Philippine rivals as well as media owners from South Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand at the recently concluded Spark Awards 2015 in Singapore.

GMA Marketing and Productions Inc. (GMAMPI), the station’s marketing arm, received the platinum award as best in show, a special recognition given to a single media owner who performs best across all categories.

GMAMPI won gold for best content team, along with “Share the Love” for best corporate branding by a media owner; #GoManny:Pacquiao-Mayweather Fight Campaign, best program promotion; Kapuso Milyonaryo, best engagement strategy; the Christmas short film for Cebuana Lhuillier “Happiest Pinoy,” best use of branded content by a media owner; and Del Monte Kitchenomics, best app by a media owner and best media solution-digital.

The silver award was given to “Share the Love” for best media solution-TV/online video; #GoManny: Pacquiao-Mayweather fight campaign, best media solution-digital; and the GMA Christmas short film for Lady’s Choice Mayonnaise “Santa,” best use of branded content. Del Monte Kitchenomics received two bronze awards for most improved offering by a media owner and best campaign by a media owner.

The Spark Awards recognizes the top media solutions, products and services from media owners and publishers. It acts as the main platform for media owners to demonstrate their innovation and effectiveness to advertisers, agencies and clients.

Keep sparkling, Kapuso!