Derek Ramsay beyond the image

After almost a week spent on holidays, it’s back to the salt mines for all. TV5 lost no time in calling the media to meet its new star acquisition from ABS-CBN, Derek Ramsay, which his manager Joji Dingcong revealed took all of two years. TV5 president and CEO lawyer Ray Espinosa with Creative and Entertainment Production head Perci Intalan were on hand to welcome him.

If one were to ask what for us would be the most refreshing aspect of a Derek Ramsey, without batting an eyelash we would say, “his father.” Amidst screaming fans and women throwing themselves practically at his feet, Derek appears firm and resolved over his goals in life. And to us, this could only be from his good old-fashioned British and Pinoy upbringing.

It came as an utter surprise that Derek Sr. would share the front hot seat at the media conference and would open himself up to the inanities of Philippine showbiz denizens, but there he was smiling broadly, embracing the scene. Born in England, Derek Jr. was one-month-old when his parents migrated to the Philippines. He went to British School at age four, moved to International School and then Montessori Alabang, went for business and engineering studies in the UK and then New Hampshire in the US, returned to Manila to work at the family electronic security business and then leaving it after three months. Obviously, his heart was elsewhere.

Show business, however, was the last thing that Derek Jr. thought he would end up with. His mom Medy, then president of the John Robert Powers franchise, convinced him to accept offers as model for runways and TVCs, VJ for MTV Philippines, until the path led to ABS-CBN, a four-year contract and the customary build-up — the fantaserye Super Inggo, the horror film Matakot Ka Sa Karma, the comedy film Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, several Maalaala Mo Kaya episodes, the lead role opposite Judy Ann Santos in the TV series Ysabella, etc. The two biggest hits yet in Philippine movie history No Other Woman and Praybeyt Benjamin became the clincher. His star was on the rise!

Now that he has signed up with TV5 for a three-year exclusive contract excluding movies, everyone was curious as to the whys and the wherefores. No, it wasn’t for the money although it was substantial and ABS-CBN had upped its offer well within the range of what TV5 offered. And no, the negotiations had started way before the two huge movie hits. It had to do with the fulfillment of a dream — hosting The Amazing Race Philippines and being assigned as TV5 sports ambassador to the 2012 Olympic Games in London, all within station boss Manny Pangilinan’s program of action.

Derek (second from right) is welcomed to the Kapatid network by TV5’s president Ray Espinosa (second from left) and Creative and Entertainment head Perci Intalan (rightmost). They are joined by Derek’s manager Joji Dingcong.

Perhaps it was good that we had never met Derek Jr., knew little beyond the tall, dark and handsome figure he cuts on screen, or that he and Angelica Panganiban have a long-running relationship wherein they respected each other’s turf. It was better we were unaware of his passion for frisbee to the point of having broken his forearm, undergone surgery, won a competition in Japan, helped kids with his own money so they could play in Shanghai and coached frisbee events in schools. This fixation on sports had been recognized through commercials Nesvita Oatmeal 3-in-1 with Will Devaughn and basketball star Chris Tiu and the remake of San Miguel Beer’s Isang Platitong Mani with billiards legend Efren “Bata” Reyes, comedian Michael V and boxing king of the world Manny Pacquiao.

Definitely, it was best not having known Derek Sr. at all, not knowing that having met Filipina Medy in London he would resign his post as a detective at the New Scotland Yard to follow her and build a life together in a foreign land. That he would sire five children, three girls now married with kids and two unmarried sons both named Derek, and that they all live in the Philippines, spoke perfect Tagalog and were clearly brought up as Filipinos. Or that Derek the star, would spend much time with them, from enjoying holidays in Palawan, celebrating New Year’s Eve to playing golf with dad.

Of Derek Jr., Derek Sr. told us, “We are proud to say he has kept his feet firmly on the ground.” The transfer had been a long and grueling process, taking months to complete, he admitted, but in the end we noticed a carefully worded admission of the transfer from ABS, indicating the doors were not closed in their relationship.

“My ultimate dream for my son is that he achieve the new goals he has set for himself, maintain his love of family and hopefully, soon start a family of his own,” confessed Derek Sr. For us, it was like the discovery of a real person behind the image.

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