Curtain-raisers:
• Confirmed: A Funfare DPA has admitted that Pia Wurtzbach and Marlon Stockinger (photo) have broken up. That answers the question why Pia hasn’t been posting anything (neither pictures nor updates) about them on her social media accounts. Marlon was missing during the recent unveiling of Pia’s Madame Tussauds likeness, or didn’t you notice? Their two-year romance was made memorable by photos taken during their travels together when they made the world their playground. While Marlon is reported to be fancy-free, Pia doesn’t hide her fascination with K-Pop superstar Siwon (photo, with Pia).
• Eek, Bulaga! The mom of a young businessman/model and one-time co-host of a TV show was wondering why he was lingering at his second-floor bedroom when the sun was already high and he was late in the office. She called from downstairs but no reply, so she went upstairs, opened the door without knocking and guess what she saw…the son was in bed with a beauty queen!
• Cold Turkey. When you suddenly quit smoking after so many years, that’s “cold turkey.” But where a dashing actor is concerned, that’s “hot Turkey.” The reason? He’s hot on the trail of a handsome Turkish flight attendant whom he met recently. No wonder the actor never fails to make a layover in Istanbul whenever he travels to Europe.
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As early as late last year, Funfare has already broken the scoop that Derek Ramsay was turning Kapuso but he was just biding his sweet time before he made it official. The other day, Derek finally signed an exclusive contract with the network where he started his career as a host of the noontime show Eat, Bulaga!
From left: Executive vice president and chief financial officer Felipe Yalong, president and chief operating officer Gilberto Duavit Jr., Derek Ramsay, chairman and CEO lawyer Felipe Gozon, senior vice president for Entertainment Group Lilybeth Rasonable and Jojie Dingcong.
“It feels surreal,” said Derek. “During our first meeting, we had a great time. They really looked at who I was and it was all about getting to know me and my family. They understood that this was a big transition for me and gave me the time to prepare my mind and body. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time.”
The move made Derek a “well-rounded” actor, which simply means that he has made the rounds of the networks, starting at GMA, moving to ABS-CBN, to TV5 and back to GMA. Asked what his GMA contract is worth (bigger than the multi-million with TV5?), Derek was mum and only flashed a guess-how-much smile.
After the contract signing, Derek obliged Funfare with an exclusive interview.
How long did it take you to decide to sign up with GMA?
“The decision was simple and fast actually. Everything started last year pa and nakapag-decide soon after the first few talks but I just asked for more time to prepare myself, to be ready so that I’d be prepared to start projects in GMA. So after the second meeting, naka-oo na ako, eh. I said my verbal agreement with them was just as solid as a written contract. They appreciated that and it just took time for me to prepare myself to start a teleserye.”
How many projects (TV and film) are covered by the contract (exclusive and for how long)?
“There’s no specific number, just the amount of working days which is a minimum. I’m sure we are going to go way past that. We will do many projects together, and I’m really, really hoping that we start doing films together.”
What will be your first project and who are your co-stars?
“My first project will be The Better Woman with somebody that I’ve never worked before. She’s Andrea Torres (photo). Nagkakilala kami just the other day for the shoot of the station ID and we are starting to shoot soon.”
Any re-team up project with Jennylyn Mercado (you were a hit together in English Only Please)?
“Most definitely I think that’s a no-brainer. We should really work together. In the projects that we’ve done together, the chemistry is there. Jen and I have created a friendship through the projects that we’ve done. And I think that would probably be my next project.”
(Said Jennylyn, “I’m thrilled to be working with Derek again. Sobrang saya ka-trabaho. Very giving and supportive. He would help you in your scenes. Very friendly din. Iba ‘yung foundation ng friendship namin. Magaan siya ka-trabaho at very understanding. Good luck sa bago mong show.”)
How’s your injury; are you well enough to tackle physically-challenging roles?
“A lot better now. From all the injuries na nangyari sa akin, this was the scariest because I couldn’t move. I’ve broken my arm, I’ve broken my leg but when your spine gets hit, like I felt I was over a 100 years old. I couldn’t move for three days. Medyo na-depress ako, not being able to function. But right now I’m okay. Sana hindi na maulit ‘yung napagdaanan ko dun.”
How much is your GMA contract worth (bigger than that of TV5)?
“Tito Ricky, secret!!!”
(E-mail reactions at rickylophilstar@gmail.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)