Derrick learns how to be ‘more open, vulnerable’ from teamup with Elle

Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva are taking a curtain call today as their GMA 7 drama series, Return To Paradise, airs its finale episode after Abot-Kamay na Pangarap. The Sparkle love team will miss the camaraderie and creative energy they have established with each other and other fellow artists. They are wrapping up their show with new insights about their work.

“You should create a real connection with your (screen) partner as well as with your co-stars,” said Derrick when he and Elle were asked about their takeaways from working on the Return To Paradise set in a virtual group interview.

“You need to talk to them and be close with them para yung feelings totoo (so the true feelings that your character portrayal requires will be expressed) because audiences can see (and feel them). Luckily, I was able to do it. I had made a connection with each of my co-stars.”

Elle also agreed with Derrick, a member of Sparkle’s Next Brightest Stars, by saying that building connections “helps you to be comfortable on set na maglaro ng mga linya (to be creative with the speaking lines) and (in the way you will) approach the scene. So, I think it’s my takeaway, (which is the importance of) building relationships and connections with your co-artists and production people.”

Derrick added that he intends to carry on this learning and be involved in off-cam moments in his future acting projects. Speaking of which, what the Kapuso actor could share is, he has been hearing possible shows that will have his hands full for months, but nothing is final.

“I have movies that might be released before the year ends,” said he. “(There’s) G! LU!, the movie we made in La Union. I was with David (Licauco), Enzo (Pineda), Ruru (Madrid), Kiko (Estrada), and Teejay (Marquez). I also have a movie under Regal, (titled) Cheat Day, with Alexa (Miro), but I’m not sure when is the exact release date, probably early next year.”

G! LU! is the first venture of Bench into filmmaking and the narrative is about a group of friends, who go on a vacation in La Union and encounter new experiences as they hang out with girls and party. “The ending is a bit bittersweet, grabe din kasi yung twist. It’s not just about (having) a good time. It was inspired by a true story,” said Derrick.

With Elle, she will resume taping for Voltes V: Legacy, the GMA 7 live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese animé TV series, after Return To Paradise. “We’re all excited that it will be shown hopefully next year. I play a kontrabida role.” Elle sounded ready to explore the role more.

Since Derrick, on the other hand, has shown his potential in playing a leading man role in Return To Paradise, he hopes to do another one and why not more, if one may add.

“What I can say after this show is, I think I’m ready,” said he. “I feel parang kaya na, kasi dati my doubts pa.” This is also that step forward for him to further his intention to become an actor. While he was doing the show, Derrick was named the Outstanding TV Actor of the Year at the second Diamond Excellence Awards.

“Ang sarap sa feeling (The feeling was good) and I didn’t expect it,” said he. “I’m feeling that what I’m doing is right.”

As for his team-up with Elle, Derrick considered it a good and fruitful experience. “Like what I’ve kept on saying before, she’s a loveteam that made me more open and because of her I became more vulnerable. Ginaganahan akong gumawa ng lahat ng mga scenes na kasama siya kasi grabe rin siyang magbigay (I was inspired to do all the scenes with her because she, as an actress, was giving),” said he. “Well, we got close also off-cam which is good, which helped a lot in our scenes, sobrang click lang talaga yung personalities namin. I thank her for that, for trusting me, ever since day one, ever since workshops. The experience was amazing.” By the way, an actor’s being vulnerable may be looked at as his or her willingness to access and express feelings.

Elle also had only good words to say about Derrick. “I am grateful that he is my first loveteam (mate) because it was easy for us to connect surprisingly, doing things like kilig moments became easy for me because he was very open to them and made sure that I was comfortable while doing them. He really took care of me all throughout the show.”

If they will be paired again in another TV series, Derrick and Elle said they want to  do action, similar to Mr. and Mrs. Smith or another remake of Marimar, as suggested by the actor.