Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva
RED HOT
The newest love team whose chemistry goes beyond their television roles. Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva didn’t just breathe life into their show’s characters, but also developed a friendship like no other behind the cameras.
Text by: Dianne Mariano
Photos courtesy of Return to Paradise
Tagged as the “hottest new couple,” Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva made their first-ever on-screen pairing in the GMA Afternoon Prime series Return To Paradise, in which they portray the lead characters Red Ramos and Eden Santa Maria.
After working together for less than a year, the Sparkle talents’ on-and-off cam bond developed wonderfully as they now seem to exude a sense of comfort and familiarity. It's a big change, since they started off practically as strangers to each other.
Among their various taping locations was the island of Jomalig in Quezon, where they had time to bond and get to know each other. At one point, did real feelings start to form between Derrick and Elle?
The hunk actor simply gave a straightforward answer and said “yes,” while his leading lady had a gleaming smile on her face. They even went so far to say that it was as if their real selves were the ones delivering their character’s lines.
Derrick said, “Kailangan mo talaga magkaroon ng feelings para genuine ‘yung acting mo 'di ba? Ako, at some point, minsan ‘yung mga dialogue ko parang talagang sinasabi na ng totoong Derrick para talagang ma-feel ko, para talagang makita sa mata ko na sakto. At saka ang maganda rito kasi it’s not hard to catch feelings for her.
“Marami kasing positive sides ‘yung character niya na similar din kay Elle. So hindi mahirap magkaroon ng feelings for her character.”
His winsome onscreen partner couldn’t agree more. Elle, a showbiz newbie, said, “Mayroon talagang feelings. Before namin ito shinoot, in between shoots, bini-build na namin ‘yun sa isa’t isa na naghahanap na kami ng puwedeng hook sa totoong kami as Elle and Derrick, na puwedeng magamit. Tama si Derrick kasi sa mga eksena namin parang ‘yung totoong kami na ‘yung nagsasalita.”
As they sat down for an interview with GMANetwork.com, the two recalled how their careers as actors in the Kapuso Network began and how their professional as well as personal relationship blossomed beautifully.
Catching Fire
Derrick Monasterio is one of the most sought-after Kapuso leading men of his generation. Born on August 1, 1995, the 27-year-old Sparkle actor is the son of former beauty queen and actress Tina Monasterio and George Crimarco.
Prior to becoming the talented and successful actor that he is today, Derrick did not plan nor want to enter show business. But the world had different plans for him.
“I didn’t really want to become an actor before. Pero kasi my mom was an actress so she basically forced me to go into showbiz. ’Yung una ko po talagang plan was to play basketball and kumanta kasi member po ako ng choir. Tapos may ginawa ’yung mom ko na isang show tapos nakita ako ng manager ko do’n sa show na ’yon tapos sabi niya, ‘Pictorial ka nga.’ So nag-pictorial ako tapos [the] next thing I know part na ako ng Tween Hearts kasi sobrang timing lang din na naghahanap sila ng isang leading man na medyo matangkad kasi matangkad ’yung leading lady ko do’n. So without any experience sa acting [and] without any workshops, pumunta na ako do’n, sinalang na nila ako agad,” he recalled.
Derrick made his debut as an actor in the 2010 Kapuso youth-oriented show Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts, in which he portrayed the role of Rick Montano. In the show, he was joined by Barbie Forteza, Kristoffer Martin, Joshua Dionisio, Bea Binene, Joyce Ching, Lexi Fernandez, and Louise Delos Reyes.
Like any other new artist, Derrick had his fair share of challenges during his early years in the entertainment industry.
“During the first month of acting in Tween Hearts, lagi kong nakakalimutan ’yung dialogue ko, as in. Umaabot ako ng minimum five takes buti na lang mabait ’yung director namin. Pero alam naman natin na it’s a no-no ’yung gano’n karaming takes kapag ngayon. Isa ’yun sa mga challenges ko before kasi I was very conscious [of] acting. Hindi ko kasi alam hitsura ko sa TV, parang more on looks ’yung priority ko dati kapag umaarte ako. Kung ano ’yung itsura ko rito, anong magandang angle. Ngayon nalaman ko na mas una dapat ang emosyon,” he recalls with a good laugh.
After the successful run of Tween Hearts, Derrick began to pick up steam. He became a part of various Kapuso shows such as The Half-Sisters (2014-2015), Hanggang Makita Kang Muli (2016), Mulawin Vs. Ravena (2017), Inday Will Always Love You (2018), Beautiful Justice (2019), and Legal Wives (2021), among many others. He also graced the silver screen in 2018 through the sexy romance film Wild and Free with Sparkle actress Sanya Lopez.
Among all of his outstanding accomplishments in the showbiz industry, Derrick felt that he was at the top of his game when he was handpicked to play the titular character “Nonoy” in the original weekly comedy adventure series Tsuperhero (2016—2017).
“Siguro when I did Tsuperhero kasi it’s a title role given to me and they didn’t really let me audition. They really handpicked me na parang ‘Okay, we handpicked you for this one and we have another choice, but all of us, we’re decisive in choosing you.’ Sabi ko talaga sa sarili ko, ‘Okay, parang grabe ’yung tiwala nila sa akin.’ Do’n ko talaga na-feel na parang ‘yun ‘yung peak ko,” he shared.
The hunk actor also saw this television series as one of his most challenging projects as it involved intense physical aspects. He recalled, “‘Pinakamahirap ’yung Tsuperhero kasi grabe ’yung fight scenes namin. Sobrang init ng costume, e, so ’yun talaga. Physically mahirap siya.”
Derrick's staying power in the business is proof that he does not hold back when it comes to achieving his dreams and goals as an artist. This year, the Kapuso heartthrob is one of the eight artists handpicked to be part of Sparkle’s Next Brightest Stars for 2022, along with Bianca Umali, Ysabel Ortega, Gabbi Garcia, Sanya Lopez, Khalil Ramos, Miguel Tanfelix, and Ruru Madrid.
After learning about the big news, Derrick felt ecstatic, but also overwhelmed with pressure due to the responsibilities that came with being part of the next biggest stars of the year.
“More on na-pressure [ako]. Medyo nangibabaw na feeling sa akin ‘yung pressure. S’yempre masaya at first pero pressure kasi being part of the new Sparkle demands a lot of innovation, work, workshops. So iniisip ko na lahat ’yung mga gagawin to be part of this group, ’yung mga kailangan mong gawin. Nakaka-pressure, nakakapagod pero at the same time, ito nga nagkaroon ako ng show because of doing these workshops. So, worth it lahat,” he expressed.
Asked about the lessons that he has learned throughout his long sparkling showbiz career, Derrick responded with a straightforward yet practical answer.
He said, “Gusto kong nalaman before na sana mas nakapag-invest ako sa mga bagay-bagay na lumalago. Before when I was younger, I just spent on nonsense things. Medyo magastos din kasi ako dati so ’di ko pa alam ’yung value ng money. Greatest lesson… hindi habambuhay ang showbiz. Kung may dumadating sa’yo na blessings, mag-ipon ka and you have to constantly reinvent yourself para hindi ma-bore sa’yo ’yung tao.”
Derrick has nothing but utmost gratitude to his home network and Sparkle GMA Artist Center for all the projects and blessings that continue to come his way.
“I’m very very thankful, ’yun lang masasabi ko talaga. S’yempre being thankful is not enough. You have to put in the work, you have to not stop learning, constantly attend workshops. Kumbaga, bigay mo sa kanila kung ano ’yung pinagkatiwala nila sa’yo at ibalik mo ’yun sa kanila 100%. I’m very thankful and grateful talaga,” he added.
A Girl with Big Dreams
Ever since she was a little girl, Elle Villanueva’s dream was to become an artist, but her parents wanted her to finish her studies first before entering show business.
Elle lived a simple and ordinary life prior to becoming an actress. She is an alumna of De La Salle - College of Saint Benilde, where she earned her Bachelor Degree in Tourism. After graduating from college in 2016, she entered the corporate world, specifically in real estate, and also worked as a commercial model.
“Galing po ako sa corporate world before and I did commercials on the side. Sa fitting ng isang commercial, mayroon nagsabi roon na mag-audition daw po ako sa GMA. Wala naman po ako talagang planong i-pursue ’yung pag-aartista but then, I wanted to be an artist when I was younger pero hindi siya pinush ng parents ko,” she shared during the online media conference of the GMA afternoon drama series Return To Paradise.
After hearing great stories about Sparkle GMA Artist Center on how they build their artists, Elle decided to audition for GMA-7’s talent management arm in 2020.
She said, "Now na naka-graduate na ako and got my diploma, may safety net na kumbaga. I tried to audition, ’yung every Friday na audition ng Sparkle [GMA Artist Center]. I went through all of those first casting, ’yung final call. And then, thankfully, nakuha po ako ng GMA. That was two years ago.”
Elle felt happy and overwhelmed after receiving the great news that she was officially a part of the Kapuso Network, despite being the last auditionee at that time.
“Very happy because I didn’t know na makukuha ako kasi pinaka-last ako na nag-audition. So akala ko bored na sila, wala na silang ganang makinig. But nakita nila ’yung potential ko and I was very happy and overwhelmed,” she said in her exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com.
According to the Sparkle actress, her decision to enter showbiz came from following what she truly desires.
“Nag-start siguro siya na… kung kailan ko na-feel na ipu-pursue ko talaga ‘yung showbiz was when I was doing commercials. Sabi ko, ‘Parang na-e-enjoy ko ’yung set.’ Noong nagkaroon ng opportunity na mag-audition with GMA and then nag-contract signing na tapos nagkaroon na ng shows, na-feel ko na parang tama ’yung ginagawa ko. Hindi siya nakakapagod gawin, and I was really hungry to learn new things. Hindi siya heavy sa akin gawin. I think that’s when you know that you’re doing the right thing,” she shared.
In March 2020, Elle made her acting debut as a Kapuso in “A Scandalous Crime,” which was an episode of the real life drama anthology Magpakailanman. Despite being new in the industry, the Sparkle artist felt at ease during the taping of the said show.
“Support role pa lang ako no’n and mababait lahat ng tao sa set. I didn’t feel intimidated at all kasi welcoming silang lahat, pati sina Ashley [Ortega], ’yung director, ’yung mga staff. Very nice talaga ang environment dito sa GMA,” she shared.
Since then, Elle has appeared in various Kapuso programs such as My Fantastic Pag-Ibig, Tadhana, The Boobay and Tekla Show, Mars Pa More, TikToClock, and All-Out Sundays. The showbiz newcomer is also part of the supporting cast of the highly-anticipated live-action television series Voltes V: Legacy.
The transition from being a commercial model to an actress became a challenge for Elle as she needed to make some adjustments in terms of her acting.
She revealed, “’Yung unang challenge sa akin, since galing akong commercials, ’yung acting was different. From very fixed na acting, I needed to adjust my acting skills to [be] bigger, more expressive, more fluid. Nagawa naman siya through workshops and then iba-iba rin pala ’yung hinihingi kada teleserye. Kunwari sa Voltes V: Legacy, kailangan minimal. Kapag GMA drama na pang-hapon, kailangan malaki. So adjust ako nang adjust do’n and masaya ako kasi marami rin akong natututunan.”
As a new artist, Elle learned that staying true to one’s self was an important aspect of every celebrity in the showbiz industry. This valuable piece of advice was given to her by fellow Kapuso star, Benjamin Alves.
“He advised me that authenticity attracts people, especially ngayon na uso na nga ’yung hindi ka magpapakita na ibang tao ka, ipapakita mo ’yung totoong ikaw. I think ’yung advice na ’yon talagang tumatak siya sa isip ko kasi importante na ipinapakita mo ’yung totoong sarili mo.”
New Pairing
The GMA Afternoon Prime series Return To Paradise marked Derrick and Elle’s first-ever on-screen pairing.
In the afternoon series, Derrick plays the role of Red Ramos, the school jock and campus heartthrob, while Elle portrays the character of Eden Santa Maria, a young woman who has faced life’s trials at an early age.
The Don Michael Perez-directed Return to Paradise is considered a milestone for the sexy actress as she plays her first-ever lead role. Elle admitted that she couldn’t believe it at first until it was confirmed by her manager.
She recalled, “The first time na sinabi sa akin, hindi ako naniwala. Ang nagsabi pa sa akin si Miguel [Tanfelix] sa Voltes V habang nagte-taping kami. Sabi niya, 'Uy, lead role ka. Congrats ah. May show ka raw bago Return To Paradise.’ Sabi ko, 'Oo nga Return To Paradise pero hindi ako lead ano ka ba.' Sabi niya, 'Hindi, lead ka.' Tapos hindi ako naniniwala kasi, naturally, maloko talaga 'yon. Hindi talaga ako naniwala hanggang sa after a few days, chinat ako ng manager ko. Sabi niya, 'Congrats on your lead role.' Sabi ko, ‘Oh my God, totoo nga.’ Super happy ako, super tuwang-tuwa ako na ilo-launch na ako, nagkaroon ako ng lead role, ng sariling teleserye.”
Just like his leading lady, Derrick, was surprised, ecstatic, and full of gratitude after receiving the news about his lead role in Return To Paradise.
“I was so surprised as well and s’yempre sobrang saya ko rin. Every show naman na ginagawa ko, every show na binibigay sa akin, sobrang grabe ’yung pagpapasalamat ko kay Lord. Kapag nalaman ko ‘yung news, nagpe-pray talaga ako, nagte-thank you ako, and humihingi ng guidance. So happy [ako],” he said.
The two stars first met during their acting workshop with Sparkle and the Kapuso hunk revealed that he had a hard time looking at Elle in the eye.
Derrick recalled, “Noong una nahirapan akong tignan siya sa mata kasi nahihiya ako, e. Nag-workshop kasi kami so kinailangan namin talagang mag eye-to-eye nang matagal at maghawakan ng hands. Naging very professional naman kaming dalawa, I believe.”
While looking at his on-screen partner, he continued, “And ang galing naman natin, nagawa natin ’yung exercise. And medyo first few minutes ko siyang nakita, medyo parang nakilala ko na siya at saka parang alam ko na kung paano siya titimplahin.”
Elle, for her part, felt that she and Derrick would get along well during their first meeting. She said, “Noong una ko siyang nakita, mukhang vibe kami. Noong nagkausap kami the first time, parang nasa same wavelength kami. So na-foresee ko na magiging ka-close ko ’to.”
As for their first impressions with each other, Elle had a different view of her leading man that completely changed as she got to know him better during their taping in Jomalig Island.
“Parang it's easy for him to get whatever he wants tapos parang akala ko shallow type siya. Naging honest naman ako sa kanya kasi may workshop kami na sasabihin namin kung ano 'yung first impression namin sa isa't isa and that's what I said. Noong nakilala ko siya lalo sa island, sobrang opposite lang ng personality n'ya na, surprisingly, may gano'ng side pala siya na hunk siya tapos humble tapos mahilig siya sa Disney songs. Sobrang jolly lang talaga niyang tao. Akala ko mayabang siya, akala ko mag-aangas siya do'n pero hindi. Napakabait ni Derrick,” she revealed.
When Derrick met Elle for the first time, he thought she wouldn’t like him as an on-screen partner.
“Feeling ko masungit siya ganyan, suplada ganyan tapos feeling ko hindi niya ako magugustuhan as love team. ‘Yun ‘yung vibe na binigay niya sa akin pero sa umpisa lang naman,” he said.
With the help of their acting workshops, the Sparkle heartthrob easily developed a smooth connection with his co-star as they began their lock-in shoot.
“Grabe rin 'yung tiwalang binibigay niya sa akin,” Derrick said. "Mayroon kaming exercises na kailangan namin mag-physical touch. And through her touch, nafi-feel ko 'yung tiwala niya sa akin. I guess, workshops pa lang parang medyo natututo na akong mahalin 'tong taong 'to in a way, not romantically, pero mahalin siya as a person. Kung ano 'yung personality niya, kung ano 'yung flaw niya. Pagdating namin sa island, easy na sa amin. Nagme-memorize na lang kami ng lines, easy na sa amin 'yung connection,” he expressed.
Indeed, working together for the first time as a love team was a piece of cake for Derrick and Elle as they pushed each other to give their best effort in every scene that they made.
“Sobrang dali. Sinasabi ko na sa kanya yan na, ‘Ang dali mong katrabaho. Napapagaan mo ’yung trabaho ko, personally.’ Nagte-thank you rin ako sa kanya na gano’n siya na she is what she is. Ang galing din niya kasing artista tapos ang ganda rin ng personality niya off-cam,” Derrick said. “Talagang natutulungan niya ako rin na mabigay din ’yung best ko kasi nakikita ko [na] binibigay niya ‘yung best niya. So ako parang, ‘Kailangan kong tapatan ‘to.’ ’Yun ’yung nagagawa niya sa akin.”
Apart from their collaboration, Elle also noticed that they were able to create a balance on the set of their show through their contrasting energies.
“Napapansin ko kapag nasa taping kami, every day iba ‘yung mood niya. Sobrang moody niyang tao pero every time na ako ’yung low ang energy, siya naman ’yung sobrang kulit. So parang naba-balance namin ’yung set,” she explained.
Derrick and Elle also learned the importance of perseverance and resilience from their television roles, Red Ramos and Eden Santa Maria.
“Never give up. Number one, never give up, as in. Kahit anuman [ang] ibato sa ’yo, don't give up, tayo ka pa rin. Don't let anyone tell you na hindi mo kaya kasi it's just you versus you, wala ng iba,” the actress said.
The Kapuso leading man chimed in, “Don't lose hope kasi sa time na may tragedy, s'yempre most of us would just easily give up pero 'yung characters kasi namin, very resilient sila. Lumalaban talaga sila sa problems and they really depend on each other. And parang may magic 'yung characters namin na basta magkasama kami, kaya natin lahat.”
Partnership Like No Other
Derrick and Elle's professional and personal relationship has grown beautifully as they became close and comfortable with one another.
“Mabilis nag-iba ’yung relationship namin kasi magka-vibe kaming dalawa. Siguro mga third time pa lang namin of seeing each other, we felt comfortable na. Talagang mas nakilala ko si Elle during that party [Mega Ball 2022] na pinuntahan namin,” Derrick said.
They were also able to fully express their true selves to each other behind the cameras.
“Wala masyadong difference except, of course, kapag nasa set kami, hindi kami gano’n ka-out in the open na parang… pinapakita ‘yung mga bad side, I guess. Although napapakita na namin sa set pero there’s more to it. “Kapag magkasama kami sa labas ng set, mas napapakita namin ’yung tunay na pagkatao namin sa isa’t isa. Napapakita namin ‘yung mga bad side ng isa’t isa, although not super bad naman. Comfortable kami sa isa’t isa and we can tell each other secrets,” she shared.
Indeed, Derrick and Elle have developed a strong connection as they have been spending a lot of time together outside of the set on several occasions. Among the big events where the two were spotted together include The MEGA Ball 2022 in June, the first-ever GMA Thanksgiving Gala in July, and Sparkle GMA Artist Center’s Halloween Party called "The Sparkle Spell” in October.
Now that the show has ended its successful run in the afternoon block, Derrick and Elle wish to have many opportunities to work together again and hope that their love team will continue to flourish.
While looking at the beautiful actress, the actor-singer said, “Gusto ko sana magkaroon tayo ng pelikula, ibang klase rin ’yon, big screen. At saka s’yempre gusto ko rin siyang makatrabaho sa mga endorsement. We’ve always talked about that na sana in the future magkaroon tayo ng ganito, sana lumaki tayo as love team, mga gano’n. Hopefully talaga, dito mag-start ’yun sa show na ito.”
Before the interview wrapped up, Derrick and Elle were asked where they think their love team would lead and the two shared similar thoughts.
“Parang gusto ko siyang surprise na lang,” Elle answered.
Derrick added, “Gusto ko rin na hindi ko alam kung saan mapupunta ito.”
“So we can’t answer that, but let’s keep it a mystery,” the Kapuso leading lady said.
- Elle Villanueva.
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Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva: Red Hot
Published :December 06, 2022 08:17 AM PHTDerrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva didn't just breathe life into their show's characters but also developed a friendship like no other behind the cameras.
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