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Derek Ramsay opened up about his relationship with his son, Austin, during a recent guesting on Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96.

Austin is Derek's son with ex-wife, Mary Christine Jolly.

The Kapuso hunk gamely shared how sports play a huge role in their bonding moments as father and son.

“That's the tricky thing because Austin, he spent most of his life in Dubai. He came to me when he was at the age of 14, so that's when I got him into sports,” Derek told host Sophia Senoron.

“But you can see with Austin that he has those fast-twitch muscles. He's not a big kid, but he's very strong for his size like he's beating kids older than him at arm wrestling.

Like many teenagers today, Austin, is fond of video games.

“I'm trying to guide him into sports because he's into e-sports. He likes playing his computer games. I don't really want to take that from him, pero I want to balance all of that,” said Derek.

“I want him to be able to experience being under the sun, being outdoors socializing with other people. But unfortunately, with the whole pandemic now, it's even much harder to do that.”

At the moment, Derek makes the most of whatever physical activities that they can do together while gyms and sporting venues remain closed.

Derek recently bought a ping pong table just so they could play anytime at home.

The actor-model raved about Austin's competitive spirit not just in ping pong but when it comes to anything that he sets out to do.

“Ayaw magpatalo,” Derek smilingly said about his son.

“He's very competitive. When he tries to arm wrestle me, he doesn't give up. Parang matatanggal na nga braso niya pero ayaw pa rin sumuko. Laban pa rin nang laban,” Derek proudly said about his son.

“When we're at the beach, I'm 44 now and I still beat him just by [an inch.] So, maybe by next year matatalo na niya ko. But he's really a competitive kid.”

Derek wants Austin to try various sports and won't push him to like the same sports that he loves.

“He's really a good kid. He's turning 18 but I still look at Austin like he's 13, 14 years old,” Derek mentioned.

“I can see my son doing amazing things in the future and whatever it is that he wants to do, I will definitely support [him].”

But what if Austin wants to eventually pursue showbiz in the future?

“If he wants to go into acting [I will support him]. I only have one rule: Finish college first, get a degree, and then you can do whatever you want.”

As for raising a teenage son, Derek had this to say.

“It's really tough. I want him kasi to feel comfortable to come to me with anything. If he's going through something, if he has any problems, gusto ko lumapit siya sa akin,” said Derek.

“Buy yeah, you still have to discipline. Sometimes he forgets about that. So, it's hard but you really have to put your foot down and say, 'Hey, I've given you sufficient enough warning' about certain things. If he keeps repeating it, I put my foot down and he gets grounded.”

He added, “If I ground him for a week it will last siguro mga three to four days kasi masunurin naman siya, e.

“Minsan sumasagot and I have to remind him, 'Hey, I'm still the boss. You're living under my roof.' He respects that and that's what I like [about him].

Watch the third episode, including Derek's full interview, of Rise Up Stronger: The Road to NCAA Season 96 here:

Meanwhile, take a look at some of Derek's tender moments with fiancée Ellen Adarna's son, Elias Modesto: