Derrick Monasterio on earning a spot in 'Rak of Aegis Season 7': 'Pinaghirapan ko talaga ito'

Derrick Monasterio officially joins the cast of "Rak of Aegis Season 7" as Tolits, and he says getting in the show alone is already hard work.

WATCH: Kapuso actor Derrick Monasterio teases the audience with a performance at PETA Theater as he officially joins the cast of Rak of Aegis Season 7. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/Xsd2LJZFcL

— Jannie (@jannieannb) June 3, 2019

"It was open for auditions, so I tried out. I have friends who work in theater so nagpatulong ako. But from there, of course they can't really put me to where I am now, so pinaghirapan ko talaga ito," Derrick told GMA News Online at the show's press conference on Monday night.

A musical theater fan who enjoys the likes of "Phantom of the Opera," "Les Miserables," the Kapuso actor auditioned just a month ago.

According to Derrick, the audition only took him less than 10 minutes. "Pinakanta ako ng two songs. Isang Tagalog, isang English, tapos pinabalik-balik ako hanggang sa nag-text sa akin na I'm part of the show."

After learning he passed the auditions, Derrick said he felt both nervous and thrilled to be a part of something big like "Rak."

"Nagda-drive ako nun eh, at tuwang tuwa. Like sabi ko 'Oh wow parang 'eto na pala talaga 'yon!' Medyo natakot din ako kasi 'yong discipline na kailangan nga, medyo iba. For me, talagang scared and excited 'yon 'yong mga na-feel ko," Derrick said.

The Kapuso hunk revealed that singing is something he always loved, as early as when he was a child. "Nagjo-join ako ng competition sa school tapos I was part of a choir so I travel everywhere just to sing and to compete."

"'Yon nga passion ko, 'yong pagkanta, doon ko napapakita kung sino ako. I'm happy to be a part of 'Rak'," he continued.

Lessons he's been learning from theater superstar Aicelle

His fellow Kapuso artist, the award-winning theater actor and singer Aicelle Santos, has long been a mainstay of the show.

WATCH: Derrick Monasterio who will play as Tolits in Rak of Aegis Season 7 performs with Kim Molina. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/QfI9JARATC

— Jannie (@jannieannb) June 3, 2019

According to Derrick, she warmly welcomed him to the "Rak" family by giving him practical theater tips. "She gave me her number, sabi niya sa kin 'kapag may questions ka, sabihin mo lang ako' which is for me very personal kasi personal cellphone number 'yon eh," he said.

Derrick said one of the best things he learned from his Ate A is just to sing his heart out.

"Tapon ko lang daw 'yong boses ko kasi lalabas 'yan — like open your mouth, just sing, and ibigay ko lang daw lahat," he continued.

"Kasi sa umpisa daw, ganon din daw siya, parang nahihiya hiya. Pero nung tumagal na, nung nabuo na 'yong camaraderie ng group, lumabas na 'yong personality niya and voice niya," he added.

Derrick said he's been doing vocalizations before they officially start with rehearsals next week.

Apart from Derrick, there are more new members joining the production, namely, Kimberly Baluzo, Bayang Barrios, Jenine Desiderio, Noel Cabangon, Leah Patricio and Randy Santiago.

"Rak of Aegis Season 7" will run from July 7 to September 29 with 70 shows. — LA, GMA News