Derrick Monasterio dismisses competition with Alden Richards in album sales

GMA-7 actor Derrick Monasterio is happy that he has achieved another item in his bucket list: to release his own album.

According to Derrick, it has been his lifelong dream to release an album, since it is really his first love, more than being an actor.

He related, “Siyempre, I feel happy kasi it has been a dream of mine to have an album since I was young.

“So talagang before I was an actor, I was really a singer talaga so mas [gamay] ko po ang singing kesa sa acting.

“So talagang having an album means a lot to me.

“And masaya, kasi ito po talaga yung pinag-pray ko po talaga, like pagpasok pa lang ng showbiz. Happy.”

Derrick shared this during the press conference and launch of his self-titled album last Thursday, April 21, at Victorino’s Restaurant in Quezon City.

REAL LIFE EXPERIENCES. The 20-year old actor also shared how he and GMA Records conceptualized the album and the songs included in it.

“We were in a room tapos prinesent sa akin yung songs tapos it has to be a majority decision.

“Hindi lang yung gusto ko, yung gusto rin ng producers, yung gusto rin ng managers ko.

“Tapos botohan siya, pero 'pag may narinig akong certain song na, ‘Ay, gusto ko na ‘to. Sama niyo na 'yan, parang na feel ng heart ko.”

It was also noticed that most of the chosen tracks--his carrier track “Give Me One More Chance” and revivals of “Kailangan Kita” and “Kailangan Mo, Kailangan Ko”--are all love songs.

MATCHING ALDEN’S RECORDS. During the press conference proper, Derrick was asked if he is challenged to match the success in record sales of his good friend, Alden Richards.

It can be remembered that Alden’s album under GMA Records has already achieved 5x Platinum.

Derrick answered, “For me, nag-umpisa yung success ko pagkakuha ko ng album.

“Of course, siyempre I’ll be happy kung dadami yung sales ng album ko.

“Pero having an album is already something for me kasi that’s always been a dream of mine.

“So talagang kahit na hindi siya ganun kalakas as compared to Alden’s, basta ako nasabi ko kung ano yung gusto kong sabihin through my songs.”

Derrick also quickly pointed out that there is no competition between him and his Tween Academy co-star. -- For the full story, visit PEP.