MMFF Best Actor Derek Ramsay: I thought I won’t make it
While the actor is proud of his award, he'd be prouder if 'English Only, Please' won Best Picture.
Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Best Actor Derek Ramsay was not at the PICC (Philippine International Convention Center) to receive his Best Actor trophy for playing a Filipino-American who returns to the Philippines to settle a score with an ex in “English Only, Please.”
He spent night of Saturday, December 27 watching the event in Nasugbu, Batangas, where he was taking a break with his parents.
Just a bonus
“I thought I won’t make it. I just prepared a speech (which his co-star and Best Actress Jennylyn Mercado read on stage) kasi ang daming nagsabing dapat manalo ako as Best Actor,” he told Yahoo Philippines over the phone.
Derek adds winning an award was never on his mind while he was doing “English Only, Please.” He just did his job to the best of his ability. The gleaming trophy is just a bonus.
He’d be happier though, if the romance-comedy won Best Picture (which went to “Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo”).
“I’m proud of my award. But I’d be more proud if we won Best Picture.”
More time and budget
He also hopes "Engish Only, Please" had more time (for production work) and more budget.”
Derek wants to make it clear, though, that he is not objecting to “Bonifacio’s” Best Picture win.
“Mahirap gawin ang ‘Bonifacio.’ They did a lot of research. Kung hindi, pagtatawanan ka.”
Team player
It’s just that he believes the rest of his co-workers in ‘English Only, Please’ should be recognized for their talents.
“It’s like sports. You may win Best Player, but the goal is to win for the team.”
As an example, Derek the team player cites how the rapport between him and Jennylyn enhanced the film.
“Jennylyn is a team player. Kung nagsapawan kami, walang mangyayari.”
Excited for 2015
The Kapatid actor will be back in Manila on Wednesday, December 31 in time for TV5’s New Year Countdown at the Quezon Memorial Circle.
“Panay trabaho ako ngayon.”
Not that he’s complaining. Derek is looking forward to a busy 2015, with his lineup of projects, among them a game show with The Amazing Race Season 2’s top teams and the sitcom "Mac & Chiz" with Empoy.
“My lucky numbers are 7, 11 and 15. Seven and 11 are my numbers in sports. I did (the hit movie) No Other Woman in 2011. And 15 has been my lucky number since I was a boy.”
For all its trials, Derek looks back at 2014 with fondness.
“I don’t consider the events as heartaches but experiences. The year gave me the opportunity to be a dad (to 11-year-old Austin).”
