Derek Ramsay: Dodging Rumors

By ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
MOD JULY 2010

A STAR’s popularity can be measured by the number of rumors floating around him. Derek Ramsay isn’t an exception, as he is hounded by rumors left and right.

“May issue na peke ang katawan ko, may issue din daw na may gay sex video ako,” says the Century endorser, used to all this brouhaha. “Wala akong tinatagong asawa sa ibang bansa, wala akong tinatagong anak that I know of, at wala din akong gay sex video.”

He adds, “’Yung pinaka-nakakatawa ay ‘yung peke daw yung katawan ko,” he says. Can’t blame him. After all, he worked out for his body? More than eating the right kind of food, he works on his physique through his passion for sports like ultimate Frisbee, and now mixed martial arts (MMA) in preparation for his role in the teleserye Magkaribal which started airing recently. "Nag-training kami sa URCC (Universal Reality Combat Championships). I had some good trainers sa Mojo Gym who helped me out. Parang crash course in MMA, which I really, really enjoyed. So when I get back from South Africa, I might step away from Frisbee for a while and strengthen my body through MMA. Parang wrestling, boxing, and ju-jitsu caught my interest," he says.

Derek’s calm approach to intrigues, however, stops once his family gets involved. And actress Angelica Panganiban, his longtime girlfriend, always seems to be dangled along, with some rumormongers insinuating she doesn’t get along with his family. According to Derek, not only him, but also his family, like the Rubi star.

“We’re not just partners, we’re also friends,” Derek says on what keeps his relationship with Angelica strong. “We help each other grow in our careers, given na ‘yun na you’re supposed to trust each other. Anyone can say that, but in our relationship, we let ourselves grow. I don’t set rules for Angel when she became my girlfriend, or when I became her boyfriend. I’m not going to set rules, if she wants to change for me, or if I want to change for her, we do that by ourselves. We don’t impose on each other. She’s growing as a person, as an actress. I’m growing as a person, I think. That’s the reason why happy ‘yung relationship namin.”

Angel In White

Angel in White

BY ANA KRISTINE B. VALENZUELA
MOD Magazine June 2010

SHE GREW up right in front of our eyes. We saw her blossom from that kid in the comedy sketch show Ang TV to a versatile actress switching from daring roles like in the film Santa Santita, to comedic roles like in the gag show Banana Split. But now, at 23, Angelica Panganiban seems to be making another change in her life, with wedding rumors a buzzing.

According to some reports, Angelica is set to have a vacation in Africa with longtime beau, Derek Ramsay, who is said to be proposing to her there. Last year, they were said to have bought a house together. To put the icing on the cake, Angelica caught the bouquet at her friend Camille Pratts’s wedding.

What’s more, apart from being together for three years, the couple both have established careers. Derek is one of the hottest leading men today, while Angelica is praised for her acting range, pulling off roles in drama, like in her primetime starrer, Rubi, or comedy, like in her recent movie, Here Comes the Bride.

But those anticipating for Angelica's trip to the altar soon will be disappointed, as the actress does not think much about weddings. She adds, “Kung may mag-o-offer sa akin ng kasal, hindi ko alam kung ano ang mangyayri. Kung gusto akong pakasalan ng tao, sasabihn ko sa kanya, ‘Ikaw ang maghanda. Gusto mo akong pakasalan ‘di ba?’ Hindi na ako magpapaka-stressed.”

This is probably, because she is the type of person who lives in the moment. She does not even have a one-year plan. She explains, “Ayokong ma-frustrate ako. I’d rather live one day at a time. I don’t like to think about what might happen tomorrow. Matagal pa ‘yun, madami pang mangyayari.”

Still, Angelica remains optimistic about getting married someday. “’Yung wedding, para kasing naging tradition na lang siya. Women today only turn to it because they only like the feeling of donning a wedding dress, walking down the aisle and getting married. To me, ‘yung marriage yung importante,” she says.

Although she doesn’t seem like an eager bride, make no mistake about it: Angelica already has an idea of what type of wedding she would like to have. She shares, “Gusto ko sa church. Kailangan sa simbahan talaga. Gusto ko ‘yung church na nasa gitna ng dagat.” she said. One important wedding detail she was quick to point out is no media coverage. “Definitely, maliit na maliit na wedding lang, ‘yung dalawa lang kami--bride and groom,” she says.

So, could Derek be really her groom-to-be? Only time will tell. What Angelica is certain about is that when it comes down to her saying ‘I Do,’ it would be to “someone who is true, masayahin, spontaneous.”

If ever your memory would be erased, and you would have the choice to pick one memory left, what memory would you choose?

I’d rather choose to have my whole memory erased, back to zero. Ang sarap bumalik sa pagkabata, ‘yung wala kang iniisip. You don’t know what problems might come your way.

Whose body would you like to switch with?

Si Ate Vi (actress and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos). People don’t know that it is me right? People respect me and then they don’t know that I am me inside Ate Vi’s body. They respect me because of how I look and of my political stature.

If you would be stuck alone in a deserted island, what item would you like to have?

Cell phone so that I can call for help, or maybe a laptop, para makapag-Internet.

What was you childhood dream?

I wanted to be a nurse, nahiligan na lang talga ‘yung pag-arte.

What do you think is the turning point in your career?

When I did the role of Malen in the film Santa Santita.