On Reason Why He Decided to Transfer to TV5: "TV5 gave me what they thought I’m worth." - Derek Ramsay
TV5 won
Derek Ramsay, the actor, because it talked to Derek Ramsay, the athlete.
That, in essence, is why the British-Filipino hunk chose to leave ABS-CBN and became the latest major star to cast his lot with the Kapatid Network.
“
This is most definitely, hands down, the biggest decision I’ve made in my career,” Derek told
Interaksyon.com Tuesday afternoon when he formally signed a three-year pact with TV5.
His first project is not a soap opera as one would expect from the leading man of the two biggest blockbuster movies last year, "Praybeyt Benjamin" and "No Other Woman."
Instead, he will host
Amazing Race Philippines, the debut of TV5’s local franchise of the international reality game show.
And in August, he will be part of the TV5 coverage team for the 2012 London Olympics, the return of “the greatest show on earth” to his native England after 64 years.
“
I just compared the offers from both networks,” Derek said, “
and the projects being offered by TV5 was really close to my passion, which is sports, as well as travel and adventure.”
He says he wrestled with the decision for five to six months, taking “
continuous meetings with my family and my handlers at ABS.”
In the end, it was never about money.“
I didn’t make any financial demands from both networks. I just wanted to see what their plans are for me. I told Channel 2, ‘I don’t wanna tell you what I want. I want it to come from you. That’s how I was brought up. That’s how I am. I won’t be a diva. Just give me what you think I’m worth.’”
Derek did consult his girlfriend of six years, Angelica Panganiban, another major contract star of ABS-CBN, but he says, “
She didn’t influence me one way or another. She just said kahit saan ka pumunta, hindi naman magbabago relationship natin.”
Derek made his his last public appearance as an ABS-CBN talent on March 30 when he joined the Star Magic concert in Hawaii.He did not discuss his impending transfer to TV5 with any of his colleagues.
“
I wanted to keep it between me and my family,” he explained. “
My friends in ABS, they’re still going to be my friends. Hindi naman magbabago ‘yun.”
He admits that his decision has met with disapproval from some of his fans. A few even attacked him on Twitter.
But Derek is very proud that he has managed to convince most of those doubters to respect his choice.
Naturally, TV5 has plans of maximizing Derek’s ever-growing leading-man status.
“
Yes, I’m excited to eventually do a teleserye and maybe a movie for TV5,” he said.
But for now, those projects are mere sketches on the drawing board.
Derek is already excited about calling the shots as the host of Amazing Race Philippines.
“
I get to travel to the best places around the country. You call that work?” he deadpanned.
He is likewise pumped about covering the London Olympics in August: “
I’m going to be surrounded by the best athletes in the world. As an athlete I don’t know what can beat that high.”
Source: Eric Ramos, Interaksyon.com
