Sparkle artist Derrick Monasterio takes another challenge in his acting career as he dabbles into a bad guy role in the GMA-Viu collaboration, Slay.

Derrick plays a short role in the series as Zach, a gym coach who is burned by an unknown killer. Four girls become suspects in his death played by Julie Anne San Jose, Gabbi Garcia, Mikee Quintos, and Ysabel Ortega.

This is the first time that Derrick would play a character this evil and manipulative in a teleserye.

But even then, Derrick actually got good reviews when some members of the media and other guests were treated to a pilot episode preview for Slay on February 26.

In an interview with The Rewined Channel and other media outlets, Derrick shares that he is actually happy that this role came his way.

He says, “I’m happy na bagay siya kasi noong sabi ni Miss Garlic na nag-isip sila ng character, ako na agad yung pumasok sa isip nila. So, I guess, nakita nila kung paano talaga ako. Like, noong nakita nila na nagwo-work out ako, ‘Ito, medyo playboy ito.’

“So, sumakto lang din talaga yung character sa akin and of course when it comes to emotions—siyempre, iba yung physicality, iba yung emotions.

“So, when it comes to emotions, I feel like Elle [Villanueva] is a big help for me kasi every day, pinapapanood ko sa kanya yung playback sa phone ko and I’m asking for her advice kung ano ginawa ko.”

Elle Villanueva is Derrick Monasterio’s real-life girlfriend.

When asked who his peg for Zach is, he answered with a smile, “Siguro, Derrick Monasterio 10 years ago!

“Seryoso, yun talaga. Pati yung rage, pati yung kayabangan, pati yung pagka-bossy? Ganun.”

However, Derrick admits that he has really changed his ways when he met Elle.

He relates, “Simula noong na-meet ko siya, nakita ko siya, iba na yung life ko sa ginagawa ko tapos iba na rin yung gusto ko paggastusan, not the walang kwentang stuff.

“Grabe, sabi nga nila, kung gusto mong gumanda yung buhay, you only choose the one perfect partner for you and feeling ko siya yun.”

Derrick on doing his kontrabida role

Derrick admits that playing the role of Zach, especially with his rage and mean ways, was not easy.

He explains, “Well, actually, nagda-drive ako pauwi, nanginginig pa rin ako. Medyo hindi mo siya agad matatanggal.

“Pero yun nga, ano lang, pagkauwi ko sa bahay, tatawagan ko si Elle tapos babalik na ako, kakalma na ako.”

One major scene that Derrick had to show some rage and anger was in a confrontation scene with Julie Anne San Jose that required him to hurt her.

He says of this, “Actually, kasi whenever I do a scene, pinapa-video ko sa assistant ko so kapag pinapanood ko siya nakikita ko yung impact ng mga sabunot ko kay Julie, sakal ko kay Julie, gumaganon talaga siya, as in totoo, e.

“Like, after the scene, sinasabi ko talaga sa kanya, ‘Sorry, Jules. Okay ka lang ba?’ E, siya rin, parang in the moment pa siya. So, umiiyak pa siya, nanginginig pa siya.

“Nagso-sorry na lang talga ako. Usually naman, yung mga sampal niya sa akin, ibigay mo na 100%!”

Another hard scene that Derrick did for the show was his death scene in the series where his character got burned inside a closed room.

He recalls, “Sobrang init sa loob! Kasi nasa loob kami ng gym. Sarado yung gym, e. In-open lang nila kasi magsu-shoot kami. Tapos walang aircon, walang fan, madilim with the lights.

“So, nasa loob ako ng parang glass na sarado. So, take! Kailangan kong parang magwala, kunyari nasusunog ako. Ang init, ang hirap. Pawis na pawis ako but siguro ano lang, para akong nag-workshop na let loose. So, kung ano ginagawa ko, masaya siya.”

READ ALSO: Julie Anne San Jose, Gabbi Garcia, Mikee Quintos, Ysabel Ortega On Working With Each Other: “Magpagalingan Tayo!”

Comments on Derrick’s acting

Derrick was also asked if he had hesitations in accepting the role, as it was only short.

He answers, “One reason why I accepted the show—kasi nga akala ko parang mamamatay agad wala na agad yung role, sayang lang yung role—pero yun nga e. Parang sa akin naka-base so nakakatuwa, nakaka-proud din and something different, yung mga tweetums, something different.”

In fact, he is also not afraid to be typecast in kontrabida roles after this project.

“Ang tumatakbo na sa isip ko ngayon is longevity for my career, I have to prove something that I haven’t proven before, yun na lang talaga.

“Basta gagalingan ko sa lahat ng project na ibibigay nila sa akin kapag may mag-click dun, umangat. Ganun naman yun usually, may iba na binibigyan ng role na di mo ine-expect na magbu-boom sila. Parang ganon yung mentality ko. I’m not aiming for the stars but I do my best in everything.”

Derrick admits that he has seen people’s perceptions of his acting, and that is something that he wishes to change as he takes on more challenging roles.

“Ever since, yun talaga yung comment sa akin. Even now, if you look at the IG of GMA, noong pinost nila yung Viu, parang sinasabi nila, ‘Bakit si Derrick? Pwede namang iba na lang. Hindi naman marunong umarte yan,’ mga ganun.

“So, parang feeling ko, fuel ko din yun para mas lalong galingan.”

Derrick’s participation in Slay can be seen in Viu every week, with a March 24 premiere on GMA Prime.