‘Makiling’ duo Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva want best for each other

If they could have it their way, reel- and real-life sweethearts Derrick Monasterio and Elle Villanueva would love to keep their love team going, hopefully through the GMA 7 series “Makiling.”

Should the network, however, decide to give them separate projects or pair them off with different actors, they said they would be ready for it. After all, collaborations often lead to growth.

“That would be sad, but we’re ready. If she can create a successful love team with another actor, then I will support her. Because I know she will learn a lot from working with other better artists…It’s important that she keeps on exploring. I’m super supportive of that,” Derrick said of Elle in a recent virtual conference for their afternoon soap produced by GMA Public Affairs.

While their love team is a comfort zone, Derrick realizes that playing it safe and sticking to what he and Elle are used to can be a disadvantage in the long run. “She might not grow if she just gets tied up with me forever,” he pointed out.

‘Growth’

“I have gotten used to Derrick being my love team partner. But if we’re no longer together in our next show, we will accept it,” Elle added. “We go where there’s growth.”

In fact, the 28-year-old actor didn’t mind seeing Elle and coactor Kristoffer Martin attract “shippers” amid the plot’s many twists and turns.

“Elle and Tun (Kristoffer’s nickname) are the two people I’m closest to in show biz. It’s nice seeing fans ship them,” Derrick said, adding that he wasn’t threatened or bothered by the unexpected onscreen chemistry between them.

“It wasn’t a competition. I know I gave my best. If viewers don’t latch onto my character, it’s OK as long as they flourish,” he added.

As “Makiling” nears its finale on May 3, the two Kapuso talents couldn’t help but look back on their past projects and notice the improvements they have made along the way.

Derrick, for instance, alluded that he wasn’t as focused as he could have been in their first project together, “Return to Paradise,” because of their blossoming relationship offscreen.

“It was in our first show that our relationship developed. Doon naging kami. So, we were trying to get to know each other, and we still didn’t know each other’s strengths and weaknesses. So, there was the personal aspect,” he related. “This time, we really focused and did our own preparation.”

Indeed, Derrick was more “happy-go-lucky” back then, Elle recalled. “Now, he’s the one who initiates workshops and practice. He asks for feedback and thinks of better ways to approach a scene. He cares more and is more passionate about his craft…We review each other’s performances after taping on the way home. It has become our routine,” she said.

Supportive team

Derrick believes that there’s no such thing as a “stupid actor.” All it takes, he said, is a supportive team that will help bring out the best in you.

“They help you realize your potential as an actor and person. As Direk (Rado Peru) says, ‘Kailangan mong pigain para lumabas ang katas.’ And that’s something that stuck with me,” he said.Elle, meanwhile, is thankful to have such encouraging coworkers who helped bring out her versatility in playing the strong-willed protagonist, Amira. “It was a big blessing. Even if I was already tired, they still demanded a lot from me. And later on, I loved it. I realized that you learn and improve if you get pushed to do your best,” she said. Their efforts seem to have paid off. Aside from good ratings on TV, scene snippets from the show go viral on Facebook every so often and streams of full episodes on YouTube range from 600,000 to a million.

“The videos on Facebook get so many views after just a few hours…The fans get affected, torn and have their own biases,” said Derrick, who plays Amira’s dashing protector, Alex. “If we don’t catch the show on TV, we watch it on YouTube. And sometimes, we end up crying and getting angry watching, which, I think, means that we did our best.”

Whenever they go to different places, people call Elle by her character’s name. And Derrick couldn’t be a prouder boyfriend. “I know that this is her dream and what she wants to be. They call her Amira when we travel. That’s a great feeling as a lover who supports her dreams,” Derrick said.

“She’s beautiful, disciplined, talented and has the hunger and passion. I believe that she has nowhere to go but up,” he added. INQ