Derek moves to TV5

ACTOR Derek Ramsay finally signed Tuesday afternoon a three-year exclusive contract with the TV5 network.

Derek, with his manager Jojie Dingcong and father Derek Ramsay Sr., sealed the deal with TV5 executives.

During a press conference organized by TV5, Derek said his transfer from ABS-CBN was the hardest decision of his showbiz career.

He said it took him months and lots of meetings with ABS-CBN and TV5, his family and manager were held before finally coming up with a plan.

MANILA. Actor Derek Ramsay inked a three-year exclusive contract with TV5 station. (Contributed photo)

"It was a long process but the turning point was yung pinakita na sa akin yung gagawin ko sa ABS for the next couple of years and TV5 shown me what they could offer me, at ang offer nila ay close to my passion," the “Corazon” actor said.

He said ABS-CBN had good lineup of projects like getting to work with the likes of Angel Locsin, whom he wanted to work for the longest time, but he just can't refuse the opportunity laid to him by TV5.

"I've been waiting very long. I've always been very vocal na hilig ko talaga ang sports and travelling. TV5 recognize that and they trusted me with Amazing Race, which is perfect for my personality."

Aside from the Philippine edition of the reality show, Derek is expected to host TV5's coverage of the London Olympics this July.

"It is my hometown and it is an opportunity also for me to see my family over there and to show Angelica (Panganiban) where I came from and where I studied."

Derek said he cannot turn down such offer to be part of the Amazing Race team and to host the 2012 London Olympics as it is his dream and the right time finally came to pursue his interest and passion for sports and travelling.

"I was wired; I was born with a passion for sports. I never believed I'd become an actor. Til today I can't believe I'm an actor. I'm so blessed because I'm doing it. I'm beginning to love this craft."

He realized that TV5 shared that same passion.

The actor, however, is thankful to ABS-CBN for his career, but it is a different ball game when his love for sports is offered on the table.

"I think I proved my loyalty to channel 2 (ABS-CBN) and they (executives) were appreciative of what I've done, but at the end of the day, when I was reading the offer from TV5, I was like a little boy, happy... in Disneyland, excited to go back to work."

Derek also dismissed reports that he transferred to TV5 because of the money involved in his contract. He denied claims that he is expected to receive P600 million for his three-year stay with the station.

"May mga sinasabi sila na mukha akong pera, na why my family is involved and that they don't know anything about showbiz and that they are business people. Sa lahat ng ginagawa ko sa buhay ko they're always a part of me."

"(P600 million?) Less. Nowhere near that. I wish."

He added that ABS-CBN had countered offer, which is really close to what TV5 was giving him, but it all boils down to his passion for sports.

The older Ramsay also came to his son's defense.

"People said it is about money. If you say that, you don't know Derek. This is not about money; this is about his chosen profession. He realized he has confidence to do other things and a lot of them are sports related."

"It was a hard decision but I honestly believe it is the right decision. He's got his chosen career. He is now in his 30s and he's going to start planning his life and hopefully this is the second run of the ladder and eventually he will get on the top."

Dingcong, for his part, said when it comes to work and Derek's love for sports, the latter always comes first and other settles second.

"He really favors sports. Olympics is a big clincher for him. He's half-Filipino, half-British and how many chance do you have in a lifetime to host the event."

"Since day one we would fight about his sports. I would beg him, I would cry na tigilan na. But then I realized na pag sportsman ka talaga, number one talaga ang sports, I think sometimes pangalawa lang ang love, basta everyone takes number 2."

Dingcong even shared that there was a time when Derek told him that if he pushes the actor to stop his games, he'd rather quit showbiz.

Derek's manager clarified they gave both networks fair chance to lay their proposed projects and TV5 offered Derek to transfer even before his two hit movies "No Other Woman" and "Praybeyt Benjamin".

The offer came as early as August of last year and Derek was still weighing whether to stay in ABS-CBN or transfer.

"If Derek is here for the money, we could have jumped right away. He really has to assess and he needs to give channel 2 a fair chance to present what they feel best suited for him."

When asked if there's fear with his decision to move, Derek said he feels good, excited and motivated to work again.

"I'm right here and my dad beside me. The bosses gave their word that they are going to support my interests and passion. It was a long and grueling process. But I am excited and very confident with the decision I made." (Sunnex)