DJ Durano (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Wenn Deramas’ former boyfriend, actor DJ Durano, has spoken up about the death of the director.
The 41-year-old Durano, who has worked in a number of television and film projects with Deramas, credited the director for giving him his “biggest break” in the industry.
“Walang DJ Durano kung walang Direk Wenn,” he said. “It was difficult because everybody knows that Direk Wenn was my mentor …I’m lost for words because I only have gratitude.”
Durano also shared his last conversation with Deramas. “Last time na nakapag-usap kami, sabi niya, ‘Alam mo [DJ], happy na ‘ko sa buhay ko. I’m happy where I am. I have my own life. Happy ako kung asan ako.’ Honestly, sabi ko, ‘Happy ako for you, Direk, kasi sobra kang naging kaibigan.”
Asked for his message to Deramas, Durano, who first revealed his relationship with the director last 2014, replied: “I only have kind words for Direk Wenn. …Gusto kong sabihin sa kanya, thank you, thank you, thank you. Hindi lang sa akin [kung hindi] sa mga kasama ko, sa mga nabigyan niya ng break.”
According to Durano, Deramas has been pushing for the actor to be included in his upcoming television project. “Sa mga nakausap ko sa ABS-CBN na ibinibilin niya, ‘Kayo na bahala kay DJ.’ Parang, ‘Huwag niyong pababayaan si DJ. Bigyan niyo ng work.”
He added: “Lagi niyang sinasabi, ‘Dapat ang mga katulad mo, hindi nawawalan ng puwang sa industriyang ito, dahil maraming naniniwala sa talento mo, hindi dahil sa binibigyan kita ng trabaho. Because you deserve it at alam ng tao na pinaghirapan mo kung anong meron ka.”
But despite being excluded in Deramas’ recent projects, Durano said he remains grateful towards the director.
“Still, hindi ako nakakalimot because lagi akong naniwala na sa industriyang ito, dapat may gratitude ka sa lahat,” he admitted. “Yung talent andyan lang ‘yan pero kung marunong kang lumingon sa pinanggalingan mo, marunong kang makisama, ultimo sa kaliit-liitan na tao, yun ang magdadala sa buhay mo.”
Deramas died Monday morning due to cardiac arrest. He was 49. According to his friend, June Rufino, he died at the emergency room of Capitol Medical Center at around 2 a.m.
Deramas, who graduated from the University of Santo Tomas, is best known for hit films such as the “Ang Tanging Ina” series, “Sisterakas,” “Moron 5 and the Crying Lady,” as well as a string of collaborations with comedian Vice Ganda. (MNS)