Derek Ramsay is proud to be enjoying his semi-retirement. As the 45-year-old Fil-British made it clear, however, he has not totally turned his back on showbiz.

'Kapag may nabasa akong script na bubuhay ng dugo ko, why not?'

His family has a lot to do with his reason for laying low, admitting to how great his love for Ellen Adarna, his wife.

Derek's decision is corroborated by his younger brother Andrew who revealed, 'Sabi ni kuya, ako raw muna mag-showbiz. Masyado kasing in love sa asawa niya!'

It's public knowledge that Derek — even before he got married to Ellen in November last year — had decided to take a breather from it all.

In fact, the actor was supposed to topbill GMA's 'To Love and To Hold' opposite Carla Abellana and Max Collins. It was Rocco Nacino who replaced him in the series.

But Derek had no regrets, citing that he would have easily contracted the virus had he taken on the job. He was particularly worried about his literally old parents.

How fortunate could he get that GMA was willing to wait until he was ready to get back on his feet.

But career prospects no matter bright and lucrative failed to lure Derek. He has made up his mind, so has Ellen who prefers TV guestings to doing regular shows.

The couple doesn't care about lost opportunities vis a vis unrealized income as long as they're happy. It's all that matters.

Looks like Derek's career direction from here hinges on Andrew.

At a media gathering for the last Cinemalaya exercise, Andrew intimated that Cutaway Productions, which he partly owns, plans to produce a movie preferably starring Derek.

Not only will Andrew and his business partners bankroll the project, he wants to helm it himself possibly from his own script.

But is Derek's comeback going to take another Cinemalaya to realize this dream? Hopefully not.

Derek's erstwhile buddy John Estrada once said that the Fil-Brit actor could afford not to work, 'Kasi marami siyang pera!'

Another career option, Derek may want to consider producing movies while taking his time off acting. Since Ellen shares the same work attitude, Derek can tap his wife to help him out with other production aspects.

I support Derek's personal decision to prioritize his family more than anything else.

But I don't think he'd like to let this semi-retirement phase persist.

The possibility of him getting Ellen pregnant, thus raising a family might alter that mindset.

While GMA had acquiesced to his request for release (well, it was a mutual decision), the network is all too willing to take him back no matter what. For his part, Derek assuringly says he is not shutting his doors.

Maybe he's just biding his sweet time until his wife gets preggy.

If she had her way, Ellen said she'd want to bear a child in 2024. Why? It's the Year of the Dragon in which she and Derek were born.

In Chinese astrology, three people born in that same year and are staying together attract good fortune.

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NO doubt, Andre — Aiko Melendez's son by Jomari Yllana — has grown to be a fine young man.

In an interview by his mom, Andre shared his thoughts about getting used to his father's absence while growing up.

While it brought him pain, 'Nasanay na ako, eh!'

His relationship with his dad has improved a great deal though. He can freely speak his mind unlike before when he kept his bottled up emotions all to himself.

Andre has issued an indirect ultimatum though to Jomari, 'Huwag na niya ulitin ang mga pagkakamali niya sa akin sa ibang mga kapatid ko.'

For sure, Jomari will heed his son's well-meaning piece of advice if only to prove his worth as a father despite his shortcomings.

No one else but Aiko deserves the credit for seeing Andre grow sans any feelings of animosity toward Jomari. In fairness to the actress-politician, never has she spoken ill of Jomari.

'He's still the father of my son, after all.'

Arguably, what any child has become is often reflective of his parents.