 Wenn Deramas: “There's really just no substitute for hard work”
Interview by Tinna S. Bonifacio
He is a certified box-office director. He holds the record for the biggest box-office gross in the history of Pinoy filmmaking: Tanging Ina starring Ai-Ai delas Alas, which made upwards of P20r0 million during its theatrical run. On television, he also holds the record for the highest rating ever achieved by a TV drama. His Mula Sa Puso final episode rated a whopping 74 percent, a record that is still unmatched today.
Edwin Deramas, or Direk Wenn, as he is more popularly known, has directed other movies like Volta and the recent box-office hit Ang Cute ng Ina Mo. On television, his Marina, which starred Claudine Barretto as a mermaid, was so successful that it became the yardstick by which ABS-CBN fantaseryes are measured.
His most recent directorial job was for the primetime drama Walang Kapalit. He is now busy with Kokey, a fantaserye about a friendly alien starring (and meant for) kids. While watching Kokey's ratings soar, Direk Wenn is also busy putting several other projects into motion, including two movies and two new fantaseryes.
This mega box-office director stole a few minutes from taping Kokey one afternoon to share with us the secrets of his success.
We heard you worked as a waiter first before you became a director. Is that true?
Yes. I was an HRM (Hotel and Restaurant Management) graduate of UST. It was while I was a student at UST that I got involved with their theater group, Teatro Tomasino. Pero lagi ako sa production noon. After I graduated, I did a couple of plays with them, pero artista naman ako noon. Then in January 1988, I took a job as a waiter at Aristocrat along Quezon Boulevard.
Siyempre, nag-umpisa muna ako sa baba. Wala naman kasing magbibigay sa iyo ng manager's position kaagad, eh. We all have to start somewhere. But after one and a half years, I resigned and I went into business. I put up an outlet of Barclay in our hometown of Santiago, Isabela. But when the earthquake of July 1990 hit Northern Luzon, nilamon ng lupa yung tindahan namin. Niyaya ako ng ate ko mag-abroad, pero ayoko.
How did you get into television?
Friends of mine, like Buboy Favor, helped me. He recommended me to be a production assistant on Tatak Pilipino. The show's EP (Executive Producer) at the time was Lauren Dyogi.
When (Direk) Lauren asked me what I knew about television, I said, “Wala.” Pagkatapos n'on, binalik niya sa akin ang resume ko.
Ang ginawa ko, hinabol ko talaga si Lauren. I told him, “I-train n'yo po ako ng two weeks, kahit walang bayad. Kahit ano pong trabaho, gagawin ko.” After three days, he hired me.
How did you convince him to do that?
Nagsipag talaga ako. May time pa nga na hindi na ako umuuwi ng bahay dahil malayo ang tinitirahan ko, at para din makatipid sa pamasahe. Ang ginagawa ko minsan, natutulog ako sa ibabaw ng filing cabinet sa office. Pero yung hirap na pinagdaanan namin, ang gandang training n'on.
So hard work did it for you?
Yes. There's really just no substitute for hard work. And a certain amount of chutzpah, or yung tinatawag nila sa Tagalog na tapang ng loob at kapal ng mukha. Dati nga, tinanong ako ni Deo Endrinal, “Marunong ka bang magsulat [ng script]?” Kahit hindi, sumagot ako ng “Oo”. That was for the show Teysi ng Tahanan. Eh first time kong magsulat ng script noon. Tapos pagdating ng show, hindi ginamit ni Teysi yung script ko. Nag-complain pa siya kay Deo, “Deo, mahina ang script.” But instead of being insulted, I took it as a challenge. Pinag-aralan ko talaga kung paano sumulat ng script.
If people asked you how you became successful, what would you say was the reason? Was it the people who helped you, was it being in the right place at the right time, or what?
I guess it was a combination of everything. I was very lucky because at that time, malawak ang playground ng ABS-CBN. We were given plenty of opportunities to show what we could do, and I took advantage of that.
In a way, I think that the 'rawness' I had—the fact that I didn't study for a career in television—became my advantage. Plus, it was my passion. Gustong-gusto ko talaga yung ginagawa ko. Talent at sipag, nakatulong din.
Also, I think the fact that I came from humble beginnings—sobrang hirap ang buhay namin noon, palipat-lipat kami ng tirahan dahil wala kaming pambayad; yung kuwento ng Tanging Ina, hango sa kuwento ng buhay namin noon—was a major factor in my success. Dahil doon, mas lumakas ang drive ko to really make a success of myself.
You have a very busy schedule. How do you manage to balance your time?
Mabilis ako magtrabaho. When I tape, I start work early, around 9AM, tapos tuloy-tuloy na 'yan. By 10 or 11 PM, I pack up. Mapa-pelikula, mapa-TV, ganoon ako. And I make sure that there is time for everything. Like Sunday is strictly family day. We go to church, we go to the mall, I spend time with my son (six-year-old Gabriel). I never work on Sundays.
I've also learned the fine art of multi-tasking. But even if you work really hard, kapag nakikita mo ang napupuntahan ng pera mo, masarap ang pakiramdam.
As a final word, what are the characteristics or qualities needed to become a good director like yourself?
Siguro, dalawa. First, you have to be a very, very good storyteller. Ang mga camera angles, lighting, etc., puwedeng ituro 'yan. Pero kuwento pa rin ang pinapanood ng mga tao. Dapat, maganda ang kuwento mo. And second, kailangan maging sincere ka dun sa gusto mong ikuwento.
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