Derek Ramsay loves sports, and when he's not playing, he bets on his favorite teams.
An actor and sports enthusiast, Derek touts the excellence of Filipinos in various sports arenas, "All sports in general, mahal na mahal ko. There are young groups of people who are so fun to work with.
"I feel that Filipinos can excel in so many different types of sports.
"It’s about time that we should be on the map for different sports aside from basketball, boxing."
He adds, expressinng his commiment to Philippine sports, "I’m the vice president of the Filipino Olympic Gymnastics Committee so I’m really trying to give back everything that I can to help sports.
"We’ll be able to help the sports that are in need of help in the country.
"Mahirap para sa isang atleta kung walang suporta, di ba?"
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DISCIPLINE IN SPORTS BETTING
Derek has just been introduced on March 14, 2023, at the Ayala Center in Cebu City as the new face of WinZir, an online sports and betting casino licensed by PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation).
His comment on sports gambling comes with a caveat, citing the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the American mixed martial arts promotion company in Las Vegas, Nevada, as prime example.
"You see it everywhere now. Not just here in the Philippines, but abroad, when you see the UFC, those quick betting."
He reminds bettors to cross-check trustworthy and transparent sites, where "people can enjoy, relieve some stress, especially with what’s happening in the world."
But he warns, "Be responsible with it."
For emphasis, Derek clarifies, "Di ka puwede maging athlete kung wala kang disiplina. That’s number one.
"That’s what I want to inform the public about, everything in regulation.
"Responsible gaming, like drinking, mag-i-inom, be responsible with your drinking, even with eating. Be responsible with eating.
"So that’s why I’m here with WinZir."
Derek says he gets into sports wagering more for the thrill and fun of it than money.
"We’re here to enjoy sports, different sports, different games.
"And let’s be honest here, when you have a little bit of a bet, it makes the game a little bit more exciting, di ba?
"Pag naglalaro ako ng golf, I won’t lie. We, me and the buddies, nagpupustahan kami na maliit lang.
"I’m not going to get rich over that. It’s just the added pressure."
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The funny part about Derek as bettor is he will always bet on his favorite team, usually in basketball, even when he knows they will lose.
"I used to play professional basketball here, I love basketball. I support the Laker’s, they’re not doing so well...
"When I bet, I bet on my team even though I know they’re gonna lose," he laughs.
"I feel like I’m being unfaithful to them if I bet on the other team. But usually, it’s basketball."
And again he reminds, "Just be responsible, this is entertainment at the end of the day."
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AS RESPONSIBLE ENDORSER
Derek has a history of long-term partnerships with brands he believes in, and it is rooted in his core values.
He says, "I give a lot of importance to my image. I have a responsibility being a public figure, but I don’t create an image. What you see is what you get with me.
"Totoong tao ako, kaya siguro matagal din yung mga endorsements ko.
"Dunkin Donuts, I’ve been with them now for 12 years, and I’m still with them.
"Tanduay, I’ve been with them for 11 years. So I have a long, long relationship with these endorsements because I believe in them.
"Just like with WinZir, I believe that they’re sincere in promoting responsible gaming, and I wanna get on board, so I can speak on that."
Derek adds that being with WinZir is also part of his lifelong commitment to give back to the sports industry that he loves.
He says, "That’s what we’re gonna have discussions about when my schedule kinda slows down a bit.
"In less than a month, we’ve done the photo shoots, we’re supposed to do the commercial, we’ve moved that to April, after the holiday.
"We’re here today, but definitely in the contract signing, that was included."
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