Brebeufian of the Week: Rafael Derick Evangelista III

Our Brebeufian of the week is the February 6 birthday boy -- Derick Evangelista!

He was the infamous Professor Klump to Buddy Love (Carlo Potenciano), an alter ego turned best friend, in high school. But he's no Klump these days anymore. Having great determination and discipline in diet, who would have thought the the chubby political vulture of the class turns out to be a mighty eagle. Soaring high in the skies of local politics, he truly is one Brebeufian to be proud of.

Interview by Mae Angelica Arevalo

Edited by Mark Cabil

He was the infamous Professor Klump to Buddy Love (Carlo Potenciano), an alter ego turned best friend, in high school. But he's no Klump these days anymore. Having great determination and discipline in diet, who would have thought the the chubby political vulture of the class turns out to be a mighty eagle (Mabibilib kayo kay Darwin sa theory ng Evolution!). Soaring high in the skies of local politics, he truly is one Brebeufian to be proud of. A lot might not wonder if soon, we'll be joining him in one of the miting de avances to perform on stage the "Iboto si Derick Evangelista" jingle, give out flyers or throw away shirts and caps! Or maybe the others might just be his partymates. NAH! He fooled me once, not again, or not unless!

It's interesting coz Mae had to do this no holds barred interview with Derick considering they had a seemingly short-but-bittersweet past. (Mae, ilang years kayong di nagpansinan ni Derick non?). But yeah, that was high school, they are better friends today. Check this out and judge for yourself.

Name: Rafael Derick Evangelista III
Status: Single
Occupation: ADZU Corporate Resource Coordinator

Mae: First question, what's your job as of the moment?
Derick: Job? There are two. One is my bread and butter: I'm the coordinator of the Ateneo Corporate Resource Office. It's the money-making and fund raising office of ADZU. Speaking of "professional beggar"? The second: I'm serving as one of the close-in political adviser and henchman of VM Beng Climaco. I enjoy the second one since it's life for me--politics. (laughs) It's pro bono. Free. I'm the adviser, henchman, manipulator, image maker and twister and all that you can think in politics that politicians need!

M: Considering that you're into politics, I'm sure everybody's asking this: Do you have any plans of running for office in the near future?
D: Plans? Yes. When? No idea. I'm in no hurry but I somehow make my involvement now as a learning experience so as to be ready. This is also why I get courses abroad that is more on government and politics para ready and may ideas. For now, play around and juggle with politics.

M: When you were younger ba, say grade school days, did you already see yourself as being involved in politics? What was your ambition ba then?
D: I believe, yes. Looks abnormal nu? But I was so engrossed already that I was aware of things happening around even as early as Grade 4. Masyado ata formal and seryoso tayo. But okay lang.

M: O siya, change topic na tayo. Let's talk about high school. Describe high school in one word.
D: Memorable -- because highschool life is only once in our lifetime. Part of what I'm now is credited to my high school days. Credit goes to the Jesuits, teachers and my classmates.

M: If high school was memorable, what was your most memorable moment? Tsaka most embarrassing moment na rin.
D: Embarassing muna. The time some classmates asked for my explanation sa Chemistry before a quiz kasi naiintindihan ko raw. Then I explained. Tapos nag-quiz na. Then marami kumuha ng score 1, tapos ako pa ang 0... Memorable? Yung mga persecutions kay Almid. Til now gusto ko pa siya tentahin. (laughs) Tsaka the simple opportunity of getting to know 42 different people and personalities which I'm going to bring in this lifetime. Knowing the people is already a blessing and a memorable one.

M: Your favorite person in highschool? Could be a teacher, friend, classmate, etc. Choose lang kahit sino. The others chose favorite teacher, meron highschool crush. Ikaw bahala which one you want.
D: Parang wala man ako paborito. Everybody had their unique good qualities (as well as tantrums) which I admired.

M: How's your lovelife?
D: Lovelife? Well, it's complicated somehow. Wala kasi nag-aapply eh. Joke! I have various targets but it remains to be hit. I'm open to the idea but my busy sked keeps me away from dwelling on it. Basta NGSB (No GF since birth). (laughs)

M: Rumor has it your into dating younger girls daw ngayon. True?
D: Rumors? Okay. But don't dwell on that. I just enjoy being with younger ones. They help me keep my sanity sometimes.

M: Pero I'm sure you've dated naman siguro. Describe your first date na lang. Who was it with, what did you do, when and where, how was it?
D: To honestly tell you, I can't even remember yung who, when, where and how was it. But if you ask me the "sort of" latest, well, it's one of the many... (beep beep beep)

M: Now, for the most uncomfortable question of all... How's your sexlife?... Trust me, kasama 'to sa mga list of questions. Pretend mo na lang I'm Pote para di dyahe sagutin.
D: I'll just answer it philosophically and diplomatically: "I am a guy and being able to appreciate and acknowledge beautiful women is normal for me to do so." O, masyado atang hi-tech and read-between-the-lines ang sagot ko.

M: Nice answer. Napakasafe. A genie comes and grants you three wishes. What would that be?
D: Genie? I'll ask for the following: (1) A winning and stable political career (2) Money for me to travel all over the world (3) A healthy life that I don't want to suffer in pain.

M: Speaking of health, how much do you weigh nga pala ngayon, Deck? What's your health regimen nowadays?
D: From a previous 230 lbs (March 2005), I went to a low of 153 lbs (December 2005). Now I'm 170 lbs. I just jog and play badminton if I have the time these days. But I eat rice once a week lang. But starting today, I won't eat rice muna maybe for the next 2-3 months. No softdrinks starting today. And since Monday, no breakfast, 1 can tuna for lunch, 1 pack Skyflakes for dinner. Lumaki na kasi. I should be at 163 lbs lang.

M: Remember yung question regarding classmate of the opposite sex that you'd choose to be stuck in a deserted island with. Who do you choose and why?
D: Si Pam.

M: Why? Wait lang, was it true niligawan mo si Pam dati? During college ba yun?
D: Pam? Di ko niligawan yun. (laughs) Grabe ya se tsismis tan kalat. Amigo lang kame... Why Pam in the island? I'm just comfortable and I feel I can talk anything to her under the sun. Pareho din kame gusto magtravel palagi.

M: If you were stuck in the island, you can bring only one thing, what would it be?
D: My camera. I'll take my chances. Wanna keep memories of the island in case nabuhay ako.

M: If there was one thing you would want to change in high school, what would it be and why?
D: My not being into student politics that early and my low interest in my studies. If I did well, studied well, that would be added points for me. If I entered politics as early as high school, whether in school or not, I might be steps ahead na now.

M: Grabe, goal-oriented gayot! What was your course nga pala in college? State your accomplishments na din back then. Alam ko active ka on a lot of stuff.
D: Graduated Computer Science. I became President of the Student Council of ADZU (2000). Became President of West MASC, a regionwide association of Student Councils. After graduating in 2002, I got invited by the US government to the International Visitor Program, belonging to the youngest group in the world age 18-24 to participate since 1949. Was with a group of 20 Southeast Asians. It's a program that has the 200 former heads and current heads of state in the alumni roster. Honestly, it is still a mystery to me why I was invited til now. Last year, I got accepted and underwent a 1-month program at the University of California, San Diego, called the Pacific Rim Summer Seminar. Both programs mentioned are all about the US GOV'T.

M: Dami nun ah. How do you see yourself 10 years from now?
D: 10 years? Hopefully with family, hopefully. Wth two kids lang. (laughs) And I must have attained enough money to travel in at least 1/2 or 3/4 of my plans na.

M: Councilor ya? Or Vice Mayor?
D: Can't tell. Don't want to pass by the council. Aim is City Administrator and from there start the climb. (laughs) Walang action sa council.

M: Any message to the Brebeuf Roots?
D: Wishing everyone the best in life, career, family. I know we will all be successful regardless the various spears of influence we are in. I'll always be here to help and support you in your endeavors.

Derick can be reached throught this e-mail address: rafdeck@yahoo.com.

And to answer your question, Cabil, mga TWO YEARS yun. - Mae