Derek Ramsay in the hot seat

As of this writing, the BOC said it would issue a warrant and detention for the Porsche 918 Spyder that is still listed in his name — although it is alleged that the car had already been sold to Anthony Violago of the ultra-rich Violago family. Derek has made a public declaration that he is willing to cooperate with the proper authorities.

I cannot give you the most recent update on the Derek Ramsay case, however, because this is still a developing story. But do monitor Daily Tribune on the latest news about Derek and the Porsche 918 Spyder, which I cannot afford in 10 lifetimes. As we say in the vernacular, “bukod siyang pinag-pala (he is truly blessed).”

What I will share in this space instead is the history of the wealth of Derek’s family, which will answer why he can afford to buy such expensive cars. And he supposedly has 17 in total. He was born Derek Arthur Ramsay, Jr. in Enfield in England. He will be a golden boy on 7 December of this year.

Wealthy family

There’s not much to say about Derek, Sr., except that he was an inspector for the Metropolitan Police Service assigned at Scotland Yard. The family’s wealth is said not to have come from him anyway, but from the mother, Remedios Paggao.

Yes, when Derek Ramsay broke into the scene, it was already public knowledge that he came from an extremely wealthy family. And yet, to this day, there are talks that he had a benefactor who made him rich. Not true. There was no need for him to get into that.

His maternal grandparents were not rich in the beginning. But they were professionals — and respected in the region of Ilocos. Derek’s grandfather was a doctor. Not all medical practitioners get rich, however. His grandpa could have been one of those doctors who did not make money off his patients, particularly the indigents.

As most Ilocanos are industrious, Derek’s mother was not afraid of hard work. She took in a job abroad as a chambermaid until she became the head of the housekeeping unit of 11 Cadogan Gardens, a popular hotel in London.

The Paggaos were said to have hit the jackpot in the 1970s by manufacturing emergency kits. Later, Derek’s mom got into the business of supplying surveillance cameras for various airports. Remedios Ramsay is known to be good at business and is an expert at how to grow wealth even further. In time, Derek also amassed his own fortune. Think of all the product endorsements he did at the peak of his career.

His own money

When Derek joined show business early in the new millennium, he was not an instant hit. He began his career in modeling and as an MTV VJ. Derek also made several commercials for television. But it took him a while to make a name for himself in entertainment.

He became a familiar face when he co-hosted the Pool Watch on Eat Bulaga!. But he finally became famous when he moved to ABS-CBN, especially when he appeared in the movies of Star Cinema. He wasn’t known only for his brawns, but for his acting skills, too. He impressed me first in I Love You So, where he played Bea Alonzo’s first husband who dies in the story. It was a supporting part, but he left his mark in this film directed by Laurenti Dyogi.

More film and television projects followed — increasing his finances all the more. He made his best decision when he turned over his earnings to his mother. He’s supposed to be a mama’s boy, but that’s not always a bad thing. At least, he loves his mother and is never disrespectful to the woman who brought him into this word.

With Derek putting his mother in charge of whatever he earned his showbiz, his money multiplied. Remedios bought properties in his name. Derek lives in posh Ayala Alabang. How many people can afford to buy a house there? Celebrities? Not all - because that area is so expensive.

Derek also owns several condominium units at the Bonifacio Global City or BGC. These were upon the suggestion of his mother who only wants the best for him. He can now afford to live off rentals alone — like royalty.

As a matter of fact, he reportedly bought a bed mattress to the tune of more than a million pesos. He was said to have had an argument with his mother over that purchase. I can imagine Remedios Ramsay to be very practical. That’s why the Ramsay family became very wealthy.

But in the end, Derek bought the bed mattress he wanted. His mother was not able to stop him. It was Derek’s money to begin with. He worked hard and that was his reward for all the sleep he lost working on a TV and movie set and dieting and hitting it off at the gym to be able to maintain his Adonis-like physique. More importantly, it was his way of pampering himself in return for giving up his privacy.

Judged anyway

And now, he is under the spotlight again, but not in a good way. His life is being scrutinized once more with this ongoing controversy over a sports car.

That the transfer of ownership of the Porsche 918 Spyder was not executed at once remains a mystery to friends who know Derek well. He is supposedly OC (obsessive-compulsive) in a positive way. Derek likes order and wants everything around him in place, especially documents of his properties.

When selling vehicles he no longer wants, he makes sure that ownership is transferred — immediately. So, what happened to the sale of his Porsche 918 Spyder? Why aren’t the papers in order when he has supposedly sold it?

On social media, blame is put on so many people. Netizens are asking for the head of the car dealer who sold Derek the car. Some say, get the people in the Bureau of Customs investigated.

Derek also has followers rallying behind him. He worked hard for his money, which is true. But then, he is also being called out for being a humbug. Did he have to own a vehicle that expensive, especially when countless people line up daily for the MRT? His penchant for buying luxury cars is his business alone.