Mark Herras (MNS photo)
It’s been 12 years since Mark Herras won GMA-7’s talent reality contest “StarStruck” and started fulfilling his dream of being an actor.
All these times, Mark has gone through a lot of ups and downs in his career. He played a variety of lead roles, too, as well as minor roles. And while there were phases when he did not have regular shows, it did not stop him from pressing on.
These days, things are looking up. Mark welcomes 2016 with multiple projects, particularly “Little Nanay” with Nora Aunor, Kris Bernal, and Eddie Garcia.
“Ang ganda ng pasok ng taon, not just because sunod-sunod ang trabaho, well, isa iyon sa dahilan. November pa nag-start. It’s been a year and a half na wala akong regular show na ginagawa. I’ve been doing a lot of guestings sa GMA, pero syempre masarap pa rin ’yung feeling na kasama ka sa isang show,” Mark said in an interview in Cebu right before his performance at the Ayala Terraces in time for Sinulog Festival 2016.
Aside from “Little Nanay,” Mark stars on “Dangwa” and “Wish I May.”
“It’s been a long time, actually, na naging ganito ako ka-busy. Ang huli kong project was ‘Rhodora X.’ After noon, lagi akong nasa mga pilot episodes tapos mamamatay ako (’yung character ko).
“Then, pumasok ako sa ‘Batang Yagit.’ Then ’yung kay Christian Bautista. Sa ‘Pari ’Koy’ hindi naman ako namatay, pero nakulong ako doon. So ang daming guestings…”
The year is looking good for Mark – now there’s an understatement.
“I’m really feeling it right now na magiging maganda ’yung taon na ito. Ngayon lang talaga ako literal, tuloy-tuloy ’yung trabaho,” he said.
With all the projects coming his way, Mark feels he has been doing the right thing in his career and personal life. Mark has been working hard for his family, so he thanks God for all the opportunities given by his home network.
“Ako kasi, ’yung mga trabaho na dumarating sa akin, ginagawa ko naman siya ng tama talaga. Siguro nabi-bless lang ako ni God. Maybe he knows na ’yung pagiging breadwinner ko sa family hindi ko tinatalikuran. I’m not doing anything wrong with my family. ’Yung anak ko, full support. Lahat ng kailangan niya, baby pa lang siya, medyo spoiled na,” he said.
Mark feels he has improved in his craft with many praising him recently.
“Ramdam daw nila na nagseryoso na raw ako sa trabaho,” he said. “Like sa ‘Little Nanay,’ pressured kami eh. Hindi kami pwedeng magbigay ng tamad na acting. Sa ‘Dangwa’ naman parang kusa lang lumalabas. ’Yung character ko kasi makulit na lalaki, mayabang. So parang lumalabas lang ’yung natural sa akin. Sa ‘Wish I May’ naman lumabas ’yung pagiging tatay ko,” he said.
While Mark doesn’t play lead roles as often before, he is happy to have been given opportunities to work with veteran actors.
“I’m not naman expecting na kailangan lagi akong bida. Basta a nice role na ibibigay sa akin. ’Yung pagkakataon lang na makatrabaho ko sila Ate Guy, Tito Eddie, Ate Gladys, kasama ko ’yung mga icons,” he said.
The cast members have grown closer. Mark shared his working relationship with the Superstar has blossomed.
“Masaya ’yung show namin. At the same time, sobrang close na, as in, lalo na with Ate Guy. Noong umpisa, awkward, nakakahiyang lumapit. Eventually, tawag na namin sa kanya, nanay na. Gustong-gusto niya kami ni Juancho (Trivino), kasi kami ’yung magkapatid sa show. Lagi kami nagtatalo dito. Hindi kami komedyante pero nakakatawa kasi kami at gustong-gusto iyon ni nanay. So sobrang sarap lang ng vibes sa set,” he said.
Since entering showbiz, many things have changed. The advent of social media has heightened fans’ support for their idols as they can easily voice out their opinions online.
“Noong panahon namin wala pang social media. So, hindi namin alam din ’yung nangyayari sa industriya ng showbiz. Like ako sa TV lang. Kailangan talaga namin i-prove ’yung talent namin para ma-please namin ’yung judges,” he said.
Coming from a talent reality contest, Mark shares a piece of advice. He emphasized the importance of having good attitude as many artists just come and go in showbiz.
“Pero ako, sabi ko lang sa kanila, like ano ’yung hinahanap, sabi ko, good looks given na iyan. Magaling kang sumayaw, kumanta, umarte, hosting. ’Yung apat na talents na iyon, pwede mong i-workshop iyon, pero once na may masama kang ugali, wala rin. Kung may masama kang ugali, hindi mo naman pwedeng i-workshop iyon para baguhin,” he said.
Mark makes sure he guides the younger artists he works with.
“’Pag nakikita ko na may sungay na, pinuputol ko na. I’m not saying na may karapatan ako to do it dahil senior ako or matagal na ako, pero ayaw ko lang din kasi ng ganoon, ’yung mayabang na kaagad,” he said. (MNS)