Actor Mark Herras has openly admitted that financial responsibilities pushed him to accept a daring role in his latest film, ‘Sariwa’, under Star Sinemax.
In the second part of his interview on Ogie Diaz and Inah Evans’ online show ‘The Issue is You’, Herras explained that while he never imagined himself taking on such projects, his priority is to provide for his wife Nicole Donesa and their two children.
“Ang pananaw ko sa buhay, work is work at kailangan ko ng trabaho,” Herras said. “Kailangan ko ng pera, kailangan kong mag-provide sa family ko. Eversince naman alam ng tao ‘yan na kung anong trabaho ang ibibigay sa akin, gagawin ko.”
The 37-year-old actor admitted ‘Sariwa’ is the “most daring” project he has done since entering showbiz, involving simulated intimate scenes that made him nervous at first. “Sabi ko, ‘Direk, pakialalayan ako kasi first time kong gagawin.’ Kasi sa TV may mga kiss tapos tapos na, pero dito may pumping scene, may tuwad-tuwad, may butt… grabe talaga,” he recounted.
Despite the explicit sequences, Herras clarified there was no real exposure on his part. “Naka-pants ako saka naka-boxer shorts ako. Yung dalawang babae lang ang naka-plaster,” he explained, adding that the presence of many crew members on set actually prevented any awkwardness from turning physical.
The actor also recalled feeling embarrassed when his female co-stars disrobed. “Honestly, nu’ng naghubad na ‘yung dalawang babae, hindi ako makatingin… baka sabihin nila namboboso ako. Nahihiya ako sa ganu’n,” he said.
Herras, who rose to fame as the first ‘StarStruck’ Ultimate Male Survivor in 2003, last appeared in GMA Network’s ‘Abot-Kamay na Pangarap’. He and Nicole Donesa married in 2021 and now have two children together.
The actor revealed they have decided not to have more kids, with plans for him to undergo a vasectomy once they can save enough for the procedure. “Nag-usap kami na magpapa-vasectomy ako, pero nag-iipon pa kasi gastos na naman,” he admitted.
For Herras, accepting challenging roles is simply part of survival and responsibility. “Work is work,” he repeated, underscoring his determination to take whatever opportunities come his way in order to support his family.
