Mark Herras has finally spoken up—both about Jojo Mendrez’s reaction to his Ogie Diaz interview and about his bold decision to embrace more daring roles in upcoming films.
He insists that his choices are grounded in his responsibility as a provider and in his desire to keep evolving as an actor.
In our recent conversation with Herras, the actor opened up about the widely discussed interview with Ogie Diaz, where he addressed the controversy involving singer-businessman Jojo Mendrez. We were able to talk to Herras last October 20 when he attended the relaunching of Nazareth Institute of Alfonso Inc. in Cavite.
The issue, which sparked online buzz, stemmed from allegations that Herras accepted a talent fee but failed to appear for a scheduled project—an incident that reportedly led to his removal from GMA’s Stars On The Floor. Reflecting on the matter, Herras clarified:
“Bahala sya sa buhay nya (laughs). Kasi ‘yung na-issue ako na, ang huling issue naman is, meron daw akong tinanggap na content tapos hindi ko daw sinipot. Siguro dahil may talent fee na. Totoo ‘yung sinabi ko kay Mama Ogie, kulang pa ‘yun sa nawala sa akin. Kasi natanggal ako sa show sa GMA, because sa issue na ‘yun.”
According to reports, Mendrez even filed a case against Herras, alleging threats and unprofessional conduct. Herras, however, denied these accusations, saying: “Eh, wala namang kaso. It’s all for their content talaga. Napikon ako. Naperwisyo ‘yung trabaho ko because of that.”
Despite the fallout, Herras emphasized that he has no plans to retaliate legally: “No. Hindi naman ako palapatol sa ganyan eh. Ngayon lang ako nagsalita. Actually, ayoko na syang buksan, baka sabihin nakiki-ano na naman ako sa issue. Pero, ‘yun nga po, kumbaga, para sa ama na provider ng pamilya, malaki na ang nawala sa akin.”
Parallel to his public defense, Herras is reinventing himself on screen. After years of being typecast in “tweetums” or boy-next-door roles, he is now embracing more daring performances. He revealed that his upcoming projects under Star Cinemax, a new streaming app, include a mayor role in one film and a more provocative character in another: “Siguro. Kasi, first time ko gawin ‘yun… Ito, (parang) meron pang more… Siguro, it’s daring kasi may mga sex scene, hindi lang love scene—sex scene kumbaga. Basta may mga scenes kami like under the table, tapos meron sa bedroom, may dalawang babae…”
This shift aligns with his recent work in ‘Sariwa’, a sexy drama directed by Sigrid Polon and released under Star SineMax in August 2025. In the film, Herras stars alongside Marga Montes and Kyla Arellano, marking his most daring role yet. He admitted that he initially kept the project secret from his wife, actress Nicole Donesa, until promotional materials surfaced online.
“Eh, hindi ko muna pinagpaalam sa kaniya… Nakita nya, ‘ano ‘to?’—wala na, sabi ko naman sa kanya, ‘eh trabaho naman yan eh. As long as, makakapag-provide ako sa pamilya ko. Tsaka alam ko naman ‘yung limit ko. And I think I can’t do butt exposure or ano pa man.”
For Herras, the decision is practical: with two children to raise, he is willing to take on roles that challenge his image but allow him to provide. He stressed that while his performances may now include sex scenes, he draws the line at full nudity.
He explained his openness to daring roles as part of that responsibility: “Ako naman kasi, lagi kong sinasabi na anything na maioffer sa akin basta trabaho, lalo na ngayon lumalaki ang pamilya ko—dalawa na anak ko—so, talagang I do anything basta trabaho, as long as di ba, it’s part of showbiz naman at wala naman akong tinatapakang tao o whatever.”
After being sidelined from television, Herras has carved a niche in independent films, live events, and now streaming platforms. His willingness to adapt—whether through dance performances in entertainment bars or mature film roles—shows a determination to stay relevant.
Despite the controversies, Herras insists he has no regrets: “Wala naman. Kumbaga, pagsubok ‘yan eh or mga pinagdadaanan sa buhay talaga. At least ngayon, alam ko na ang gagawin next time di ba?”
