How Fatherhood Changed Mark Herras: 'Ito Pala 'Yung Totoong Responsibilidad'

Actor and dancer Mark Herras made his mark in the showbiz industry when he was named the first-ever Ultimate Male Survivor in the reality talent show StarStruck aired on GMA Network in 2004. Since then, he carried the moniker 'Bad Boy ng Dance Floor,' for his dancing prowess. 

Now at 37, Mark is happily married to his fellow actor Nicole Donesa, and they are blessed with a son named Mark Fernando or Corky. For the first time in years, Mark graced an interview on Ogie Diaz's YouTube channel, where he finally addressed rumors thrown at him, one of which was how becoming a father marked the end of his stardom.

Mark Herras on prioritizing career over family

"I'm very busy being a dad," was Mark's instant response when asked how he is doing now. He continued, "At masayang-masaya ako doon."

Mark officially became a dad on January 31, 2021, and got married a few months after. Since then, some speculated that he was only getting minor roles and fewer projects from the network.

"May mga naririnig ako na parang nawala daw yung karir ko dahil masyado akong nag-focus sa pamilya ko at sa pagiging dad."

"Hindi ko pinagsisisihan yung ginawa ko na parang binigay ko yung oras, binigay ko 'yung lahat ng pwede kong panahon para sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa mag-ina ko." —Mark Herras

He added, "I just want them to know na kung tingin nila eh nawalan ako ng karir because of that, it's okay. Kasi ako, bilang ama at bilang asawa, parang never naman pumasok sa isip ko na magiging dahilan 'yung pamilya ko at yung pag-focus ko sa anak ko para mawalan ako ng karir, okay? Kung nawalan ako ng karir, okay. Kung tingin nila, gano'n. Wala akong problema d'yan."

Mark says he never regretted his choice, "Pero hindi ko pinagsisisihan yung ginawa ko na parang binigay ko yung oras, binigay ko 'yung lahat ng pwede kong panahon para sa pamilya ko, lalo na sa mag-ina ko."

^{Mark Herras (center) and his wife, Nicole Donesa (right) and son Corky (left)}

Ogie didn't hesitate to throw this question to Mark, who was the former loveteam of Jennylyn Mercado. Ogie asked, "Parang hindi nakatulong sa'yo yung pagkakaroon mo ng anak?"

To which Mark replied, "Ibato niyo na sa akin lahat na pwede nyo ibato. Huwag lang yung pamilya ko. Kasi nananahimik 'yung pamilya ko, nasa bahay nga lang yun, 'di ba? Kumbaga, wala silang atraso sa inyo. Choice ko to, e. Choice ko yun, eh." 

Mark Herras on being raised by gay parents

When asked what influenced Mark to become a hands-on father and partner, he said it was his upbringing. Mark has been open about him being an adopted child and raised by two gay parents, who both died due to illness. 

"Siguro, Mama Ogs, ito kasi kung pa'no ako pinalaki ng parents ko. Hindi man ako lumaki sa talagang buong pamilya, like may nanay, may tatay. Alam naman ng mga tao na I was raised by gay parents. Pero doon kasi naramdaman ko na buo yung pamilya ko," Mark said.

^{Mark and his Daddy Jun}

"Na kahit hindi ko kasama lumaki yung nanay ko, hindi ko nakasama lumaki yung totoong tatay ko, but with my gay parents, si Daddy Jun and si Papa Pim, sobra-sobra pa sa magulang yung nakuha ko, yung experience ko. Binigyan nila ako ng magandang buhay."

"Kasi doon, naramdaman ko yung security. Naramdaman ko na pamilya kami, na walang pwedeng pumasok dito or makigulo. 'Yung experience ko na yun with the family, eh yun yung ina-apply ko with my family." —Mark Herras

Mark then stressed that having a broken or a different family setup does not automatically result in a bad life, "Huwag niyong gawing reason yung sitwasyon ng pamilya niyo. Kasi whatever happens, at whatever the situation is, laging doon sa tao yung magiging result ng kung paano ka sa buhay mo eh. Kung mag-rebelde ka, it's not because broken family kayo. Dahil 'yun yung gusto mo. Choice mo yan eh."

^{Young Mark and his Papa Pim}

When his parents died, he had nothing but gratitude to them for giving him a good life, which he now strives hard to provide to his family. 

"Kasi doon, naramdaman ko yung security. Naramdaman ko na pamilya kami, na walang pwedeng pumasok dito or makigulo. Kaya nung tumanda na sila, my mom, my dad, my tito, lahat sila, kasama ko sa bahay. Yung experience ko na yun with the family, eh yun yung ina-apply ko with my family. Parang, kantiin niyo na ako, huwag lang yung pamilya ko. Kasi, kahit ano mangyayari, gagawin ko lahat para sa pamilya ko. Ibibigay ko lahat para sa pamilya ko."

Mark Herras on experiencing financial struggles

Mark admits life has been more challenging ever since he got fewer projects, and it even made him question his value as an actor. However, he continues to strive to do good in his craft, and even look for side jobs to provide even just what's enough for his family.

"Sanay ako na may trabaho, sanay ako na almost everyday, kumikilos ako. At mas na doble yun nung nagkaroon ako ng anak. Parang, ito pala yung totoong responsibilidad pag nagkaroon ka ng anak, nagkaroon ka ng pamilya."

He revealed that his greatest fear is when the time comes that he can no longer work and provide for his family, "What if mawalan ako ng trabaho? At hindi ko makapag-provide? Sabi ko, mawala sa akin yung mag-ina ko. Sila na lang ang meron ako. Sila na lang yung reason kung bakit ako gumigising araw-araw."

^{Mark and his wife Nicole}

Nevertheless, Mark remains positive about life, saying, "Lahat ng problema na dumarating sa buhay ng tao, mabigat, magaan, lahat yan, dumarating sa atin nang may solusyon. Hindi yan ibibigay sa atin ng Taas, kung walang solusyon.
At kung hindi mo kaya."

And his optimism and determination have never failed him so far, "Sa awa ng Diyos, talagang, once in a while, talagang mayroong, dumarating talaga, na hindi mo na-expect, parang, ay, thank you, Lord. Kahit naman before, never ako naghangad ng sobrang-sobra, enough lang."

Mark Herras on how fatherhood made him a better person

Nevertheless, Mark affirms that if there's one thing that fatherhood taught him, it's the true meaning of responsibility and a renewed sense of self.

"Basta ako, ang focus ko is meron akong trabahong gagawin. At kapag may trabaho akong gagawin, sinisigurado ko na, gagawin ko yung trabaho ko na maayos. Kung before, pasaway ako. Before, or during the show, marami akong mga experience na parang, bigla akong, hindi dumadating sa set before? Hindi ko na siya ginagawa at gagawin dahil dun sa word na responsibilidad. At bilang tatay na ako."

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He added, "The working habit, working attitude, parang ako mismo, bilang tao, kung paano ako sa buhay ko, or paano ako, paano yung isang Mark Herras before ako nagkaroon ng asawa't anak."

"I-enjoy niyo sila. Ibigay niyo yung oras, panahon, lahat. Kung kayo, in the future, magiging magulang, I'm sure, gusto nyo rin na i-enjoy kayo na magiging anak at bigyan kayo ng panahon at oras." —Mark Herras

Mark also stressed that becoming a parent may come with sacrifices, but unlike others who feel like it's a burden, he's happy to do everything for his family, and he will never quit. Recently, he announced in his vlog that they are almost done building their new home, Casa Corky.

"Hangga't may kumukuha pa sa akin sa mga trabaho at sa mga raket, at hangga't may mga narinig pa akong humihiyaw for me," he said.

Mark Herras' message to children, aspiring parents

Mark revealed that it was not his dream to become an actor, but circumstances led him to audition to help his parents, who lost a large amount of money after falling victim to a scam. He wanted to be a basketball player. Still, he's grateful for how his life panned out.

He left a message to those who still have their parents with them, "I-enjoy niyo sila. Ibigay niyo yung oras, panahon, lahat. Kung kayo, in the future, magiging magulang, I'm sure, gusto nyo rin na i-enjoy kayo na magiging anak at bigyan kayo ng panahon at oras."

As someone who's gone through struggles as a parent, Mark tells those who want to have a family someday, "Masaya at mahirap ang magkaroon ng sariling pamilya, asawa, at anak. Kaya kung papasukin niyo to, siguraduhin nyo lang na kaya niyong panindigan, na kaya nyo maging responsableng ama, asawa dun sa inyong pamilya."

Read how these moms who gave up their careers for parenthood were able to re-enter the workforce here.