Fantastic Mark

TV heartthrob Mark Herras is facing the biggest challenge and biggest break of his career as he portrays the title role of GMA 7’s upcoming TV series "Fantastic Man." This is his mindset after being chosen to play the role popularized by bankable film star Vic Sotto on his 2003 movie of the same name.

In an exclusive interview with the Manila Bulletin last Monday, Mark, just about to pose with his costume for publicity photos, expressed both his excitement and feeling of pressure over what for him is his biggest break yet. "Sobrang pressure ang nararamdaman ko about the role dahil many expectations have to be met. Pero the challenge is as exciting as it is tough. I’ll try my best para mabigyan ko ng justice ‘yung character."

Mark will act both as the superhero and his mortal counterpart Fredo in this series to be shown over GMA-7 hopefully this summer period. He will be surrounded by a stellar cast of young faces and veteran comedians led by Joey Marquez, Benjie Paras, and Kempee De Leon. The so-called "Bad Boy of the Dance Floor" will have Raiza Cenon and Jackie Rice as love interests.

"I’m really confident about this series not because ako si Fantastic Man, kundi dahil I have a great supporting cast and malaki ang trust na binibigay nila sa akin," shared the 20-year-old showbiz hotshot who stormed into stardom after winning the Ultimate Male Survivor title during the first edition of GMA’s Starstruck in 2003.

According to the Starstruck winner, the Fantastic Man series will not be a duplicate of the blockbuster MMFF movie entry. Most of the characters to appear in the series are new, save for Joey Marquez’s Dr. Manalo character who’s also included in the box-office hit. Mark’s Fantasticman will also display additional weapons and powers not featured on Vic Sotto’s version.

Mark, who’s been shooting for the series the past three weeks, matched-up the traits of his hero and alter-ego characters, "Kapag normal na tao ako dito, seryoso ang dating ko. Pero kapag ako na si Fantastic Man, astig na ako!"

He added, "One thing in common about me and Fantastic Man is, I’m one person who’s willing to help if may nangangailangan. Tulad ni Fantastic Man, tumutulong din ako sa ibang tao dahil gusto ko, hindi para magpasikat."

The heart of a Starstruck survivor

Everything kicked off for Mark after he won a few years back the top plum over bestfriend Rainier Castillo during that heavily watched Starstruck final showdown at the Araneta Coliseum. Many observers believe that succeeding Starstruck winners have not enjoyed showbiz success and fame as compared from the first batch winners. Mark does admit he and his batchmates may have that edge being the original, but insisted he never put into his head such detail.

"I think that the big difference is, we didn’t know what to expect then. Hindi namin alam na lahat kami mabibigyan ng contract after the contest. Everything going was new for everyone. Pero I don’t think much whether I was part of the first wave or not. Masaya ako na each year dumadami ang Starstruck family. I’m just proud to be part of it."

Aside from being the original Starstruck winner, along with his erstwhile on-and-off cam girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado, Mark has been prone to facing controversies that in some ways kept him afloat in the news department. The usual culprit is his affairs with the opposite sex. He had been either involved or linked to fellow Starstruck personalities and was even rumored to have videoed Jennylyn while naked in a bathroom.

"Ironically nakatulong sa career ko ‘yung mga controversies. But what I’m thankful for is that, kahit mostly negative ang nadudulot ng mga controversial issues na ‘to, hindi na makitid ang isip ng tao. They now try to understand the why and how of situations."

Mark has previously appeared in GMA’s "Encantadia" and "I Luv NY" series during the past two years. He’s also part of this year’s TV series "Princess Charming."

With TV ratings in consideration, his "Fantastic Man" stint is likely to battle it out with Vhong Navarro’s upcoming superhero series with the other big network.