POST-JENNYLYN Mark Herras says of former real- and reel-life love interest Jennylyn Mercado: “We sometimes talk...but that’s about it. She has her own life. We’ve both moved on.”

Mark Herras, the first ultimate survivor of the very popular reality-based artista search, StarStruck, on GMA, is feeling fantastic these days.

After being tapped to fill in the black-spandexed costume of Fantastic Man for GMA’s weekly series of the same name, he says that he’s never felt so happy. He is busy with SOP and doing a movie under Regal Films, titled Tiyanak, which reunites him with the young woman he once referred to as his dream girl, Jennylyn Mercado.

Everyone who followed the real- and reel-life story of Mark and Jennylyn knows that the separation wasn’t all good.

You’re now Fantastic Man. How does it feel landing such an important project?

It feels great. This is a role of a lifetime and we have been working hard to come up with an entertaining show for our audience.

Do kids now recognize you and call you by your character’s name?

Yes. It’s really funny. Some kids call me Mark but many of them call me now Fantastic Man or Fred (Fantastic Man’s alter ego). Some even ask me to stretch my arms. I just say I don’t have the costume, that’s why I can’t. (Chuckles)

How can you relate to your two characters? Fred is a little serious and very loving, and Fantastic Man, while he does good for mankind, is sometimes very rebellious and edgy?

I’m a little of both. When I first read the script, I easily related to both characters. Kids also tell me how they identify with both Fred and Fantastic Man.

How different is your approach to Vic Sotto’s?

Vic Sotto is Vic Sotto. I mean, no one can deny his talent when it comes to comedy. I really look up to him. But our Fantastic Man deviates from what has been portrayed in the movies. So, naturally, my approach is very different from his.

You star in Fantastic Man with Ryza Cenon and Jackie Rice. Jennylyn Mercado is noticeably out of the picture. How are you and Jen, by the way?

We’re now doing Tiyanak. Steady lang kami. No unease.

How is your relationship with her now?

Now we’re civil to each other…just two actors working together. We sometimes talk in between takes but that’s about it. She has her own life. We’ve both moved on.

Do you miss working all the time with her?

Yes, but both of us are already out of that love team. I’ve always admired Richard Gutierrez for the fact that when he has a new show, he is being paired with someone new. He is not stuck with a love team but he also does occasional projects with Angel (Locsin).

But in real life, do you have a love team?

With my busy schedule, I can’t seem to find one. I no longer hang out in bars checking out girls. I just go to an Internet shop and hang out there.

You seem so serious now. Unlike the Mark I met almost three years ago….

I guess I’m more mature now.

What’s the most mature thing you’ve ever done in your 20 years?

I am now part of the family decisions. When problems arise, they now ask for my opinion, unlike before when they thought I was too young to even have an opinion on issues.

You were once referred to as a bad boy. Are you really bad?

When the occasion calls for it, I could be. Like, I can be bad in the dance floor….Or when it’s about intrigues about my family. For me, I’m so used to it. But when it comes to my family, especially my parents, don’t badmouth them. I can get angry if ever.

But what is the good thing about Mark Herras?

That I’m true to everyone. What you see is what you get. I’m the same old Mark….I guess now I’m an actor and I have more money but I haven’t changed…

You have more money! Can I have some?

You definitely haven’t changed, Jet! (Laughs)

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POST-JENNYLYN Mark Herras says of former real- and reel-life love interest Jennylyn Mercado: “We sometimes talk...but that’s about it. She has her own life. We’ve both moved on.”

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