THE first, they say, is always memorable. After 14 years in the business, Jordan Herrera has bagged his first-ever acting award.
Herrera was announced as Best Supporting Actor by the organizers of the 2017 Urduja Heritage Awards for Film for his strong performance in Howard Yambao’s Best Partee Ever.
The film was an entry to the 2016 QCinema International Film Festival, and Herrera got very good reviews for his role as an inmate who provided care and compassion to a closeted, rich, young coinmate played by JC de Vera. Both actors threw all their inhibitions to the wind and performed what many describe to be the most sincere, torrid kissing scene ever between two straight Filipino actors on film in a very long time.
“I’d been wanting to explore the indie scene for some time now,” he volunteered, adding, “There are a lot of local independent film festivals sprouting over the last few years, and the outputs of Philippine cinema are slowly being recognized internationally. That was why when the offer to be part of this film came along, I happily agreed to do it. I was briefed very thoroughly on what the role required. I’m just glad all the hard work paid off.”
Herrera shared the film was shot mostly in Pampanga and the scenes inside the prison cells were tough to execute. “The heat was at times almost unbearable, but we all knew that everyone involved in the production had their own sacrifice stories, and we developed a camaraderie already, so it was like we shared one big dream, one big goal to come up with a relevant, good movie.”
The thirtysomething actor is grateful that his director guided him every step of the way. “Direk Howard wanted the emotions to be sincere, and the movements raw and natural. It was not easy for a straight actor to kiss a fellow straight actor with such passion and intensity, but it was what the film required. I guess that’s also the magic of cinema—when one gets into his role and transforms into his character. I’m just happy that I got a lot of good feedback and the gay members of the film community who saw the film sent me congratulatory messages, too. They said they ‘felt’ me and somehow wished that they had someone like my character to return the love they give.”
Herrera gets a little sentimental whenever he thinks of his producer Larry Castillo, who passed away recently at a very young age. “He was our guiding light during production. The times when every one was on edge from impatience and the hours seemed to be slow moving, Larry was always positive and warm and consoling. I was in the US when the film premiered in Manila. He told me that he was moved by my performance and he hoped that I will finally be noticed by film critics. He said that he will recommend me for his future film projects. I’m just a little sad he is no longer here to learn about this piece of good news this film has brought me.”
Aside from acting, Herrera is also busy with motocross competitions that take him all over the country, sometimes even overseas.
“I like the adrenaline rush that comes with riding a motorbike, and competing takes the sport to totally another level. What started out as a hobby has taken me to many places. I’ve met a lot of people, and I’m glad to influence a few of my celebrity friends to try the sport, too!”
A fitness buff, Herrera asserts that balance is always key. “I workout. I hit the gym. I run. I play basketball. I eat what I feel. I like eating but I refrain from binging. I don’t deprive myself of when I crave for something. I enjoy eating out with my family and friends. But I always do things in moderation. It’s like life: in order to be happy, you have to laugh a little, cry a little, get crazy a little, take some risks, go on adventures.” Herrera has also branched out into business. His family, once based in the US, has moved back to the Philippines and has opened a few branches of a laundry business they named Suds. “It’s doing pretty well. My wife calls the shots. My kids are back in Manila and have enrolled here. Although they hate the traffic and are still adjusting, what’s important is that all of us are together.”
It has been a long time since Jordan Herrera was launched as the lead of the Powerboys pack of a local soap brand TV commercial, and time has taught him to know what matters most. He tells us that his very first acting award is a big surprise, and this will serve as his inspiration. “There’s always a first time and this one is very special, it’s priceless. I’ll continue acting as long as there are roles on film and television that need me and will challenge me. I want to improve more and become a reliable, competent, good and fulfilled actor.”