Mark Angelo S. Herras (born December 14, 1986 in Santa Rosa City, Laguna, Philippines) is a Filipino television and film actor. He won in the reality talent show StarStruck aired in GMA Network. He also appeared in Forever In My Heart, Encantadia, SOP, and I Luv NY, GMA Telebabad.
Background
His family used to be well-off, but after his 16th birthday his dad invested a million pesos in a pyramiding scheme that bankrupted them in the process. Thus began a major turn-about in Mark's life. He decided to join a reality-based talent-search show of GMA 7 network, and became fortunate enough to be included in the Final 14.
As Mark joined StarStruck, his talent in dancing was enhanced, earning him a nickname of "Ultimate Bad Boy of the Dance Floor". This talent was one of the reasons which got him through Rainier Castillo's (1st Runner-Up) and eventually landed him many votes (11 points) higher; crowning him as the 1st "Ultimate Male StarStruck Survivor". The other winner wasJennylyn Mercado, who became his loveteam and girlfriend afterwards.
Current TV and Movie Career
After winning in StarStruck in 2003, Mark enlisted Lolit Solis as his talent manager. Mark's dancing skills were showcased thru numerous out-of-town shows around the Philippines and in the Sunday musical variety show SOP Rules. He also ventured into acting where he and fellow StarStruck winner Jennylyn Mercado teamed up in various GMA shows. Regal Films also cashed in on their loveteam by having them cast in the movie "So Happy Together" which have them co-starred with fellow StarStruck alumni Yasmien Kurdi and Ranier Castillo; and lead stars Eric Quizon and Kris Aquino. The movie got tremendous results at the box-office as it landed third in the list behind "Enteng Kabisote" and "Exodus: Tales from the Enchanted Kingdom". Mark also was an effective endorser by appearing in advertisements of Smart (cellphone brand), Silverworks (jewelry) and Star Choconut (chocolate sandwich spread).[citation needed]
2005 was even fruitful for Mark as his loveteam with Jennylyn Mercado was launched on the big screen via the romantic movie "Say That You Love Me". They also appeared together in three other movies, including their biggest hit "Let the Love Begin", joining forces with the love team of Richard Gutierrez and Angel Locsin for GMA Films.
2007 became Mark's important year as he and Jennylyn went solo in their respective careers. He was immediately launched by GMA as a lead star via the remake of the Vic Sotto movie "Fantastic Man", which became a weekly action-comedy series. He later on became part of "Mga Mata ni Anghelita" on primetime before making a guest appearance in "La Vendetta" which was topbilled by his former love team Jennylyn Mercado.
In 2008, one of Mark's wishes came true when he was cast alongside his idol Robin Padilla in the action-drama series "Joaquin Bordado". Mark portrayed Robin's rebellious brother and was well-received by the viewers. Despite this however, Mark was still very much identified with his beautiful loveteam with Jennylyn Mercado that later on, GMA gave in to public clamor to give them their own show, "Sine Novela Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?" shortly after Jennylyn's pregnancy and birth of her son. The said remake of the Vilma Santos-Christopher de Leon movie premiered in 2009 and became one of the top-raters on daytime.
In 2009, he was seen on drama series on GMA Telebabad, "Ikaw Sana", with Jennylyn Mercado & Pauleen Luna. He was also a segment host in a reality talent show StarStruck V.
In around March 2010, he will be seen in a drama series on GMA Telebabad, "(Diva)" partnering with Alynna Asistio (Nadia Montenegro's 2nd eldest child) as her love team. He is also working along with other stars like Regine Velasquez, Glaiza De Castro, Mark Anthony Fernandez and Jaya. The same year, he is now a host and performer a newest GMA Variety Show, Party Pilipinas which replaces the defunct SOP Rules. Herras was became part of a GMA Telebabad Langit Sa Piling Mo with his new on-screen partner, Heart Evangelista. He is also hosted a reality talent show, Danz Showdown, with former Sex Bomb Dancer Izzy Trazona as his co-host. He is recently a challenger together with his co-love team Alynna Asistioin the GMA 7 Christmas Reality Show, Puso Ng Pasko: Artista Challenge, the very 1st Christmas Reality Show on Channel 7.
In 2011, Mark goes back on Telebabad on his upcoming newest and 1st Dance Teleserye, Jump, with his newest leading leading Kris Bernal. The new show will be premiered this May 2011 on Channel 7.
