Body talk with Mark Herras

Shall we dance?

Besides Lucy Torres who’s hosting a show of that title on ABC 5 (Saturday nights), Mark Herras is making the same invitation via his Mark Herras Dance It Album (released by Universal Records) which he’s promoting on TV with a dance demonstration of The Krump (to the tune of Y-Not’s Average Joe).

"I really love to dance," said Mark who danced a storm on the grand finals night when he and Jennylyn Mercado were declared StarStruck winners.

Barely two years after his StarStruck victory, Mark has realized most of his dreams. He and his family have just moved into his dream house at Filinvest II in Batasan Hills, Quezon City, at about the same time last week when his biological father surfaced on national television, accusing Mark of "neglecting" him while he rots in prison on a drug charge.

The truth, according to Mark, is that his biological father abandoned him and his mom when he was barely five years old, and Mark hasn’t seen him since then.

"But I never neglected him," said Mark who never fails to dole money out everytime his estranged father asks for it. "Do I feel any bitterness toward him? No."

No, because Mark has found love and care in his foster father, his Daddy Jun (partner of Mark’s mom; Mark’s biological father has a new family) who has groomed him and guided him to where he is now.

The boy has also become somewhat controversial when he broke up with perennial reel and real-life sweetheart Jennylyn Mercado after going steady with her for more than a year. Mark and Jennylyn are topbilled in Regal Films’ Blue Moon, a young love story romance directed by Joel Lamangan, the loveteam’s fourth movie and presumably the last (unless they kiss and make up).Meanwhile, Mark junked the "playboy" tag pinned on him by the movie press, all because he has been romantically linked to other actresses, among them Pauleen Luna and Rufa Mae Quinto.

Asked if he preferred older women (like Rufa Mae), Mark said yes.

"I learn a lot from them," he added.

In the meantime, while problems are swirling in his personal life and his love life is running empty, the devil-may-care Mark remains unperturbed, engrossed as he is in fixing his new house. The following body talk was done at Mark’s bedroom, still in disarray, right on his bed covered by his collection of X-Men comic magazines and sexy glossies (FHM, Stuff, Playboy, etc.).

Mark stands 5’8", weighs 145 lbs., with a 32-inch waistline , and wears medium/large-sized shirts and size 11 shoes.

Okay, Mark, dance, dance on!

Dancing is a good workout, isn’t it?

"Oh yes, it is. I sweat a lot when I’m dancing. It’s a good exercise especially these days when I don’t have time to go to the gym. But I lift dumb-bells at home."

What kind of diet do you follow?

"I used to eat a lot of rice until my tummy grew big. Now, it’s less rice for me. I eat more kapag may kasabay ako."

What’s your favorite dish?

"Sinigang."

What kind of food do you avoid?

"Vegetables."

Favorite snacks?

"Chips."

How much liquid do you take every day?

"Lots of juices, especially mango juice. But I’m trying to drink more water."

How much sleep do you get per day?

"Six hours at most."

Do you get cranky when you lack sleep?

"No. As soon as I wake up, I rush to the shower. I see to it that the shirt I wear doesn’t easily get crumpled because I usually sleep on the road."

How long does it take you to fix yourself?

"Thirty minutes if I’m in a hurry. Otherwise, one hour."

What’s your bathroom ritual?

"I soap my hair first, then my face and then my body. After a shower, I brush my teeth and then I shave. After drying myself, I spray deodorant. I’m already in my boxer shorts when I go out of the bathroom. I put on my pants and then my shoes. It takes awhile for me to decide what shirt to wear."

What vitamins (and/or minerals) do you take?

"Vitamin C and two other multi-vitamins."

You’re not sickly, are you?

"Not really. But when I get sick, todo-todo."

Showbiz is stressful. How do you cope with stress?

"I play video games. Or I hang out with my StarStruck friends. Or I play basketball."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"Internet shop."

How often do you see your doctor?

"Not often, not regularly. But I see my dentist once a month."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My face. And my hair."

What part of your body do you think needs some improvement?

"I need to firm up my muscles – all over my body."

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

"My nails. Don’t you notice that I keep biting them? I’ve been doing it since I was a kid."

And what part of a girl’s body do you look at first?

"Actually, I size up her total personality. I check out first if she dresses well."

Are you vain like most good-looking guys?

"No, I’m not. I look at myself in the mirror only when I’m dressing up."

What’s your favorite perfume?

"A lot! Among them are 212 Carolina Herrera, Emporio Armani and Versace Blue Jeans."

How do you deal with problems?

"If there’s an issue, I confront it and then I forget it. I don’t let problems bug me. Hindi ko dinidibdib."

How’s your nightlife?

"These days, zero. It has been all work for me."

Love life?

"Still courting."

Sex life?

"Wala po!"

What’s the last thing that you do before you go to sleep?

"Make the sign of the cross. I always make the sign of the cross – before eating, before leaving home, before riding my car. But I pray in the church."

And the first thing you do when you wake up?

"Check my cellphone for missed calls and messages."

Name three women you think have nice bodies.

"Fergie (of the Black Eyed Peas). Catherine Zeta-Jones."

And three men...

"Usher. Eminem. Paolo Contis."

Using body language, how would you make a girl know/feel that you admire/like her?

"I just look and look at her."

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