Pepe Herrera has a real-life ‘Sassy Girl’

MANILA, Philippines — Being a family man, Pepe Herrera is always eager to come home after taping days to spend more time with his wife, Sarah Mallari, and their kids — three-year-old daughter Payapa and newly-born son Pepito.

“(I’m) always looking forward every day, every night, always looking forward to going home to my wife and my two kids. My love language is the sense of smell. Feeling ko nga aso ako before. Every time I kiss my wife and my children, may kasamang singhot. It’s home, it’s warm,” the actor-comedian told select press during a Star Magic presscon.

Besides making people laugh on stage and on screen, the Tolits of “Rak of Aegis” is also a funny guy at home.

On how he is being a dad, he is a little bit of everything — serious type, joker and disciplinarian. “But mas ako yung good gab. My wife is more disciplinarian. Although when I see that, for example, it’s normal for kids na nakakasakit na, dun na ako pumapasok to remind Pay.

The actor-comedian with wife Sarah Mallari.

“The kindest way possible na hindi naman yung finding the balance na you are not enabling the destructive habits but at the same time, my main goal is to teach her na hindi maka-develop ng shame. As much as possible, we don’t want to restrict her.”

The star of the Philippine adaptation of South Korea’s hit film “My Sassy Girl,” opposite Toni Gonzaga, shared that his daughter is his “my real-life sassy girl.”

Pepe with his daughter Payapa.

“She’s very loving but cariño brutal sometimes, just like her mom. They both like offensive humor,” he told The STAR. “We have this game na papaluin niya ako, then she would tell me, ‘I want aray, aray si daddy.’ She really likes it. ‘Pag napapalakas na masakit na talaga.”

If his children will show interest in showbiz just like him in the future, Pepe said he will support their chosen career paths. “Of course, (but) we will still establish boundaries… But if they want to perform in theater, TV or films, I will not stop them, definitely.

 “As early as now, nakikitaan ko na si Pay eh. She likes to perform. There are a lot of videos of her singing, doing interpretative dance, in front of the mirror also, she’s happy making different facial expressions. Actually, people say that she is like my junior, so hindi malayo (it’s not far fetched).”

As a husband, Pepe is still on “a learning process” of being one. He considered his other half his “greatest teacher.”

“I can confidently say that I am a better person and becoming a ‘betterer’ person because of her,” he stated. “Marami na siyang nabasag na mga childish behavior ko. Until now, I still learn from her. And every day I am trying to be a better husband, better listener, to be present every time I’m with her.

“My wife is very grounded. I love trying new things and my wife also likes comedy. She likes to laugh. But she is more serious than me. It’s a very grounding experience when we are together.”

Following “My Sassy Girl,” “I Am Not Big Bird,” and “Rewind” (where he won Best Supporting Actor award at the 2024 Manila International Film Festival held in Los Angeles for portraying Lods), Pepe will appear in the Philippine version of South Korea’s “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim” series and Ang Parokya ni Edgar’s musical “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy.”

Given his successful projects and accolades, does he consider this time as the peak of his career? “No,” remarked Pepe. “We are just starting. The best is yet to come. That’s why I idolized the likes of Meryl Streep because they don’t stop learning. There’s something new to learn every day even if you are 99 years old already.”

Pepe earlier revealed that he battled with depression in 2017 and took a break from showbiz shortly after. “I have that kind of insecurity (apprehensions if he still will have a showbiz career after taking a break). But when I gained clarity again after going dun sa isang holistic center, in New Life, wala ng ganung insecurity. I just want to reconnect with people. That’s what’s on my mind, I miss people, my friends and my colleagues.”

Meanwhile, Pepe had worked with Enrique Gil in the raunchy comedy film “I Am Not Big Bird.”

When queried if he noticed something about Enrique being affected by the breakup rumors going around with Liza Soberano, Pepe said, “Hindi naka-affect because I see Enrique’s love and concern for Liza. He is very proud of what Liza achieved especially with ‘Lisa Frankenstein.’

“He has nothing but good things to say about Liza. So kung anong sabihin niya sa amin, tinatanggap namin but napapansin ko hindi naman nakaka-apekto sa trabaho. Enrique is blooming based on my observation. He is doing good.”

“For me, of course,” Pepe said when asked if he believes the LizQuen — or as their reel-to-real love team is called — is still together. “Whatever it is that he (Enrique) tells us, we believe him.”