Mark Herras on tattoos: 'Kailangan may meaning at number one rule, bawal ang pangalan.'

Mark Herras is the Bad Boy of the dance floor, but his hunky rebel appeal extends beyond this arena. In real life, the Kapuso actor oozes with charisma. He has a distinct kind of magnetism and confidence in pulling off his tattoos.

How did his love for tattoos start?

Mark answered, “It started noong namatay ‘yung lola ko. Sobrang depressed ako, so doon ko binase ‘yung first tattoo ko. Lahat ng tattoos ko may meaning talaga.”

He considers his first tattoo to be his most memorable one because he had it done during a trying time in his life. Getting such tattoo gave him strength and helped him cope with his emotional pain during that time.

He shared, “Nasa likod ko, ‘yung [pinagawa ko] nung time na namatay ‘yung lola ko. Bale anim siya. Usually, kapag sa likod, backpiece. Ang ginawa ko, isa-isa. First time akong nagpa-tattoo, Alibata ng “Kalayaan”. Parang sabi ko, ‘yun na ‘yun? I was depressed, so nagpa-tat ako nang six days straight.”

“’Yung nasa left side ko na nakalagay ‘One life, one chance, one dream,’ tinulugan ko lang siya. Sobrang ganoon kalakas ‘yung tolerance ko sa pain dati,” added the Kapuso actor.

However, according to Mark, that is no longer the case. He believes that amount of pain one feels while getting inked depends on one’s emotional status and overall life disposition.

“Lola died almost three years ago, so parang okay na. Noong last time akong nagpa-tat, naramdaman ko na ‘yung sakit kasi parang hindi na ako depressed at masaya na ‘yung buhay ko. Parang sabi ko hindi na ako uulit, or kung uulit ako doon sa mga hindi masakit na part,” he stated.

Many people who have tattoos claim that once you have yourself inked, it will be difficult to stop. Is it really that addicting?

Mark replied, “It’s addicting actually, pero ‘pag nagsimula na medyo naramdaman mo ‘yung pain, iba eh. Meron akong isang tattoo dito sa legs. Pinagawa ko siya at hindi ko siya napatapos. Kumbaga, lining lang. Noong pinapatapos ko na siya last month ata, sabi ko parang hindi ko na kaya. Pwede bang faded effect nalang? Hindi daw puwede, papangit.”

For Mark, it is really important to have an artist that you trust in order to ensure that your design in mind will be perfectly executed. One must also make sure that the artist practices proper safety procedures in tattooing.

Mark shared, “Si Martin Caoile of Black Widow Tattoo ang artist ko. Same kami ng Roco twins, si Carlo Aquino, JM de Guzman, Alwyn Uytingco, mga tropa namin. Ako, sa kanya pa lang ako nagpapatattoo. Wala pang iba. May ibang artists na nag-iinvite, pero parang kung saan ako nagstart, doon na ako.”

If he were to have a next tattoo, what would it be?

“It depends, kasi kapag nagpa-tat ka, sa una hindi mo siya pagsisisihan at kumbaga proud ka, pero ‘pag tumatagal ka parang sasabihin mo na ang dumi mo. ‘Pag nag-fade tapos nagpa-retouch ka mas masakit, eh,” answered Mark.

Deciding to get a tattoo should not be made on a whim. According to Mark, “Kailangan may meaning at number one rule, bawal ang pangalan. Kahit kaibigan mo o asawa mo, huwag na lang.”

Mark Herras currently appears in Sunday All Stars. Catch his Primetime comeback via Rhodora X! Don’t miss it on GMA Telebabad this 2014.

For more updates on your favorite Kapuso stars and shows, keep visiting www.gmanetwork.com.

-Text by Samantha Portillo, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com