When Mark Met Rhian

When GMA put Mark Herras and Rhian Ramos together to portray Billy and Cindy in My Only Love, little did the two think that friendship could spur from an awkward first encounter. That is, until they became close friends. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien with additional interviews by Jillian Q. Gatcheco and Xylen Geecel A. Punelas. Photos by Xylen A. Punelas “Actually ang mukha kasi ni Rhian, kapag tinitignan mo [at] hindi mo siya kilala, as in, matapang. Pero ganun lang kasi ‘yung features [niya],” Mark shares with iGMA. “Syempre, first time, [kaya] medyo naaalangan or naiilang. Pero this time, masasabi ko na okay na,” he continues. “Parehas kaming makipag-trabaho sa isa’t isa. Wala nang ilangan factor, lahat madali na para sa’min.” Rhian, interestingly, feels the same way about Mark. “[Working with him has] never been better,” she says with a big smile. “Kasi as the show went on, we just got closer and closer, and we never had problems with each other. Sobrang thankful ako na nabigyan ako ng opportunity to get to know Mark. I’m just really thankful that I do because he’s such a great person.” Meet your match After several shows in GMA, Mark is already used to working with different leading ladies, whereas Rhian had shows only with Richard Gutierrez. Matched for the first time to lead the remake of a cinematic gem, both had different ideas as to why their love team clicked. “Rhian’s the first love team na hindi naman agad na-link sa’kin,” Mark says as-a-matter-of-factly. "Kasi ‘di ba lahat ng naging ka-love team ko nali-link sa ’kin o kaya may past? Ngayon na-link kami pero during My Only Love na--una pa nga ‘yung kapatid ni Rhian--tapos nawala na ‘yung issue.” Rhian, on the other hand, thinks their good off-screen relationship is the secret to their successful team-up. “I think what contributed to our on-screen chemistry is ‘yung biruan off-screen.” She then shares how she and Mark used to make faces when shooting dramatic scenes just to distract each other. “I’ve met my match! Sometimes, the camera will be zoomed in to my face and he’s making faces [while] I’m crying! But you know, it’s actually funny, and I guess it’s like a bonding moment or something!” Both agree that sharing similarities also worked for their advantage. “Just the random things we like to do together,” Rhian says. “[Pareho] kaming makulit, mahilig sa junk food at mahilig sa music,” Mark supplies. “We enjoy each other’s company so much that while in the scene, syempre we’re enjoying the scene also and you can see that when you watch it,” Rhian adds. Looking Forward As their afternoon soap comes to an end, Mark says he will always remember how Rhian exerts effort to help him deliver: “Isa sa mga scene na hindi ko malilimutan dun is ‘yung may crying scene na parang medyo nahihirapan akong umiyak. Tapos she helps me, parang mino-motivate niya ako as her co-actor.” Because of the good personal and professional relationships they have forged, Rhian says she’ll willingly work with Mark again anytime. “For example, marinig ko na after My Only Love, we get to work in another project, not necessarily as a love team, I’d be a very, very happy person. I’d be one happy artista,” she ends with a smile. Catch more of Rhian and Mark in their shows in GMA! Meanwhile, catch the exciting conclusion of My Only Love and comment in the forums. Marami pang kwento sina Mark at Rhian! Just text MARK or RHIAN to 4627, and get updates straight from the stars themselves! Each message costs P2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart and Talk 'N Text subscribers, and P2.00 for Sun subscribers.