Jojo Mendrez denies dating rumors with Mark Herras: 'Wala kaming any relationship'
Speculations about the relationship between businessman-singer Jojo Mendrez and actor Mark Herras circulated recently.
The two were spotted meeting up at a hotel casino, and some witnesses claimed to have seen the latter go upstairs to a hotel room.
This led to rumors that the pair might be secretly involved in an intimate relationship, especially considering their previous interactions in public.
However, in an interview with Morly Alinio, Jojo strongly denied the dating speculation and said they were simply long-time friends.
"In-arrange lang na magkita kami dito kasi meron siyang support for my song. Other than that, wala kaming ibang usapan," Jojo explained about the viral video.
Jojo also addressed rumors suggesting he was a "benefactor" to Mark.
"Hindi iyan totoo at wala kaming any relationship o whatever na wala kaming ibang usapan na ganito. So mali 'yung lumalabas na balita," he said.
The singer further explained that while he had not provided financial help to Mark, they only shared personal stories.
"Maganda 'yung pagkatao ni Mark. Maganda ang acceptance niya sa buhay niya na 'yung career niya ay kahit wala ay mabubuhay siyang masaya. Sinabi niya 'yung sitwasyon ng buhay niya, 'yung hardwork niya, gay ang nakagisnang niyang nagpalaki sa kaniya, kaya 'yung respeto niya sa mga gay ay mataas," he said.
Likewise, Jojo emphasized that he has no issue with the LGBTQIA+ community and expressed disappointment in how easily some people judge others .
"'Yung affection mo, pagmamahal mo sa isang tao, wala 'yang pinipiling gender. Nagtataka lang ako bakit [nagkakaroon] ng ganu'n kulay ang isang bagay na wala naman. Parang hindi ako makapaniwalang millions of Filipinos ang naniniwala agad sa napapanuod nila, which is hindi tama 'yun," he expressed.
Meanwhile, take a look back at Mark Herras' statement on working in a gay club in this gallery:
Welcome hug
As he does with all of this guests, King of Talk Boy Abunda welcomed Mark Herras warmly, giving him a hug as he entered the set. Boy then immediately went into "Fast Talk," asking Mark the quick-fire questions.
Heart of the matter
After the playful "Fast Talk" segment, Boy Abunda dove right into the hot topic of the moment: why was Mark Herras dancing at a gay bar. According to Mark, the gig at the Apollo Male Entertainment Bar was just that -- a gig.
“Kapag raket, ibig sabihin sa akin trabaho. It's work for me. Kinukuha ko kahit anong trabaho pa 'yan basta alam ko naman na maayos, legal, at wala naman akong tinatapakan na tao,” he explained. “Nung sinabi sa akin 'yung venue, ang sabi ko ano bang venue 'yan? It's a gay bar. Ipe-perform ko ang normal kong sayaw, guest ako. Wala naman akong nakitang mali.”
Wife-approved
Mark Herras also revealed that his gig at the Apollo Male Entertainment Bar was something that he made known to his wife, Nicole Donesa. He also said that he did not spend a lot of time at the bar other than to perform.
“Nagpaalam ako sa asawa ko. Sige, basta work 'yan. hindi ako tumable. Pumasok ako sa venue nung malapit na akong sumalang. Nasa kotse ako all the time then, pumunta ako sa backstage nung malapit na akong mag-perform and then I danced two spots. I said thank you and umuwi na,” he shared.
Career progression
Mark Herras was also very philosophical about his performance, viewing it as something that is just part of the progression of his entertainment career. He doesn't view it as a move of him being desperate.
“Parte 'yan ng showbiz. Hindi ka naman habangbuhay nasa limelight. Hindi ko nilalagay sa utak ko na laos na ako. Nagpasalamat ako sa narating ko,” he said. “Ang nasa mindset ko, trabaho. Bakit ko pa iisipin 'yung mga tao na nagsasabi na wala nang career, desperado na si Mark.”
No hard feelings
Mark Herras also addressed any speculation that he may have any bad feelings towards the Kapuso Network, especially after his contract with the Sparkle talent agency did not renew his contract.
“Eventually, may dumadating na mga bago, mga bata, 'tapos hindi ako na-renew sa GMA. Nalungkot lang nung hindi ako na-renew ng Sparkle pero tampo, hindi,” he said. “Hindi ako matampuhing tao. Ang dami kong kailangan intindihin sa buhay ko kaysa magtampo pa sa network, kaysa awayin ko pa si ganito.”
