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ALV Talent Circuit and Star Worx artist Mark Ian Garcia is starting to catch the attention of netizens and entertainment followers because of his fresh-faced charm and relatable boy-next-door image.

Viewers tuning in to the TV5 primetime romance-thriller A Secret in Prague, headlined by Andrea Brillantes and Enrique Gil, have also noticed the charming young actor wearing glasses who portrays Angelito Pinagpala, the younger brother of Enrique’s character.

Before landing the role, Mark first built his career as a model and commercial talent. Now that he is finally getting a major opportunity in showbiz, the aspiring actor remains grateful for what he considers his long-awaited break.

“At first, I honestly thought I didn’t get the role because it had already been a month, and I hadn’t heard anything. So, I slowly let go of the expectation,” he shares.

“Then, one day, my road manager called and said he had good news and bad news. The ‘Bad news’ was that I was about to get very busy, and the good news was that I got the role.”

“I felt pure happiness. It was one of those moments that’s hard to put into words. That moment reminded me that good things really take time, and sometimes, something even bigger is being prepared for you.”

As Enrique’s younger brother, Mark describes his character as “smart, studious, and has a very pure, almost sheltered perspective of life since he grew up in the province. He has that ‘hindi makabasag-pinggan’ type of personality.”

Mark adds, “He’s actually a big reason why Mikoy (Enrique’s character) goes to Prague, since he wants to support Angelito’s dream of studying in Manila, believing that education will help them build a better future. So, in many ways, my character is the heart of my kuya’s motivation.”

Prior to fully immersing himself into his role, Mark honed his acting chops through intensive acting workshops. 

He recalls, “I completed both introductory and advanced acting workshops under Direk Ryan Carlos, where we studied the (Ivana) Chubbuck technique. That training really helped me connect more deeply with my character and approach scenes with more intention and truth.”

Working alongside two of the industry’s hottest stars may seem like a daunting baptism of fire, but Mark chalks it up as a pleasant experience.

He says, “Working with Andrea and Quen was such a light and comfortable experience. They’re both very accommodating and make sure everyone feels at east on the set. They’re also very generous when it comes to sharing their knowledge and experience.”

“Being around them motivates me to keep improving, and they’re really a great example of professionalism on the set.”

“Quen, especially, was very supportive. He really took on that kuya role not just in the story, but even behind the scenes. He would guide me and help me feel more confident, especially during our scenes together.”

Mark is all praises as well for Queenay Mercado, his loveteam partner in the series.

He admits, “Working with Queenay has been such a fun and easy experience. She’s very natural and comfortable to work with. I’m really excited for viewers to see our scenes together since we worked hard to make them feel genuine and relatable.”

Aside from his fellow cast members, Mark also acknowledges the lessons instilled in him by the show’s directors, Barry Gonzales and Paco Sta. Maria.

Mark elaborates, “One of the biggest lessons I learned from them is the importance of presence of mind as an actor.”

“I was taught to fully understand not must my character, but also the characters I’m interacting with, and the story behind every scene. It’s always about being present, listening and reacting truthfully in the moment.”

Unlike most of the cast, Mark didn’t get to fly to Prague. Shrugging off the missed opportunity, he explains, “No, I missed out on that chance, since my character stays in the Philippines.”

Prior to A Secret in Prague, Mark worked with Kira Balinger for Wish Date: Send My Love at the Araneta Coliseum last June 2024.

Recalling his earlier modeling days, Mark says, “I began modeling in 2022, and eventually, I was given opportunities to work with major brands like Bench. That exposure helped open doors for me in the entertainment industry.”

More importantly, Mark owes his success to his manager, Arnold Vegafria.

“It was Sir Arnold who opened doors for my showbiz career, and I’m forever grateful for his trust and confidence,” he exclaims.

With his looks and talent, Mark is definitely poised for stardom. A couple more years of challenging supporting roles should serve as his ticket to leading man status.