Mark on the right track

At no other time does Mark Anthony Fernandez need his rich showbiz pedigree than now, when he’s making his comeback of sorts. A year after he made no movies at all, no thanks to a bout with drugs, a rehabilitated Mark is ready and willing to make a go of his second chance in the biz.

After all, the son of Rudy Fernandez and Alma Moreno is only 26, young enough to make mistakes, learn from them and not sin again.

"I’m more peaceful now," says Mark Anthony, looking like a reformed man from head to toe. "I’m learning to appreciate the small things in life. I’m even learning to appreciate and love myself more."

Now he knows better than to return to the turmoil and chaos that almost robbed him of his very life and career.

"I’ll never return to that nightmare. Napaso na ako," Mark admits.

Proof that he’s ready to turn a new leaf is his regular workouts in the gym and badminton sessions with friends. Thanks to them, Mark lost 25 pounds, his trim figure spread evenly over his 5’8" frame.

One of those who believe in Mark’s dogged determination to start anew is Regal matriarch Mother Lily. As the first producer to give him his first movie break, she saw it fit that she cast him in his comeback vehicle.

Mark plays a father who protects his infant from the aswang in Lihim, last of three segments in the Metro Filmfest entry Shake, Rattle and Roll 2K5.

Mark’s role is a powerful one: he jumps into action in his repeated attempts to protect his newborn baby from blood-thirsty forces threatening to spirit the infant away from him and his wife (played by Tanya Garcia).

Acting before the cameras again is giving Mark that Cloud 9 feeling.

"I hope the moviegoers will welcome me back," he wishes aloud. "You see, my role in Shake has everything in it. It’s got drama – especially when Tanya and I fear for our baby’s safety. It’s also got action – everytime I come to blows with the aswang."

Judging from his track record so far, Mark has every reason to return to a business he shows so much promise in. He has eight Best Actor nominations to his name. And acting in such serious films as Dos Ekis and Biyaheng Langit calls for an extra dose of intensity, the kind you’ll never find in a performer made of lesser stuff.

Now, Mark wants to do comedy, the better to prove that he can do much more than knit his eyebrows while figuring out the solution to a problem, or clench his fist in anger over a sinister enemy.

"Now, I’ve realized more than ever that I’m made for showbiz and I’ll always be in showbiz," he relates.

There are offers and plans, but Mark would rather keep mum about them for now. Suffice it to say that he’s overjoyed at this second wind in his career. And this time, Mark promises, he won’t nix his chances again. Not a single head will shake in frustration, or mutter words of dismay when he passes by. This time, he’ll play all his cards right.