Starting his career in theater, actor Pepe Herrera eventually transitioned to television and film, where he brought memorable characters to life: Tolits in "Rak of Aegis," Benny in "Ang Probinsyano," and, perhaps most iconically, Mang Jess in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) film "Rewind."

In an exclusive interview with Manila Bulletin Entertainment, Pepe sits down to share where he is in his career now.

"Chapter 7, title nun what now? Moving forward, ganun kasi it's about fulfilling my glorious purpose, nakuha ko ito sa series na Loki. I love that saying kasi nagagamit ko siya ngayon sa mga nangyayari sa akin. It's like fulfilling my glorious purpose (Chapter 7, I'd like to call it what now? Moving forward because it's about fulfilling my glorious purpose, which I got from the Loki series. I love that saying because I can use him now for what's going on with me, it's like fulfilling my glorious purpose)," Pepe said.

Having been in the industry for 12 years, Pepe describes his journey as a rollercoaster ride full of emotions, which helped him understand what he really wants and how to balance it.

"Rollercoaster talaga, I'm more embracing with the fact it keeps going like that, parang siyang waves lang up and down. So, it's just a matter of acceptance na okay andito tayo ngayon sa baba nung wave, how can we manage that? Ibig sabihin nun sa akin, kapag nasa baba ka at low energy ka, kailangan mong magpahinga. Ganun kasi akong tao: kapag trabaho, tuloy-tuloy, tapos magbe-break—as in break talaga. Hibernate parang bear for a certain period of time, and then tuloy-tuloy ulit (It's really a rollercoaster, I'm more embracing with the fact it keeps going like that, it's like waves just up and down. So, it's just a matter of acceptance that okay, we're here now at the bottom of the wave, how can we manage that? That means to me that when you're at the bottom, you're low on energy, and you need to rest. I'm that kind of person who works continuously and then takes a break as if on break. Hibernate like a bear for a certain period of time, and then continue again)," Pepe shared.

Finding his glorious purpose in this lifetime, Pepe also shared what he looks forward to in the coming years.

"I see myself still performing, still taking on different roles. Pero, I also see myself producing and performing more live. So, may balance na ngayon kasi dati more on acting naisantabi talaga yung kanta. Ngayon, gusto pantay sila, parang 60-40 nga eh. Sixty percent kumanta, forty percent nasa harap ng camera acting (I see myself still performing, still taking on different roles. But I see myself also producing and performing more live. Now there’s more balance—before, it was mostly acting, with singing taking a backseat; this time, I want it to be more even, around 60–40. Sixty percent singing, forty percent acting in front of the camera," he said.

When it comes to producing, Pepe also shared that he wants to explore the docuseries genre more deeply.

"With producing, docu-series ayun din, I've been producing some docu-series now. Hindi naman minamadali, pero hindi rin namin siya sinasantabi. Like, ok, this month we work on a specific spot in pre-prod. So, yung producers hat sinuot ko na rin (With producing, docu-series also, I've been producing some docu-series now. It's not rushed, but we're not ignoring him either. This month, we will work on a specific spot in pre-production. So, I'm wearing the producer's hat too)," Pepe said.

After portraying Jesus as Mang Jess in the film "Rewind," Pepe shared that he felt no pressure in saying yes to the role.

"Hindi naman ako na-pressure kasi mabait naman ako sa real life. In fairness, the Director, si Direk Mae, was able to set the mood pagdating ko; she is very warm, and I know her to be very strict. Pero kasi si direk Mae Cruz and direk Cathy [garcia-sampana] nakikita ko yung similarity nila, they can be very strict, pero you just need to show up, do your assignment, and do the best you can, madali naman makuha yung amor nila. So, hindi ako na pressure (I'm not under pressure because I'm a good person in real life. In fairness, the Director, Direk Mae, was able to set the mood when I arrived. She is very warm, and I know her to be very strict. But because direk Mae Cruz and direk Cathy [garcia-sampana], I see their similarities; they can be very strict, but you just need to show up, do your assignment, and do the best you can, it's easy to get their love. So, I'm not under pressure)," he said.

Focusing more on his musical side and prioritizing his advocacies, he is also taking it easy when choosing the roles he portrays.

"Meron akong certain level of pagiging mapili sa mga gagawin kong proyekto, lalo na ngayon, these past few years. Mas focused din ako ngayon sa mga advocacies ko, kasi bawat advocacy ko may naka-attach na core belief," he said.

Pepe continued, right now, he gently says no to projects that involve too much action and violence.

"For example, ngayon, kahit may mga kaibigan ako na action director, I gently say no muna kasi right now, at least para sa mental health ko rin and well-being ko. And connected to my principles, pass muna ako sa mga palabas na may barilan (For example, now, even though I have friends who are action directors, I gently say no because, right now, at least for my mental health and well-being). And in connection with my principles, I say pass to projects that involve violence)," he added.

Going full circle as he makes his first solo concert at the PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) Theater, Pepe gets real that he was doubtful at first when he was offered to do it.

"Sa totoo lang, noong una kong natanggap ito mula sa kaibigan ko na si Paeng, siya yung bridge namin between me and Backstage Manila. Tinawagan niya ako. Nasa bahay ako. In offer niya yung possibility na i-produce yung first solo show. So, napuno ako ng self-doubt, at sabi ko talaga, “Bakit ako? (Actually, when I first received it from my friend Paeng, he was the bridge between Backstage Manila and me. He called me at home and offered me the opportunity to produce my first solo show. So, I was filled with self-doubt, and I said really why me)," Pepe said.

But despite the endless worry and self-doubt, Pepe eventually said yes and put his confidence into work.

"Nagkaroon ako ng doubts nung pumunta na ako sa professional world, kasi maraming nagsasabi sa akin na hanggang dito lang ako. Eventually, I realized na itong ginagawa namin, wala akong kailangang gayahin; kailangan ko lang maging authentic kung sino ako (I had doubts when I entered the professional world because many people told me that this was all I could do). Although eventually, I realized that this is what we do, I don't need to imitate anyone, I just need to be authentic to who I am)," he added.

Describing his concert as a mini-festival, Pepe shared that the concert will also highlight his advocacies. The show is produced by Backstage Manila - Entertainment.

"Kaya siya PEPESHOWS, kasi mahilig ako sa word play na kung saan certain things can mean a lot of things. So, it's also a day na where I show my advocacies and showing my advocacies, pinagpalaam ko yun sa PETA kung pwede maglagay ng mga merchants dun sa multipurpose hall na mga iba't-ibang sustainable companies that I support (That's why PEPESHOWS, because I like the word play that certain things can mean a lot of things. So, it's also a day where I show my advocacies., I asked PETA if they could put merchants in the multipurpose hall, which are various sustainable companies that I support)," Pepe said.

Set at the PETA Theater in Quezon City on April 21, PEPESHOWS marks a defining milestone for Pepe as he takes his fans and audience on a heartfelt journey of hope, family, love, and music.