Pepe Herrera

Jose Nikolas Emmanuel Pacifico Herrera (born April 21, 1987), known professionally as Pepe Herrera, is a Filipino actor, singer, and comedian. He gained prominence for his role as Benny in the television series FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and is noted for his versatility in both comedic and dramatic roles in film and television.

Early life and education Herrera was born in the Philippines into a musically inclined family. His mother was a songwriter, and his siblings were also active in the arts. He earned a Bachelor of Music Education, majoring in Voice, at the University of Santo Tomas Conservatory of Music, graduating cum laude. During his time at UST, he was a member of Coro Tomasino, the university's official choir group. Before joining showbiz, Herrera worked on a cruise ship, which inspired him to pursue acting.

Personal life Herrera is known for his humility and sincerity in acting. He continues to take on diverse roles and is widely respected in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Health Herrera has publicly shared his long-term struggles with mental health, including battles with anxiety and depression attacks since he was 13 years old, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and panic attacks. He shared that anxiety attacks intensified in 2023, severely affecting his sleep. In a 2024 interview with Toni Gonzaga, he revealed that a prior period of burnout led him to temporarily quit showbiz, attributing severe anger issues at the time to what a therapist later identified as a manic disorder. Following a recent mental breakdown, Herrera sought professional therapy for his condition, which he linked to abuses experienced in his early life. He strongly advocates for seeking professional help. As a result, he has stepped away from social media as of November 2025 and withdrew from Your Face Sounds Familiar season 4 after three rounds to focus on his recovery.

Career Environmental advocacy Herrera is a committed environmental advocate. He regularly participates in clean-up drives and uses social media to promote eco-awareness.

Theater Herrera began his acting career in theater and gained acclaim for his portrayal of Tolits in the musical Rak of Aegis. His performance caught the attention of ABS-CBN executive Charo Santos-Concio, which led to mainstream television roles.

Title Role Ref!Rak of AegisTolits

Television In 2015, Herrera joined the cast of FPJ's Ang Probinsyano as Benny, the comedic sidekick of Coco Martin’s character, Cardo. His portrayal became popular among viewers and boosted his television career.

He later starred in the sitcom My Papa Pi (2022), alongside Piolo Pascual and Pia Wurtzbach.

Film Herrera has appeared in various films showcasing his range as an actor, including:

Accolades