Andrea Brillantes practically grew up in the public eye.
From playing bit roles as the child actress Blythe Gorostiza, Andrea made her early start to stardom at age 10 by way of the title role in ABS-CBN’s 2013 remake of Annaliza, a 1980s soap opera headlined by the late Julie Vega.
Growing into teenhood, Andrea followed up her lead role in Annaliza with creditable performances in a number of movies and Kapamilya teleseryes.
In 2018, she showed precocious maturity in acting as Magda in the top-rating afternoon series Kadenang Ginto, which ran for two years.
Andrea Brillantes wearing pink corduroy pantsuit from H&M
FAMILY-ORIENTED, BUSINESS-MINDED
At an early age, and working, Andrea kept to her goals and dreams of providing the best life possible for her family.
And way back then, she already knew what she wanted—to start her own business.
She recalls, "Siguro, 13 pa lang ako or 12 kasi wala pa akong masyadong kayang magawa at the age of 12 para magkaroon ng sariling business noon, e.
"So, parang dream lang talaga siya. Tapos nagkaroon ako ng mga endorsements, naka-ipun-ipon naman na ako.”
In a few short years, Andrea made the right connections and one thing led to another.
She says, “Nagkaroon din ako ng collab with a make-up brand, nagkaroon ako ng line."
Although Andrea was grateful for that opportunity, Andrea still yearned for something she could call her own: "Siyempre, gusto ko rin magkaroon ng sarili kong brand, e."
She made it happen when she turned 18 on March 12, 2021.
"Noong medyo mas kinakaya ko naman na, mas mature na ako ngayon, mas kaya na rin ng, pangit sabihin, budget pero yun yung totoo.
"Tapos meron na akong nakilalang mga partners ko, parang kaya na, ‘Totohanin na natin ito, Blythe.’
“Eighteen pa lang po ako noon, pero gusto ko na talaga ito."
Thus, Lucky Beauty was born.
ACTRESS AND LADY BOSS
Andrea built Lucky Beauty from scratch, relying only on her iPad Mini that she filled with her ideas with hopes of attracting investors.
She recounts, "Binubuo ko na siya, nag-sketch ako. Marami akong kinausap pa po talaga na puwedeng maging potential business partners ko. Nakikipag-meeting ako tapos ipinapakita ko.
"Tapos hindi kasi ako talaga yung super pang-professional na meron akong screen, iPad mini lang yung meron ako, 'Ito po yung drinawing ko, ito po yung pangalan ng brand. Ito po yung ganyan.'"
It was not an easy journey, "Maraming hindi nag-work out, maraming ganyan," she says.
"Tapos ngayon, meron na ako talagang mga nakilalang taong feeling ko, perfect para dito at pinagkakatiwalaan ko.
"At sobrang grateful ako na nakilala ko sila. Feeling ko the same page kami and na-e-envision nila yung na-e-envision ko, at natutupad nila yung gusto ko talaga para sa brand ko, sa business ko, confident ako.
"Sabi ko, 'Let’s go, let’s do this talaga.'"
It can be said that Andrea is truly living up to her name.
Not only is she a brilliant actress, she is also now a young lady boss with bright ideas.
ANDREA BRILLANTES OFF-CAM
Truly, Andrea has a lot on her plate right now.
Aside from running her own business, she remains one of the most bankable teen stars of today.
An exclusive artist of ABS-CBN, she is co-managed by ABS-CBN’s Star Magic and Becky Aguila’s Aguila Artists Management.
In 2022, Andrea starred in two digital shows. Her next project this 2023 is already in the works.
When does she find time to rest?
Laughing, Andrea answers, “Meron naman, mga a day! One day sa isang week, okay na yun.”
The young actress describes her day of rest when she reverts to the simple Blythe without the glitz and glamour of showbiz.
“Nagbabasa ako ng libro. Pag-uwi ko, higa ako agad, katabi ko lang yung pets namin, yung mga me-time.
“Tapos kapag meron akong suwerteng dalawang araw straight na wala akong work, nagpa-party ako sa gabi para kung may hangover ako, the next morning, bakante.
“Pero hindi masyado, di ako nakaka-party lagi kasi wala ako talaga masyadong two days straight.”
TIKTOK fanatic
Andrea has another obsession that keeps her awake at night: TikTok, where she has almost 19 million followers.
Her videos could rake in as high as 27 million views; in 2021,her video template for face-swap feature was phenomenal.
Andrea reveals watching videos for hours, "Pampaantok na hindi inaantok.
“For You page lang ako the whole time, scroll lang ng scroll tapos lilipat minsan sa Instagram, ‘tapos mag-two hours sa TikTok tapos lilipat uli."
But, of course, more than reading, partying, or watching videos on TikTok, Andrea loves spending time with her boyfriend, the celebrity basketball player Ricci Rivero.
Their current guilty pleasure? “Mahilig kami ng dyowa ko manuod ng Darna, lagi kami nagse-series marathon.”
sweet GIRLFRIEND
Andrea and Ricci have been in a relationship since April 2022.
Their courtship became the talk of the town after they've been spotted together too many times.
But what really caught the attention of showbiz kibitzers was Ricci’s proposal for Andrea during a UAAP game after his team won.
How does Andrea describe herself as a girlfriend?
Laughing, she says, “Mas maiirita lang siguro mga tao sa akin kasi mas sweet ako!
“Kung naba-bother na sila sa baby talk ko, kapag nakita nila ako as a girlfriend, ibang-iba talaga!
“Super affectionate ko po kasing tao, super clingy, super ma-effort, para kang nag-dyowa ng grade school na first time magka-dyowa!
“Sine-celebrate bawat monthsary, bumabati sa National Boyfriends’ Day, pinu-post yung dyowa.”
Nine months into their relationship, Ricci to Andrea has become her safe space.
Andrea narrates, “Kakausapin ko boyfriend ko, mag-bebe time ako, very ano po...
“Ang love language ko kasi is quality time, physical touch, and words of affirmation. Mahirap yun kasi LDR kami.
“Pero makausap ko lang siya, medyo nakakapag-release na ako ng tension and pressure, masaya na ako na nakakausap ko siya."
It was thus a challenge for both of them when distance kept them apart for a time.
At the time of the interview, Ricci was in Taiwan to play as world import of the country’s P. League+.
Ricci flew to Taiwan in September 2022 to play for Taoyuan Pilots and was supposed to stay there for ten months.
But then, in November 2022, Taoyuan Pilots had to terminate his contract because of an injury he sustained. Ricci has since returned to the Philippines.
With her eyes twinkling, Andrea says she and Ricci have reached that stage in their relationship where they do not have to put their best foot forward for each other.
They can both be "dugyot" in front of each other, she calls it.
Andrea, however, concedes they don't always see eye to eye, citing their age difference: Andrea is 19, Ricci is 24.
"Kung umasta siya, para siyang millennial. Ang ano niya, hindi siya yung parang 24.
"Ang tanda-tanda na niya. Hindi niya kilala si Madison Beer [YouTub singer], si Millie Bobbie Brown [Stranger Things actress].
"Sobrang opposites po kami so marami kaming small fights. As in every day, okay kami tapos biglang uhm...
"Mas vocal ako, siya hindi. Pero mga small ganon lang. In the end, compatible pa rin talaga kami."
Usually, they are able to quickly resolve their fights.
Andrea shares, “Usap tapos mag-aasaran na kami.
“Hobby kong asarin yung dyowa ko, ‘Uy, tanda! Tanda mo kasi, e!’
“Hobby ko pong inisin siya, pikunin siya. Pero pag ako yung pini-pikon niya, napipikon ako, pero siya kasi, hindi siya napipikon, e. So, hobby kong pikunin siya kasi hindi siya napipikon."
Andrea Brillantes wearing a black velvet dress by AJ Javier with accessories from H&M
In the end, Andrea says she and Ricci have learned to compromise.
Andrea explains, “Tina-try na niyang mas mag-open up tapos mas naiintindihan ko rin na kailangan niya ng time kapag siya.
“Mas hindi siya yung kailangang lagi sabihin, kailangan kong mas maging sensitive in a way.
“Siya naman, tina-try niya mas maging me, na hindi dapat kinikimkim lahat kasi sa totoo lang, hindi siya healthy. So magkahawa-hawa kami.
“Yung good niya, tina-try kong i-apply sa akin. Yung nakikita niyang good sa akin, tinatry niyang i-apply sa kanya.”
A friend's FRIEND
Although Andrea considers herself a friendly person who connects with others easily, she is selective about her core group.
She says, “I’m a very friendly person naman po, pero iba yung core ko. Friendly din ako pero hindi lahat kasama sa core ng heart ko.
“Yung talagang aabot na sa point na sasabihin ko sa iyo pagkaka-jebs ko lang this morning. Pero lahat naman, okay ako sa kahit sino po.”
Andrea is also proud to say she is a loyal friend, the reason why she only chooses whom she really treasures in her heart.
“I’m a very loyal person po, I’m a loyal friend. Kapag ginawa ito sa iyo, hindi ko rin talaga papansinin, kahit tignan di ko gagawin.
“Kaya rin medyo choosy ako sa mapapasok ko sa core ko kasi I honor loyalty. Yun ang pinaka-importante sa akin sa lahat, loyalty."
Andrea Brillantes wearing a leather jacket, skirt, and boots from H&M
Andrea counts Bea Borres and CJ de Guzman as her best friends.
Their friendship started when they played as the mean clique in the defunct afternoon series Kadenang Ginto.
She runs to them, as she does to her boyfriend and sister, whenever she needs someone to listen to her plaints.
Andrea shares, “Minsan, nagra-rant lang ako tapos gusto ko lang makita yung perspective nila.
“Minsan, sinusunod ko. Minsan, ayoko rin, depende po siya lagi sa sitwasyon.
“Kapag gusto kong mag-rant na maiintindihan ako at iniisip yung iniisip ko, kay Bea ako pupunta kasi we are the same.
"Kapag gusto ko ng sasampalin ako ng katotohanan, kay ate ako pupunta.
“Kapag gusto ko lang maglambing, sa dyowa ako.
"Kung gusto kong masampal ng katotohanan na hindi ko kayang sabihin sa ate ko, kay CJ ako. Iba-iba po sila."
Her BÊTE NOIRe
If there is one thing Andrea cannot abide, it is betrayal.
And she has burned bridges without batting an eyelash, "Oo, ilang beses na!"
Andrea says with conviction, "Hindi yun kailangan ng bye.
"Kung alam mo yung value mo at na-set mo sa sarili mo yung boundaries mo at klaro sa iyo yun at klaro din doon sa taong yun yung boundaries mo na ayaw mo ng ganito...
"May usapan kayong mag-respetuhan kayo sa ganito at hindi niya nirespeto, I’d rather not talk to them na lang.
"Sometimes, ganun ako, e. Pero it all depends po sa pagkatao.
"Merong tao na kailangang sabihin nilang, ‘Hey, hindi ko nagustuhan ginawa mo so F.O. [friendship over] na tayo.' Pwede din kasing ayusin mo muna.
"Pero depende lang kasi yan sa ginawa ng tao. Kapag fixable, nararamdaman mo sa intuition mo na fixable, fix it. Pero kung he or she crossed the line, huwag na lang, okay lang. Bye, you don’t owe anything to them."
What then are her thoughts about forgiving people who have wronged her?
Andrea answers, “I can forget. Kasi ako, I can forget nang hindi nagpo-forgive. Kasi lagi nilang sinasabi, you should forgive para magaan, for me it’s not.
“Sa akin kasi, naramdaman ko na yun na hindi ko talaga mapapatawad itong taong ito sa ginawa niya and hindi siya mabigat for me!
“Hindi siya mabigat, makikita ko siyang nandiyan siya, hindi ko siya pinapatawad wala akong paki sa kanya.
"Kaya kong magpatawad and at the same time, wala ka na ring paki sa kanya.
“Ako, ganon lang ako as a person, hindi ko nila-lahat pero kaya ko yun, wala na akong paki. So, hindi ko na pipiliing magpatawad pa kasi wala na akong paki at hindi mo yun deserve.
“Kaya ko siya, hindi ko alam kung bakit. Hindi ako yung forgive and forget kasi kaya ko mag-forget even if I don’t forgive them.”
Her PRIORITIES
The youngest in a brood of four, Andrea keeps close to her siblings Margarita Niña, Kayla Aan, and Kismet—all of them thriving in the loving fold of their Mommy Belkle.
She has plans for the family, “Magkaroon kami ng beach house somewhere in Batangas.
“Yun pa lang yung goal ko, ayaw ko pa siyang dagdagan nang dagdagan.”
Does she have a timeline for this? “Kung kailan kaya.”
With everything that is happening in her life, Andrea never lose sight of taking good care of herself.
She says, “Siyempre, priority ko is myself, hindi lang health pati skin care ko, sobrang alam kong nakakaloka siya kapag hindi maganda yung skin ko kasi nandun lahat.
“So ayun, self ko, family, and dreams, and love life.”
AS AN INSPIRATION
Andrea wants to be an inspiration to young girls who dream of having their own business.
She imparts:
“Gusto ko lang maisip nila na huwag kang mag-give up sa dreams mo and kapag sineryoso mo talaga, nag-ipon ka, naging masipag ka, dadating din iyan, hindi lang agad agad."
Andrea adds, “Sa akin mukha lang agad kasi bata ako, pero matagal na po ako nagsimula, seven years old,” pertaining to the age when she started as an actress.
“So kung 20 ako, hindi niyo maiisip kasi kung 20 ako nagsimula, 30 ako magkakaroon ng business.
“So hindi siya magkakaroon ng impact na, ‘Wow, 19 ka nagkaroon [ng business].’
"Ngayon lang kasi bata ako pero kung tutuusin po matagal na siya.
“Ayoko rin ma-pressure yung mga bata na, ‘Wow, si Andrea 19 nagka-business na siya, ako ito nag-ML (Mobile Legends) lang.’
"Ayoko naman na ma-pressure sila in a bad way.
"Gusto ko sila ma-pressure in a good way na, ‘Siya, at a young age! Magsimula na rin ako ngayon para pagdating ng oras, pagdating ng 25, kaya ko na rin ganoon.’”
At the moment, Andrea is not looking that far ahead for her business, Lucky Beauty..
She explains, "Go with the flow po akong tao, natutunan ko yun noong pandemic na ang dami kong pinlano.
"Enjoy muna natin, isipin muna natin kung ano yung nasa harap natin ngayon.
“Gusto ko lang is maging success itong first launch ‘tapos doon ako magbe-base yung plans ko for my business.
“If maging successful, siyempre gusto ko pa siyang i-expand. If not, kailangan kong malaman kung bakit hindi siya nag-work para mas mapagbutihan ko at mabago ko yung hindi nag-work.
“‘Tapos of course, patuloy pa rin pagiging artista ko po.”
Q&A WITH ANDREA:
Q: What was the craziest thing you’ve done for love?
A: Masyadong baliw para sabihin ko. I think sacrifice na sobrang lala, yun na yung pinaka-kaya ko [sabihin]. May sinacrifice akong material object, I think... yun na yon! Sacrifice.
Q: May regret?
A: Wala. Desisyon ko yun noong moment na yun, e, bakit ko pagsisisihan? Buong loob ko talagang sinacrifice yun, e. Kung hindi na-treasure, siya yun, hindi ako.
Q: The most special or meaningful gift that you received from Ricci?
A: For me, yung binigay niyang necklace noong hindi pa kami. Nagbigay siya ng [fruit] na necklace na napi-fidget. Mahilig ako mag-fidget, e. so lagi ko siya nagagamit. ‘Tapos siguro, yung teddy bear na nabo-voice na meron kami sa isa’t isa. E, LDR kami so yun yung lagi kong niyayakap, tapos pag namimiss ko siya, papakinggan ko.
Q: One moment from your childhood you wish you can go back to.
A: Naglalaro sa putik o kaya yung agawan base sa kalye!
Q: Most impactful family lesson you learned.
A: Have each other’s back.
Q: What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
A: Wala, masaya ako sa lahat ng natutunan ko at the moment kasi alam kong kaya ko siya natutunan ngayon kasi alam kong ngayon ko siya kailangang matutunan, hindi last year.
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
SHOOT PRODUCER: Karen Pagsolingan, Nikko Tuazon
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Igi Talao
PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Capuchino
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANT: Jobo Antonio Nacpil
STYLIST: Eldsz Mejia
STYLIST'S ASSISTANT: Carl Alberto
MAKE-UP: Marben Talanay
MAKE-UP ARTIST'S ASSISTANT: Angel Mariñas
HAIRSTYLIST: RJ Dela Cruz
VIDEO PRODUCERS: Rommel Llanes, Antonio Payomo III
TIKTOK PRODUCER: Nikko Tuazon
Special thanks to Katrina Aguila of Aguila artists
READ MORE:
- Andrea Brillantes, Ricci Rivero open up about their love story
- Andrea Brillantes reveals struggle with anosmia or inability to smell
- Andrea Brillantes explains reason behind her viral baby talk: “Part siya ng childhood ko na nawala.”
- Andrea Brillantes pokes fun at her own viral video clip: "Sinabawang hotdog supremacy."