There’s definitely no doubt that Andrea Brillantes is one of the brightest, not to mention controversial, stars in the country at present. In the years that she has been under the spotlight, she’s able to prove not just her worth as an actress, but also her tenacity as a young woman when it comes to handling issues and bashings that she encounters – just like her twin characters in the well-loved primetime series Senior High.

As her life has been an open book, especially now that she’s a young adult, she further opens up about her much talked about life recently in and out of the spotlight in her guesting in the latest episode of Luis Manzano’s online talk show “Luis Listens.”

Dealing with controversies and bashers

With how she’s been incessantly trending almost every week – from her statements in her interviews to her posts on social media – Andrea divulged that she already finds it “medyo hassle din” to always be the talk of the town. She had statements that really meant nothing to her and she just blurted out of whim, or she just wanted to impart advice to those who are going through the same things as her, which she didn’t expect to be picked up by the media.

While it cannot be disregarded that it’s ‘beneficial’ to her career since it’s still a form of publicity, it has restrained her from expressing what she wants to say as she has to be extra careful – as what her Star Magic handler Gidget reminded her before the interview. As much as she wishes for her inspirational remarks to reach the same level of popularity as her witty utterances, she and Luis agreed that, unfortunately, it’s human nature for us to talk about negativities.

Another thing that is controversial about Andrea is her love life, on which she isn’t focused right now since she’s busy with work and all set with the most important, her other liabilities, and everything that she aspires to achieve before the year ends and in her life in general.

Being a child star

Since being under the limelight could be distressing and exhausting, Andrea admitted to her It’s Your Lucky Day co-host that there used to be instances when she regretted working at a young age as she wasn’t able to enjoy her childhood and teenage years. However, seeing and reveling in the fruits of her hardwork through the years, which include being able to provide a comfortable life to her family, to afford everything they need and some luxuries, and to live life according to how she wants it to be.

“Masaya ako at doon ko na-realize na kaya kinailangan kong gawin ‘yong mga kailangan para sa ikagaganda ng buhay naming lahat,” she conveyed.

Growing up under the limelight and having her life be put under the magnifying glass of other people could be a curse since it’s difficult and tiring, but it’s undeniably a blessing, too, as she’s able to earn money, gain friends in and out of the industry and families in Star Magic and the projects that she did, as well as develop and continuously hone her talents.

Rather than exerting her energies and giving her attention to good-for-nothing naysayers, Andrea simply accepts the fact that it’s already part of her life as a celebrity and focuses on her worth as a person and on everything that she has already done to herself, to her family, and to other people. And whenever she’s having a bad day, she just turns to her best friend Bea Borres and her beloved Ate Kayla Aan.

Highlight of her 2023

While we usually mention a happy memory or momentous milestone whenever we’re asked about the highlight/s of our lives, the Senior High lead star astonished Luis when she disclosed that it’s actually her controversial heartbreak.

“Honestly, tinitingnan ko ‘tong 2023 as pinakamalas ko sa pag-ibig, romantically. Pero pinaka suwerte ko rin sa pag-ibig sa fans, sa friends, sa co-stars ko, sa casual viewers ko, sa management ko,” she explained. She also added how she’s also been blessed to be able to travel, to make her business continue to progress, and to receive an overwhelming amount of love from people around her.

When asked regarding the qualities that she looks for in the next guy she’s going to love, she enumerated that she wants him to be loyal, caring, gentleman, respectful, and “a real man.” She expounded, “Kasi a real man, I believe, they know how to settle. Alam nila kung paano makontento sa isa at isa lang talaga. Gusto ko ng one-woman man. Ang totoong lalaki for me, hindi ‘yan nagsisinungaling. Alam niya kung paano aminin ang buong katotohanan nang buong-buo.”

She went on to further emphasize how much she needs a man and not a boy because of how hectic her life is and how she yearns to sleep with peace of mind at night. Someone insecure is a no-no to her, too.

Andrea also schooled us about the difference between “loyal” and “faithful,” imparting that guys who are “loyal” tend to look at other girls and be attracted to them, but his love and commitment remain to his partner. Meanwhile, guys who are “faithful” would never ever dare to turn their heads to other girls.

Apart from teaching her a lot of lessons, she considers 2023 as “the year of growth, learning from her mistakes and repaying karma.” This is because she has been receiving good and bad karmas this year, as well as learning to fix and remove her toxic traits and trying to be a better person everyday. With everything that she went through this year, it made her realize the importance of lifting it all God because it’s only him who knows what is going to be good and bad for her.

“Natutunan ko rin noong 2023 na lahat talaga tayo aangat, babagsak. Aangat, babagsak. Basta ang importante, lahat tayo aangat pa rin kapag ma-acknowledge na rin natin ‘yong mga maling ginawa natin,” she added.

Success of “Senior High”

As Luis mentioned an episode of It’s Your Lucky Day wherein a contestant responded “Northford” – the name of the school in the highly popular Senior High – to a trivia question, the conversation veered to the exponential success of the primetime series, to which she’s absolutely thankful and delighted for.

“Masaya po ako dahil ‘yon talaga ‘yong pinagdadasal ko no’ng nag-start pa lang kami – na sana pumatok ‘yong ‘Senior High’ hindi for hype, hindi for myself, hindi for my name at ikagaganda ng karera ko. Ang ganda kasi ng story at ito ‘yong first show on national TV na pinag-uusapan talaga namin drugs, sex, depression, rape, suicide. Madami kaming serious and sensitive topics. Gusto ko talagang magkaroon ng time na mapag-usapan sila nang maayos,” Andrea related.

She went on to enthuse how each of the characters is actually bida because they have respective story arcs and moments to shine, as well as how the ensemble cast offers spectacular performances. With how relatable the narratives and the topics being depicted, she divulged that there are actually people who reach out to her on social media to tell her how Senior High has touched their lives.

Andrea might have already portrayed a variety of roles throughout her more than a decade in the industry, but she confessed that she still has dream roles. According to her, it has been her dream to portray a mermaid, an action star, a ballerina, and a mad woman who exacts revenge on those who have wronged her.

When asked for her New Year’s resolution, she said that has none because she does not believe in them anymore. However, she just wants to enjoy life, be braver, and be wiser, especially when it comes to love, which she admitted is her greatest “kryptonite”.

The fun and insightful interview concluded with Luis showing Andrea a hilarious video of him that trended online, as well as inserting a clip from a TikTok video that they filmed together.