MANILA -- Actress Andrea Brillantes expressed her amazement on being named the Most Beautiful Face in the World for 2024 by TC Candler and the independent critics. 

“Full of gratitude, very honored na sa daming magagandang babae, napili ako maging top 1. Wala akong ibang masabi kung hindi thank you,” she humbly said.

Despite the accolade, Brillantes admitted that even the “most beautiful” experience insecurities.

“Hindi naman kunyari maganda ka, iba ‘yung insecurities sa outside mo, and hindi ako perfect, walang perfect. May mga days na hindi ako ganoon ka-pretty, may days na nagbe-break out ako — like ngayon, meron akong ‘sister’ diyan (referring to her pimple). It’s all about perspective, it’s all about your mindset,” she said.

She also emphasized the importance of not letting insecurities take over. “Worth it ba na maging insecure ako over this thing, or worth it ba na mag-depend ako sa mood na masisira araw ko? Pero yes, normal lang ma-insecure, normal na may good days and bad days ka,” she said.

The year 2024 proved to be a milestone-filled one for Brillantes. She successfully launched her own makeup brand in 2023 but it thrived more in 2024, earning the title of the youngest celebrity CEO in the industry.

“Happy pero may pressure kasi nga youngest. Ang hirap din niya, to be honest, na bagets ako pero CEO ako. Kasi alam mo ‘yung gusto mo maging boss pero lahat ng nakakasama ko sa office, mas nakakatanda. Kaya kailangan marespeto pa din ako, but I have to stand my ground kapag nagiging boss ako. Pero buti nalang, very blessed ako sa mga nakakapartner ko sa business ko,” she said.

Brillantes also achieved a personal goal: traveling solo, something she plans to continue in 2025. At just 21, she enjoys the independence of exploring alone but candidly shared her fears.

“I travel scared. Sa mga hindi nakakaalam, takot ako sa planes, takot ako sa big, big rooms. May scoliosis din ako, so hirap ako magbuhat. Claustrophobic din ako. Ang dami kong mga phobia, dami kong ganun. So hindi ako ‘yung pinaka-iisipin mo na magta-travel. Hindi ako ‘yung pinaka-eligible for solo traveling kasi ang dami kong kinatatakutan. But I still do it afraid. I do it alone and afraid kasi ayoko hinahayaan na ‘yung fears ko ang mag-stop sa akin from having fun and doing what I want to do,” she revealed.

Brillantes also addressed questions about her love life, revealing that she’s not actively focused on dating.

“Meron naman po talaga [suitors], pero hindi kasi ako nakaka-focus dun, lalo na last year. Talagang inaamin ko na sorry, pero I don’t really date or hindi ganyan ‘yung hinahanap ko,” she said.

When asked if she’s ready to date, she smiled and shared her thoughts on healing and self-discovery.

“Nung nagdadasal ako kay Lord, sabi ko, actually I think nakakapag-heal ako — not 100% because I know nobody is 100% healed. I think ang laki na ng growth ko from last year. But at the same time, what if I’m just being isolated? Baka lumalayo lang ako pero hindi pa ako nakakapag-heal. So sabi ko, ‘Lord, I don’t know, maybe I can? Kung may darating or what, I’m open to it. I also want to be intentional about it.’”