Andrea Brillantes grew up in front of the camera and right in front of the Filipino viewers. She started in show business at the tender age of seven, making her first-ever TV appearance in the children’s comedy show Goin’ Bulilit.As a child actress, her first big break came by playing the titular role in Annaliza (a character previously portrayed by actress Julie Vega), and she has since starred in big projects like Hawak Kamay and in the remake of Pangako Sa’Yo.

As a teenager, Andrea gained stardom anew by playing an antagonist role in the hit afternoon drama Kadenang Ginto with Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin and Kyle Echarri. The young cast members earned a solid following and fandom as the Gold Squad. She’s also making waves as a social media star (as of this writing, she has 17 million followers on Facebook, 18.7 million followers on TikTok, and 13.5 million followers on Instagram, and almost 4 million subscribers on YouTube).

Andrea Brillantes Photography by Dookie Ducay

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But before achieving the fame and success she has now, Andrea also experienced rejections and disappointment which she felt shaped her character and gave her the strength she has now.“Naranasan ko po na one month and every week, meron akong sinasalihan na auditions at wala talaga, hindi ako kinukuha at all. Harap-harapan ako sasabihan or paaasahin ako na kinuha na ako pero pagdating ko doon sa mismong location, biglang tatawag na ‘Ay, may nakuha nang iba.’ As in umiyak kami ni mommy pauwi. Pero dahil sa nangyaring iyon, before kasi ang struggle ko sa auditions, I can’t cry, so nagamit ko siya as my weapon sa pag-arte and nadala niya ko sa maraming roles. Ginamit ko iyong weakness na ’yun as my strength,” she narrates, laughing.

Through the years, she’s also been trained to rise up even when faced with challenges, including roles and situations she has to work on. She mentions the drama Huwag Kang Mangamba” as one of the challenges she had to face.

“Mas may pressure po doon kasi pinalabas iyon noong [early part ng] pandemic. Iyong show kasi was about having faith kay Lord and helping others. Iyon iyong pinaka-kailangan natin noong time na ’yun kasi grabe epekto ng pandemya sa atin ’di ba? So, may pressure sa amin ni Francine na talagang galingan namin iyon kasi very timely iyong show. Mas nahirapan ako because of the pressure at first role ko na I was blind, na meron akong disability,” Andrea shares.

Andrea credits Star Magic for all the guidance and learnings that helped her stay in the industry.“Meron po akong sinusundan na mga morals ko as an actress or as a person sa trabahong ito na hindi mabubuo kung hindi dahil sa Star Magic,” Andrea opens up.“Una, maging mabait. Lagi pong maging mabait sa co-actors, sa crew, sa staff at maging mabait, magalang at huwag lalaki ang ulo. Pangalawa, maging masipag lang lagi at marespeto. Dapat marunong makisama at ang pinaka-importante is magtiwala kay Papa Jesus at magtiwala, maniwala, at ibigay lang lahat sa Kanya. Lahat ng gagawin natin para sa Kanya.”

Andrea says that being with Star Magic is like being home despite being in the workplace.“What I love most about Star Magic is they’re not just a management. They are very good at managing celebrities. Sobrang galing nila mag-alaga pero what I love the most about them is they treat you as a family, not just as an actress or like, parang bagay ka lang na binebenta or pinapanood ng mga tao. As in they really care for you and your well-being. Para silang mom or best friend na malalapitan mo at gusto rin nila actually na lapitan mo sila kapag may problema ka kasi they really care for you,” the 19-year-old young star explains.

On Andrea: Dress by Steph Tan

The Star Magic artists gathered for a 2022 year-ender cover feature, to cap Metro's celebration of the premier talent management's 30th anniversary in the industry. Photography by Dookie Ducay and Jharwin Castañeda

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Because her Star Magic family cares about her well-being, it makes it easier for a talented actress like Andrea to focus on her work and passion.

“It’s always been my dream to be an actress. What I really love most about my work is nagagawa ko ’yung gusto ko. Ang swerte-swerte ko kasi nagagawa ko kung saan ako magaling at kumikita na rin ako from it,” she says candidly. “So bonus na talaga siya. Hindi ko po ma-imagine iyong life ko or kung saan ako lulugar ngayon kung hindi ako artista. Kasi ito ’yung buong buhay ko since I started in this industry ng sobrang bata. So, I love it, I love my work,” the actress concludes on a decisive note.

Photography by Dookie Ducay

Styling and creative direction by Eldzs Mejia

Art direction by Raff Colmenar

Sittings editor: Grace Libero-Cruz

Makeup by Marben Talanay

Hairstyling by RJ dela Cruz

Shoot coordination: Red Dimaandal and Kate Paras-Santiago