Andrea Brillantes (MNS Photo)
MANILA (Mabuhay) — Child actress Andrea Brillantes has drawn enough life lessons from co-actors to survive the topsy-turvy world of local show business.
She shared, “’Wag po lalaki ’yung ulo, act naturally lang po, tsaka dapat lagi pong careful, (and) paglaki ko, mag-ipon po ako nang mag-ipon.”
Andrea said that she learned these mostly from her “Annaliza” co-stars, particularly actor Zanjoe Marudo, who plays her father in the family drama.
She admitted that among her co-stars in the now defunct show, she has grown closest to Zanjoe, whom she continues to call Tatay. She considers Zanjoe and his girlfriend, actress Bea Alonzo, as her “second family.”
“Ninong ko din po siya,” Andrea added, referring to when she was baptized last year.
Life has indeed gotten better for the 11-year-old and her family. They have since transferred to a town house and now own a car as well.
Humility is important to Andrea, especially with people touting her as the next Judy Ann Santos.
“I-a-accept ko ’yun kasi maganda din pong maging next Judy Ann Santos. Magaling po kasi siyang umarte kaya parang feeling ko super touched ako dahil parang magaling siguro akong umarte kaya ako naco-compare sa kanya,” she said.
The future is bright
Even with a slew of product endorsements and TV projects, Andrea still makes it a point to catch up on her lessons as a regular student.
“Siyempre importante po ’yun dahil hanggang sa paglaki ko madadala ko po ’yun. Tsaka gusto ko pong lumaki na matalino, tsaka matapos ko po ’yung pag-aaral ko,” she said.
Apparently, the budding child star is also quite the dreamer, with multiple goals of becoming a director, a basketball player – yes, you read it right – and even a singer. “Pero medyo parang malabo ’yun sa boses ko, pero carry lang, basta pangarap ko rin po ’yun,” she said.
Despite her lofty goals, Andrea knows what is important. “Magdasal lang po tsaka matakot din sa Diyos, tapos mag-thank you lang lagi sa mga blessings,” she said.
Andrea recently joined boy group Gimme 5 as SM Kids Fashion’s newest brand ambassadors.
“’Yung favorite ko po ’yung mga denim dresses nila, kasi they’re very light and nice, and comfortable po. Minsan nagagamit ko po siya sa mga mall shows and when I want to go out. Tsaka ’yung mga shorts din po nila, ginagamit ko sila ’pag magma-mall ako or aalis kami ng mga parents ko.” (MNS)