MANILA -- Actress Andrea Brillantes said she has gained valuable lessons about love and relationships as she reflected on her past romances in a recent interview with broadcast journalist Karen Davila.
Now 23, Brillantes admitted she is still learning, but believes her experiences — including a highly publicized breakup — have taught her the importance of protecting one’s peace and privacy.
“I think 23 is still very young, pero I believe marami po akong natutunan. Ayaw ko i-claim na mas wiser na ako but I've learned a lot,” she said in Davila’s vlog.
Asked what she learned from her public relationship, Andrea Brillantes said she was not originally planning for it to become public and reflected on the value of privacy in relationships.
“Isa lang naman po ’yung naging public relationship ko talaga. ’Yung isa kinailangan ko siyang aminin to address a certain issue. So hindi ko naman pinlano na maging public ’yon. Sa public breakup, ’yon hindi ko rin pinlano, naging public na lang siya, nag-trending na lang siya,” she said.
“Pero natutunan ko siguro na may mga bagay na mas dapat protektahan na lang, na there’s peace and privacy. Pero ang hirap din kasi kapag in love ka. Siyempre you want to flaunt, gusto mo ipakita ang taong mahal mo or you want to do things na normal lang. Pero sa trabaho ko mas okay na may privacy ng konti.”
Screen grab: YouTube/Karen Davila
Brillantes also shared that she successfully broke a pattern when it comes to love.
"Yung gawing mundo ang taong mahal ko. 'Yun po ang tinry ko na i-break and I belive na break ko na siya 'yung natatakot ako na maiwan or maging mag-isa," she said.
Contrary to what other people think, the actress said that she's not "boy crazy," adding that she can live without them.
"Of course gusto rin natin ng love. Hindi naman sa mayabang ako, pero maganda rin po kasi talaga ako. So laging after a failed relationship, may laging may nagpi-presinta na 'I can treat you better, I can give you this and that.' Siyempre gusto kong maniwala. Ayaw ko kasi umabot sa point na hindi na ako naniniwala sa love. Pangarap ko ang magka-family. I want to be a bride, I want to be a mom. So I always give chances. So marami lang pong nagta-try. Then okay let's see, kung wala eh 'di wala. Hindi po ako ang lumalapit o naghahanap lagi. So I can live naman without a boyfriend but if mayroong magpapakita at cute naman siya and we get along, eh di why not?" Brillantes said.
In the interview, Brillantes also opened up about her relationship now with her non-showbiz boyfriend.
"Wala naman po masyadong bago for me kasi it's just a normal relationship for me lalo na hindi nakapasok sa utak ko na artista ako. Wala po akong ganoong level. So for me normal lang po siya na relationship siguro different lang in a way na siyempre hindi siya sanay. Tapos minsan nasa articles siya, so 'yun lang po ang kailangan kong ipaintindi pero wala naman po masyadong pinagbago," said Brillantes, who met her boyfriend through mutual friends.
Screen grab: YouTube/Karen Davila
Northing to prove
Brillantes, who started as a child star and is known for her role like the kind and hopeful "Annaliza," also clarified that she was not trying to prove anything when she decided to do sexy calendar for an alcoholic beverage company.
"Kapag ang babae gusto lang magpa-sexy ang dami nilang sinasabi. Ako, wala po akong tinry i-prove o hindi ko po siya ginawa para basagin 'yung image na Annaliza. I just did it simply because I can and I want to. Mayroon din akong napanood na advice from a woman na 60s or 70s. Tinanong siya anong advice mo sa mga babae sa early 20s nila at ang sabi niya magbikini ka nang magbikini, mag-post ka nang mag-post kasi you're only going to get that body once lalo na kapag babae ka, your body is always changing because it goes through a lot of stuff lalo na there's menopause, pregnancy. Alam mo 'yon? You're only young once. So sabi ko ifo-flaunt ko ito. So I'm not doing this because of this and that. Ginawa ko lang siya kasi kaya ko, I want to," she said.
"Nag-sexy calendar ako kasi sexy ako. 'Yun lang," she added.
In the vlog, Brillantes also talked about her relationship with her mother, bashers, acting projects, regret, dreams and more.
Brillantes is the lead star of the upcoming movie "Laya" with JC Santos and Anthony Jennings.