Andrea Brillantes Embraces Growth in Career and Business Amidst ‘Batang Quiapo’ Teaser Buzz

Andrea Brillantes has once again captured the public’s attention after a teaser of her intimate bathtub scene with Jake Cuenca in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo made waves on social media. While fans were eager to see this bold move in her career, the actress admitted that stepping into this kind of role was not an easy decision.

A Tough but Necessary Challenge

Speaking with ABS-CBN News during the second anniversary event of her makeup brand, Lucky Beauty, Brillantes opened up about the challenges she faced before filming her first intimate scene for television.

“It was difficult, behind the scenes. It was difficult for me being Blythe, but Andrea Brillantes—wala masyadong problema, it’s her job and it’s her work,” she shared.

The actress revealed that she went through a phase of self-doubt, questioning whether she was ready to take on such a daring role.

“Ang daming doubt, dapat ko bang gawin ito? Is now the time for this? Ang daming questions, ilang beses ako nagpa-counsel. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, please guide me.’ Nagawa ko siya and thankful ako sa mga reactions ng mga tao.”

Despite her initial fears, Brillantes was pleasantly surprised by how well the audience received her scene.

“Mas nag-expect ako ng violent reactions mula sa mga tao—wala actually. Ang daming nakaintindi na it’s part of my work. It’s my job as an actress.”

She further emphasized her commitment to her craft, embracing the challenge as a step towards growth.

“Kine-claim ko kasi ang pagiging versatile actress ko. I can’t claim my versatility if I cannot do roles like this. It was a bit difficult for me personally, but bilang Andrea Brillantes, laban! Time to explore, time to accept new roles, challenging roles!”

Working with Jake Cuenca: A Safe and Professional Space

In the now-viral scene, Brillantes appears in red lingerie and a mask, while Cuenca is seen lying in the bathtub. Despite the sensual nature of the scene, she expressed her gratitude to her co-star and the production team for ensuring her comfort and safety.

“Ako ay nagpapasalamat kay Kuya Jake. Nagpapasalamat ako sa buong staff, kay Direk. Minemake-sure nila na nasa safe space ako, na safe space ito and I don’t feel violated or exploited. I don’t feel offended in any way. Lagi akong sinasabihan ni Kuya Jake na ‘Let me know if hindi ka comfy’.”

Brillantes also acknowledged the slight awkwardness of the scene due to their history as co-actors.

“Medyo awkward ng konti lang kasi ‘kuya-kuya’ ko siya. Nung dati kong naka-work ko siya, I was just 14 lang noon. Tinawanan na lang namin pero kasi parehas kaming aktor.”

Balancing Acting and Business: A Tough But Fulfilling Journey

Beyond acting, Brillantes has been busy managing Lucky Beauty, her own makeup brand, which has been growing steadily over the past two years. Juggling two demanding careers, however, comes with its own set of challenges.

“Bawal mag-phone sa set ng Batang Quiapo, I cannot not use my phone ‘cause nandun lahat ng trabaho ko, nandun ‘yung Lucky Beauty. Ang hirap lang pag may pinagsasabay. Honestly, hindi talaga ako nahihirapan sa trabaho ko, kasi gusto ko talaga yung ginagawa ko.”

Despite the difficulties, Brillantes finds immense joy in learning about business while continuing her passion for acting.

“It’s fun ‘coz I really love makeup and I love what I do. And I love the people in my work, I love my partners. Pero it’s also hard, ‘coz I’m not just a CEO, I’m also an actress, I’m also the breadwinner, it’s a lot of things. Pero masaya ako.”

With her determination and drive, Andrea Brillantes continues to prove that she is not just an actress, but also a force to be reckoned with in the world of business. Whether it’s taking on daring roles or building an empire in the beauty industry, she remains unstoppable.