Andrea Brillantes and Francine Diaz are two of today’s teen stars who, no doubt, will become part of the future of the Philippine entertainment scene. Both have already shown acting chops in their previous TV projects. Televiewers had seen Andrea play the titular role in Annaliza some five years ago while Francine gave an impressive acting performance as the eldest daughter of a child trafficker in The Blood Sisters.
These days, the two are making the Kapamilya Gold block a breathtaking moment for all viewers with their excellent acting performance in Kadenang Ginto. Andrea is Marga who hates Francine’s Cassy to high heavens as a result of their respective mothers being mortal enemies. They fight even at the slightest provocation but in real life, Andrea and Francine are two of the sweetest girls in showbiz. Their friendship began during their second meeting for the drama series.
“We never talked the first time we met, nagkakahiyaan pa kami,” recalled Francine with Andrea adding that she was the first one who broke the ice, so to speak, by bringing up the topic about a zombie apocalypse.
Andrea and Francine also found common interest in K-Pop, particularly their fascination over BTS. The photo of the popular K-Pop boy group brought instant delight to the teen stars who were impishly shrieking while pointing out their “bias group” (the group they love the most in K-Pop). RM, V and Suga are their favorites.
Like their idols, Francine and Andrea know hard work is just one of the keys to make it big in showbiz. Francine auditioned for a role in Be My Lady and “after that, the producer introduced me to Star Magic people and then I did other shows until I was cast for this (Kadenang Ginto). ”
Andrea, on the other hand, started acting at eight years old. She admitted that the first few years didn’t come easy. “I failed in the auditions a lot of times kaya down na down ako ng sobra.”
Her biggest disappointment came when she was already in the final stage of the selection process and then suddenly she was notified that someone bagged the role.
“For Mutya po ‘yun. I was really heartbroken because it’s my dream to play a mermaid. I really thought I passed (the test) since I was already in the pool for a final look on my swimming (style). Iyak ako nang iyak nung may tumawag na may nakuha na. But after that, I realized that it’s not meant for me, na kaya di ko nakuha kasi may mas better pa for me.”
Having been in the business ahead of Francine, Andrea is generous in giving her pieces of advice. “Huwag kang mag-babago, always give thanks to the Lord and always look at the bright side of life.”
Andrea also told her co-star to learn to trust, love herself, make God her best friend and be confident to do anything.
That’s why, Andrea and Francine appear confident in their every scene in Kadenang Ginto. The former admitted that it’s her first time to play kontrabida and shared that she did a lot of preparations for it. “I always look at myself in the mirror to see my facial expression,” she said.
Meanwhile, their first time guesting in Tonight with Boy Abunda was capped by taking on the Fast Talk challenge. Read on.
Andrea, kilay o labi?
“Kilay.”
Francine, skirts or shorts?
“Skirts.”
Andrea, okra o ampalaya?
“Okra.”
Francine, rice or bread?
“Bread.”
Andrea, milk or chocolates?
“Chocolates.”
Francine, scrambled egg or sunny side up?
“Sunny side up.”
Andrea, nakakailang post ka sa IG sa isang araw?
“I don’t know (laughs).”
Francine, nakakailang cups of rice ka?
“Five or six.”
Andrea, isang bagay na laging laman ng bag mo?
“Pang tali.”
Francine, what’s your good luck charm?
“A small Bible.”
Andrea and Francine, who is the cutest Kapamilya actor?
Andrea: “Daniel Padilla (laughs).”
Francine: “Ejay Falcon.”
Andrea, kung hayop ka, ano ka?
“Aso…ay mermaid pala.”
Francine, kung cartoon character ka, ano ka?
“Barbie.”
Andrea, from 1 to 10, gaano kayo ka-close ni Grae Fernandez ngayon?
“7.”
Francine, what are you most proud of?
“Nakakatulong sa family.”
Andrea and Francine, ano ang hashtag ng buhay n’yo ngayon?
Francine: “Hashtag blessed.”
Andrea: “Hashtag happy.”