'Anna Liza' star Andrea Brillantes says she idolizes Kim Chiu

Rachelle Siazon

<div><img src='' alt='041713-andrea_main.jpg' height='290' width='305' align='left' border='0'>ABS-CBN Business Unit Head Ruel Bayani invited <a href='http://www.Push.com.ph'>Push.com.ph</a> to the on-location shoot of Anna Liza to meet the network’s new child star Andrea Brillante who’ll be reprising the role originally played by the late Julie Vega in the said TV remake.</div><div><br/></div><div>In between takes, the bubbly 10-year-old sat down for an interview and told Push that she had previous exposure in a few TV commercials and modeling stints before she was discovered in the afternoon soap <i>Alyna</i>.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Gina-guide naman po ako. Talagang hindi ko po alam kung paano umarte nun. Tapos ‘di pa ako marunong umiyak. Si</i> Direk FM (Reyes) <i>ang nagturo sa akin sa Alyna. Anak ako ni</i> Shaina (Magdayao)<i> dun</i>,” said Andrea whose dad is of Spanish descent.</div><div><br/></div><div>Definitely not a newbie to <i>teleseryes</i>, Andrea has appeared as the young Andi Eigenmann in <i>Kahit Puso’y Masugatan</i> and young Kim Chiu in <i>Ina Kapatid Anak</i>. She also did acting stints in <i>Eboy</i> and<i> Maalaala Mo Kaya</i> and used to be a mainstay of <i>Goin’ Bulilit</i> for a year.</div><div><br/></div><div>Asked how she feels landing her first lead role in a<i> teleserye,</i> Andrea happily shared that it’s truly a privilege to be given this one-of-a-kind opportunity. As it is, she didn’t have to go through auditions and was handpicked by the management for the starring role.</div><div><br/></div><div>“<i>Masaya at saka nae</i>-excite <i>ako kasi nung</i> three years old <i>pa lang ako gusto ko na maging bida. Sobrang saya ko kasi parang nagkaroon sila ng </i>trust <i>sa akin na bigyan ako ng</i> show. <i>Tsaka siyempre</i> 1980 to 1986 <i>si </i>Julie Vega <i>pa yung gumanap. Isa rin yun sa </i>idol <i>ko</i>,” said Andrea who said she researched about her character via internet.</div><div><br/></div><div>One thing Push.com.ph also learned about Andrea is that she is an avid fan of <i>Teleserye</i> Princess Kim Chiu. In fact, it was her fervent wish to play the young Kim in <i>Ina Kapatid Ana</i>k. “<i>Masaya po nung napili ako kasi siyempre yung mama ko rin paborito si</i> Kim.<i> Na</i>-excite <i>ako kasi sabi po nila dapat ako yung </i>young Maja (Salvador), <i>tapos</i> [<i>biglang pwedeng</i>] young Kim Chiu. <i>Sabi ko gusto ko</i> Kim Chiu!”</div><div><br/></div><div>The pretty child star further shared that she admired Kim all the more when she finally met her in person. “<i>Opo na</i>-mee<i>t ko na siya. Siya nga magiging ninang ko kapag bininyagan na po ako. Pumayag na po siya. Sabi ko, ’Pwede ba kita maging ninang?’</i> ’<i>Oo, sige, pwede naman.’ Mabait siya, sobra</i>.”</div>

ABS-CBN's new child wonder Andrea Brillantes talks about top-billing 'Anna Liza' and being an avid fan of Kim Chiu.

'Anna Liza' star Andrea Brillantes says she idolizes Kim Chiu | PUSH.COM.PH