Jaehwa Bernardo

Andrea Brillantes poses with Coco Martin's photo along the halls of the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City.

Article (news)

Andrea Brillantes wants to 'step up my game' for 'Batang Quiapo'

MJ Felipe

ABS-CBN News

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:959px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739180565425IMG-4384fa99c3464763ab38a235b951b12a-V.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Andrea Brillantes poses with Coco Martin&#x27;s photo along the halls of the ABS-CBN headquarters in Quezon City. <em>MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News</em></span></span></span></div><p>Kapamilya Gen Z star Andrea Brillantes is having mixed emotions after being casted as one of the new characters in ABS-CBN’s top-rating action drama series &quot;FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.&quot;</p><p>“At first, natuwa ako. Pero kinabahan din ako”, says Andrea. “It is a great opportunity for me as an actress but at the same time, alam ko kasi iba ang, may sariling flavor si Direk Coco, may sarili siyang timpla sa set kung paano ang script, alam naman natin kung paano walang script sa set ng Batang Quiapo. Of course, I took the opportunity, Im happy, excited but still nervous.”</p><p>She adds, “I admit it. Talagang kinakabahan po ako yes, iniisip ko siya daily. Minsan five times a day, I think about it more than I eat pa nga eh.”</p><p>Adding pressure to Andrea is the stellar line-up of award-winning veteran actors - like Michael de Mesa and Shamaine Buencamino who will she acting alongside with in most of her scenes. </p><p>“Yun mga kasama ko po, sobrang bigatin nila. Nung una, super happy lang ako eh. Pero when I got there, may storycon, merong press, yung mga kasama ko sa seat.. what am I even doing here? Pero nagtiwala sila sa akin, ibig sabihin naniniwala sila na meron akong ibubuga. So, kailangan ko, to live up to their expectations. I will try my very best.”</p><p>For the past two years, viewers have seen Ivana Alawi (Bubbles) and Lovi Poe (Mokang) work with Coco Martin in ‘Batang Quiapo’. They didn’t last though for reasons that they were only promised a certain period of time and had to cater to other showbiz committments, but Andrea wants to be part of the show for as long as she can. </p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/1/10/new-cast-members-to-join-fpj-s-batang-quiapo-says-coco-martin-1923"><strong>READ: New cast members to join ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’<br/></strong></a></div><p>“Yes, gusto ko po talaga mag-tagal. Kailangan ko pong galingan, para hindi po ako i-tegi, ayoko po eh! Naririnig nyo po ba? (while talking to Coco’s photo along the hallway of ABS-CBN). </p><p>Theme and story-wise, &quot;Batang Quiapo&quot; is far from Andrea’s past projects like ‘Senior High’ and ‘High Street’. But in her new era, Andrea is now ready for matured roles. </p><p> “I think yes, I am ready for more matured roles. We have this thing na pag matured roles, parang daring sexy na. It’s more of like, for me leveling up pa kasi yung mga kasama ko talaga mga bigating veterans.” </p><p> She added, “Ako po yung dapat na lumevel up sa kanila. I need to embrace itong role na binigay sa akin. I need to step up my game!” </p><p> Also, Andrea is no longer part of Star Magic. She is now being managed by Shirley Kuan - the same manager of Bea Alonzo and Albert Martinez. </p><p> “Different era for me, sana maging super blessed itong new era na ito.” she said.  </p><p> “Nagsasabay-sabay lahat, bagong show, bagong management, tapos magte-22 (years old ) na rin ako. So talagang, ang daming room for exploration.”</p><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO</strong></div><div><strong></strong><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/fj387hJV0jU?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Kapamilya Gen Z star Andrea Brillantes is having mixed emotions after being casted as one of the new characters in ABS-CBN’s top-rating action drama series 'FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.'</p>

Kapamilya Gen Z star Andrea Brillantes is having mixed emotions after being casted as one of the new characters in ABS-CBN’s top-rating action drama series 'FPJ’s Batang Quiapo.'