Andrea Brillantes bids farewell to ‘Batang Quiapo’; talks about lessons from Fatima's life and death
• Actress Andrea Brillantes concluded her seven-month run on "FPJ's Batang Quiapo" after her character, Fatima Benito, was killed off
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• Brillantes related to Fatima's difficult life, drawing from her own humble beginnings, and took away the lesson of speaking up for the truth
• Her favorite scenes included her intense moment with Jake Cuenca, pointing a gun at Coco Martin, and her character's courageous speech exposing a political crime family
• She praised co-star-director Coco Martin as an "extremely hardworking" and inspiring mentor on set
Following the dramatic on-screen death of her character Fatima Benito in the October 7 episode of "FPJ's Batang Quiapo," celebrated actress Andrea Brillantes has opened up about her intensive seven-month journey in the long-running primetime series.
Source: Instagram
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The actress shared her fondest memories, key lessons, and challenging scenes in an exit interview, marking her departure from a role that represented a significant step toward more mature acting.
Brillantes, known for tackling angsty or forlorn characters in her past projects, surprised many with her bold turn as the morally complex and audacious Fatima.
Reflecting on the character, the young star revealed she found a personal connection to Fatima's difficult life, drawing from her own humble beginnings.
"Hindi rin naman kasi ako laking yaman, so medyo naka-relate din talaga ako sa kanya, na mahirap din talaga ang buhay," she explained. "May mga bagay ka na magagawa mo para sa pamilya mo, para makakain, para mabuhay, para maging maayos, mas maging komportable ang buhay ninyo."
The role of Fatima, despite her flaws, imparted crucial life lessons to the actress. Brillantes emphasized that the character's journey served as a potent reminder that one should avoid doing bad things, as karma will eventually catch up.
More profoundly, Fatima taught her the importance of speaking up for the truth, especially when the stakes involve many people.
Brillantes cited her character's climactic act of exposing the crimes and corruption of the powerful Guerrero family—a move she described as "truly commendable"—as a highlight of Fatima's courage.
Although this stand cost Fatima her life, the actress remains proud that her character "died with dignity," refusing to be easily oppressed by Manila's most powerful clan and attempting to protect the public from the deceit of political figures.
Furthermore, Brillantes’ experience underscored the value of showing love and protection toward others and demonstrating a "heart for our motherland."
She encouraged viewers to be vocal about important matters and to be more protective and caring toward one another.
When asked about her most memorable scenes, Brillantes listed four distinct moments that pushed her boundaries as an actress.
Fatima's passionate speech against the Guerreros during Tanggol's political rally (miting de avance).
The intense scene with co-star Jake Cuenca, which marked her first time wearing lingerie and performing a kiss of that nature on television.
The intense confrontation where she pointed a gun at Coco Martin during her character's attempt to abduct the protagonist, Tanggol.
The grueling long-running and crying scene after Miguelito abducted her and tragically killed David (McCoy de Leon) in her presence.
The actress also expressed her appreciation for her co-stars, particularly the Opilac family (who played her mother's side of the family) for their fun presence on set. She singled out Diana (who played Lola Nati) for her sweetness, recalling a time the veteran actress cooked her favorite dish.
Brillantes also shared her admiration for the complexity of other characters, naming Mokang (Lovi Poe) as her favorite and praising McCoy de Leon's portrayal of David.
"Nagustuhan ko kasi nakakairita. Ang galing. Ang galing galing ng [pang-iirita] niya sa ating lahat. Pero noong nawala siya, nami-miss natin siya, ‘di ba? So, ang galing ng ganoong contrast," she remarked.
Finally, she conveyed her deep gratitude to Coco Martin—her co-star and director—whom she described as "extremely hardworking" and an inspiration for his ability to manage all aspects of the production without neglecting anyone.
She extended her thanks to the show's loyal viewers, urging them to "enjoy the ride" and never lose hope, a central theme of the action-drama.
Andrea Brillantes is a Filipina actress who rose to fame as a child star. Her popularity was further propelled when she played the role of Marga in the hit teleserye Kadenang Ginto. Along with her Kadenang Ginto co-stars Francine Diaz, Kyle Echarri, and Seth Fedelin, Andrea was a member of The Gold Squad. Andrea was in a romantic relationship with basketball player Ricci Rivero until their breakup around June 2023.
Meanwhile, Andrea and actor Enrique Gil were seen enjoying a casual meal with their managers and close companions. The photo was uploaded by Enrique’s manager, Ranvel Rufino, and circulated widely on social media. Joining them were Andrea’s mother Belle, her manager Shirley Kuan, and television writer Mark Duane Angos. The gathering quickly fueled talk among fans who speculated it could be related to a future collaboration between Andrea and Enrique.
Previously, Andrea reacted to the pregnancy announcement of her close friend Bea Borres revealed in a vlog. The content creator called Andrea before making her big reveal in the video and Andrea initially thought it was a prank. Bea admitted feeling nervous while Andrea reassured her that she would be there for her no matter what. Their exchange showed the strong friendship and support between Andrea and Bea.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
