In the world of showbiz, even the most innocent comments can sometimes stir up controversy, as rising star Andrea Brillantes recently discovered.
The young actress, known for her roles in popular Philippine television dramas, recently found herself at the center of a social media storm after making comments about Jakob Poturnak, the son of actress Ina Raymundo.
The furor began when Brillantes, during a playful game of “date or pass” with friends, revealed that she would be interested in dating Jakob if given the chance.
The comment was made in a light-hearted and humorous manner, typical of the banter exchanged among friends. Brillantes also recalled a previous encounter with Jakob, mentioning that she was in a relationship at the time but humorously addressed him in her vlog, saying, “Hi, Jakob! If you’re watching, I’m single now.”
However, what was meant as a fun and harmless comment quickly ignited a firestorm of criticism and backlash on social media. Many netizens accused Brillantes of being “malandi” (flirtatious) and questioned her intentions.
In response to the criticism, Andrea Brillantes took to TikTok to address the situation directly. In a video filmed inside her car while doing her makeup, she humorously responded to some of the negative comments and clarified her stance.
“Naamoy ko agad na siguro ang comment section puno na ng mga boomers. Siguro sinasabi nila na puro ako boys. Hanap ako nang hanap, magpahinga naman muna ako,” Brillantes quipped.
She went on to explain that her comments were meant in good fun and that she did not intend to be taken seriously. Brillantes also expressed her frustration with the backlash, stating that her comments were blown out of proportion and taken out of context.
“I can’t blame anyone for reacting like this,” Brillantes remarked. “But even if I was serious about it, I don’t think any woman should be getting any hate for making the first move. For me, that’s not being malandi at all. I don’t think a woman should be receiving harsh words and hate just because she’s being courageous sa lalaking natitipuhan niya!”
She further emphasized that she is currently enjoying her single status and not actively looking for a relationship. Brillantes expressed regret over making her “Date or Pass” content, as she felt it was rather mundane compared to other vlogs. She also highlighted the importance of allowing women to take the initiative without facing backlash.
Andrea Brillantes, who had previously been in a relationship with basketball player Ricci Rivero, now finds herself navigating the complexities of singlehood, all while continuing to shine in her career.
