Andrea Brillantes shares what led her to baby talking, opens up about relationship with Ricci Rivero
Andrea Brillantes has opened up about the internet pointing out her baby talking and "serious" relationship with Ricci Rivero.
In an interview with veteran journalist Karen Davila posted on July 9, the actress shared that she entered showbiz at the age of seven and started supporting her family at 10 years old while they were living as illegal settlers.
With the money she received from her projects, Brillantes was able to help out in her school tuition fees, their electricity bill, and other utilities.
"Namulat ako na ang hirap, ang hirap hirap kumita ng pera," Brillantes shared. "Sobrang nawalan ako ng childhood kasi ang dami kong sinacrifice."
She added that there were dream schools she wanted to attend, but ultimately gave them up to continue her career.
When asked by Davila if she thinks that she missed out on her childhood, Brillantes said that she is aware of the toils it took on her—and the physical effects that manifest now.
"Nung nag 15 ako, bumalik ako sa pagkabata kasi natakot ako, sabi ko 'ayaw ko, ayaw ko,'" she said.
"Yung pagb-baby talk ko na laging nagte-trending kasi voice ko talaga siya pero hindi siya ‘yung napipili ko [consciously]. Bigla lang siya nagsi-switch kasi nung bata ako kulang din ako sa pansin. Kasi nga bunso ako, hindi ako lumaki sa parents ko, baby-baby talaga ako," Brillantes shared.
"Pero yung boses ko, yung pagka-baby voice ko, sometimes good and sometimes bad."
She explained that she would often have a baby voice when she's both comfortable and extremely uncomfortable with the people she's with.
"Feeling ko pag may nakikita akong father figure or kuya figure or ate figure... Pag nakakita ako ng ganon, lumalabas yung pagka-baby talk ko kasi feeling ko maalagan niya 'ko," Brillantes said.
She was raised by her grandparents. Her grandfather figure, whom she lovingly called "Daddy Jun" passed away in May 2019.
Nevertheless, she said that she does not get offended when people make fun of her voice: "Hindi, kasi kahit ako, hindi din maintindihan," she said with a laugh.
The actress also shared some details about her fresh relationship with University of the Philippines basketball player, Rivero.
The celebrity couple made their relationship official last April 9 when Rivero asked Brillantes to be his girlfriend at the SM Mall of Asia Arena after clinching a win against the FEU Tamaraws.
"Wala po talaga akong plano mag boyfriend ulit, kasi galing ako sa biggest heartbreak ko," she said, pertaining to her breakup with fellow young star, Seth Fedelin.
Brillantes also shared that she and Rivero started talking over their shared interest in astrology: "Nung nakita ko bakit siya nagppost sa private [Instagram], tapos tungkol sa astrology — eh mahilig ako dun — sabi ko 'uy mahilig ka pala diyan." And the rest is history.
Finally, she shared that she had not been expecting a relationship any time soon, but happily stated of Rivero: "Bigla nalang siya dumating."