MANILA — It’s confirmed: Andrea Brillantes is back in the dating scene!

The Kapamilya actress officially confirmed to ABS-CBN News that she is dating someone.

“Sinabi ko naman na open ako sa pag-de-date kasi two years na rin naman akong walang boyfriend. Naloloka ako kasi ang daming nagsasabi na bakit may boyfriend na raw ako agad, I’m just dating,” she said during the backstage interview of her Lucky Beauty second anniversary event last Friday.

“I am dating someone right now,” she admitted.

Brillantes is dating Filipino-Jordanian former basketball player Sam Fernandez, who used to play basketball in high school in San Beda University.

“He’s a private person. Non-showbiz siya. (MJ: Pero siya ‘yung nagbigay sa ‘yo ng bulaklak na madami?) Yes. He’s also not a basketball player. He used to play,” she said.

“I’ve known him for a while. We’ve been friends for many many years.”

There have been many sightings of the two, one of which was during Valentine’s week where Brillantes was spotted with Fernandez, holding a bouquet of pink roses. Last Friday, during the Lucky Beauty event, Fernandez was also spotted with the actress.

Brillantes said she was surprised to read a number of articles saying that she is already in a relationship with Fernandez. She wanted to clarify that she is not yet in a relationship and is still in the dating stage with her non-showbiz suitor.

On March 12, Brillantes will turn 22.

She has work on her birthday but already organized a private party for her family and closest friends.

“Ever since nilabas ni Taylor Swift yung kanta niyang ’22,’ inabangan ko talaga na mag-22 ako. Nakaplano na ‘yung birthday shoot ko, ‘yung birthday party ko and everything,” she said.

The past two years have been a tumultuous period for Brillantes, who had been dragged in controversies left and right. But she has learned how to deal with those challenges and realized that, “kahit naman ano pang ibato, it’s really up to you as person kung paano mo dadalhin din.”

“Now, ang daming magandang nangyayari ang I’m really thankful for it. Life talaga is a roller coaster; one day nandoon ako ngayon, next time ganito. But it’s still life. I’m still grateful for everything. Up pa ‘yan o down pa ‘yan,” she said.

As for her birthday wish, BriIlantges said, “Hindi mawala ‘yung relationship and faith ko with Lord. And ma-strengthen lang ‘yung relationship ko sa Kanya. Kasi sa Kanya lang din nanggaling ‘yung peace and happiness ko. So, I believe if I just keep on pressing with my relationship with God, kahit ano pang obstacle ‘yan kakayanin ko ‘yan.”