For Andrea Brillantes, her face card is a master key to opportunity, with no expiration in sight.

After showing off her swagger in a dynamic hip-hop dance number on the ASAP Natin ‘To stage on January 12, 2025, she was interviewed backstage about her recent recognition as “The most beautiful face in the world” on the annual list of English writer and content creator TC Candler and the Independent Critics.

Andrea was surprised that she had made it to the top of the list, especially since she was simply enjoying a quiet holiday with her family as the year was coming to a close.

“Sobrang saya ko nung nalaman ko yun kasi, kasi normal day lang yun saka patapos na yung 2024, wala na,” Andrea recalled.

It was a calm moment with her loved ones when the news broke, leaving her in awe: “Tahimik naman yung holiday ko. Nag-chill lang ako sa bahay kasama ko yung family ko.

“Wala na akong ine-expect na mayroon pang pahabol or pasabog pa yung 2024 for me.”

Despite her excitement, Andrea’s first instinct was to turn to her mother and grandmother for their reaction.

“Nung nalaman ko yun, gulat na gulat ako. Mas actually, ang tinanong ko si Mama. Mama at saka yung lola ko. Hindi yung sarili ko,” she said.

“Sabi ko, ‘Oh Ma, anong feeling? Naglabas ka ng… [most beautiful]?’ Iyan yung Mama ko talaga yung tinatanong ko. Kasi alam ko, sila yung super saya sa akin.”

andrea brillantes recalls struggling with insecurity

For Andrea, titles like “most beautiful” have always seemed secondary. She admitted that, for most of her life, she struggled with insecurity.

“Wala naman ako masyadong care sa mga title na yun. Kung most beautiful, o kung ano. Pero siyempre, masaya ako na napili ako. Basta happy ako.

“Dati kasi, sobra talaga akong nabu-bully sa school. Parang never ako talagang naging maganda sa school.

“For the longest time, insecure na insecure ako. Never ko nakita sa sarili ko na maganda ako.”

It wasn’t until she reached adulthood that she began to see the beauty in herself, even if it wasn’t always apparent to her peers.

Being named the most beautiful face in the world, especially after everything she had been through, was a transformative moment for her.

“Para makita yun ng iba na ganon na Top 1 ako, sabi ko, ‘Grabe, okay, thank you,’” she reflects.

“Tapos siyempre, ang una kong pinasalamatan si Lord. Sabi ko, ‘Thank you Lord, may pahabol ka pa sa akin. Thank you Lord. Thank you po.’”

WHAT ANDREA’S FACE MEANS TO HER

Andrea’s acceptance of the title is tempered with gratitude.

“Nanay ko, pinagdasal ako nang todo,” Andrea said.

She then acknowledged that her beauty isn’t just a product of genetics, but a gift that has helped her overcome challenges.

“Siguro binigay sa akin ni Lord yung ganitong mukha kasi, madami akong pagdadaanan sa life,” she added, looking back on the hardships that have shaped her.

“Sabi [ni Lord], ‘At least gawin nating maganda itong babaeng ito.’

“Kasi minsan umaabot talaga ako sa point na alam mo yun, ‘Lord, buti na lang, thank you, Lord.’

“Kasi minsan, alam mo yun, there’s always something to be grateful for. And sometimes mayroon tayong challenges sa life na sobrang hirap lang mahanap kung ano dapat pagpasalamatan. I think everyone naman has been there, di ba?

“Minsan, nasa lowest point lang talaga tayo. Tapos mahihirapan lang tayo magpasalamat, kahit nga huminga, e. Minsan, ayaw mo na lang huminga, e.”

More than the aesthetic appeal, her face has provided a way for her to give back to her family.

“Pero sabi ko talaga kay Lord, ‘Lord, alam mo, thank you na lang din sa mukha ko po. Sa mukha ko kasi na ito, nabayaran ko yung pampakain ng family ko.’

“Lahat ng ito, nagagawa ko dahil sa face ko, so thank you po.”

Joining Andrea on the list are fellow Filipinas Janine Gutierrez at 28th, Liza Soberano at 31st, Belle Mariano at 52nd, Ivana Alawi at 69th, Gehlee Dangca from K-pop girl group UNIS at 82nd, and Aiah Arceta from P-pop girl group BINI at 88th.