MANILA — Actress Andrea Brillantes has earned international recognition for her debut leading role in the film “Laya,” winning Best Acting Performance at the 2026 Women and the World International Film Festival in London.
The accolade marks a pivotal moment in the actress’s career as she seeks to reintroduce herself to audiences beyond her personal life and social media presence.
In “Laya,” directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo and shot entirely in Oslob, Cebu, Brillantes stars as Sab, a woman who travels to a seaside town seeking revenge against Tuki (played by JC Santos), a reclusive former convict she blames for her father’s death. The film also stars Anthony Jennings.
At the film’s media launch, Brillantes shared her motivation for taking on the project:
“Ibang-ibang Andrea Brillantes ang ipinakita ko rito dahil gusto ko rin lang makita ng mga tao na may iba akong kayang gawin.”
“Madalas kasi ang napag-uusapan sa akin yung sa love life, sa mga posts ko sa social media and this time I want people to see na si Andrea Brillantes may iba pang kayang gawin.”
Reflecting on her journey during her acceptance speech in London, Brillantes admitted to battling self-doubt while watching her first feature film abroad away from her support system:
“This is my first ever film, and traveling to London without my family and seeing the film for the first time without my friends, it was so hard for me because I didn’t know… I’ve always had this doubt if I was good enough, or am I doing too much?”
Expressing gratitude to the festival, she also advocated for broader recognition of emerging talent:
“Thank you so much for recognizing my talent. It means so much to me, and I wish we could all give more spaces like these for people, and for real talent to be recognized. Thank you so, so much.”
Brillantes noted that she found a deep personal connection with her character, particularly regarding the difficult process of forgiveness:
“We’re both struggling to forgive. I’m still working on that. I’m trying to change my mindset and to apply ‘yung mga nalalaman, natututunan ko. Doon po ako nakaka-relate kay Sab and that way I really understand her.”
“Laya” is set for a nationwide theatrical release in the Philippines on November 25.