Andrea Brillantes confirms romance with non-showbiz BF, denies she is ‘boy crazy’

As Andrea Brillantes confirms her romance with athlete and internet personality Pankie Capistrano, she also clarified that she is not “boy crazy,” reiterating that there’s more to life than boys and getting into relationships.

Brillantes’ romance with Capistrano was confirmed in an interview with Karen Davila on Saturday, May 16. This is where Davila pointed out that the actress is now in a relationship with a non-showbiz boyfriend, to which she agreed, as photos of her with the internet personality were flashed onscreen.

“Wala naman siyang bago, it’s just a normal relationship for me. Lalo na hindi talaga pumasok sa utak ko na artista ako. Wala akong gan’ung levels,” Brillantes said. 

“For me, normal lang siya na relationship. Siguro different in a way na hindi siya sanay [na maging public], and nasa articles siya. ‘Yun lang ang kailangan kong ipaintindi. Wala naman masyadong pinagbago,” she continued.

(There’s nothing new about it. It’s just a normal relationship for me. It never occurred to me that I’m a celebrity. There’s no such level of thinking. For me, it’s a normal relationship. It’s different in a way that he’s not used to being public, and he sees his name in articles. That’s what I make him understand. Other than that, nothing much has changed.)

On Ricci Rivero and dealing with boys

The conversation then shifted to Brillantes’ ex-boyfriend, basketball player Ricci Rivero, with whom she hasn’t kept in touch since. The actress also clarified that she hadn’t had a boyfriend for two years since their breakup. 

“There’s more to life than just boys and relationships. Lagi akong nasasabihan na never akong nababakante, [or] laging may boys pero after [Ricci], almost two years akong walang boyfriend,” she said.

(There’s more to life than just boys and relationships. I am always accused of always having someone or dating boys. But after Ricci, I didn’t have a boyfriend for almost two years.)

Rivero is now being linked to Juliana Gomez, daughter of actor-politician Richard Gomez and Lucy Torres-Gomez.

The “Kadenang Ginto” star also explained that she tried to date at the time, but none of them were serious enough for her. She nonetheless acknowledged that she was “clingy” and actively sought love back then, though she learned better now.

“One year po akong single na talagang wala akong kinakausap at all. One year na ako lang talaga, nag-try akong mag-date pero hindi ko ‘yun naging boyfriend. Marami lang kayong nililink sa’kin na lalaki na minsan hindi ko rin alam. Wala akong tinitingnan din at all hindi po ako boy crazy, I can live without them,” she said.

(I was single for a year, and I didn’t talk to anyone. I spent one year alone. I tried dating around, but none of them became my boyfriend. Many were linked to me, and some I had no idea about. I didn’t scout for someone to date, and I’m not boy crazy at all. I can live without them.)

During the interview, Brillantes also drew laughs from Karen Davila when she acknowledged that she is pretty, which may have been why she often had admirers. She added that she has learned more about love and relationships now.

“Of course, gusto rin natin ng love. And hindi dahil sa mayabang ako, pero maganda din po kasi ako. After a failed relationship, laging may [lumalapit sa’kin saying], I can treat you better. I can give you this and that. Gusto kong maniwala. Ayoko kasing dumating sa point na hindi ako naniniwala sa love,” she said.

(Of course, we want to experience love. Not to be proud about it, but I’m beautiful. After a failed relationship, people would come up to me and say, “I can treat you better.” I can give you this and that. I want to believe in it. I don’t want to reach the point where I don’t believe in love anymore.)

Brillantes was rumored to be in a relationship with Capistrano after they were seen together on multiple occasions in late 2025. 

The actress is currently one of the leads of TV5’s “A Secret in Prague,” which is also streaming on Netflix. The series also stars Enrique Gil, Cedrick Juan, and Kim Domingo. /edv