2024's Most Beautiful Face ANDREA BRILLANTES

Seeing her up close would have made the case of being number 1 in the Most Beautiful Face of the Year a no contest. It's the annual voting list run by TC Candler, a creator based in LA. There have been 7 Filipinas in that list this year but the Top 1 post went to ANDREA BRILLANTES, one of Star Magic's brightest stars.

She's also been given the SPOTLIGHT by the artist agency last week and we got to talk to her a bit about getting the recognition and asked a few more things about what she plans to do this 2025. She's had a pretty lucky 2024, and for sure, ABS-CBN has huge plans for her especially after getting in this really popular list.

We talked to Andrea at the SPOTLIGHT set by Star Magic. They really prepared a lot for this event and interview (mainly to recognize their accomplishments of course!).

Andrea says "I was quite surprised about the video, I didn't know you were going to do that. I tied my hair today because of that list. Last year I was also there but I didn't get the top spot, but this year when I learned about it, I said hala, I'm top 1? I asked my Mom immediately and told her she's got a daughter that made the top spot. But really, I'm so thankful. It's the bragging rights that I could tell my friends now, really happy about it but I couldn't have that in my head, I couldn't wrap my head around it."

She adds "Right now I'm enjoying my free time because I don't have a show, but I've got a ton of things to do especially with business. I set my priorities, but try to also enjoy my youth. I also help with my community, my church, and try to learn a new sport like frisbee. I try to be intentional with my time, try to find some for everything. It's quite precious for me because I have to have energy for it everyday. I try to travel, my schedule is crazy, but want to have a work life balance. I want to manage my time because you can't disappear when you're in this business. I think it's important to have sleep, above anything, no matter how beautiful you are. Now I'm adding veggies to my diet, try to take care of that and what I eat. I also invest in skincare, do makeup, I've been doing it since I was 16 and I think I've got a pretty good grasp of it. If I'm tired, I just do my routine. I try to fit it in one hour or 30 minutes just to take care of myself." 

"You don't just have to be pretty outside, I try my best to be good, my attitude. I think making your heart pretty is better."

With all the things she's been through, she knows herself even more. She plans to do more shows, programs, movies, even other things outside showbiz. It's her experience that makes her an even better person, and we saw that during the SPOTLIGHT event with her.

VIKINGS Luxury Buffet Opens "MOST BEAUTIFUL" Branch at GATEWAY MALL 2 in Araneta City

Buffet Olympians, lend me your ears! There exists a new VIKINGS branch at the Gateway Mall 2 in Araneta City. This is not a drill!

Dubbed as the "Most Beautiful Branch", the new Vikings Buffet branch in this place is indeed worthy of that title. Mixing both Scandinavian and Japanese design, they devised a way to make this small space and make it an iconic venue to eat, be merry and do it like the Vikings do!

The chain as always want you to have an unparalleled gastronomic flair that they do in every branch of Vikings. The sheer variety of food should make you interested since they house more than 10 Stations including my personal favorites, the Meat Carving and Dessert station. The place can sit over 360 people, have lots of options for groups, conducive as they designed it lined up and cozy, with privacy on some parts if you prefer.

Here's a short tour of VIKINGS Luxury Buffet Gateway Mall 2, please enjoy!

The interior as you can see feels so fresh and very minimalist which juxtaposes the amount of food they offer on the buffet. The food quality was also something to be lauded, because their Corporate Executive Chef Rosauro Peciller sees to it that every dish coming out of their kitchen is at par with the level of every Vikings Luxury Buffet branch they handle. 

Chef Ross says "This is one of the most beautiful Vikings Luxury Buffet branch there is. We have an updated menu, different kinds of dishes, we have the Mediterranean, Indonesian, Malaysian, Korean, and the best Meat Carving Station. We also are offering Roasted Duck, Peking Duck, Angus Churrasco and more. I travel a lot, I have worked in the best places around the world, even 5 Star Hotels and Cruise Liners, and take my 43 years of experience in this branch in Gateway Mall 2 at Araneta City. We always update the menu in Vikings, which is why if you have dined here today, you'll probably have to try different dishes the day after. We do that from time to time. For me, this is the best Vikings so far. We have bigger Vikings Buffets elsewhere, but this one has charm and can host a lot of people too. The best time to go here is ANYTIME!" 

He adds "We also continue to innovate, introduce new flavors, it's my 10th year with the Vikings Group. Working in the Philippines I get to be together with my family and friends, which I hope people get to also experience when they dine in this Vikings Luxury Buffet branch in Gateway Mall 2! I am also happy I get to train the young Filipino chefs that are working with Vikings and their other restaurants. It's almost Christmas, so in the holidays, expect even grander food like the Roast Turkey, Roasted Lamb Leg, big Steaks, holiday breads and an awesome Christmas Menu. We can add more in the future. We are the best Buffet in the Philippines!"

It's super nice to actually see this new branch open quite near my home. Just like a lot of businesses, Vikings has been through a lot during the pandemic, laid off a few people, retained who they can. Now they're back, bigger, more beautiful than ever. 

Now put on your Viking hat and troop the Gateway Mall 2 at Araneta City, they are located at the Upper Ground B floor beside Palenque. You may contact them through their social channels, or their number 8-VIKINGS for reservations.

Your Next Gen Leading Lady YUKII TAKAHASHI

After being a TikTok superstar, she's now a full pledged actress appearing in different TV shows,  including hit series FPJ's Batang Quiapo (opposite McCoy De Leon) and  Puregold Series "Ang Lalaki sa Likod ng Profile" (where she's paired with Wilbert Ross). She's Yukii Takahashi, and there's a ton of projects now lined up for her.

Honestly, I first saw her in person during the massive Puregold TNAP Event in World Trade Center. She's absolutely gorgeous to say the least, and this time, we're getting to see her much closer. You can see why people are just at awe.

She deserves the spotlight (sorry I just had to say that!)

Indeed, so much has happened to her career since she did that stint on TV as part of Sunday Noontime Live on TV5. She regularly appears on "Ano'ng Meron Kay Abok?" which is a sitcom show on Net 25 (with funny man Empoy), plus from what we heard, there will be several huge projects in the pipeline. She's certainly been taken cared of by her management Cornerstone. This is on top of several commercials, endorsements that she's getting involved with recently, and from what we're seeing, she's definitely getting her shine on. Beyond the glam of the entertainment industry, she's a very friendly and smart woman who hails from Tondo, Manila.

Here's our conversation with the gorgeous gal:

By the way, she's also part of an upcoming HBO limited series called "Call My Manager!" together with Queen of Soap Judy Ann Santos and heavily awarded Director Erik Matti. There's also one under MavX Productiosn called "Pangarap Kong Oskars" which you should watch out for. Congratulations Yukii, I'm sure Cornerstone Entertainment will take good care of you. Thank you for the hearty meal prepared by The CLIFF Restobar at Timog Avenue where our press conference was held (Check out Google Maps for new food photos I uploaded there!).

Can't wait to see your star shine even brighter! She's the next big thing.