Kapamilya actress Andrea Brillantes added color to the LoveLaban Pride Festival on Saturday, June 24, 2023, held at the Quezon Memorial Circle in Quezon City.
The event was organized to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community.
It was just one of the many activities happening throughout the country to mark Pride Month, or the month-long celebration of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender individuals.
The LoveLaban Pride Festival was organized by Pride PH, a coalition of local organizations championing the welfare of the LGBTQIA+ community nationwide.
READ Pride PH Festival, Pelikulaya, other activities to celebrate LGBT Pride 2023
LOUD AND PROUD
The LoveLaban Pride Festival was star-studded, with guest celebrities that include Ice Seguerra, Jon Santos, JK Labajo, and Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Michelle Dee.
Also gracing the event was Andrea, who delighted the crowd with her outfit that bore the colors — red, orange, yellow, green, indigo, and violet — of the Pride flag.
Andrea said from the stage, "Sobrang saya ko na nakasama ako dito at kasama ko kayong lahat.
"Alam niyo sobrang saya ko na nakikita ko kayo na ini-enjoy ninyo ang sarili ninyo, [you're] living your best life and being true to yourself."
READ Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero relationship timeline
She continued, "Reminder lang sa mga ally na katulad ko, let us please use our platform para po makapagsalita, to speak up sa equality and sa protection ng mga kapwa sisters and brothers natin sa LGBTQIA+ community."
QUEER ALLY
Incidentally, Andrea is seen in the romantic-comedy series, Drag You and Me, streamed on iWantTFC.
The series touches on drag culture and promotes love and acceptance.
Andrea portrays the character of Betty (Andrea), also known by her drag name Valentine Royale, a cisgender woman and the ultimate LGBTQIA+ ally.
In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Andrea expressed hope that the show could help open people's minds when it comes to the LGBTQIA+ community.
Andrea also acknowledged the power that a celebrity like her holds in terms of reach, thus effectively sending out the message that the show wants to convey.
"Yung opinyon ko kasing halaga lang ng opinyon at pagsusuporta ng kahit na sinong tao," Andrea said in the interview.
"Pero I think mas madami po akong influence kasi mas maraming makikinig, mas madaming makaka-realize."
In other matters, Andrea has been in the news lately after it was reported that she and her boyfriend, basketball star Ricci Rivero, have broken up.
READ Ricci Rivero confirms breakup with Andrea Brillantes amid cheating allegations
Andrea, perhaps alluding to the breakup and her current state, posted some meaningful words on Instagram on June 12, 2023, the same day the country was celebrating its Independence Day.
She wrote, “Freedom in mind. Faith in words. Pride in our souls [heart emoji] Happy independence day [smiling face with three hearts emoji]."
Andrea's post was accompanied by a photo of her holding a glass of wine, seemingly unbothered by the noise surrounding her failed romance.