Andrea Brillantes’ ‘Laya’ makes int’l debut in London women’s filmfest

MANILA, Philippines — Andrea Brillantes’ latest film, “Laya,” is set to premiere in London this Nov. 7, marking the international debut of the drama thriller in which the Kapatid star takes on a darker, more complex role.

Directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, “Laya” is the Philippines’ sole entry in the Feature Fiction Competition of the Women and the World International Film Festival (WWIFF) 2026. It will screen at Rio Cinema ahead of its Philippine theatrical release on Nov. 25. JC Santos and Anthony Jennings co-star in the film.

At the festival’s Nov. 5 opening gala, Andrea said, “Thank you for championing women’s stories in cinema. We need more spaces like this film festival; spaces that put women at the center of creativity. Laya means ‘freedom’ in Filipino. And I believe we all deserve to be free: Free to love, free to live and free to create.”

In a previous interview with The STAR and two other media outlets, Andrea got to talk more about her new character, Sab, and the project shot in the southern town of Oslob in Cebu province.

“Well, si Sab, we’re total opposites. Because I’m such an open book. I’m a very open person. Si Sab naman, she’s very private. Full of mysteries,” she said.

“Hindi mo talaga mababasa kung ano ba yung gusto niyang gawin. Ano ba yung nasa utak niya. Siya yung tipong taong kailangan mo talagang basahin. And you need to be very careful of her because you don’t know what she’s up to.

“Dami siyang baggage. Madami din naman akong baggage but I carry them in a positive way.”

If you ask direk Sigrid, it was precisely Andrea’s familiarity to audiences, if not popularity since her child star days that made casting her an interesting decision.

The filmmaker added that the actors were handpicked for their roles and she was curious as to how Andrea would interpret a character who has several sides to her, at times contradictory.

“Well, Sab’s character is... she should be likable but at the same time she should also be frightening,” she began.

“And what interests me with Andrea is because she’s very likable on screen. As we all know, she’s very pretty and the camera loves her. She has an angelic face so I’m very curious on paano niya atakihin yung role ni Sab na being gentle, vulnerable but at the same time, there’s something about her, which is frightening.”

This also meant that the role demanded restraint from Andrea, who said she was used to being animated and expressive in front of people.

“Na-challenge ako kasi di ako pwede maging bibo. Hindi ako pwede maging bida-bida. Yung usual na ako. Hindi ako pwede maging kikay,” she said.

She recalled struggling through multiple takes of one scene because she was making too many facial expressions.

“And nahirapan lang ako kasi may isang eksena na parang nakailang take kami. Kasi ang dami daw ginagawa ng mukha ko. Ang dami ko daw expressions. Gusto ni Direk blanko lang. So medyo... I had difficulty there.”

But the director was also quick to praise Andrea’s preparation and collaborative attitude.

“Ang nakakatuwa kasi --- she’s very professional. And she’s very collaborative also. She studied her lines thoroughly. She asks the right questions,” she added.

Acting was not the only challenge. Filming scenes with the famous “gentle giants of the sea” in Oslob also tested Andrea physically, even though she already had some freediving experience. She said she started learning with her mother before the pandemic, when she was around 16. Her mother later pursued the sport more seriously and, according to Andrea, became a national record holder.

During the shoot though, the actress needed to swim down toward the whale sharks for the camera. She remembered being frightened by the depth and encountering difficulties with her piercings and braided hair. At one point, she experienced intense ear pain.

“Hanggang sa narinig ko na talagang pumutok yung tenga ko,” she said.

“Ano ako eh, may pagka-perfectionist ako and competitive as well. So, if the shot calls for it (I will do it), even if I’m scared.”

However, that experience eventually became overwhelming that she recalled calling her mom and then apologizing to the production team, “Sabi ko, sorry na lang guys, wala na. Hindi ko na talaga kaya.”

But filming with the whale sharks wasn’t just an unforgettable experience for Andrea, but also for the film’s director and crew.

Choosing the setting was intentional and crucial to the story, according to direk Sigrid, it wasn’t about finding an impressive location.

“There is also a metaphorical aspect of the tuki. Tuki kasi is a Visayan term for whale sharks. So, I cannot say that much, but there is a metaphor there,” she further said, referring to the film’s story and themes that explore anger, revenge and forgiveness.

“Dito natin makikita kung sino tayo bilang tao? Kung magiging mapagpatawad ba tayo? Kaya ba natin magpatawad? At kung hindi, gaganti ba tayo? So there are so many questions about it. It’s really more about second chances and forgiveness.”

As per synopsis, “Laya” tells the story of Sab, a young woman seeking revenge against Tuki (JC), an ex-convict she believes was responsible for her father’s death. After spending 20 years in prison, Tuki lives as an outcast in a coastal community in Oslob, Cebu, where he also faces prejudice because of a skin condition.

Sab enters his life determined to make him suffer, but as she gets to know him, she discovers a different side of the man she has long hated, forcing her to confront her anger and question whether revenge or forgiveness will bring her peace or not.

“Laya” is a Rein Entertainment production, which is supported by the Film Development Council of the Philippines through its CreatePH Large Budget Production Grant.

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