Bea, Jodi, Marian vie for Asia’s Iconic Actress of the Year

CELEBRITIES Bea Alonzo, Jodi Sta. Maria and Marian Rivera will battle it out for Iconic Actress this year at the Asia's Golden Icon Awards (AGIA).

Actors Ian Veneracion, Dingdong Dantes and Piolo Pascual will clash for Iconic actor while KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla), FiLay (Barbie Forteza and David Licauco) and DonBelle (Donny Pangilinan and Belle Mariano) will fight for Iconic Loveteam.

Darren Espanto, Iñigo Pascual and Juan Karlos Labajo are nominated for Asia’s Iconic Male Singer while Sarah Geronimo, Morisette Amon and Julie Ann San Jose are nominated for Asia’s Female Singer.

The AGIA will host an annual awards night that honors individuals and companies that have made a significant impact on the community or demonstrated ex-

by HANNAH MALLORCA Inquirer.net

ANDREA Brillantes seems to be enjoying her career as a solo actress, saying that working without her real-life boyfriend by her side is a rewarding experience in itself.

Brillantes made the remark during the media conference of her upcoming series “Drag You and Me,” where she was asked what it’s like moving forward as a solo actress.

“[At first], nahirapan ako maging solo artist kasi simula [13 or 15] pa ako, meron na ‘kong love team. Lagi [kong] kaibigan ‘yung love team ko. Simula noong 15 ako, naging boyfriend ko rin ‘yung ka-love team ko,” she began. Iba kasi ‘yung dynamics kapag in a relationship ka with your partner. Parang it’s not work eh, para kang may date araw-araw. T’as ‘yung staff na kasama ko d’un sa ‘Kadenang Ginto’ is kasama ko na sa lahat ng shows ko, 15 years old pataas,” she continued.

While she didn’t mention any names, the actress must be referring to her “Kadenang Ginto” onscreen partner Seth Fedelin, who she previously confirmed she was in a two-year relationship with at an Instagram Live video in April 2022. Brillantes is currently dating basketball player Ricci Rivero, as of this writiing.

“[Drag You and Me] ‘yung first-ever show ko na, wala akong jowa na katrabaho, or wala akong friend na katrabaho. Lahat ng [castmates ko this time], bago. Lahat ng staff, bago,” she said.

Despite her initial struggles of working as a solo actress, Brillantes said that it’s “fun” to be with new people as it gives her fulfillment in her career.

Nahihirapan ako [in a way] na nakakapaninibago, but it’s cellence in their field.

Backed by a notable organization dedicated to fostering public relations excellence and nation building, the AGIA 2023 aims to recognize successful campaigns of organizations, government sectors as well as individuals that define Asia's cutting edge of work as transformational inclusive leaders in the 21'st century.

Dr. Ronnel Ybañez, celebrity entrepreneur and chairman of the awarding body, said that the winners will be judged independently by a panel of senior experts from inside circles, including incognito professionals, to avoid narrow-mindedness and unconscious bias.

The awardees are carefully selected by the jury to maintain the right balance of competence, experience and objectivity.

"Strict guidelines are designed to eliminate vested interest or breaches of rules of entry. Confidentiality is key to the judging process, with judges discussing the entries but scoring independently and confidentially," Ybañez said. fun to be with new people. Nakaka-work ko ang mga legends and marami akong natututunan sa kanila. It’s a first, pero set na ako dito. I’m loving the solo era. I’m loving it,” she said.

"Asia's Golden Icon Awards 2023 recognize the most outstanding people, from the ordinary to the extraordinary, in building community and solidarity. The awardees demonstrate actual recognition, going beyond mere recognition of the brand or symbol to demonstrate appreciation and understanding of key messages by the target audience," he added.

Other international awardees from Malaysia, China, Fiji, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Australia and many more will also be present in this event.

The public are invited to vote by clicking the "like" button on the respective photo of their chosen finalist per category on the Official Facebook page of Asia’s Golden Icon Awards until May 25.

In a separate interview, Brillantes told reporters that she wanted to explore more the possibilities of being a solo actress.

“Mas madami kasi akong nagagawa ngayon, and bago siya.

[Dati kasi], parang lagi akong may ka-love team. Na-enjoy ko siya, masaya siya, iba ‘yung pakiram- dam kasi independent ako. Pupunta ako sa set na work lang talaga,” she said. “Iba kasi iba ‘yung gaan na meron kang kasamang new sa work. Iba ‘yung power na nabibigay niya sa’yo, tsaka feel ko na mas independent ako. Masaya siya.”

The Kapamilya star, who will play Betty in “Drag You and Me,” is also casted in the upcoming youth-oriented show “Senior High” alongside Kyle Echarri, Xyriel Manabat, Elijah Canlas, and Zaijian Jaranilla.