Kapamilya actress Andrea Brillantes has described to Karen Davila her struggle with congenital anosmia, a medical condition of people born with inability to smell.
On Saturday, July 9, 2022, Andrea said in the interview posted on the broadcaster's Youtube channel, "Wala po talaga akong memory ng kahit na anong amoy."
The young celebrity recalled with a bit of humor, "Wala po akong pang-amoy at all.
"Wala po talaga, as in puwede po akong ututan sa mukha, kasi inututan ako ni daddy dati.
"Silang lahat, hinintay nila ang reaction ko. Doon ko na-realize, hala, may mali ba sa akin?
"Kulang pa rin po ako ng five senses ko as in kulang pa rin 'tsaka hindi ko pa rin na-experience yung world kung paano niyo siya na-experience.
"Ang meron lang ako sensation, kapag yung rubbing alcohol yung parang lalamig.
"Yun lang, yung mga cooling cooling pero amoy po, wala talaga."
Asked about her sense of taste, Andrea disclosed her inability to smell might have led to her craving for flavorful food—except she couldn't smell its aroma and detect if it were spoiled.
She said: "Sa akin po kumpleto naman, pero hindi ko po masasabi kasi ipinanganak akong ganito so hindi ko mako-compare kung anong natitikman niyo sa natitikman ko.
"Hindi ko alam if kulang yung sa akin. Pero sabi nila, kulang kaya daw ako mahilig sa mga sobrang maasim, maalat, sweet.
"Pinakamahirap po is panis na pagkain kasi hindi ko alam."
Read also: Andrea Brillantes explains reason behind her viral baby talk: “Part siya ng childhood ko na nawala.”
Despite her condition, the 19-year-old Kapamilya is fond of collecting perfumes.
She gets some help from her elder sister Kayla Aan Gorostiza and boyfriend Ricci Rivero.
She said, "Mahilig po ako sa pabango actually, yung ate ko, yung jowa ko, sila yung pinapaamoy ko, 'ano’ng amoy neto explain mo.'
"Ang ate ko, maraming pabango, mahilig sa pabango. Spray, spray lang ako diyan 'tapos umiinit lang yung leeg ko sa kaka-spray ko. Wala akong naaamoy."
In her vlog on September 17, 2021, Andrea bravely declared: "Ipinanganak akong walang sense of smell, pero siyempre concerned pa rin ako sa maaamoy sa'kin ng mga tao bilang isang artista."
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