Maybe it is five minutes, maybe fifteen, of waiting.
But the moment Andres Muhlach leans back into his seat for the interview, you cannot miss it—the quiet confidence of a leading man who is never the loudest in the room yet is always the one who catches the eye.
At the shoot for PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), on the afternoon of February 24 2025, you don't immediately guess he’s the same animated person who debuted last year on TV5’s Da Pers Family with his famous clan.
This Andres is casual and relaxed. He's a bit like the cool guy at the coffee shop who moves like he doesn't deserve any of the attention. Fittingly, this shoot takes place at the PostCeremony Studio, a design space that also happens to be a café.
Viva Entertainment is touting him as its "up-and-coming leading man," and the boy tries not to wear the title too loudly.
One minute, he’s the reserved lead you want to take home to meet the family. The next, he’s the mischievous boy who’s got a whole generation hooked, red flags and all.
The shoot mirrors this shift in Andres’s energy—enigmatic in all-black like a man who’s got secrets to tell; then effortlessly preppy, with a smile so filled with charm, it will break hearts.
These faces? They’re actually different shades of the same guy who is born to showbiz royalty, but who is also just starting to carve out his own space.
Read: Andres Muhlach gets serious about acting
ANDRES AS “THE NEW-GEN HEARTTHROB”
It's tempting to see Andres's new-gen heartthrob status as a birthright handed him by his father, Aga Muhlach, who owns the “Philippines’ Original Heartthrob” title.
Just as easy is attributing his smarts and quick wit to his mom, Bb. Pilipinas Universe 1994 Charlene Gonzalez.
But, believe it or not, Andres is a force of his own.
As he tells it: “Noon pa lang, when I was in high school, I never thought like, ah, 'I'm the son ng ganito' or 'I have these looks.'
“Honestly, I was just more focused on my hobbies years ago—things I like to do, like basketball, golf, or working out, just things like that.
“Kasi, like me, I never, I really never—I promise—I really never thought that I felt that I was a good-looking person.”
The PEP staff cannot hide their incredulity, and he sees it.
“I swear. I swear. Like, when I was in high school, I always thought—if someone liked me, right?—I always thought it was because of the way I acted, my personality.
“I always thought that that's what carried me. That's what I felt."
His is an unfussy nature, it turns out, and this crosses over to how he handles his personal styling and skin-care routine.
“Honestly, in terms of the outfit, yes, I care a little bit. I'm not gonna lie. But in terms of the whole, like the facial aesthetic and everything, I really... Nah, no.”
He explains, “I don't think I don't need it. But I don't really like, for example, makeup and all. I only put makeup on if I have to, or if I have to do it for work. Pero kung wala talaga, then I would get rid of that.”
As he presses his fingers on a blemish-free face, he lets out an even more surprising confession: “Alam mo, what? I do not have a skin-care routine. Alam mo, not even sunblock.
“Pag nag gu-golf ako, di ako nagsa-sunblock. I always forget, but I know it's important, skin-care and all. But, wala, I just don't have a routine.”
Fashion, however, is a different story.
“For me, I always feel like, if I wanna step out of the house, I gotta wear something that I like, so that I also feel, you know, the confidence boost.”
He says, disarmingly, “And para if people catch me out in the open and take a picture, they'll be like, 'Oh, Andres looks good.'”
Although Andres knows that the pressure of looking good coexists with being a member of a celebrity clan, he doesn’t let it rule him.
He’s aware of expectations. He knows the inevitable comparisons with family members. He is also aware of the weight of a surname that carries decades of showbiz history.
And instead of seeing this as something to confront, he makes sense of it, and ends up deciding it's a responsibility to take on.
No one is putting the squeeze on him for sure.
But Andres himself calls it this way anyway: “It's a bit pressuring, for sure.
“There is that aspect that since he is who he is, he's Aga Muhlach and he has this stature, then here I come, you know, his son.
“Of course, I wouldn't want to tarnish anything that he's worked hard to do in his career. And for me, it's more pressuring because I want to do good.
“I want to bring a good image to our last name, to our family name. And, overall, I just want to make both my parents proud.”
He adds: “Coming from being in Spain and then, like, this being my first job as well, it's really all new to me, and everything that I've experienced so far, it's all been learning curves, I'd like to say.”
“I'd like to think that every time I do something new or experience something within the industry, it's all learning moments to lead me where I am right now.”
Looking back at his father’s career, Andres has a specific film in mind if given a chance to reprise one of Aga’s roles.
“Actually, I was just thinking about this the other day,” he reveals. “My dad did a movie with Regine Velasquez, um, Dahil May Isang Ikaw.
“And then, so, my dad naman, his role there was like a businessman. If I could recreate a movie, it would be that.
“Because, ang galing! And I love his whole get-up there. He’s like a businessman, naka-suit, very clean-looking. Tapos si Regine naman, her character is super bubbly, full of life, ganun. And then, my dad's character naman is very serious, like a refined gentleman.
“So, the character Andrew from that movie," he answers.
There’s another screen icon Andres taps into for leading-man moments that demand charisma and magnetism.
Who better to channel than the cinematic Trojan king himself?
“When I'm on set, I often joke with my director na, 'Direk, could I retake this?' And he's like, 'Why, why, why?' I'm like, ‘Kulang siya sa Brad Pitt, Direk,’” he recounts giddily.
“Kunyari, I always say, even when I walk, I'm like, 'Direk, kulang sa Brad Pitt, Troy,' ganun. For me, that's my peg, I guess, that build.”
But while Troy fuels his finesse and swagger, it’s Meet Joe Black that stays with him longest.
“That is, for me, like, one of my favorite movies, if not my favorite movie, matter of fact. I even showed that movie to my sister, and then she ended up loving it also.
“But for me, that movie is my favorite Brad Pitt movie. It made me cry, especially the ending. Grabe, worth the watch talaga.”
Read: PEP BEST BETS 2024: The Rising Stars
ANDRES AS “THE ROMANTIC LEAD”
Rather than confine himself to a single route—such as being in a love team only or venturing solo only—Andres does not look at limitations but possibilities.
“I can't really pick out between the two because, at the end of the day, whatever is presented to me is the opportunity that's there. And if the opportunity is great, I'm willing to take it always.
“Whether that be with a new person or the same person, it's just that I always think that I can learn something from the person I'm working with. I always think that there's something I can gain from them, and hopefully there's something that they can gain from me as well.”
Of course, not every project is an automatic yes.
While Andres says he is open to new roles, he obviously has standards.
“It really depends," he begins. "For me, I feel like if I don't like the story necessarily, or the way the story flows, or just maybe the character, then I'd maybe deny the project.”
Then he soft-pedals: “But, of course, it's a waste. Opportunity is opportunity. But if there are certain roles that...
“If the role is demanding, all the more I'm more interested— it's more intriguing, it's more challenging, if it will allow me to draw more out of myself. But then, if I just don't like the story overall, then I'd probably deny it.”
After all, he believes that if he's half-hearted about something, this translates onscreen.
Now, if he were to step into real life, Andres knows what kind of partner he would be.
“If I were to be in a relationship, I think the type of boyfriend I'd be is the best boyfriend. The best boyfriend!” he declares with a laugh.
“No, I really think because… I don't want to sound like I'm bragging about myself, but I'd like to think that, I'd like to think that as a guy, when it comes to relationships, I think I'm very, very, very thoughtful.
"That's a big thing for me—thoughtfulness.”
He adds, “Even if I'm out somewhere and I'm thinking of someone, then I'll make sure to... For example, if I'm out and about, and I'm in a convenience store, and I see something that she likes that I remember, I will just buy it. And the next time I see her, I'll give it to her.
“I'm always thoughtful like that. Acts of service, I think. Definitely, it's acts of service.”
This is how he defines his love language. It is also, he says, the very thing that hits him right in the feels.
“The truth is, guys, this is the secret. This is the secret to my heart. Because I'm very thoughtful, too, what melts me really is if a girl is thoughtful without me having to say anything really.”
“So, acts of service. In a sense, like, if they just remember the small things, and they do it without me having to tell them, they'll just surprise me.”
He gushes, "That melts me. That melts me.”
Putting his hand to his chest, he says, “For example, ‘Oh, I got you this because I was just thinking about you.’ Oh, my God. Yeah, that melts me, I swear.”
But for now, it seems that the only thing vying for his heart is his adorable miniature poodle, Bean.
“I have a dog that I love with all my heart. I've had my dog for about almost five years. Five years because I got her in the pandemic, and for me she's like my sweetheart. She's my baby.”
He jokes, “Maybe that's why I don't have a girlfriend up to now. No, I'm just kidding. But, no, I really love, I love my dog. She sleeps with me every night. She's in my room.”
Read: Andres Muhlach, inaming hindi pa siya nagkaka-girlfriend
As he speaks, Andres comes off relaxed.
This is, in fact, how he is all the time—something he attributes to being spiritual.
“In anything you do, really, there's going to be some sort of doubt, no matter what, no matter what happens. Even if everything's going well, there's still always that possibility that things could not go the way you want it to. But in terms of, like, full doubt, I wouldn't say I had moments where I really, like, doubted myself.”
He adds: “I always like to think that even if things get harder, or if the work gets harder, or if it's more demanding from me, I always like to think that, well, it's going to happen, and you just have to bet on yourself.
“Really, that's what I always think. Even in moments of doubt, just know your capabilities. If you give your full effort, you can achieve those things.
“And also, like, if you just pray, really, if you just pray. In moments where I had doubt, like, a really big thing for me was really talking to God, really having my connection through prayer and everything. I always felt a lot stronger. I felt more confident.
“Actually, matter of fact, whenever I have taping, especially the first few days of Ang Mutya ng Section E, I was so nervous because it's a completely different role. And then this time, I'm leading [a series].
“So, every day, like, right before I would tape, and on the way to work, I'm in prayer mode. Like, I'll say one prayer in the car, and then right before I tape—like, I'll be in the bathroom, in my dressing room—I'll say another prayer to the mirror.
“And instantly, I just feel more confident, more relaxed, definitely more relieved. Like, the anxiety and everything, the doubt—it just goes away.
“I definitely think that for me, God is such a big factor in my life, really, and I fully believe that. Since I was younger, I've always thought that no matter what the scenario is, if you pray, you will feel better.”
Andres explains that leaning on his faith while facing uncertainties is a core value passed on to him by his parents, Aga and Charlene.
“They've always instilled in us that God is really a big part of life.
“As a human, you need that spirituality. You need that connection. You need that greater faith, that force that really drives you even more.”
Of the job of an actor, Andres says, “There's a lot of things about it that warm my heart. In terms of the aspects of the fans and the people that support me, that really warms my heart.
“Also, another thing that really warms my heart is just, I guess the feeling of work, how accomplishing it feels.
“Especially, like, having a long day on set or having a shoot, and then by the time you pack up, there's always that million-dollar feeling like, ‘Wow, tapos! I made it!’ That, for me, is one of the most rewarding and most warming parts about this job.”
He also says that focusing on his craft takes precedence over accolades. However, if recognition comes, he certainly won’t say no to it.
“Honestly, I'm not so focused on the whole award-winning aspect. I'm still very new, so I don't know how most of those things go.
“Of course, if the opportunity presents itself, and there comes a time where that happens, of course, I'm through the roof grateful and I'm super happy. But for me, it's not a main focus.”
ANDRES AS “THE BROODING BAD BOY”
By his own admission, Andres is farthest from being a “rebel.”
He rocks the part of Mark Keifer Watson in Ang Mutya ng Section E, opposite Ashtine Olviga’s Jay-jay Mariano.
But at 23, Andres is as dutiful as they come—so obedient to his parents that he struggles to even pinpoint his most wayward moment.
“See, that's a great question because I can't actually recall the most rebellious thing I've done in my whole life.”
After a brief pause, he blurts out, “Okay, I'm always late. Yeah, I'm always late,” but quickly takes it back.
“Actually, no, that's not true. I actually don't mean that. I’m not always late. I don't know,” he laughs, trailing off as if still trying to figure out if anything he’s done in his life could count as rebellion.
When it comes to slip-ups and mistakes, he doesn’t shy away from owning up to them, admitting that he has no problem apologizing to his parents.
“Pag may ganun, I'm like, ‘Yo, Mom, Dad, sorry.’ I tell them. I tell them straight up, like, walang hiya. I just tell them, ‘Guys, this is what I did. I made a mistake. Sorry, I'm sorry.’
“Again, I really can't think of the most rebellious thing. Parang wala. I try my best, guys,” he claims, almost sounding like he’s pleading his case.
Even the one time he got stitches on his left eyebrow had nothing to do with a brawl or any recklessness.
“When I was younger, my whole life, basketball—basketball, like, through and through, no matter what, basketball.
“Everything about basketball, but then I got older. And then in this job, like, you can't afford to get hurt or get injured. Basketball is like a very physical, high-contact sport.
“And I've had instances before where I've got elbowed in the face and I've had to get stitches.”
He lifts his bangs, pointing to the faint scar above his eyebrow: “I'm wearing makeup, so I don't know if you can see it—but this, I got elbowed here.
“That's why I'd like to say right now, at the age I'm at, I love golf so much more because it's just so much more relaxing.
“Obviously, there's no physical contact so you can't really get injured. And in terms of, like, for this job, I think it's a lot more perfect.”
Perhaps the only thing Andres truly shares with his emotionally charged character, Kiefer, is the love for basketball.
Reflecting on their differences, he says: “Overall, the contrast between Andres Muhlach and Kiefer Watson is very, very far.
“Kiefer as a character, he has a lot of problems that he deals with, with his family and everything, and that's why he's such a troubled person, you know?
“And the reason that he acts the way he is, is the things that he's experienced in his life were not so great.
“For me, I just feel like Andres Muhlach is such a bubbly guy, like super, just alive. Happy always, just likes to smile.”
He goes on, “Not a bad boy. Not at all, not at all. I love to smile, you know? That's me. It helps a lot that they're very different because that gives me the whole spectrum of personality.”
“Of course, Mark Kiefer Watson is not always mad. There are times where he has to be happy as well. And I think that because of the happiness that I get from me being me, I can use that in the same spectrum of the emotions of Mark Kiefer Watson.”
The more he steps into Kiefer’s shoes, the more Andres finds himself moved by the character’s pain.
“As we were taping the show as well, as the episodes went by, and the taping days went by, all the more I started to feel super sad for Kiefer.
“Because if you really look at him as a character, and the things that he experiences or had to experience, it's really sad.
“And you'd understand more as the show goes by. I can't spoil it because, you know, there's more to come.”
Though rough around the edges, Kiefer gets people pining for him, and Andres has a sneaky suspicion about why that is.
“I think I heard this in a workshop, actually. That's why I was like, ‘Oh, okay, that kind of makes sense.’
“But I think the reason why people are drawn to someone like Mark Kiefer Watson is because of the idea that he's broken. And as a girl, like, what do you want to do?
“That's, I think, that's the whole aspect. That's the pull, right? ‘Oh, my God. Look at him, I can fix him.’ That's why I think people love Mark Kiefer Watson.”
After playing a hot-headed “bad boy” lead, Andres looks forward to playing more offbeat roles like a psychotic or an addict.
“Oh, my God. I would love to do something like that—like roles that are, like, very, very far from me as a person."
“Those are the roles that I'm super interested in and intrigued in because, for me, it allows me to exercise a part of my emotion that I haven't touched yet, right?
“And those are the types of roles that intrigue me; those far-from-real characters, you know what I mean?”
As the cameras stop rolling and the lights dim at the shoot, one thing is clear to PEP: Andres Muhlach is having the time of his life!
What you think would be an awkward, even belabored, encounter with someone who's shy and reserved quickly turns into a lighthearted exchange full of laughs and candid stories.
He’s not in a rush to prove anything as a leading man.
There really is no need. Andres is here for the long game—ready to embrace every challenge, every plot twist, every “kulang sa Brad Pitt” moment on the set.
He’s got the makings of a new-gen heartthrob, sure, but more than that, he’s got the spirit of someone who’s genuinely enjoying the ride—open to growth and self-assured in the face of the unknown.
This is the moment of Andres Muhlach—and, believe us, he's just getting started.
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
CREATIVE DIRECTION: Carlo Maala
PHOTOGRAPHY: Shaira Luna
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon
EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Karen Pagsolingan
SHOOT PRODUCERS: Karen Pagsolingan, Katrina Gangcuangco, Nikko Tuazon
TEXT & INTERVIEW: FK Bravo
STYLING: Ton Lao & Mel Calmante
GROOMING: Mabeth Concepcion
PHOTOGRAPHER’S ASSISTANT: Emelito Lansangan
VIDEO & BILLBOARD PRODUCERS: Katrina Gangcuangco, Rommel Llanes, Khym Manalo, Teddy Garcia, Micah Moleno, and Seleen Simora
SOCIAL MEDIA: Allyanah Calinao
SPECIAL THANKS: Vincent del Rosario Jr., Veronique del Rosario-Corpus, Jean Lander Agor, Caryl Paraico of VIVA Artists Agency
CLOTHING CREDITS:
President’s Corner, United Colors of Benetton-Philippines, TRAFFIC Footwear
