I realized once again during my conversation with Andres Muhlach on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” (which he revealed was his first studio interview), that time flies really fast. I used to see him playing and running around inside the dressing room when he was a kid while waiting for his mom, Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach who I worked with on “The Buzz.”
Andres has become one of the most promising actors of his generation. His latest project is “Bagets: The Musical,” a stage adaptation of the iconic coming-of-age movie that starred his father, Aga Muhlach. He reprises the role of boy-next-door Adie, originally portrayed by Aga in the 1984 film.
As part of a certified Philippine showbiz royalty, it is not surprising that Andres finally decided to enter the industry. He shared, “Feeling ko, from a very young age, I really wanted to do this. Parang may ganoon talaga sa utak ko. Growing up, being exposed to everything.
“Earlier days picking up my mom at ‘The Buzz.’ Going sa mga shootings ni Dad. We were exposed to it. May mga commercials din, so naging interested ako through time. But I was also in denial. Iniisip ko, do I really want to do that, or is it because I’m being exposed to it?”
Andres with his supportive parents Aga and Charlene, and twin sister Atasha.
Is there any pressure following in the footsteps of his famous parents? “Before Aga Muhlach was the actor or before Charlene Gonzalez-Muhlach was, they were my mom and my dad. They’re my parents. The way I see it, it’s like the pressure of the surname. I’m sure there is, but I try not to look at it like that,” he replied. Andres admitted that he still has a lot to learn as he is new to showbiz, but he is enjoying the process and getting accustomed to it.
Aga and Charlene always remind their son to be nice to everyone, to just be himself, and to have fun. “Enjoy the process because if you don’t really like what you’re doing, makikita naman talaga iyon. You have to give it your whole heart.”
Andres grows on people. The longer you talk to him, the more handsome he becomes. The young actor admitted being flattered every time he is called “gwapo,” but he said, “Di ko napi-feel na ganoon pero pag narinig ko naman, talagang naa-appreciate ko.” Good looks undoubtedly run in their genes. Andres shared that he has features similar to those of his parents. He also commented that Aga is more handsome than him. “Ang tatay ko talaga. OG iyon. Aga Muhlach po iyon.”
Anyone would be surprised to find out that Andres has never had a girlfriend. “That’s by choice naman. Kasi right now, with the way everything has happened, mas lalo with work and everything, I’ve been so busy these last few years,” he explained.
Photos courtesy of Newport Performing Arts Theater and Viva Artists Agency
Andres opened up that he courted someone in the past, but they didn’t become a couple. He wants to bring home and introduce a girl who would be accepted by his parents and twin sister, Atasha.
Speaking of his sister, Andres described Atasha as his best friend. “Kapag may work na kinakabahan ako, I talk to my sister. We like to compare and give advice to each other. We’re really very close.”
Andres thinks they have twin telepathy. “Feeling ko, it’s a real thing. Kung nasa event or dinner kami, if we hear something or something happens, we can look at each other. I don’t know how to explain it, but sometimes we just look at each other, and we’re like, ‘Gets,’” he shared.
I’m proud of what Andres has become, and I can’t wait to see what more he can offer as an artist in the future.
