Andrea Brillantes was born without a sense of smell, a condition known as congenital Anosmia, but she has overcome it by launching her own fragrance brand.

Now, the actress has unlocked another achievement — from merely a window shopper because she could not afford shopping at Guess — to not only being able to shop at the international brand, but even become its first ever Philippine brand ambassador.

“Lagi akong napapatingin sa store. As in, bata palang ako, lagi akong nagtatanong sa mama ko about the brand. ‘Di ko pa kasi s’ya afford before (I always just used to look at the store. As in, ever since I was young, I would ask my mom about the brand. I cannot afford to buy there before),” she professed at her recent launch as the label’s new face in the company’s newly revamped store in SM Mall of Asia, Pasay City.

“’Di ko po talaga inaakala na magiging brand ambassador ako… I think, na-manifest ko! (I really didn’t think I would become a brand ambassador… I think, I manifested it!).”

According to her, she has always been drawn to the brand’s “fierce, confident and bold” as campaigns —something she has also now done in a photo shoot as brand ambassador.

Among the brand’s offerings, her wardrobe staples are “jeans because it’s perfect for the weather.”

“It’s soft, lightweight and comfortable but still good quality,” she said partly in Filipino. “I’m always running or walking, so I love to wear jeans.”

 “Guess headquarters really loves Andrea,” Maureen Stamati, Guess Philippines executive director, told DAILY TRIBUNE in an exclusive interview. “Especially with her shoot, her images, they love it!”

According to her, Andrea is their top choice as first Filipino endorser and her campaign materials would be offered to other Southeast Asian countries for possible use, with plans to be also used internationally.

For now, Andrea’s contract with the brand spans for a year, “but we really want to keep her because we value her as the first Filipino face of Guess. So it’s really a big moment for us.”

“Being named their first local ambassador is an honor, and I’m excited to represent a brand that celebrates boldness and individuality,” Andrea adds in a statement.

As the brand’s newest face, she will lead campaigns, headline events and play a key role in connecting the brand with a new generation of consumers through fresh, youth-driven storytelling.