When you’re Andres Muhlach and seen as one of the biggest breakout stars of the year, does that come with a lot of pressure? It turns out, not really.
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We’re often told about the dreaded “real world”. Once you finally finish school and get your degree, you’re left to your own devices as you try to find what’s there for you in a cruel world. But is the “real world” as rough as it is fabled out to be? Is there really nothing out there for you? The answer, of course, is no. Finding the right path for you is actually highkey exciting because of the new beginnings and fresh opportunities out there at this stage of your life.
Coat, sweater, and trousers by @tenmvn, Shoes by @miharayasuhiro_official
We’re young, so there’s no need to sweat over the small stuff. Instead, focus on what you want to and can do out there. It’s a mantra that Andres Muhlach has found himself living by more and more these days. Like some of us, Andres is currently in his first full-time job, which, in this case, is acting, and it’s an experience that has opened many new doors for the 23-year-old actor. He’s been enjoying the ride so far, and going by the many highs the ride has taken him these past few months, the efforts have been paying off.
BIG SCREEN DREAMS
Andres Muhlach and the spotlight are no strangers to each other. As the son of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, Andres has frequently found himself exposed to the camera since he was young (you probably grew up watching his family’s Jollibee commercials). So it really was only a matter of time before he followed in his family’s footsteps. “I really dreamed of seeing myself on the big screen, on the silver screen,” Andres shares in between layouts of his NYLON Manila cover shoot. “I think because of me and my sister’s upbringing, seeing how it was for our father’s line of work, or really our family’s line of work, it intrigued us even more.”
The acting itch was always in the background for Andres, growing ever bigger with his life experiences and moments, and he credits his famous father as being a major influence for this. “A big, really big inspiration of mine really is my father. And I think that’s one of the reasons why I really also wanted to do it because I admire him so much to the point that I would just want to emulate him. I just want to be just like him.”
CLASS PRESIDENT ERA
After spending a few years in Spain studying in college, Andres made the official leap into acting in 2024. It’s still early days for the rookie actor, but so far, the job’s been fun. “It’s been going pretty good so far,” he says. “I really, really enjoy my job. Every single day that I come to work and get the opportunity to tape these sequences, for me, it makes me overwhelmingly happy.”
Given his last name, some might think that Andres has it easy. But the Gen Z actor makes it a point that he treats the job with seriousness and dedication as any actor would. “Every day that I get the chance to work, right when I wake up I always think like, I’m ready, today I’m going to get to shoot, I got to bring my A-game,” he states with a confident snap of his fingers. “I think that’s what brings more of the passion for the craft and the job as well.” If you’re reading this cover story, you probably know where this passion has taken Andres these days.
To say that Ang Mutya Ng Section E is a popular show is an understatement. Since its premiere in January, the show has consistently broken the internet with each new episode, turned many of its young cast members into rising stars, and even gave old songs new life, such as MMJ’s Daleng Dale and Earl Augstin’s Tibok, the latter of which is currently the number one song in the country as of this writing. And at the center of this pop culture maelstrom is Andres, who plays the lead male role of Mark Keifer Watson.
The series has turned Andres into an overnight rising star and a new Gen Z leading man, a development he admits he’s still getting used to. “We just finished taping recently so I still haven’t really grasped the impact or how big the show is.” True to Andres’ lowkey personality, he takes AMNSE’s success with gratitude. “I would like to say that it feels more rewarding just because everyone in the cast, we all gave it our best and we did our part and now to see the results happening, saying that the show is getting popular and things like that, it’s just very heartwarming.”
Blazer and trousers by @patricklazol, Jacket by @rimasarmiento, Shoes by @trafficfw
In his reflection, Andres recalls the first mall show the cast held at SM Caloocan as a moment that made him realize the show’s cultural power was something else. “That was the first time I got to really see, it was the first time I got to promo publicly outside of the show since we just finished. And that was the first time I really witnessed the support and the fan base. It was full, just filled with fans. Super nakakatuwa talaga. It’s really fun. It makes me feel overwhelmed.”
Ang Mutya Ng Section E is also special because it is Andres’s first time leading a series. To take on the lead role of a big project this early in his career might be a tough task, but Andres jumped at the chance. “When the opportunity presented itself of course I was very very grateful because a lead role for a story like this you know, just the story of Mutya overall on its own just the novel is already so great and the fact that I was given the opportunity to lead that role as Keifer, it’s feels very good.”
He adds, “Just everything talaga, all the support you know and everything I really feel like I have to thank God for all of that. Even being in the position to be Keifer, I feel it was all destiny. I feel like God really put all the little pieces together for all of this to happen.” Gratefulness is probably the best way to describe Andres’ mood in all this madness these days.
TO NEW BEGINNINGS
With this level of fame comes the fact that Andres is now more than just his last name. He’s a breakout star, one of the hottest new names on the scene, and a bit of a meme on social media. And with that comes the fact that Andres has found himself with many new doors open for him and opportunities coming his way. Aside from his budding acting career, he also dropped a single called Ikaw Ang Miss Universe Ng Buhay Ko and walked the Bench Body Of Work fashion show, with more opportunities to come his way in the future.
Gen Z can’t probably relate to Andres’ fame, but they can relate to how Andres, like many young people, is at this stage of his life where there are a handful of possibilities for him to take. Being young, after all, isn’t just about locking yourself in one thing or being afraid to see what’s out there.
Your youth is about living your life, exploring your options, and taking the chance on opportunities to find what’s right for you. For Andres, the fear of the unknown isn’t stopping him from seeing opportunities as possibilities. “At the end of the day, I’m just doing my work and doing it to the best that I can really and if the opportunity is there then I’ll gladly take it.”
Pullover from @benetton_philippines, Button-down shirt and shorts from @tenmvn, Shoes by @trafficfw, Glasses from @sarabiaoptical
So, what opportunities excite Andres? “Definitely something new,” he says without hesitation. “Experiencing new things, I feel like, is very exciting. Of course, there’s that sense of nervousness and eagerness to perform. But the best feeling is when you’re nervous and eager to perform and you actually get through it and do a good job, all the more it feels so much more rewarding.”
And speaking of nervousness, whenever those moments hit, Andres turns to spiritual reflection for guidance. “I have one thing really that I always do no matter what even if I’m nervous, if I’m unsure of things, or if I really just don’t know, prayer talaga. I always just like to pray in moments where things are quiet or if I’m hesitant about something, if there’s a decision, I always find myself in prayer mode talaga.”
SO, WHAT’S NEXT?
There comes a time where we will find ourselves at a crossroads of what we want to do for ourselves. It can feel like there’s no option and all the options at the same time, which can feel overwhelming. But with what’s out there in the “real world”, you will find your way. Realize that there’s a whole world out there for you to explore at your own pace and that you will find the lane that’s meant for you. Just look at Andres.
And if you’re unsure if something is right for you, the Gen Z actor says listen to your guy, bestie. “In my inner gut feeling there is something that tells me that it’s right and I don’t know if that could be wisdom or intuition but there’s just like a feeling. If there’s that little bit of hesitation then that could be a telltale sign if something’s right for you or not.”
Andres Muhlach is the first to admit that he isn’t 100% sure that he knows what his career is going to look like down the line. But as he turns to his gut, heart, and faith, he knows he’ll get there, and he thinks you will, too. “Even myself I really don’t know what path to take as well in terms of what career to do or what big decision to make. I always just like to pray and I think that’s the best advice I could give. Sometimes we don’t have the answer to things all the time and I just feel like everything will always work out in God’s perfect timing.”
It’s a big world out there, and it’s natural and understandable to feel overwhelmed by it all. Uncertainty isn’t a sign that you’re doing it wrong though. It’s ok if you’re unsure, or scared even, from straying from the path you thought you’d take. You aren’t alone in this experience. It’s a natural part of life to feel that way when the realities of young adulthood starts to settle in. What matters here is finding the path that speaks to you.
A plot twist could be waiting for you out there, and it could be the best thing to ever happen to you. Or, you could go down the road you saw yourself taking when you were still in school. Either are valid paths and at the end of the day, the road to life isn’t as scary as it seems.
Take it from Andres, the world isn’t as harsh as it seems. So go and live your best life. “I think if you don’t force anything to happen and you just let things come, if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you.”
Photography by BELG BELGICA
Assistant Photography by HALLVARD CANO
Creative and Fashion Direction by ANDRE CHANG
Art Direction by GELO QUIJENCIO
Styling by TON LAO
Assisted by MEL CALMANTE and SOS LOPEZ
Fashion Associate KURT ABONAL
Production Design by ARJ MADZ of JAGGER STUDIOS
Makeup and Hair by MABETH CONCEPCION
Shoot Coordination by JASMIN DASIGAN
Deputy Editor RAFAEL BAUTISTA
Senior Brand Associate BIANCA LAO
Special thanks to VIVA ARTISTS AGENCY
Get your copy of the New Beginnings print pack featuring Andres Muhlach now HERE on the NYLON Manila Shop and SariSari.Shopping. If you’d like to buy a copy of the New Beginnings Issue print and MyZine binder physically, check out the Sari-Sari kiosks in Estancia Mall, Eastwood Mall, and Festival Mall.
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