A dramatic challenge for Andrea

Okay, those of you who think Andrea del Rosario is just another boldie trying to make a fast buck, lower your eyebrows. The Viva star her mother studio believed so much in, film executives gave her Lupe as a solo film, is springing a surprise for those red-blooded males who adore her so.

This Viva Hot Babe is out to prove she‘s more than just about plunging necklines and string bikinis. In fact, she wants to shout to the world, "Hey, look, I can also do drama!" in Joel Lamangan’s upcoming suspense-thriller, Bugbog-Sarado, for Viva Films.

"I even cried in a scene with Victor Neri (who plays her boyfriend)," Andrea says. "And I didn’t even find it hard to do so!"

What made that supposedly difficult scene, especially for a sexy star like her, easy? "I just thought of my ex-boyfriend, a French guy, an expat who is chief finance officer of a French company based here. We broke off around two to three months ago after being together for two years," she replies.

Andrea was so busy with her career she had no time for the guy, with whom she has traveled to his native Paris twice. Andrea was frank enough to tell him this – who knows, even in French – the language she has learned to speak herself.

"That’s what I noticed about foreigners. They’re more frank than we are. They give it to you straight. Pinoy boyfriends aren’t like that," observes Andrea.

Her going bold, she clarifies, had nothing to do with the breakup. Trips to France have shown her how her ex-boyfriend’s countrymen are infinitely more liberal than Filipinos. It was just a case of bad timing.

"But we’ve remained friends," says Andrea. "He still sends text messages." Going from wholesome (remember her in ABS-CBN’s Marinela?) to sexy is a career move, she admits. Best of all, her decision is something her immediate family (she’s the only girl in the brood) has given the thumbs-up sign to.

"I have a well-off cousin who frowns at my career, but what’s important is that my immediate family is supportive," says Andrea.

That decision to discard her goody-two-shoes image has landed Andrea a role as Martin Nievera’s partner in an MTV.

"Guess what," she says, starry eyed, "I even get to kiss my crush, Martin, no less! And oh, he’s such a gentleman!"

Neither does Andrea hide her admiration for her co-star Victor Neri, the artist-illustrator she shares many scenes with in Bugbog-Sarado.

"The guy has animal appeal," she gushes.

Finally, all the inconveniences of taking a shower at the school gym and going to class at St. Scholastica’s College (Manila) in prosthetics (she had no time to remove her make up) have paid off.

"My parents separated when I was nine. So I was the one sending my brother to school," reveals Andrea. "Good thing the shows never stopped coming," she adds, counting her blessings.

She’s not about to let all that hard work go down the drain, specially now that she’s earned the image of being a prime seductress. Andrea doesn’t hide the fact that she had a lipo-dissolve to maintain that voluptuous figure.

But she admits that not everything about her is pleasing to her eyes.

She sighs, "I wish my legs were slimmer. Maybe I should do something about it, don’t you think?"

Whether she does or doesn’t, the men don’t seem to mind, much less notice. Not when you have long, shiny hair cascading down your sexy figure the way Andrea does.

Those who want to get near her should heed her words, though: "My past relationships – mostly long-term – have made me wiser in love. I prefer a guy with principles: one who is emotionally mature. Of course, he should also be financially stable."

The voice of experience, indeed.