For the first time in her life, Andrea Brillantes experienced the magic of snowfall — but it came with a harsh dose of reality while shooting TV5’s upcoming international series A Secret in Prague alongside Enrique Gil in the Czech Republic.
The highly anticipated series marks the first on-screen pairing of Andrea and Enrique. While the project is filled with romance, action, and stunning European visuals, the extreme winter conditions turned out to be one of the biggest challenges for the cast.
Andrea recalled her initial excitement upon seeing snow for the very first time.
“Parang sobrang excited ako noon kasi first time ko talaga makakita ng snow,” she shared. “Feeling ko para akong nasa movie, parang naging Elsa ako. Tuwang-tuwa ako sa simula, kaya ang una kong ginawa, binato ko si Quen ng snowball. Sobrang saya talaga.”
However, the thrill quickly faded as the freezing temperatures took their toll during long outdoor shoots.
“Habang tumatagal, doon na namin naramdaman yung hirap,” Andrea continued. “Pagsapit ng gabi, nanginginig na kami pareho. Hirap na kaming magsalita, nabubulol na kami sa lamig. Ang ginagawa namin, nagbo-boxing na lang kami kahit sandali para uminit yung katawan namin. Yun talaga yung pinaka-challenging part para sa akin.”
She also laughed about their stylish but impractical wardrobe. “Ang ganda ng outfits, pero manipis talaga sa loob. For fashion talaga siya, parang local European style, pero sobrang lamig. Sabi nga, ‘the cold never bothered me anyway’—pero honestly, bothered na bothered ako.”
Enrique Gil on Full Circle Moments
For Enrique Gil, A Secret in Prague holds special meaning after years of waiting for the right project.
“Super happy ako kasi matagal na siyang pinag-uusapan,” Enrique said. “Hindi pa rin siya totally real hanggang ngayon. Parang ang tagal naming hinintay na maging totoo ‘to.”
He described returning to the romantic-drama genre as a refreshing full-circle moment in his career.
“Parang bumalik lang ako sa kung saan ako nagsimula,” he explained. “Before loveteams, sanay na talaga ako na iba-iba ang kasama ko. Kaya refreshing siya sa akin, parang full circle ulit yung career ko.”
Enrique also appreciated working with familiar faces behind the camera. “Yung ibang crew, directors, and staff, dati ko pang nakatrabaho. Kaya para siyang reunion. Gusto ko yung ganun, parang pamilya yung set, mas magaan magtrabaho.”
He emphasized the importance of a positive working environment: “Importante sa akin na good vibes ang set. Gusto ko relaxed lahat, walang pressure na hindi kailangan. Kasi doon lumalabas yung totoong chemistry at performance.”
Intense Scenes and Memorable Challenges
In the series, Enrique plays Mikoy, a hardworking man who goes abroad to support his family, only to get entangled in a dangerous mission involving a secret organization and Chiara, the daughter of a mafia boss portrayed by Andrea.
The cast endured long, grueling shoot days in the bitter cold. Andrea recalled one particularly tough sequence:
“May eksena kami na sobrang haba, halos six pages ng script, tapos buong araw kami nasa labas. Yung lamig talaga, hindi biro. After every cut, tatakbo kami sa van para magpainit at kumain ng pizza. Hindi ko makakalimutan yun.”
Enrique added a humorous note: “Namiss din namin yung kanin. Kasi wala masyadong rice doon, puro bread. Kaya pagbalik, sabik na sabik kami sa pagkain.”
Premiering on TV5
A Secret in Prague is co-produced by Slingshot Studios, written by Mark Duane Angos, and directed by Barry Gonzales and Paco Sta. Maria. It forms part of TV5’s aggressive primetime campaign “Primetime Pa5iklab.”
The series will air at 8:00 PM starting April 27, followed immediately by My Bespren Emman at 8:45 PM, exclusively on TV5.
Both stars expressed gratitude for the network’s strong support and described the project as a major milestone.
“Malaking bagay na binigyan nila kami ng ganitong platform,” Enrique said. “Ramdam mo na pinaghandaan talaga. Hindi lang siya serye, parang malaking production na gustong mag-stand out.”
Andrea shared that the experience pushed her limits both physically and emotionally.
“First time ko gumawa ng ganito kalaki at ganito ka-intense. Hindi lang siya acting, kasi kasama yung environment, yung lamig, yung pressure. Lahat sabay-sabay. Feeling ko mas lumakas ako after nito — hindi lang sa acting, pati sa sarili ko.”
Despite the freezing challenges and demanding scenes, both Andrea and Enrique agree that every difficulty was worth it.
“Pag nakita mo na yung scenes, maiisip mo na lang lahat ng pinagdaanan. Tapos masasabi mo, sulit lahat,” Enrique said.
With its breathtaking Prague backdrop, intense romance, and high-stakes drama, A Secret in Prague promises to be one of the biggest and most visually stunning series to come out of Philippine television this year.
