Andrea Torres: The Love She Owed Herself

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’ve known Andrea Torres, Ada to me, for years. I’ve witnessed her journey not only as an actress, but as a woman quietly building a life filled with depth, resilience, and grace. She’s loved fiercely, waited patiently, and worked tirelessly. But like many women who give too much without realizing it, Ada is only now learning to give the love she's owed herself.

And it’s a line that, I think, resonates throughout every part of her life. Her hopes for lasting romance, her sacred devotion to family, and the unspoken grace she’s slowly learning to extend inward.

During our sit-down for GMA Integrated News Interviews, I asked a question fans always want answered: How’s the heart? And as expected, Ada didn’t respond with theatrics. She answered with calm, lived-in truth.

“I welcome it,” she said, about love. “Hindi yung sa ayaw ko lang i-pressure kasi pag hinahanap mo, namamali ka, sa kagustuhan mo lang na magkaroon ng partner, di ba? Mas okay na may spark eh. Minsan lahat ng traits okay, pero may hinahanap kang kilig na 'di mo ma-explain.”

When I followed up—Ano ba yung hinahanap mo?—her answer came without hesitation.

“Gusto ko lang talaga na pareho kami ng values, lalo na family-oriented ako.”

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da isn’t waiting to be rescued. She’s not seeking perfection. She’s waiting for a love that aligns with the life she’s already built, a life anchored in values and shaped by strength. The kind of love she’s seen and lived through her family.

And at the heart of that is Kenneth, her younger brother born with autism and Down syndrome.

When Andrea talks about Kenneth, it’s with deep affection and unwavering respect, the way you speak of someone who’s shown you what unconditional love truly looks like.

“Alam namin na binigay siya sa amin kasi capable kami na magmahal nang ganoon kalaki.”

Kenneth is more than her “lucky charm.” He’s a daily reminder of what love can look like when it's consistent and pure. Every year on his birthday, July 27, something beautifully major seems to happen in Andrea’s life.

But it’s the day-to-day: his hugs, his smile, his presence, that fills her.

“Iba yung tanggal ng pagod once na ngitian ka, once na i-hug ka.”

When Andrea found herself in one of her lowest emotional points last year, it was Kenneth she turned to; not for answers, but for comfort. His presence, wordless yet full, was enough to help her find her footing again.

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ast year, medyo nahirapan ako,” she admitted. “Dumarating ka sa point sa life mo na nag-re-reflect ka: na-reach mo na ba ang goals mo? May time pa ba? Nasa tamang landas ba ako? Masyado bang malaki ang dream ko?”

This may sound familiar to most of us. Isn’t this the kind of self-questioning many high-achieving individuals wrestle with quietly? Ada is no exception. She has always been seen as composed and unshaken. But behind that steadiness is a woman who, like many of us, forgets to look back and say, “You’ve done well. You’ve come far.”

“Ever since six years old ako, gusto ko mag-artista. Grateful naman ako dahil kahit prof yung dad ko, hinayaan niya ako kung kailangan ko mag-stop saglit, kasi alam niyang yun talaga ang gusto ko. Na-realize ko na minsan nakakalimutan mo na, 'oo, marami ka pang gustong gawin, pero marami ka na ring nagawa'… na nakakalimutan mong bigyan ng credit yung sarili mo. Minsan iniisip ko, bakit sa akin ang hirap? Pero siguro masasabi ko na at least lahat ng meron ako, na-earn ko yun. Nilaban ko yun. Iba yung appreciation mo sa work mo kapag pinaghirapan mo talaga,” she said, tearing up.

COURTESY: NELSON CANLAS

The way she speaks about work, family, and love reveals a deep truth: for most of her life, Andrea has shown up for everyone else. But now, finally, she’s learning to show up for herself.

In truth, it’s not a fallback—it’s a long-overdue decision to begin again, this time with herself at the center.

It’s the love she’s been waiting to share with the right person—but no longer seeks out of urgency.
It’s the love she’s given unconditionally to her family, who reflect it back to her in the purest way.
And, it’s the love she’s learning to reclaim for herself, slowly, without apology.

Andrea isn’t incomplete. She isn’t behind. She’s right on time—for the love she’s always deserved.

And maybe what we all need to hear is this: Giving yourself the love you give so easily to others isn’t selfish—it’s how you begin to heal.

This isn’t a story about longing. It’s about becoming.

And Andrea Torres is becoming someone who finally sees herself... the way she’s always deserved to be seen. 

Andrea stars as Carol in the upcoming Afternoon Prime series "Akusada," where she takes on her dream role: An offbeat character burdened by guilt.

— LA, GMA Integrated News