NOW that Andre Yllana, the only child of former couple Jomari Yllana and Aiko Melendez, is turning 27 in September, he has no major plans yet in his bachelor’s life.

“I don’t want to grow old yet,” said Andre. “Alam ko papasok na ang mga bills. Quarter life crisis na ‘to.”

Also loveless at the moment, Andre called it quits with his non showbiz girlfriend of only four months.

“Ang hirap to have a girlfriend who doesn’t understand your job,” disclosed Andre, who had three non-showbiz girlfriends, so far.

Maybe, that’s why his relationships didn’t work, the girls were not from showbiz. “Bakit hindi natin subukan?,” he smilingly asked.

However, the young actor is content in not getting into a serious relationship at the moment. Neither is he courting anyone.

“Nililigawan ko ang trabaho ko,” he admitted. “Wala talaga. Hindi ako naghahanap, sa totoo lang. If she comes, she comes.”

Neither is he heart-broken. She just couldn’t stand someone who is jealous. “Okay lang ako talaga,” Andre admitted. “We arrived at a mutual decision, although I was the first one who suggested that we called it quits. She couldn’t understand my work.”

He is easily attracted with someone who has very expressive eyes. “Ang daming gustong sabihin ng mata,” Andre said. “Tignan mo lang, alam mo na kung genuine ba.”

He is apparently focused on his showbiz career lately, with a number of projects to keep him busy. After the 12-episode “The Rain in España” concluded, Andre shot the sequel, “Safe Skies Archer,” with director Gino Santos at the helm.

Both books were written by Gwy Saludes. The original cast members were Frost Sandoval, Nicole Omillo, Aubrey Caraan, Bea Binene, Gab Lagman, Marco Gallo, Heaven Peralejo and Krissha Viaje. Hyacinth Callado made her acting debut in the series and she was paired with young actor on the rise, Jairus Aquino. Jerome Ponce completed the cast as Hiro, who was paired with Krissha.

Meanwhile, Andre is presently in the cast of “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” a 16-part youth-oriented series about a notorious, all-male section shaken up with the arrival of a female transferee student, causing chaos as the grumpy president tries to drive her away.

The coming-of-age romantic comedy topbills Andres Muhlach in his first series, where he is paired with Ashtine Olviga. The series is now airing on Viva One.

Also starring in “Ang Mutya ng Section E” are Yayo Aguila, Nanette Inventor, Lander Vera Perez, Axel Torres, Katya Santos and Robin Angeles.

Andre and Andres shared a laugh with the media when told that they almost became brothers because of their parents’ romantic past.

Andre’s mom, Aiko Melendez, became the loveteam partner and real-life sweetheart of Andres’ dad, Aga Muhlach, more than three decades ago.

Andre and Andres are working together for the first time in “Ang Mutya ng Section E.” The former is the son of Aiko and Jomari Yllana, while Andres is the son of Aga and Charlene Gonzales.

“Ang Mutya ng Section E” has singer-actress Ashtine playing the title role. Andres essays the character of Mark Keifer Watson, the class president of Section E, known for his intellect and mischievous streak.

Mark’s world changes with the arrival of Jay-Jay Mariano, played by Ashtine, who eventually becomes the muse of their class.

At the helm of the series is director Theodore Boborol based on the best-selling Wattpad series by Lala Flores, which has garnered over 143 million reads.

Aga and Aiko are respectively aware that their sons are working together in “Ang Mutya ng Section E.” They were previously paired in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “May Minamahal” (1993).

“Aware si Mommy and I told her that Andres and I are working together,” Andre granted. “Actually, happy si Mommy that Andres and I are working together for the first time.”

The Wattpad university series, “Ang Mutya ng Section E,” is the second project of Andres after he did “Da Pers Family” with his parents and sister, Atasha.

Has Andre, ever since he started accepting film and TV projects, stopped asking money from his parents, especially his mom?

“Si mommy kasi she always gives,” Andre said. “Nahihiya na ako. Gusto ko na sanang mgkaroon ng sariling bahay at sariling kotse.

“Binigyan ako ni daddy ng car, pero for racing. Then ang ginagamit kong car when I go out, kay mommy. Pinapahiram sa akin ‘yung car niya.”

He plans to return to school and take up his master’s in Public Administration. “Doon na rin papunta ang landas ko, so I might as well return to school to study formally,” he said.

Andre does not deny that he will eventually enter politics, too. “I went with mommy in her campaign, ang sarap ng feeling na nakakatulong ka sa mga tao.

“Ang laki kasi ng District 5 sa Quezon City. So kapag may hindi mapuntahan si mommy, tinutulungan ko na siya. Naghahati na kami.”

Meanwhile, with his dad, Jomari, who married his teenage sweetheart, Abby Viduya, Andre cannot be any happier.

“He asked me kung okay lang ba sa akin, I told him, ‘Dad, kung saan ka sasaya, doon ako’,” Andre said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio