We wonder how the parents of Andre Yllana and Andres Muhlach reacted to a lighthearted remark made during a media interview about their working relationship. The two young actors, cast together for the first time, star in the youth-oriented Viva One digital series Mutya ng Section E.
Andre’s mother, Aiko Melendez, and Andres’ parents, Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, likely found humor in Andre’s playful response during a media conference. When asked about his rapport with his co-star on the Wattpad series’ 16-episode adaptation, Andre joked, “He almost became my brother—just kidding.”
The response brought laughter to the crowd at Viva Café. For a little showbiz history, the young actor was alluding to Aga and Aiko’s past relationship.
Andre shared that his mother, Aiko, knew of his role alongside Andres in Mutya ng Section E. “Mom knew about it; I told her. She was actually happy when I mentioned I’d be working with Andres.”
Andres, for his part, said that Aga was supportive of his collaboration with Andre. “When I told my dad I’d be working with Andre, I was excited because he knows Tita Aiko,” Andres shared. “This is my second project, and I’m grateful to work on Da Pers Family with my family and this amazing cast. When I learned about the project, I was super excited and couldn’t hide my smile.”
In Mutya ng Section E, Andres plays Mark Keifer Watson, the intelligent yet sometimes bullying class president of Section E. When asked about advice from his parents for his first project without them, Andres said, “They advised me to trust myself, be confident, and believe in myself. I don’t always ask for advice; they let me figure things out on my own. When I make mistakes, that’s when I turn to them.”
As for romance, Andres said he has no plans, given his busy schedule. “I’m focusing on my work and improving my craft,” he said, adding that he enjoys acting, especially in workshops where he connects with others.
Mutya ng Section E on Viva One is based on the bestselling Wattpad series with 143 million reads and spans 16 episodes. It follows 16 rowdy guys and a fierce young woman from Section E, led by Andres, Ashtine Olviga, and Rabin Angeles. Their lives become chaotic when Jay-Jay Mariano (Olviga), a talented singer and former PPop Generation member, joins the class as the “mutya” of Section E—the lowest and most unruly section in Higher Value International School.
The cast also includes Charles Law, Frost Sandoval, Keagan De Jesus, Ethan David, Kurt Delos Reyes, Martin Venegas, Nic Galvez, Daniel Ong, AJ Ferrer, Sam Shoaf, Michael Keith, Kyosu Guinto, Yanyan De Jesus, and Derick Ong, along with Heart Ryan and senior actors Yayo Aguila, Katya Santos, Nanette Inventor, and Lander Vera Perez.
The series is directed by Theodore Boborol and produced in collaboration with Wattpad WEBTOON Studios.
