The Weekender's Memoir

Month: January 2026

  • My 2026 Upwork Conquest: A Blueprint for Going All-In

    Committed Weekend Upwork Freelancer

    My 2026 goal is turning my bright Upwork ideas into a side-hustle that I can manage on a weekly basis. I’m not a fresh grad anymore that’s randomly seeking jobs by sending low quality job applications but I have a solid plan for Saturdays and Sundays by treating this like a job. Also…I think I’m good at building connections with clients and I’m using that as an advantage to stay ahead of the game.

    This is about fulfilling my dream becoming my own boss, finding a chill focus in knowing my lane and building something tangible…one weekend at a time.

    The Great Profile Revamp: From Illustrator to Storyteller

    I completely started over with my Upwork profile. My old one said I was an “Illustrator,” but times have changed to survive the job market, and my work samples were all over the place. I realized that in order to survive, I needed to concentrate and plan thoroughly, so I began over again, removing all previous elements.

    My profile now is very clear to clients what I wanted to work for as a Blogger and Content Creator. This wasn’t a random decision. I didn’t want to be that traditional “artist” anymore but chose to be a “storyteller/communicator” and that makes it clear what specific services I provide.

    Now my portfolio is updated with real examples like my blog posts, writing skills, and tools. I personally think it has improved compared to my old Upwork profile and it’s showcasing the right skills that I’m hoping to help me win in this career. I also wish that it’s good enough to connect with the right kind of clients.

    I’ve removed my old and irrelevant certificates and plan to replace them with new ones that will match my current area of expertise. But I need to buy and finish online courses and display them in my profile to support the services I’m offering. I’m thinking of finishing courses like Content Marketing, SEO/Web Developer, and Social Media Strategy.

    I want to show clients that I’m committed to work by becoming the best candidate for their projects. It helps build that trust score.

    Working For That Hourly Goal

    I’ve only earned $200 in my entire Upwork career so far. I don’t think that’s a bad starting point but it helps me get fired up to work for my hopes and dreams. My only goal right now, it may seem farfetched, is to earn $20 per hour as a full-time freelancer.

    Why $20? It’s a goal that I’ve set in mind that I think will validate me as a high quality freelancer that separates me from low quality competitors and attract clients who see me as a quality talent. Reaching that rate is my current focus. However, I need to improve my skills in composing proposals, picking the right projects, and delivering my best work to clients and keep them coming back for more.

    Freelancing Step-By-Step

    That’s the plan for now. I’ll just work hard and use my brains to reach the $20 hourly goal! Anyways, here’s to building something better, one weekend and one project at a time. Cheers to 2026—let’s see where this takes us.

  • Andrea Brillantes Before Dunking Franchesko Capistrano!

    Andrea Brillantes Before Dunking Franchesko Capistrano!

    Andrea Brillantes and her new boyfriend–Franchesko Capistrano

    Born on March 12, 2003, in Taytay, Rizal, Philippines, Andrea Brillantes is a model, influencer, and actress. She began her acting career at the age of 7, winning numerous awards and mentions. But Andrea’s relationships have also made headlines over the years. Let’s look at her past and current “beaus”.

    Seth Fedelin (2019 – 2021)- Teen Love Vibes

    Seth Fedelin and Andrea Brillantes dating photos. A split-image of Seth Fedelin and Andrea Brillantes cuddling. Left image is of them standing and the right image is of them sitting on the couch while Blythe is holding flowers.

    Andrea described the breakup with Seth as her first “heartbreak”. Seth is a Filipino actor and singer. He was born on July 9th, 2002, and his full name is Seth Yancy Fronda Fedelin. The pair dated for two years before their painful split in October 2021.

    Known as the “love team” in the project SethDrea, their split meant the end of their acting collaboration. Seth and Andrea first appeared in the ABS-CBN series Kadenang Ginto (2018). The two went on to act in several series together. In 2020, the pair won the Push Awards for the “Most Popular Love Team”.

    Ricci Rivero (2022-2023) – The Basketball Star

    Couple of Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero in an ABS-CBN party. On left is Ricci Rivero wearing a red suit and ont the right side is Andrea Brillantes wearing some kind of lace-dress topped with a blazer.

    In April 2022, Ricci Rivero, a basketball star, would propose to Andrea, making their relationship public. The couple had been dating for a while and had been spotted together in Taguig. By asking Andrea to be his date to the Star Magical Prom at the Philippine Arena, the couple created a social media buzz.

    Unfortunately, in 2023, Ricci and Andrea would quietly end their relationship. Ricci would make a public apology to their fans on Twitter (now X) in June 2023. He requested privacy as the couple handled their separation. Many speculate that Ricci was caught cheating, which led Andrea to leave him.

    Sam Fernandez (2025) – The Private Affair

    Sam Fernandez (Samuel Abu Hijle) the ex-boyfriend of Andrea Brillantes. Wearing a red San Beda College jersey and holding a basketball.

    It didn’t take long for Andrea to start dating Sam Fernandez (real name Samuel Abu Hijle), a Filipino-Jordanian former basketball player. Sam is a no-showbiz personality, though several people have spotted them in public. He played for San Beda University in high school, but kept a low profile.

    What is interesting about this relationship is that Andrea confirmed that they had been friends for many years. In March 2025, Andrea posted that the couple was dating but not in a relationship. A few months later, Andrea would inform her fans that she was single. And just like that, fans started speculating on who would capture Andrea’s heart next.

    Franchesko Capistrano – The Present Love

    Andrea Brillantes and new BF Franchesko Capistrano hugging each other to celebrate New Year.

    However, it would not be long before Andrea was spotted with another love interest. She introduced Franchesko Capistrano in January 2026 as her latest beau. The 21-year-old athlete (born on December 10, 2004) is one year younger than Andrea. Apart from being a student, Franchesko, who goes by “Pankie,” currently plays for the Enderun Titans.

    Franchesko’s family owns a resort in Lucban, in Quezon province. On January 2nd, Andrea posted herself hugging a man on her Instagram page, but did not show his face. A few days later, Franchesko posted on TikTok, and Andrea confirmed that they are a couple. While Andrea’s love life has captured her fans’ attention, we hope this time she has found the “one.”

  • Andrea Brillantes With New Boyfriend Franchesko Capistrano

    Andrea Brillantes With New Boyfriend Franchesko Capistrano

    Andrea Brillantes, seriously? Him?

    Andrea Brillantes and new BF Franchesko Capistrano hugging each other to celebrate New Year.

    There are situations when they involve someone you follow, and
    you feel a pang in your stomach. Not because something serious
    has necessarily happened, but because something just doesn’t
    add up. So, when I found out Andrea Brillantes had a new
    boyfriend, that pang really hit me: strong, annoying, and constant.

    Andrea Brillantes. Andrea Brillantes, let’s be clear. One of the most
    beloved, followed, and idolized celebrities on the internet.
    Everything she does sparks discussion and sparks a real debate.
    Someone who, quite simply, could have anyone: actors, singers,
    prominent public figures, politicians; all people of a certain status,
    in short…

    …But no.

    Apparently her new flame is Franchesko Capistrano. And your
    first reaction, honestly, probably wasn’t “Oh my God, that’s great!”
    but more like “Wait… who?” Or at least, that was mine.

    I reread. I double-checked. I combed through every Google article,
    every forum, every news item. I wanted to know if it was the usual
    fake news to get a few clicks or if someone like Andrea Brillantes
    had really gotten together with a guy I’d never heard of. But the
    more I searched, the more I felt the same: unknown. Not in an
    offensive sense, but literally. Someone who isn’t part of today’s
    web scene    . Someone who doesn’t live in the spotlight. Someone
    who, compared to Andrea, seems to belong to another universe.

    Franchesko Capistrano was playing for Jose Rizal University. He is wearing a yellow jersey with a number 10. In the photo, he is seen spinning the ball.

    Then there’s the topic of basketball. Ah, basketball. Because
    “basketball player” immediately sounds important, right? However,
    a wedge ball isn’t enough to become a star. His basketball career,
    while legitimate and the fruit of his own dedication, isn’t exactly
    the kind of thing that makes you say, “Okay, now I understand
    why.    ” No big headlines, no media hype, no iconic athlete aura.
    Again: all respectable, but also all… a little flat.

    And so we come to their moments together: the photos, the
    appearances, the provocative glances. Here I’ll be less rational, and
    I know I won’t be the only one. Andrea smiles, of course. But I keep
    wondering if she’s shining as brightly as she could. If there’s
    someone beside her who amplifies her or simply someone who’s
    close to her. And these are two very different things to me.

    On social media, the public is obviously divided. There are those
    who defend love regardless, those who say “let her live,” those who
    see Franchesko as a reassuring figure who can love her and make
    her feel loved as she deserves. And then there are those like me.
    Those who don’t hate, but doubt. Those who don’t insult, but
    judge. Because gossip is also this: taking sides, taking a stand,
    saying “I’m not convinced” without having to apologize or feel
    guilty     for my opinion (which is obviously subjective).

    Andrea has every right to choose whoever she wants. We should
    all agree on that. But I have every right to be disappointed, to
    expect something different. To look at this relationship and think,
    no, he’s not up to her standards. Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe a year
    from now we’ll be here saying that Franchesko was the best
    possible choice…

    …But today? Today I remain perplexed and, yes, a little
    embittered.

    And whose side are you on? Do you agree with my thoughts or
    not? Either way, comment with your thoughts.