JULIA MONTES now has the aura of a star, compared to the time when she was introduced in “Mara Clara” more than a year ago when she seemed lacking in self confidence. The fact that the show was a hit really helped boost her self esteem. She became an endorser and out of her talent fee from that (which she says is much bigger than her regular salary as an actress), she was able to buy her own car. “Next time, I want to buy our own house for my mom and lola,” she adds. Her dad is a German guy who she has yet to meet.
She was first paired with John Manalo in “Mara Clara”, later replaced by Cesar Montano’s son Diego Loyzaga. In the film she just finished with Kathryn Bernardo, “Way Back Home”, she was first paired with the late AJ Perez who perished in an accident before shooting started. He was then replaced by Sam Concepcion. Even Kathryn had a change of partner. She was supposed to be paired with Albie Casino, but he got involved in a controversial paternity brouhaha over Andi Eigenmann’s baby so he was replaced by Enrique Gil. Sam and Enrique are in “Good Vibes”. What can Julia say about the changes in the casting of their leading men? “It can only mean na kahit anong plano ang gawin, pag hindi will ni Lord, hindi mangyayari. Siguro gusto Niya talaga, sina Sam at Enrique ang makapareha namin. As it is, we really enjoyed working with them.”
Her new TV show with Kathryn, “Growing Up”, will replace “Good Vibes” on Sunday afternoon. Will her tandem with Kathryn succeed in doing what “Good Vibes” failed to do: topple the rival show, “Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts” of GMA-7, in the ratings game? “Sana, sana suportahan pa rin kami ng mga nanood noon sa ‘Mara Clara’.”
