Leaving It All Behind: Why Julia Montes Took A Break From Show Business

Read an excerpt of this month’s MEGA Entertainment cover where Julia Montes opens up about her life away from the camera.

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Everything was rosy in Julia Montes’ career path when something inside her made her want to leave. “Asintado” was her last show before she left for Germany to spend time with her biological father. “Before“Asintado,” gusto ko na (umalis). Sinasabi ko na, parang gusto kong puntahan si Papa. Parang gusto ko i-try lang ‘yung magpahinga lang du’n (sa Germany). 

Diamond earrings by MERE, White Gazar top by MARK BUMGARNER

“Ta’s ang joke ko, Gusto kong magpakaanak lang. ‘Yung ‘ di ako magwo-work, ta’s anak lang ako muna. And then ‘yun nga, after ‘Asintado,‘ sabi ko, parang gusto kong i-fill ‘yung missing years with Papa. Kasi ang tagal, eh. Hindi ko ine-expect na magkikita kami,”Julia explains the intention for wanting to leave.

What many do not know, Julia Montes was already 21 when she met her father. All her life, she thought her father had abandoned her and it was only through a fan of “CocoJul,” (Coco and her fandom), that she was able to track him down.

Black guipure dress by LSW, Signet ring by ELEMENTAL BY SELA, Diamond earrings, Emerlad ring and Citrine ring by MERE

“At 21 ko lang siya na-meet. (Through a) fan namin ni Coco. Nag-start ‘yun… Basta nagpo-post ‘yung mga fans, ganyan- ganyan, na parang, ‘O, sana ma-meet mo ‘yung father mo.’ Normal, typical ano. Sabi ko, “Ah, oo nga po, eh.” And then one day, papunta ako sa Quiapo Church—as in biyahe Quiapo Church–may isa kaming super supporter, si Ate Tinay ng CocoJul, nag-message sa akin. Sabi niya, ‘Jules, I think nakita namin ‘yung cousin mo.’

Sabi ko, ‘Cousin?’ Akala ko cousin sa mother side. Sabi ko, ‘Cousin ko po? Saan?’ Akala ko may issue or big problem. Sabi niya, ‘Cousin mo sa father side.’ So, parang ano pa ako, pero hindi pa ako naniwala at first. Parang feeling ko kasi, okay, eh wala akong kakilala so I can’t say na, ‘Ah, siya nga ‘yan, siya nga ‘yan.’

So, sabi ko, ‘Ah, talaga po? Okay po.’ Gan’on lang. And then bago ako bumaba ng Church, bigla na akong kinakabahan. ‘Yung parang, ’Ano ‘to?’ Ta’s parang, ‘Lord, medyo ano, ha, may something.’ Sabi ko, ‘Bahala na po kayo.’ So, iniwan ko ‘yung phone ko. Simba kami,” Julia narrates.

Coral silk wrap dress by LSW

Then pagbalik ko ng sasakyan, pagkita ko, sinabi na parang, ‘Ito ba ‘yung Papa mo?’ May photo! And then, ‘yung photo ng cousin ko daw ‘yung girl. Sabi ko, ‘Hindi ko alam kung Papa ko nga ‘yun,’ pero may feeling ka na na ‘yung sinasabi na ‘nilulukso ng dugo’. May kaba na ako, may–may… Kung ano-ano na ‘yung nararamdaman ko! Parang ang dami ko nang naiisip. And then after nu’n, sinend ko kay Mama. Sabi ko, ‘Mama, ito ba si Papa?” Sabi niya, ’S’an mo nakuha ‘yan?’ Sabi ko, ‘Oh, my gosh, confirmed!’ Kasi lumaki ako na hindi sa ‘ kin sinabi ‘yung real story, eh,” Julia very carefully reveals.

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Read more about Julia Montes’ life beyond the cameras in MEGA Entertainment June 2021 issue available in Readly, Magzter, Press Reader and Zinio

Photography DOOKIE DUCAY
Art direction NICOLE ALMERO
Makeup CHRISTINE DUQUE
Hair HARLYNN FERNANDEZ
Styling MYRRH LAO TO and MACK BERSALONA
Production Design TEDDY MANUEL.
Shoot coordination ERICA LUNA and LOUIS ESGUERRA
Special thanks to CHRIS CACHUELA, JOY BRABA, and KARL PAMBIO

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