Is she the next Claudine?

Now that she has finished the hit remake series ‘Mara Clara,’ Julia Montes is being tagged as the next Claudine Barretto.

Julia first starred in the children’s gag show ‘Going Bulilit,’ but became more popular in ‘Mara Clara.’ She, along with Kathryn Bernardo reprised the roles of Gladys Reyes and Judy Ann Santos in the original `Mara Clara.’

At the press conference of Julia and Kathryn’s launching movie, ‘Way Back Home’ (Star Cinema), the press and director Jerry Sineneng tagged the two stars as the next Claudine and Judy Ann, respectively.

“Merong maturity dito sa performance nila sa pelikula. Sila talaga yung bagong Judy Ann at Claudine Baretto,” direk Jerry said.

What does Julia think of the comparison?

Pressured with the comparison

“Sa akin po kase, idol ko po talaga si Ms. Claudine Barretto. So, kapag nasasabihan po ako ng ganun, mas naeexcite at naiinspire akong magtrabaho,” Julia told the press at the Dolphy Theatre in ABS-CBN last August 3.

She feels flattered and pressured with the comparison since she looks up to Claudine as a great actress. She is also learning from Claudine’s acting.

“Syempre po pressured. Hindi naman po mawawala yun kase magaling po talaga si Ms. Claudine Baretto. And mahirap pong i-compare eh. Siguro sila po yung nagiging inspirasyon ko, or pini-peg ko,” Julia said.

She has also seen many of Claudine’s shows and movies such as ‘Anak’ and ‘Dahil Mahal Kita.’

Portraying different roles

Julia and Kathryn portray the lead roles in ‘Way Back Home’. But like her character in ‘Mara Clara,’ Julia plays rival to Kathryn’s character. Is Julia afraid to be typecast as a ‘kontrabida’?

“Hindi naman po ako na matatakot na matypecast as kontrabida kase yun naman choice ng management kung sa tingin po nila okay sa’kin yun, go lang po ako,” Julia said. She added that she would also love to do other roles.

The young actress was also asked if she’s willing to do sexy roles.

“Sa ngayon po, hindi pa po dahil sobrang bata pa po ako for that. Pero kung ano naman po, siguro right time, hindi ko rin po masasabi,” Julia said.
 
Julia said that she’s not closing any doors, but doing sexy roles is still not her priority since she’s still too young for them.
“Ayaw ko naman pong magsalita ng patapos. Basta, maganda po yung role na ibibigay,” Julia told the press.
 
She knows offers to do sexy roles might come her way. "Siguro hindi po maiiwasan na magkaroon ng ganoong offers. Pero siguro pag-iisipan ko yun nang mabuti. Wala po talaga sa (isip) ko po ngayon,” Julia said.

Comfortable with fellow actors

Julia will be acting with Enrique Gil and Sam Concepcion for the first time in the movie. She will play opposite Sam Concepcion, her love interest in ‘Way Back Home.’

Julia, Enrique and Sam have worked together in ABS-CBN’s teen variety show ‘Shoutout,’ but were not able to bond until this movie. “Sa ‘Shoutout’ hindi kami mashado nakapag-bond, hindi tulad ngayon,” Julia said.

After working with Enrique and Sam for a longer time, what did Julia discover about her co-actors? “Meron rin pala silang kulit sa mga katawan nila. Kase hindi namin nakita yun sa ‘Shoutout’ kasi more on prod yung sa ‘Shoutout,’” Julia shared.

She also has good words for Sam and Enrique. “Dito ko lang sila nakatrabaho. When it comes to work, hindi mo sila makakitaan na nagrereklamo,” Julia said.

In ‘Way Back Home,’ Julia plays the role of Jessica, Kathryn’s sister. She also added that her role here is different from that in the ‘Mara Clara’ series. “Sa movie namin, ibang-iba siya sa Mara Clara. Ibang-iba pong problema ng pamilya. Tina-tackle mo dito yung forgiveness and acceptance ng magkapatid at sa family po," Julia shared.