WHEN I first saw Julia Montes on the television, it was on the children’s weekly gag show Goin Bulilit. She had long black hair very shy smile and the typical dalagang Filipina feature that you can already see from a small girl.
As I followed her career throughout the years I was right with my first impression Julia is the quiet figure, reserved, thoughtful and a person who in short runs deep.
Although currently she is on a showbiz project hiatus she still maintains a private and quiet lifestyle despite her immense popularity nationwide. Now that she’s turning a year older, let us look back at the life of this wonderful and inspiring young woman. Here are the things you may not know about Julia Montes.
EARLY LIFE
Julia was born Mara Hautea Schnittka on March 19 1995 in Pandacan, Manila. Her father is German and her mother is Filipina. Although her father left them when she was still a baby Julia was raised by her deaf mother and her my maternal grandmother. She has two younger brothers name Patrick and Paolo.
She finished her high school at the Blessed Hope Christian School. She also completed culinary courses at the famous Center for Culinary Arts in Manila.
CAREER BEGINNINGS
Julia started her career in front of the camera at a very young age. With the help of her grandmother, she began auditioning for television commercials and modeling agencies as early as five years old. Her grandmother supported her throughout all these ordeals until she was finally casted in various commercials such as milk chocolate snack and fast food chains.
Transitioning from commercials she began appearing in television shows, landing minor roles such as the daughter of the lead roles in the show Sana ay Ikaw Na Nga in 2001. The following years she began appearing in some episodes of the drama anthology Magpakailanman. Her first ABS CBN television show was Hiram in 2004. the following year she landed a permanent spot in Goin Bulilit which made her a regular sight for television viewers.
BREAKTHROUGH
Julia‘s breakthrough King when she landed the main role in the iconic Mara Clara soap opera playing the role of Clara del Valle/David opposite with Kathryn Bernardo. Her acclaimed portrayal for the role open a lot of opportunities for her, landing her various lead roles in films and television series.
Her film debut was with the movie Way Back Home in 2011. Her performance in this family drama also resulted in numerous reviews all positive from film critics. It was in 2012 when she was paired with Coco Martin in the drama Walang Hanggan that Julia became a household name. She starred with veteran actors such as Richard Gomez, Dawn Zulueta, Susan Roces and Helen Gamboa.
Julia Montes also starred in a number of primetime shows like Ikaw Lamang and Muling Buksan ang Puso. For a time, she became Kapamilya network’s Afternoon Drama Princess after starring in Doble Kara and Asintado.
FILMS
Apart from landing highly viewed television dramas Julia also worked on various films that earned millions in revenue. She starred in the teen romantic comedy called The Reunion in 2012 with other actors such as Enrique Gil, Xian Lim, Enchong Dee, Jessy Mendiola, Megan Young, and Christine Reyes.
The love thing between Julia and Coco returned in the film A Moment in Time, a romantic drama that earn Julia her first nomination for the FAMAS award for best actress. She also start in the movie Halik sa Hangin in 2015 and Padre de Familia in 2016.
RECENT PROJECTS
Julia finished filming the film ‘Hilom’ where she is playing the role of Ellen Peralta, a barrio doctor. The film is directed by the talented Brilliante Mendoza. Actors Phi Palmos and Kean Cipriano are among her costars.
Before the pandemic, she was last seen in the short-lived series ’24/7′ and was supposed to star in the action-drama ‘Burado’, but the project was shelved.
Now that we are currently waiting for her next film to be released let’s have the chance to watch the rest of her filmography while in quarantine. My personal favorite is of course A Moment in Time not only it was done very artistically I also personally love Amsterdam and Paris. What are your favorite Julia Montes films or TV shows?
