Julia’s choice

As the evil Shiela in the ABS-CBN soap, Sa Puso Ko Iingatan Ka, Julia Clarete has been confronted by the fans of Judy Ann Santos who feel she is so mean to their idol.

"I tell them trabaho lang ito and they should not take it personally against me if I make Juday’s life miserable in the show," she says.

On the big screen, she is having the time of her life playing another offbeat character in the youth-oriented flick from Star Cinema, Trip. "Would you believe I play the role of a lesbian secretly in love with Desiree del Valle?" she laughs. "Ka-love triangle namin si Onemig Bondoc."

Did she have second thoughts about accepting her villain and lesbian roles?

"Not really. To be honest, I’m not doing anything really challenging lately. I did semi-regular roles in Tabing-Ilog and Munting Paraiso. I play a good teacher and fairy in the educational show on the Knowledge Channel, Pamana. And I’ve played the sister or friend of this or that lead actress in movies like Hataw Na, Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin and Soltera. But that’s about it. I’d get good lead roles in TV dramas like Maalaala Mo Kaya, but they’re few and far between. So I really consider my role as Judy Ann’s scheming sister in Sa Puso Ko and that of the lesbian character in Trip as meaty roles I can really sink my teeth into."

We notice she can be quite good in dramatic scenes. Does her past have anything to do with this?

"I don’t know. Siguro. My parents separated when I was only eight years old. Being the youngest of four kids, I was made to stay with my lola sa mother side ko. My family is from Banaba West in Batangas City then we moved to San Pedro, Laguna. After my dad left us, my mom also left for the US when I was in grade six. It took her nine years before she was able to return home, after getting her green card. And I tell you, it’s not an easy thing to grow up without your mom. She’s petitioning me to join her in the States, but I’m enjoying my work in showbiz right now."

She was working as a part-time gift wrapper in a department store in San Pedro when a talent scout saw her and brought her to Viva Films. She played a bit role in Love Notes, The Movie.

"I was only 15 then and not really that decided yet about showbiz. But I love singing and I’d join school presentations to sing. I also know how to play the guitar and the flute. Later, I took the auditions at ABS-CBN and was introduced as a member of their Star Circle, Batch 4. Since then, awa ng Diyos, hindi naman ako nase-zero sa assignment. But I wish they would someday give me an album of my own."

When she turned 22 on Sept. 24, she celebrated her birthday with another friend and it turned out that one of the guests was rock legend Pepe Smith.

"I jammed with him on stage and I can say that it’s my most memorable birthday ever. We sang I Can’t Get No Satisfaction and I really enjoyed it. Grabe!"

What kinds of songs does she go for?

"I like rock, country and jazz songs. But although I love singing, I prefer to have more direction in my career as an actress. I really want to be recognized as someone good in drama. ’Yung puede sa bida or contravida roles, like Cherie Gil, na very elegant ang dating."

How does she feel now that her batchmates, Jericho Rosales and Kristine Hermosa, have more successful careers than her?

"Well, they’re lucky because the people accepted their love team in Pangako Sa’Yo. But Jericho was originally paired with me in the movie, Hanggang Kailan Kita Mamahalin, and in an acclaimed episode of Maalaala where we played star-crossed lovers. But I’m happy for them. They are part of the cast of Trip and we’re one big happy family while shooting the movie on location in Lake Caliraya. I’m not really in a hurry naman to gain stardom. I’m willing to wait for my turn."

Julia left her lola and siblings in San Pedro more than a year ago and now rents her own condo unit in Cubao.

"Laguna kasi is too far from ABS and my condo now is more convenient for me. Also, it’s nice to learn how to be independent, managing your own finances. I’ve since learned how to cook and do my own laundry. I now feel responsible for my own life."