Bulilit kid is now a lady

MANILA, Philippines - The Goin’ Bulilit kid is now a lady. This happens on March 19 when Julia Montes turns 18 in a Kapamilya star-studded birthday celebration. The venue is Fernwood Gardens. Julia will embrace then all the challenges and responsibilities of someone who is of legal age.    

“I think I can’t avoid doing mature roles,” replies Julia when asked what the future holds for her budding career. This means Julia is kissing teeny-bopper roles good-bye. If she does one, televiewers will be left awed and wondering.

“I’m excited about (career challenges) I may encounter,” she adds. “I will not go daring because I still have limitations when it comes to (accepting) mature roles.”

There’s truth to this as Julia sees herself doing projects where “the story has to have more depth,” and so is the character. A project can still be considered challenging without compelling one to show skin, the Star Magic talent says. Julia is off to the dramatic acting path.

Before she fully immerses herself into meaty roles like playing a prostitute in last Saturday’s Maalaala Mo Kaya episode with 34.2 percent national TV ratings based on Kantar Media survey, Julia will savor first the last moments of being a 17 year old, who is at the verge of becoming a lady. The Midsummer Night’s-Cinderella theme for her birthday is a testament to it. 

“People tend to forget that I’m still young,” shares Julia. “The theme (speaks of) what my real age is and I’m still in the playing or playful mood. It emphasizes that I’m just turning 18.”

Julia will have her 18 Roses, 18 Treasures and 18 Tulips. Christian Bautista, Bugoy Drilon, Daddy’s Home, Liezel Garcia, Jed Madela, Richard Poon and Nyoy Volante will provide the entertainment. Robi Domingo and Matteo Guidicelli, on the other hand, host the event. She will be donning three Pepsi Herrera gowns. Julia’s escort is Coco Martin, who is close to her grandmother. “Laking lola din siya,” she says. Even before Walang Hanggan, Coco and Lola Flory were already friends.         

Since debut ushers a lady to the road of independence in life and love, is Julia ready to meet Mr. Right?

“It’s not that I’m looking forward to it (having a love life). Having life and having love are two different things. Love and life shouldn’t be mixed,” says Julia. “Dito muna ako sa life. Tsaka na muna yung love. Tsaka na pagsamahin yung love and life.”

Julia is clueless if guys close to her are sending feelers or courting her. Julia, a self-confessed one of the boys, finds it difficult to read between love lines. 

“I can’t say (if boys are into me),” she says. “They might think I’m very assuming. I’m the type of person who appreciates simple gestures and the thought that someone is giving me something (a gift) whether there’s an occasion or not.”

What does Julia wish for herself to have on, before and after her birthday?

“My ultimate wish is to spend time with my dad,” she answers. “But it seems impossible that he’ll be present on my birthday. Perhaps, I’ll be seeing him in the future. I also want to build my family a dream house.”

Right after the celebration, Julia is heading to Bangkok as her birthday gift to herself and vacation treat for her family.

This is a much-needed breather from working so hard in the past year and a space to recharge before working in front of cameras again.

“I think I’ll be surprised,” Julia says. “I have no idea about the program and the song list. I don’t even ask about the details. I’m just excited.”

Whether Julia’s theme is inspired by William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream or not, it’s definitely a dream debut.