Julian Estrada wants to show versatility

MANILA, Philippines - “I wanna try everything. I wanna be a versatile actor,” replies Julian Estrada when asked about the film genre he would like to explore and be identified with. The teen flick Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig, which he stars in with Iñigo Pascual and Sofia Andres, is a perfect vehicle to boost Julian’s budding career. The movie rushes show that Julian is showbiz born. He has the acting genes of his grandfather Manila City Mayor Joseph Estrada and father Sen. Jinggoy Estrada to bank on. Julian says he is comfortable with drama, deviating from action that his grandpa and dad are known for. Julian’s first foray into acting was Katas ng Saudi where he had shown his acting mettle at a young age.

“Yes, there is pressure because I’m carrying their name,” says Julian of entering show business with the Estrada surname. And his lolo Erap and dad Jinggoy have given him pieces of advice that will come handy in dealing with showbiz work and intrigues.

“Be yourself. Always be confident and be honest,” he shares.

Recently, showbiz pundits were talking about Julian’s answer confirming that he and Julia Barretto became boyfriend and girlfriend. And the camp of Julia was reportedly asking him to retract his statement. “Hindi po pinababawi. I just had to say sorry to Julia and to Tita Marjorie,” clarifies Julian. “We talked on the phone after that presscon. I texted her (Julia) saying sorry kasi nasabi ko yes. Sabi ko sorry kasi na nasama ko siya sa presscon na kahit hindi naman siya kasama. Then, she called and (asked me) why did I do that. I said I just wanted to be honest and I don’t wanna lie. I just said sorry. She said it’s OK and (I told her) I’ll try my best to fix this — na na-drag ko yung name niya... She (Tita Marjorie) said, ‘Remain friends with Julia.’”

According to Julian, they got closer when they were launched as Star Magic artists last year. Now, he has no girlfriend and he likes a “simple, down-to-earth girl.”

Julian is striking a balance between his showbiz commitments and school work.

“I feel so blessed that I have fans,” he says. Off-cam, however, he is a graduating high school student at the OB Montessori. “I’m still finishing my school. Maybe, I can do guestings,” says Julian of what’s in the pipeline after Relaks. His school had allowed him to be away to accommodate the shooting schedules of Relaks in Manila and Tacloban. “I don’t wanna leave school. I want to finish my studies,” he says. Julian will consider a full-time career in showbiz when he is done with high school or is in college already. He intends to tuck a business course under his belt at the Enderun College. 

Like his co-star Iñigo, Julian is also into music. It is their common ground as artists. “Iñigo is very nice,” he says. “We got closer through music and workshops.” The two promising Kapamilya stars enjoy listening to pop, rock and chill music. “Sometimes, we jam before mall shows,” he shares. As for singing, Julian says, “I try my best.” The 18-year-old lad also plays the drums and the guitar.

“Masaya yung shooting (Shooting was fun),” says Julian, who invited his family to the Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig premiere night. The scenes that see him and Iñigo fighting and falling into the water are some of the movie’s interesting parts to the young actor.

If there’s one thing that Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig offers, aside from the relatable young love story, it will be its artists Julian, Iñigo and Sofia whose raw talent can offer something new to the audiences. The movie promises the local tinseltown new musically-inclined heartthrobs and a leading lady who can make an interesting team-up on the big and small screens.

(Relaks, It’s Just Pag-ibig is now showing in theaters.)