What else does Julia wish for?

MANILA, Philippines - Julia Barretto is now only a few days shy into womanhood. It will be on Tuesday, March 10, when she turns 18 with a star-studded debut at the Rizal Ballroom of Makati Shangri-La. The Star Magic talent said she had personally invited all the people whom she wanted to share her happiness with as she reaches another milestone in her life.

 “As they say, more responsible and more mature,” Julia told The STAR regarding her thoughts on totally blooming into a fine lady. “I believe so that becoming more mature when I turn 18 is true.”

Julia visibly reflected maturity when she recently met with her dad Dennis Padilla to personally hand to him the four invitations she reserved for her dad, her grandmother, for Dennis’ partner Linda, and for Linda’s two kids. Star Magic head Mariole Alberto was instrumental in the father-and-daughter meeting that finally ended their seven-year gap.

“Surprise ‘yun talaga,” Julia shared about meeting her dad eye to eye. “Gusto ko talagang gawin as if walang nangyari. Of course, he was shocked and then from there, he explained and I just listened; ‘di na ko nag-salita.”

Julia felt extremely happy after. “Gumaan ‘yung loob ko 100 percent and I was genuinely happy.”

Asked what if his dad has not totally poured his heart out yet during their talk, Julia assured that they will certainly have more time to talk. “What’s important now is that everything is okay between me and my dad.”

Still, there are those who believed that she did it for damage control. Julia has an answer.

“How can they even think of that? How can you think that somebody so young wants to get everything okay again with her own father just for publicity? I can’t even embrace that thought but it’s very false. He’s my dad. Why wouldn’t I want to be okay with my dad and have him there on my special day? I met up with him solely because I want to be okay with my own father and not for anybody.”

Julia added it did not take her too long to think about reconciling with her dad. “Not to sound so cheesy but of course, wounds don’t heal so fast but then it can’t wait forever, sabi nga, life is too short. You can’t wait too long. It might be too late if something happens and you’ll be devastated. My special day is coming so I said I want him to be there so it’s just right to iron kinks out.”

It will be most memorable for Julia if her three wishes for her birthday will come true. First, she wants peace between everybody; second, a successful career; and third, I wish that after I graduated high school (on March 22), I am also able to graduate in college (she plans to take up business management).”

Until this very moment, Julia feels the stress in preparations for her white, gray and silver-themed party.

“I’m actually involved in planning and preparations —  everything, actually we started planning April of last year. Ako talaga ‘yung nagsabi na we should start planning early kasi pag malapit na mas nakaka-stress and true enough it’s been almost a year since we’ve been planning pero now stress pa din kami, especially now it’s coming so close.”

Unlike any debut, Julia has 19 candles instead of only 18 “because sobrang tagal talaga na maka-kumpleto ng 18 roses, especially pag marami kang gustong kuhanin from the business kasi again March 10 is a Tuesday and then I have some friends who also have prior commitments like taping so I just want to be safe. Ang important is na lagay ko lahat ng gusto kong maging part ng candles ko.”

Taking part in her 19 candles are Dani Barretto, Claudia Barretto, Patita Tumapalan, Erich Gonzales, Alora Sasam, Natalia Ortega, Nicole Barretto, Cris Navarro, Marissa Kalaw, Pokwang, RB Chanco, Lala Flores, Denise Heredia, Coy Barretto, Ella Pangilinan, Liz Uy, Janella Salvador, Liza Soberano and Maja Salvador.

Part of her 18 roses, on the other hand, are dad Dennis, Matteo Guidicelli, Rayver Cruz, Enchong Dee, Khalil Ramos, Robi Domingo, Sam Concepcion, Dominic Roque, Leon Barretto, Mark Barretto, John Barretto, Cholo Barretto, Jason Soong, Mark Soong, Miguel Barretto, John “Sweet” Lapus, Enrique Gil and Iñigo Pascual.

Her gown is created by Dubai-based Filipino designer Michael Cinco.

Get to know Julia more as the Kapamilya network airs her special 18th birthday TV special titled Just Julia, Beautiful@18 on March 29 in Sunday’s Best.