Julie Anne gets a Day Off from the stage

MANILA, Philippines - Mornings find her getting up early, having her serving of breakfast, then brushing on some reading materials for school, doing cover songs, playing instruments and working out or surfing the Net. She sometimes gets to chill out with friends, too.

A day no less typical for most people except that it’s a much desired day off for someone who’s everything but typical — the multi-platinum recording artist, YouTube sensation and teen idol Julie Anne San Jose.

However, days like this one do not come as often as the Kapuso singer-actress has to juggle work and studies. An avid viewer of reality shows, hectic schedules sometimes find her daydreaming about switching roles with another person even for just a day — just like the stuff she sees on TV, particularly on the show she regularly watches — GMA News TV’s Day Off.

“Sobrang saya, sobrang saya talaga,” shares Julie Anne when asked of her reaction upon learning that she will be Day Off’s new host. “It’s my first time to host a show like this. I’m really happy because personally, I’m a viewer of Day Off.”

Julie Anne’s first hosting stint is with the primetime musical Marian where she and Christian Bautista were co-hosts to Marian Rivera.

Preparations-wise, Julie Anne says she is thankful her Day Off co-hosts are nothing but helpful. “I’m glad I’ve worked with Kuya Pekto, Maey and Boobay before so it wasn’t really difficult for me. They’re all nice and they’re the ones helping me so that my job is easier.”

It’s not even an unfamiliar experience for Julie Anne as she has already appeared as a celebrity guest for an episode of Day Off. “My first time was when I switched roles with a sharks and stingray trainer who was in charge of cleaning, feeding and looking after the sharks.”

“It was really fun and at the same time, it was a big challenge for me. Kasi ‘yung mga hindi ko inakalang magagawa ko ay nagawa ko,” she adds.

Recalling her debut episode as host which aired last March 7, Julie Anne excitedly shares her experience taking over a day’s work of the first female rescue divers of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) in Manila Bay.

While the female rescue divers take the day off with back-to-back treats and surprises courtesy of the show, Julie Anne and Maey gear themselves with life vests to undergo PCG training for water survival and rescue techniques.

Trying the water entry activity left Julie Anne terrified as she was required to jump off a high point of a ship and into the water, “Before tumalon kinabahan din ako siyempre hindi ko alam kung ano’ng pwedeng mangyari sa ‘kin, baka mali yung talon ko mapilayan ako.”

Then there’s the rubber boat capsizing activity which requires them to turn a boat over while afloat, on top of being stewards for the day, cleaning the ship and attending to the officers.

“It’s thrilling. Hindi namin akalain na makakalundag kami, sasakay kami ng speed boat, itataob namin yung life boat tapos makakapaglinis kami ng ship,” describes Julie Anne who comes to a realization adding, “The job of rescue divers is so tough. Kami, siyempre we’re first timers, babae kami and for us fulfilling ‘yung ganitong klaseng trabaho para sa mga babae kasi di ba alam naman natin na kayang gawin ‘to ng mga lalaki but still ipinakita nating mga babae tayo at nakaya nating gawin.”

Saying she’s game for anything, she expects that more thrilling activities are in store for her — experiences that are a lot different for the composed, prim and proper Julie Anne who owns the stage each time she sings.

“Aside from it being a humbling experience, the show will also showcase a different side of me. Kasi nakikita nila ako na ‘yung palaging kumakanta o umaarte. Siguro dito n’yo rin makikita ‘yung pagka-adventurous ko,” says Julie Anne.

As for her dream episode, Julie Anne reveals that she wants to try out something out of the usual. “Maybe a policewoman or a bodyguard. What they do during crime scenes or operations, kahit hindi actual, like maybe training or mock-up if possible,” quips Julie Anne who is also into firing and archery.

For someone who would always choose music above everything, as much as this new project comes as a welcome relief, Julie Anne says singing and creating music will always be her first love. With her second album Deeper selling like crazy in record stores, she’s currently working on writing new songs for her third album.

“For me, it’s fulfilling that people appreciate what I love to do most. I also have mall shows and acting projects. But for now, I am really very happy and blessed with this recent development in my career. I’m happy to be part of a show that helps people who deserve a day off. Not only does it add to my experiences, I also get to help others,” concludes Julie Anne.

Catch Julie Anne in Day Off airing every Saturday on GMA News TV.