Twin challenge for Julia

MANILA, Philippines - Playing lead character in a TV project is nothing new to Julia Montes. She portrayed the contravida Clara in the TV remake of Mara Clara, the laborer’s daughter Katerina in Walang Hanggan, the teener Sarah in Muling Buksan ang Puso; and the loyal friend Mona in Ikaw Lamang. But what makes her feel like she’s learning the ABCs of acting once again is playing a dual role in the latest ABS-CBN new drama series Doble Kara that is set to premiere tomorrow, Aug. 24, on the Kapamilya Gold block.

“It was mentioned to me before that I would be doing a new project but I didn’t believe the talks that I would be playing two characters in the show. When they (bosses) talked to me, that was the time I started telling myself that I should do my best because portraying two characters is new to me; na ‘di pwedeng mag-relax. Besides, I know all the actors here are dedicated to the project,” Julia told The STAR on being tapped for the role.

Thus, Julia wasted no time immersing herself into the characters’ polar opposite personas — Sarah and Kara — through acting workshops that lasted for several weeks. These included  prepping up for her roles and creating the kind of attitude Sarah and Kara would possess “for me to have a distinct approach from one character to the other and it’s not really easy to shift from Sarah to Kara or vice versa in one (taping) day.”

But Julia is not complaining. She knows that not every artist is given the chance to handle such challenging task. Instead, she takes Doble Kara as another test to her acting ability.

“I cannot think of a right word to exactly describe my gratitude for having been given this project. Imagine from contravida then to a mature role in Walang Hanggan and Ikaw Lamang and now this (role) na sobrang iba talaga sa mga dati so I’m taking this as a new challenge.”

Asked to describe Sarah and Kara, Julia said the two are not the typical good and not-so-good twin sisters who are separated due to financial constraints. “Both are kind-hearted. The difference lies in their talent. Sarah exudes a loud personality and her confidence is evident in her love for joining beauty pageants while Kara excels in academics and arts.”

Between the Sarah and Kara, the 20-year-old Star Magic talent found acting out the former with much joy “because Sarah feels like new to me. Sabi ko nga nung una, ‘Paano ’to di ko pa nagawa ito na mabait pero colorful ang personality?’ At may mga eksena na nahihiya talaga akong gawin pero kailangan.”

Playing her leading man is newcomer Anjo Damiles who, Julia shared, is a breeze to work with. “His acting comes out naturally. When you get to watch him, you’ll never feel na bago s’ya.”

Is there a possibility for her to fall in love with her leading man?

“I am not thinking about it especially now that I have two characters to portray. Kung meron mang ma-develop friendship lang po talaga,” Julia confirmed although she can’t exactly tell when will she be ready for love. For now, she is bent on securing her family’s future, giving her brothers Patrick and Paulo a good education. Julia lives with her brothers, lola Flory and her mom in the two-storey house in Antipolo which she acquired three years ago.

“I want a secure life for them. I don’t want my siblings to feel the need to work first in order to study. I want to provide for them.”

Having talked about her plans for her family, Julia also revealed more of herself as she completed the sentences below. Read on.

When I was younger, I’ve always wanted to be...a chef, a marine and a flight stewardess, tatlo. I think that was the reason why I entered showbiz to be able to do all that even for a role. But I took up culinary recently at CCA (Center for Culinary Arts).

The one thing that scares me the most is...death of a family member.

My most prized possession is...my investments like my house. (She recently bought a new house somewhere in Quezon City.)

My craziest experience was...during our trip to Iloilo for Mara Clara. First time ko dinumog (ng fans) and I really felt the warm welcome and the love of fans even if I was a contravida in the soap.

My showbiz celebrity crush is… Tom Cruise because I found him so handsome the first time I watched his film and I admired him all the more because all our neighbors told me that he looks like my dad (a German) kasi wala pa akong nakitang picture ng dad ko that time so ini-imagine ko kamuka s’ya ng tatay ko. True enough hawig nga (laughs).

The one food I love to gorge on is…everything, except cucumber. I love eating, especially spicy food but if I see there’s a cucumber, kahit paborito ko pa s’ya aayaw ako.

During my free time, I usually spend it... at home and cook for my family. All the ingredients are ready when I have no work the following day. I also love staying in the house and re-arrange the furniture.

The one celebrity I’d like to meet is...Vilma Santos because I admire how she is able to handle her career as an actress and her being a politician. I wish to not only meet her but also get to work with her.