Julie Anne is ready for love

MANILA, Philippines – At 22, Julie Anne San Jose says she’s ready for love.

“I am ready,” answered the Asia’s Pop Sweetheart when asked by the entertainment press whether she’s ready to enter the dating scene during a pocket presscon for her latest album Chasing the Light under GMA Records.

And despite her success, Julie Anne said she remains to be a simple girl who doesn’t demand much when it comes to love and courtship. “Ayokong mag-set ng idea about a guy kasi kapag pumasok ka sa isang relationship, importante na you get to know him first,” she said.

“I just want to be taken seriously, that’s all,” she stressed.

The approval of her family is also one prerequisite for her to go into a relationship. And although she admitted to her parents’ protective tendencies, Julie Anne said her parents are not prohibiting her from having a relationship. “Sinasabi nga po nila na nasa tamang edad na ko, naka-graduate na, nasa right timing na rin. Kung saan po ako masaya, suportahan po nila ako,” she explained.

Lately, Julie Anne is being linked to fellow Kapuso actor Benjamin Alves, who also starred in her music video for her single Naririnig Mo Ba. The two have been exchanging sweet messages on social media, such as Benjamin calling her Juliepuff and her calling him Charbender, resulting in fans calling their tandem Benlie. Benjamin was also present during Julie Anne’s In Control concert at the Kia Theater last May. Julie Anne also admitted that they share the same love for poetry.

“I like him,” said Julie Anne after being prodded about her feelings for the 27-year-old actor. “I’m not gonna hide anything, we’re good. We’re getting to know each other.”

“Marespeto po siya, sa akin at sa ibang tao, God-fearing, maintindihin,” described Julie Anne of the qualities that she likes about him.

Asked whether Benjamin is courting her, she said, “I’ll leave it at that. We get along, I’m happy with his company and ganoon din naman siya sa akin, I believe.” As to whether that closeness will blossom into romance, Julie Anne said that “if ever we get there, wala naman pong kelangang i-rush.”

As to what song from her latest album Chasing the Light she would like to dedicate to Benjamin, she chooses her latest single Naririnig Mo Ba, a song about faith in love and the hope of falling in love again. The said single, which topped iTunes Philippines charts upon its digital release last June, is one of the two songs that she wrote herself, the other being Not a Game. For this album, Julie Anne collaborated with international rapper C-Tru and local composer Edmund Perlas. Julie Anne also described  her album’s sound as more mature but doesn’t veer far from the genre her fans have been accustomed to. “At the same time, may flavor na tatak Pinoy,” she added.

With her first album going Diamond and her second album gaining Triple Platinum status, Julie Anne said she doesn’t let the pressure of sale numbers get to her. “Basta ang importante po is makapag-produce ako ng music ko, maparinig ko sa kanila kung ano yung ginawa ko,” she explained.

And indeed, following her heart and her passion is what motivates Julie Anne every day. Aside from composing and performing, Julie Anne is also considering a career in the academe, admitting that she was offered a teaching stint for the subject of Philippine Theater at Angelicum College, where she recently graduated with a degree in Communication Arts. Additionally, Julie Anne plans to take her Masteral degree in Communications next year.

(Julie Anne’s newest album under GMA Records Chasing The Light is now available in selected Astroplus and Astro Vision outlets nationwide, with its digital format available for download on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, Google Play and other digital stores worldwide. For more details, please visit GMA Records’ official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/GMARecords.)