MANILA, Philippines — “Very happy” is how Julie Anne San Jose described the current status of her heart.
“Happy life, happy heart. Masaya maging masaya,” she recently told the press during the launch of her new endorsement for the beauty brand Aqua Skin at The B Hotel in Quezon City.
Fans of the Kapuso star need not ask who’s her happy pill these days — you just have to check out her Instagram — but it’s not hard to notice how much she’s oozing with confidence.
Recently, the singer-actress got people talking with her skin-baring photos during a trip to Boracay.
“Confidence is key. As long as you’re confident, parang wala ka na ring iisipin (you don’t have to worry about anything else),” Julie said of her sexy shoot.
“You need to have self-acceptance. Once you have that, everything else just follows. And it’s really all about how you see things, the optimistic way. Especially nowadays, that is what we need. There are so many challenges that we need to undergo and face. So, it’s about having an optimistic mindset. Of course, you have to surround yourself with people who truly support you and love you. That will really boost your self-confidence and self-esteem,” she added.
Coming to terms with herself didn’t happen overnight. “It doesn’t happen with a snap of a finger. It also took me a while. Siguro sa dami ko na ring experiences, magkakaroon ka ng self-realization. From there, you start accepting yourself and start being yourself. In that sense, you become confident,” she told The STAR.
Self-love and self-care are among the steps she’s taking to feel better about herself. Julie pointed out, “The self-love journey is always there. But sometimes, we go through that phase in our lives where we lose ourselves, lose our dignity, forget about ourselves or don’t know ourselves anymore, that’s why you really need to reflect, do some introspection.
“It’s always a decision and a choice when it comes to these things. Di naman pwede malugmok or magmukmok ka sa isang corner. Life is a rollercoaster ride, you can’t be on top all the time. You always go through challenges and obstacles. And when you go through those things, it molds you, it makes you strong. You learn and grow from your experiences.”
Nevertheless, it’s not lost on anyone that her confidence attracts people, if not a special someone. “If you’re asking for a specific person, kilala niyo na po siguro yun,” Julie, who’s rumored to be making sweet music with Rayver Cruz, said with a laugh.
She’s also attracting more endorsement deals, including the Amino Collagen Powder product of Aqua Skin, a Japan brand that “focuses on top-notch and premium beauty and wellness products containing the most sought-after Japan active ingredients, such as Ceramide.”
Besides supplements, proper skincare and diet, enough sleep, her beauty regimen includes smiling often “kasi nakaka-attract, nakakahawa ang smile at nakaka-happy ‘pag nakakita ang ibang tao na ang optimistic ng aura mo. Nakaka-draw talaga siya ng energy.”
Meanwhile, Julie needs all the energy she can get with the projects she’s eyeing and about to do after her documentary-concert series Limitless: A Musical Trilogy, which just won the Silver World Medal at the 2022 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards. The concert told Julie’s musical journey in three parts and was filmed across the country — Breathe in Mindanao, Heal in Visayas and Rise in Luzon. Limitless premiered on Philippine TV over the weekend, with subsequent episodes airing on May 22 and May 29 at 2 p.m. on GMA Network.
“I’m very thankful for the Limitless project because I found myself again. I became whole (as a person). Although I wouldn’t say sobrang complete ko na but I’m in the process of getting there,” Julie said.
She’s also working on a new track with “one of the people I really look up to ever since I was young.” Another teleserye is in the offing, as well as a possible concert.
“I don’t want to be complacent. I want to always have something new to do. I want to always discover something new. Learning doesn’t stop for me. That’s why I keep on motivating myself. I believe that once you have a vision and a goal, nothing and no one can stop you from reaching that once you’re passionate about something.”
Julie is turning 28 tomorrow, May 17, and the birthday girl plans to hold a “simple celebration with family, loved ones and close friends.”