The Pop Sweetheart can be Drama Diva too

CEBU, Philippines - Prior to her sit-down with us over the recent Sinulog weekend, the last encounter we had with singer-actress Julie Anne San Jose was during a promo interview for “Just One Summer,” her lone flick with former love team cohort Elmo Magalona.

The Julie Anne then was quite a shy teen outfitted in jeans and sneaks, her hair up in a no-nonsense ponytail.

While she still has that quiet quality about her, the Julie Anne now, at 22, is all woman – a tight maroon jersey dress hugging her now willowy frame and accentuating a 24-inch waistline.

This more slender physique has been put on display in promo plugs for her new afternoon drama, “Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa,” the TV adaptation to the 1987 classic Ishmael Bernal film of the same title.

In the teasers, Julie Anne is shown lounging by a pool in a one-piece bikini, with her antagonist played by LJ Reyes coming out to challenge her in a bikini display of her own. The two trade barbs, and not long after, a face-smack exchange ensues.

Reminiscent of Lorna Tolentino and Maricel Soriano’s iconic scene in the film version, the scene was meant to tease viewers on the Julie Anne they should be looking forward to beginning today as the series premieres on GMA-7’s Afternoon Prime block after “Hahamakin Ang Lahat.”

Stepping into the shoes of Lorna Tolentino’s role, Julie Anne is Santina, an orphan forced to fend for herself at a tender age after her aunt’s death. A skilled cook, she will later be taken in by kindhearted and successful restaurateur Diony, essayed by Jean Garcia.

Diony will also take in another girl named Angeli (LJ), who she will treat as her own daughter along with Santina. As Santina and Angeli’s worlds collide, the two will also vie for the love of Diony’s son, Ephraim (Benjamin Alves).

Julie Anne was not able to watch the entire movie version, although she had a good look of the important, iconic scenes that include the earlier described slapping battle royale.

“Santina is a strong and very principled person. She will work hard to achieve her goals. She’s very caring and loving,” shares Julie Anne of her role’s characteristics. “She was left by her father at a very young age, so she has this longing for a father.”

Currently seen performing comedy skits on “Sunday Pinasaya” and doing light comedy on the weekend sitcom “Pepito Manaloto,” Julie Anne was undaunted with going the heavy soap opera route once again.

“It’s not my first time to do heavy drama because I also did ‘Buena Familia.’ This is a bit heavier though, since it’s a lead role. I’m very excited that viewers will finally get to see everything we worked hard for,” says Julie Anne.

Make no mistake about it: music will remain this Mass Communication degree-holder’s first love. But always up for a challenge, Julie Anne will nonetheless accept any acting vehicle that’s dropped on her lap.

“It’s always a great opportunity to be given a project where I can show my acting skills. I’m also thankful and glad that I get to work with a lot of good actors and be surrounded with good people on set. I know that I will grow with this project since I still have a lot to learn,” she remarks.

Directed by veteran actress Gina Alajar (who in interviews, has commended Julie Anne’s marked improvement in acting from the last time she directed her ), “Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa” also stars Ara Mina, Victor Neri, Martin del Rosario, Allan Paule, Geleen Eugenio, Janna Dominguez and Lharby Policarpio.

Back in the team

Speaking of co-stars, Ara Mina had made headlines recently for venting out on her Twitter account that she was quitting a show because she felt disrespected by the production. All signs pointed to “Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa,” which was set to air last year but was delayed for one reason or another.

Asked what she knew of the matter, Julie Anne says she herself was taken by surprise with Ara’s tweets.

Her leading man, Benjamin, had lengthier thoughts though, as the actor explains: “I think we all just want to work. We all just want the show to start. I think she mentioned we began taping October. Everything she said was understandable. You know, she’s a working mom. I can empathize with somebody that wants to take care of their family, so wala namang issue sa amin yun.”

All’s well that ends well, and the matter has reportedly been ironed out already. “She’s back in the team, she’s back in the show,” says Benjamin.

“She’s the mom of LJ’s character, so she’s a very big part of the show. If she was really gonna quit, we would really miss her. I’m glad it didn’t go that far, but I can understand if a mom is thinking about her family. We’re just glad everything has been resolved.”

‘We don’t feel used’

With Julie Anne and Piolo Pascual’s nephew also said to be nurturing a romance off camera, we ask the pair if they were comfortable with their personal affairs used as promo angles for “Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa,” such as one ubiquitous plug that harped about them being “Nagkakamabutihan din sa totoong buhay.”

“Wala naman po,” treads Julie Anne carefully. I’m very comfortable with Ben ever since naman talaga. Actually, we became close even before taping began.”

“The plug was nice. I was surprised that there are people who actually read our tweets,” laughs Benjamin.

“Ahh…we don’t feel used,” he adds. “We’re in very good hands with GMA. In fact we’re happy that our show enjoys many promo plugs. Not only that particular plug, but also the sampalan between Julie Anne and LJ. That’s why we’re here also to make sure that we’re promoting our show correctly. Wala naman po sa amin yun.”

“We understand that we’re both in the public eye. When we sent those tweets out to each other, we can’t get mad na ginagamit siya, tapos nag-uusap kami online. That doesn’t make any sense.”  (FREEMAN)