Julia Barretto: I enjoyed being the ‘bida-kontrabida’

JULIA Barretto

Julia Barretto, who plays the bratty teener Trixie Cervantes in the ABS-CBN afternoon teleserye, “And I Love You So,” confessed to enjoying being the mean girl.

“It isn’t every day that I get to be mean and roll my eyes at people. I’ve learned to embrace my character. I will definitely miss Trixie,” Julia told reporters on Monday. The drama series, directed by Onat Diaz and Jon Villarin, will air its finale today.

Julia learned a lot “about myself, my craft and capabilities” while playing Trixie. She added: “Trixie is so different from the character I portrayed in ‘Mira Bella’ (2014). I enjoyed being the bida-kontrabida. People may find it weird, but I feel good whenever I watch Trixie being so mean.”

Julia said she and her TV persona have a lot in common. “Trixie puts on a facade. She’s afraid to allow people into her life. She is scared of what they could do to her,” the actress explained. “She wants attention and love from the people she cares for. I learned that, sometimes, it’s OK to put down that facade for people to understand how you feel.”

The series also features Miles Ocampo as Trixie’s half-sister Joanna, Angel Aguino as her mother Katrina, Dimples Romana as Joanna’s mom Michelle, Tonton Gutierrez as their dad Alfonso, Iñigo Pascual as Justin and Kenzo Gutierrez as Carlo.

Julia said, “Miles and I have become very close like sisters. We help motivate each other.”

What did you learn about love from this teleserye?

I learned that there are many aspects of love. Iñigo’s character never really loved Trixie back, and she has eventually learned to accept this. You shouldn’t force yourself on someone who isn’t interested in you. There are other people, like the character of Kenzo, who genuinely care for you. When it comes to family, I learned that forgiveness is key. If you love somebody, you have to learn to forgive and give that person another chance.

What did you learn from Angel and Dimples?

The first time I was told that I’d finally act in a scene with Ms Angel, I got nervous. I’m so mean to Joanna, then here she comes, the original mean girl. I was scared [of her], but she never made me feel like there was something to be afraid of. I told myself to learn from her, instead. I observed her mannerisms and habits, and how she motivated herself. It’s different with Ate Dimps—it’s such a breeze to work with her.

I like the fact that I still see the fire in them, even after all these years.

When I feel tired and I see them so passionate about what they do, I suddenly feel that I have no right to behave the way I do.

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