Julia on staying relevant during difficult times

Going back to work without a vaccine for the deadly Covid-19 proved too scary for actress Julia Montes.

After being away from show biz for a year, the action-drama series “24/7” was supposed to be her comeback project. But the show has only aired four episodes since it premiered on Feb. 23 before it was discontinued due to the pandemic.

“Right now, I’m focusing first on things I didn’t get to do because I was too busy with work. I get to do all my errands now, as well as resume projects I never got to finish. I also work out now. I get to do my skincare routine regularly and I feel safe when I’m inside the clinic,” said the lovely new endorser of Avignon Clinic, particularly for her favorite treatments: Emsculpt and Ulthera Ultimate Lift.

Adjusting to life while stuck at home wasn’t hard at all, said Julia. “Yes, I’m an on-the-go type of girl, but I’m also a homebody. Quarantine life doesn’t affect me much,” she admitted. “I’m happy when I’m just in the house. I find satisfaction in cleaning and rearranging fixtures. Other than my fear
for the safety of my family, friends and loyal fans during this pandemic, I’m perfectly fine where I am.”

The 25-year-old actress also said that while on lockdown, she was able to reignite her passion for cooking, “which I got to share with my loved ones and friends,” she added. “What’s most important for me was the part where I got to reflect on everything about my life—how lucky I am to be waking up healthy and blessed, despite what’s happening now.”

Julia, who had been a staple lead actress in ABS-CBN drama series like “Mara Clara,” “Walang Hanggan,” “Doble Kara” and “Asintado,” said she has also “prepared” her family in case she resumes working again soon.

“We follow protocols before going inside the house. We also make sure to properly sanitize and disinfect our food deliveries,” she explained.

The actress also pointed out the importance of show biz celebrities continuously being relevant during these difficult times. “Viewers now are extremely intelligent. They want authenticity. They expect more from artists. Their show biz idols don’t just have to be successful, they also have to show concern for society and our environment,” she pointed out.

“Being relevant is caring for other people and about what’s happening now. It is also about speaking the truth, as well as about being good always and helping others.”

These days, Julia said she would often pray for “forgiveness for shortcomings and mistakes we’ve committed toward each other.”

She continued: “I also pray for this pandemic to finally be over and that we all survive it. I hope for every Filipino family to recover from this test. Let’s not lose faith despite the trials.

“Let’s hope God embraces all the people who are hurting, grieving and struggling; those who are ill and those who lost their jobs as a consequence of the pandemic. These are some of the things I fervently pray for each night.”

During the ECQ, Julia was involved in several outreach programs for people displaced by the pandemic and the resulting work stoppage. However, she opted to remain anonymous.

A source close to Julia, however, said the 25-year-old actress funded the distribution of relief packages to 400 families in Caloocan City.