The story behind Julia Barretto and Awra Briguela’s unexpected friendship

Briguela (left) and Barretto

Julia Barretto and Awra Briguela’s unexpected friendship started with chance encounters in the hallways of ABS-CBN. Back in 2016, when he was a rising 12-year-old child actor, Awra, would once in a while, bump into Julia during guest appearances in the variety show “ASAP.” And before he knew it, he was in Julia’s house, attending the actress’ 19th birthday.

“Nagkakasalubong lang kami dati sa ‘ASAP,’ and she was so sweet like an elder sister. She then invited me to attend her birthday in her house,” Awra said in a recent video conference for the streaming platform Vivamax’s new coming-of-age, comedy-drama series “The Seniors.”

However, it wasn’t until the two actors’ locked-in taping for the said show, which premiered last March 20, that their relationship really deepened. “This is where we got to know each other better. We were able to talk about our struggles … Now, even after doing the show, we keep in touch and we don’t run out of things to talk about,” he said.

Because they have a seven-year age gap, there was a point when Awra had to catch up with Julia in terms of experience or maturity. But now that Awra’s 17, Julia said they’re now able to discuss things they couldn’t have years back.

“Since Awra has grown and blossomed into a beautiful and mature woman I feel like we’re able to connect more now. We now get to have deeper conversations,” pointed out Julia, who described her friendship with Awra as “effortless and natural.” “Everyone in my family loves her. We can just sit in silence, or have a laugh, chat or ‘chismisan.’”

Life, love problems

Though Julia’s personal life had been the subject of online intrigues in the past, Awra said the actress couldn’t be farther from how her critics try to paint her. “I think some people just misinterpret her. I know her to be a very kind person. And the whole cast and crew of ‘The Seniors’ can attest to that. She’s super caring, loving and joyful. She’s thoughtful and always asks me if I have already eaten.”

Produced by Viva Entertainment and filmmakers Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas’ Project 8 Projects, “The Seniors” is about four students in a provincial public high school who run into a series of life and love problems in their senior year.

At Pacaque Rural High School is a clique called “The Certifieds” Jennifer (Ella Cruz) is an overachiever student council president who leads the group; Nicole (Andrea Babierra) is the muse; Fifi (Awra), on the other hand, is the volleyball team captain.

Their excellence and consistency in the star section led them to believe that they’re the school’s elite students. But all that changes when Diana (Julia), a smart and beautiful transferee from Manila arrives at Pacaque and shakes things up. The series is directed by the young, award-winning Mindanaoan filmmaker Shaira Advincula-Antonio, who said that the concept is inspired by the pop culture cult favorite “Mean Girls.”

Asked if they fall under any high school stereotypes, Julia said she was one of the athletes; and Aura, one of the class clowns.

“I attended face-to-face classes in my first two years of high school and then switched to home study. But when I was physically at school, people knew me as a volleyball player,” Julia said, adding that the first half of her high school life was transformative and important.

Transformative years

“Those were the years that helped you shape as a person and a young lady. Back then, everyone had insecurities … everyone was trying to figure themselves out. And I think that’s normal. But I had a good high school experience. I think it’s true that high school friends are forever because I still get in touch with mine,” she said.

While she had already started acting then, Julia made sure that she was always true to herself in school. “It’s important to stay that way and keep your feet on the ground. I believe that’s how I was able to build friendships. I was myself and my friends love me for that. That’s important in show biz, too. People can hate you, but there will be others who will love you,” she said. Awra, who had to switch schools three times because of his work, said he was “bida-bida” in high school. “I joined the varsity and played volleyball, too. I was also part of the dance club. And as the gay friend, I’m cool with everyone, boy or girl. Because I’m not so brainy, I make up for it with extracurricular activities and projects,” he related.

Awra did experience being mocked for being gay. But he stood for himself, he said, until the bullying stopped.

“I’m gay, but they have no right to step on me or to make fun of me. You have to be true to yourself and leave them with no choice but accept you for who you are. Don’t take their opinions seriously. If you love yourself, their judgment wouldn’t matter. If there are bullies, ignore them. They’re just jealous because you have something they don’t have,” he said. Julia joked that she was never bullied in school. She did echo Awra’s sentiments, saying that there’s nothing wrong with you (bullying victims). “Don’t tolerate them (bullies). Show them that you can’t be bullied. And if needed, seek help from other people,” she said.