Julia Montes considers Kathryn Bernardo her ‘original love team’

(From left) Julia Montes, Kathryn Bernardo. Images: Instagram/@montesjulia08, Instagram/@bernardokath

While Julia Montes is aware of the expectations surrounding her upcoming film with Alden Richards due to the success of his movie with Kathryn Bernardo, she nonetheless maintained that they’re supportive of each other’s endeavors.

Richards and Bernardo were first paired up in the 2019 film “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” which was tagged as the “highest-grossing Filipino film of all time,” per Star Cinema.

Montes shared her thoughts when asked by host Boy Abunda about the record-breaking success of the Alden-Kathryn movie, admitting that there’s pressure for her own movie with Richards to do well, but that she’s proud of the accomplishments of their team-up.

“Siguro po pressure siya in the sense of dahil ang paningin ng tao after nila Kathryn [Bernardo], kami po. But ako kasi mas proud po ako eh. D’un ako tumitingin kasi si Kathryn ‘yun eh,” she said during a “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” interview.

(There’s pressure in the sense that people believe that after the success of his pairing with Kathryn Bernardo, we’re next. But I’m more proud. I choose to see things in that way because this is Kathryn we’re talking about.)

Montes, who considers herself as Bernardo’s “big sister,” said she and Richards are “happy” with their work in their movie “Five Break-ups and a Romance” while noting that the latter is “supportive” as well.

“Parang ate ako ni Kathryn na kapag may na-achieve siya, isa ako sa pinakamasaya. So parang imbes na tignan ko siya as napre-pressure lang, I’m proud na si Kathryn ‘yung nandun,” she said. “And kung ible-bless kami with this film, bakit hindi? We’re happy. And Kathryn is very supportive.”

(I consider myself as Kathryn’s ate that when she achieves something, I’m one of those who’s very happy for her. Instead of seeing this as pressure to do well, I’m proud that Kathryn is there. If we’re going to be blessed with this film, why not? We’re happy. And Kathryn is very supportive.)

The “Doble Kara” star also noted that she and Bernardo consider themselves as the “original love team,” and they’re excited about working together again.

“Natataon nga po na lagi kami ‘yung nadidikit pero happy kami kasi ang lagi naming biro sa isa’t isa, tayo ang original love team. Nami-miss na natin ang isa’t isa, kailan tayo gagawa, may ganun po kami and our bond is really special,” she said. “Bago pa nabuo ang mga love team-love team, kami na ang original love team. At ‘yun ang love team na hindi matitibag sa’ming dalawa.

(It just so happens that we’re always being pitted against each other, even if we joke about being the original love team. We miss each other and we want to work together again. Our bond is really special. Before having our own love teams, we’re the original love team. And our bond as a love team remains unbreakable.)

Montes and Bernardo’s close friendship go way back after working together in the 2010 teleserye “Mara Clara,” which is a remake of the 1992 drama of the same name starring Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes.

The actresses then joined forces in the 2011 film “Way Back Home” and 2011 teen series “Growing Up.”

On the other hand, Richards admitted during a separate interview that he was initially pressured to set a higher standard for himself after “Hello, Love, Goodbye.” EDV