Enchong Dee bent on courting Julia Montes

JULIA Montes

Actor Enchong Dee is dead set on winning the heart of teen star Julia Montes.

The former swimming champ said he’s willing to wait until Julia turns 18 next year, when she’s allowed to entertain suitors. “I respect her grandmother’s request—no suitors till she’s 18. I have to wait only seven more months,” Enchong said at a media gathering for the movie “The Reunion,” where Julia is a costar.

Enchong, however, said he still has to convince Julia that he’s worthy to be her first boyfriend. “Everything will depend on her,” he added.

Intense

Asked what made Julia so special, Enchong said: “I have this intense feeling for her that’s hard to explain. I just know that I’m serious about her.”

He said he felt bad after hearing rumors of the two of them already breaking up. “This is why I kept quiet about my intentions for her,” he said. “I guess people just want to spice up what Julia and I have.”

ENCHONG Dee

Enchong refused to say if he thought Julia would reciprocate his feelings. “I try to be objective, not to put meaning to everything she does; that wouldn’t be fair. All I can say is that we’re OK. I’m happy.”

Risk

On the other hand, he is also aware that he could fail. “It’s part of the risk I’m taking, part of growing up

—you get hurt, you commit mistakes, but you use these experiences to improve yourself.”

Could this lead to Enchong abandoning his teamup with on-screen partner Erich Gonzalez? He replied: “There is talk about projects that Erich and I would soon do together… It’s too early to say. I still have [the drama series] ‘Ina, Kapatid, Anak’ and a movie for the Metro Manila Film Festival. To be honest, I’d really rather not work with Julia. It’s not always good to mix love with work.”

In “The Reunion,” Julia plays the love interest of Enrique Gil’s character. Directed by Frasco Santos Mortiz, it tells the story of four male friends—Lloyd (Enchong), Bogs (Enrique), Pat (Kean Cipriano) and Joax (Xian Lim)—and life after high school, as they struggle to pursue their passion for music and their respective life goals.

Enchong explained that he accepted the project “because I wanted variety in my work. I don’t like repetition. It’s a big thing that I’m able to work with new people. It’s good to make new friends.”

“The Reunion,” which opens in theaters on Aug. 15, also features Jessy Mendiola, Megan Young, Bangs Garcia, Matt Evans, Tom Rodriguez, Joseph Marco and Gina Pareño.