MANILA, Philippines — Julia Montes admits that Coco Martin is her ideal guy, especially after she gets to know him more than just being an actor.

“Lagi kong sinasabi, wala akong  masabing masamang tinapay kasi ‘di ba, minsan sa umpisa ‘pag nakilala mo na ‘yong tao, sa umpisa lang ‘yon. Pero sa kanya, sa tagal naming magkatrabaho, nakikilala ko siya lalo, parang wala pa kong nakikitang hindi okay,” she said about Coco, in an interview on Tuesday.

She also admitted having a crush on the actor, yet only blushes when asked if she’s in love with him.

“Nakaka-in love ‘yong … paano ba,” she said before pausing for a while.

She explained: “Kasi ‘yong character niya walang babae na hindi mai-in love, lalo na kapag nakilala mo siya. Na-amaze ako sa kanya, sa buong pagkatao niya, kung paano siya sa buhay, paano siya bilang tao, bilang apo, bilang pamilya.”

The two will star on “Wansapanataym’s” upcoming episode “Yamishita’s Treasures,” which will start airing on March 22.

With her beauty, talent and love for her family, it would be impossible for a guy not to like Julia. Yet she admits being the one distancing herself from them.

“Focus muna sa work,” she explained. “Siguro ngayon nando’n ako sa point na family pa rin talaga and ayoko … kapag nagbigay ako ng time and effort, all out. So gusto ko kapag aabot na sa ganoong point na magkaka-relationship or anything, alam ko sa sarili ko na settled na ‘yong family ko.”

Julia’s journey to showbiz had not been easy. Coming from humble beginnings and being raised by her grandmother, she admits joining the industry to provide for her family.

Yet she has come a long way, and even got more than she wished for.

The Kapamilya actress sees her hardships in life as a “blessing” and “motivation” for her work.

“Siguro ‘yon na rin ang masasabi kong edge ko sa ibang teenagers, na may pinagdaanan akong ganito, na until now hindi naman mawawala ‘yon,” she adds.