MANILA, Philippines – Julia Montes is embarking on a big new project with two new leading men, and it’s a new feather in her cap at this point in her career. During the August 17 press conference for her new show, Doble Kara, Julia spoke about her former co-star, Coco Martin, and being ready for love.

Julia said that she was inspired by Coco because she witnessed his journey to success. “Kasi siya nga po yung sabi kong super close ko at super inspiration ko ngayon, dahil nga makikita mo yung journey niya from way back na hindi naman siya Coco Martin agad, talagang tinrabaho niya bago siya naging Coco Martin.”(He’s the person I’m closest to and the biggest inspiration to me right now, since you can see his journey from way back, that he wasn’t Coco Martin right away, he really worked hard before he became the Coco Martin he is today.)Before he was signed to ABS-CBN, Coco was a struggling actor who experienced rejection before making it big in hit shows. (READ: Coco Martin: They said I couldn’t act)“Happy ako nung nakita ko po yung progress ng buhay niya [from indie films to entering ABS-CBN], yung talagang makikita mo family-oriented talaga siyang tao and iyon, binigay na niya sa family niya and iyon na, nagbunga na yung hirap niya,” she said, saying that she was happy for Coco getting a new house, featured on Kris Aquino’s TV program late last year.

(I was happy when I saw the progess of his life [from acting in indie films to entering ABS-CBN], you can really see that he’s a family-oriented person and he was able to provide for his family, his hard work paid off.)

Ever since they co-starred in the show Walang Hanggan in 2012, fans have wanted to see Coco and Julia in a real-life relationship. However, Julia said during the press conference that she has other priorities at the moment, and love will come in its own time.

“Mahirap po kasi magsabi ng age [na ready ako para sa courtship]… Siguro may mga priorities lang pong uunahin and ‘pag dumating [ang love] tingnan po natin. Kasi naniniwala po ako na lahat po ng bagay na nangyayari sa buhay ko pinagdadasal ko so sabi ko kung darating, kung will ni Lord, iyon [ready na ako].”

(It’s hard to say that I’ll be ready for courtship at a certain age… There are other priorities that must come first, and when love comes, we’ll see. I believe that everything that happens in my life, I pray for, and I said ‘If love comes, if the Lord wills it, [I’ll be ready].’)

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