Allyzza Kay Trinidad

Julia Montes’ acclaimed TV portrayals that cemented her as the “Prime Actress”

Article (news)

Mary Ann Bardinas

Like many of the stars we’ve admired through the years, Julia Montes started out as a child actress—initially credited as Mara Schnittka, her real name—endearing and impressing us with her every portrayal. She has carried and honed her acting skills as time went by, eventually turning her into one of the most recognizable stars of her generation.  Over the past 25 years, she has gracefully evolved from a child star—frequently portraying the younger counterpart of seasoned actors—into one of the industry’s finest actresses. Her fearlessness in embracing mature and multifaceted roles has allowed her to consistently demonstrate exceptional versatility and artistic depth, as well as build an extensive body of acclaimed TV work, making her truly deserve the title of “Prime Actress.”As she’s poised to astound us anew with her much-awaited stint in the upcoming ABS-CBN Studios action-drama series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin’s Sigabo</a>” as the leading lady of her reel-and-real life sweetheart Coco Martin, let’s look back on some of Julia’s memorable TV roles through the years in this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight! <div> </div><div><iframe width="916" height="543" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/ThcEmdoGeUs" title="Kapamilya Spotlight: Julia Montes" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><div> </div>Since she rose to popularity through her unforgettable work in the iconic kiddie gag show “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/goinbulilit/articles-videos/watch-cute-hilarious-appearances-of-a-young-julia-montes-on-goin-bulilit-12625" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Goin’ Bulilit</a>” as part of the pioneer batch, many have probably assumed that it was her first-ever ABS-CBN gig. However, she actually made her Kapamilya debut in the classic 2004 soap opera “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-hiram-2004-1310" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Hiram</a>,” playing the role of young Stephanie Borromeo, which was later portrayed by Anne Curtis. Her impressive “Goin’ Bulilit” stint indeed opened a lot of opportunities for her in the industry, as she continued to appear in various Kapamilya programs even after her graduation from program in 2008, steadily proving her potential as a promising actress. She immediately got cast in the afternoon soap opera “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-stars-of-2008-ligaw-na-bulaklak-14741" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ligaw na Bulaklak</a>” as young Jennifer, played by Ara Mina, then went on to appear in the “Card” and “Leather Shoes” episodes of the long-running drama anthology “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Maalaala Mo Kaya</a>.” Later in 2008, she had a limited participation in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-i-love-betty-la-fea-2008-2235" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">I Love Betty La Fea</a>,” the Philippine adaptation of the Colombian telenovela, “Yo Soy Betty, La Fea,” as the young Daniella Valencia, portrayed by Ruffa Gutierrez.After taking on supporting and guest roles in two episodes of MMK (“Diary” and “Lubid”) and “Komiks Presents: Nasaan Ka Maruja?” in 2009, as well as in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-katorse-2009-14472" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Katorse</a>” and “Precious Hearts Romances Presents: The Substitute Bride” in early 2010, Julia finally scored her first major leading role in “Your Song Presents: Gimik 2010” as Mara and was credited as Mara Montes at the time. She started to use the screenname “Julia Montes” when she landed her breakthrough role as the titular kontrabida character Clara del Valle in the 2010 remake of the classic 90’s Pinoy soap opera “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-mara-clara-2010-2037" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Mara Clara</a>,” where she got to showcase her versatility as an actress. A few months after “Mara Clara” ended in 2011, she starred in the youth-oriented weekly series “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/3/20/throwback-julia-montes-as-tammy-in-growing-up-2011-2158" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Growing Up</a>,” playing the sweet and hopeless romantic girl named Samantha “Tammy” Magtoto.  The following year, she indeed surprised avid Kapamilya viewers when she took on a more mature role in the well-loved romance drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/walanghanggan/articles-photos/throwback-coco-and-julia-in-walang-hanggan-14383" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Walang Hanggan</a>.” She played the lead female character Katerina, and was paired for the first time with Coco Martin, who eventually became her real-life partner. Their undeniable chemistry and Julia’s standout performance earned her the titles “Princess of Philippine Television” at the 44th GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards and “Phenomenal Primetime Princess” from the entertainment press. In 2013, Julia delivered her most provocative performance on TV via the “Krus” episode of “MMK”, which marked her first starring role on the show. She depicted letter sender Diana, who was sold into prostitution by her own foster mother at a young age and eventually found genuine love. She later starred in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2024/11/26/throwback-2013-s-muling-buksan-ang-puso-2138" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Muling Buksan Ang Puso</a>” as Sarah Beltran, a young woman caught in a complicated love triangle between the characters of characters of Enchong Dee and Enrique Gil.She got reunited with Coco in the widely praised 2014 period drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/articles-photos/throwback-the-stars-ikaw-lamang-2014-14411" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ikaw Lamang</a>,” in which her outstanding portrayal of Mona, the devoted childhood friend secretly in love with his character, Samuel, earned her the Best Actress trophy at the 13th Gawad Tanglaw Awards, tying with seasoned actress Angel Locsin. The year 2015 proved especially busy for her as she didn’t only work in one but three TV projects. She began the year by starring in the “Yamishita’s Treasures” narrative of the fantasy anthology “Wansapanataym,” which she co-starred with Coco again. She charmed viewers as Tanya, a fairy princess who captured the heart of treasure hunter named Yami, portrayed by Coco, as she helped him retrieve a treasure in her world.It was followed by her return in MMK via the “Picture” episode, wherein she astounded us with her depiction of letter sender Rosa, a young woman who unknowingly fell in love with a married man and later decided to take care of his ill ex-wife. It apparently marked her first-ever mother role on TV.Julia then took on one of the most challenging roles of her career in the highly successful afternoon soap opera “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/10/29/throwback-photos-of-julia-montes-with-her-doble-kara-daughters-krystal-mejes-and-myel-de-leon-0140" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Doble Kara</a>,” where she portrayed twin sisters Sara and Kara. Despite sharing the same face, the two characters possessed vastly different personalities, allowing he actress to fully demonstrate her versatility and acting depth.Following the conclusion of “Doble Kara” in 2017, she starred in another “Wansapanataym” special entitled “Annika Pintasera,” where she played the spoiled and self-centered titular character Annika de Cuadra, a rich and spiteful girl who does not value people around her.  In 2018, she continued to expand her range through the political action drama “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/5/27/throwback-julia-montes-as-ana-in-asintado-2018-0034" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Asintado</a>.” As Ana Dimasalang, a paramedic whose life becomes entangled in a dangerous political conspiracy, she not only showcased her dramatic strengths but proved she could excel in action-driven scenes, too. She returned to television in 2020 through the weekly action-thriller series, “24/7,” where she portrayed Mia Agbayani, a single mother whose desperate attempt to save her son stricken with a deadly disease led to tragic consequences, including her death. However, Mia was given a chance to change what happened in the past and save as many victims as she could through the holographic stick invented by her son, Xavier, who became a scientist in 2045.  In 2021, she got reunited with Coco onscreen when she joined the cast of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano/articles-videos/scenes-that-hint-at-aurora-and-maras-connection-in-ang-probinsyano-16841" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a>,” fulfilling a long-awaited wish for the fans of their well-loved tandem fondly called CocoJul. She portrayed Mara, the long-lost daughter of the president and his former romantic partner, whose complicated past leads her into the world of rebel movements and political conflict. Julia took a break from doing action and went on to touch hearts alongside up-and-coming child star Zia Grace in “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/savinggrace" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Saving Grace: The Untold Story</a>,” the Philippine adaptation of the Japanese drama series “Mother.” There, she played Anna Sarmiento, a compassionate public school teacher who finds herself forced to make an impossible choice to protect one of her students, Grace (Zia Grace), from an abusive and neglectful home. And this 2026, she’s about to wow us anew with her versatility as an actress as she’s about to showcase her flair in drama, action, romance, and even comedy through her stint in the forthcoming primetime series “Sigabo,” which serves as her much-awaited reunion project with Coco Martin.  Are you ready to see Julia back in action? Well, you better not miss an episode of “<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/sigabo" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco Martin’s Sigabo</a>” once it begins airing on June 22 on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and <a href="https://app.iwanttfc.com/dFR6MWHAcVb" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">iWant</a>. <div> </div><div>More on this story: </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/16/coco-and-julia-tease-action-and-romance-in-official-trailer-of-coco-martin-s-sigabo-1931" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Coco and Julia tease action and romance in official trailer of “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/15/here-are-the-stars-joining-coco-martin-and-julia-montes-in-the-much-awaited-series-sigabo-0105" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Here are the stars joining Coco Martin and Julia Montes in the much-awaited series “Sigabo”!</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/6/5/-in-love-na-in-love-ako-julia-montes-gushes-over-coco-martin-s-new-look-in-sigabo-0048" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“In love na in love ako!” Julia Montes gushes over Coco Martin’s new look in “Sigabo”</a></div><div> </div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/5/26/para-hindi-halatang-crush-julia-montes-rewinds-the-early-sparks-kilig-she-reacts-old-cocojul-videos-0114" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">“Para hindi halatang crush mo…” Julia Montes rewinds the early sparks of &#x27;kilig&#x27; as she reacts to old CocoJul videos</a></div><div> <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2026/5/19/julia-montes-feels-doble-dobleng-kaba-being-directed-by-coco-martin-in-this-intriguing-sigabo-scene-0053" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BTS Pasilip: Julia Montes feels &#x27;doble-dobleng kaba&#x27; being directed by Coco Martin in this intriguing &#x27;Sigabo&#x27; scene</a></div>

Let’s look back on some of Julia Montes’ memorable television roles in this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight!

Let’s look back on some of Julia Montes’ memorable television roles in this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight!