Kathryn and Julia the new primetime princesses

FROM the 1990s and continuing into the next decade, Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto were two of the most popular actresses in showbiz. They were constant fixtures on TV and movies, with Judy Ann appealing to fans as the scrappy, relatable underdog while Claudine's allure was her fair-skinned beauty.
Now, with the duo maturing and slowly being eased out of the limelight by constantly emerging faces, the industry is focusing on new talents to take their stead. Emerging from the recently-concluded highly-popular soap opera Mara Clara, Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes are being groomed to be the next major stars.
The said series is a remake of the landmark '90s teleserye, which starred Judy Ann and Gladys Reyes as Mara and Clara, respectively – babies switched at birth to different families, and reuniting years later to complicated results. For five years (1992-1997) audiences were riveted to the saga and, mesmerized by Judy Ann's victimized and abused character, which catapulted the young actress to stardom.
When the modern remake was planned, the crucial lead roles were given to two virtually unknown talents who cut their teeth in the kids' show Goin' Bulilit and appeared sporadically in various TV projects as supporting cast. The new program went on to equal the success of its predecessor, catapulting Kathryn and Julia to instant popularity.
They are dubbed as ABS-CBN's new "primetime princesses." Now, Kathryn is seen as the next Juday while Julia is being groomed to be the new Claudine.
After their television success, Kathryn and Julia conquered the big screen, appearing in their first major film project together in Way Back Home. During a recent press conference to promote the movie, the two young stars said they couldn't believe their good fortune to be given the opportunity to headline their own film. At the same time, they acknowledged that big breaks come with big pressures.
"Nagpapasalamat kami sa ABS-CBN sa pagbibigay sa amin ng ganitong kalaking break. At the same time po may pressure on our part kasi po malaking challenge po na i-please ang mga manonood ng pelikula namin," the 16-year-old Julia said.
Kathryn echoed those sentiments, saying that they both gave their best to ensure that their fans will be entertained. "Talagang binigay po namin dito ang lahat ng aming makakaya para mapaganda yung pelikula at para naman po sulit yung ibabayad ng mga manonood," said Kathryn, who turned 15 last March.
In the movie, Kathryn and Julia play Ana and Jessie, respectively, sisters separated when they were young and growing up in different worlds. When they reunite after a long period, and Ana is accepted into Julia's family, resentment grows between the two. The tension escalates, threatening to irrevocably change their lives for good.
Although the plot resembles the conflict in Mara Clara, Julia assured their fans that the story offers a different spin and dynamic to their rivalry. "Ibang-iba ito sa 'Mara Clara', ibang problema ng pamilya na tina-tackle po dito, yung forgiveness at acceptance po ng magkapatid sa pamilya. Wala pong bida or kontrabida dito. Pareho po kami ritong biktima ng isang sitwasyon," she explained.
And despite playing yet another downtrodden character in Way Back Home similar to that in Mara Clara, Kathryn says she doesn't mind playing the outcast. "Sa akin po, hindi naman po ako natatakot na ma-typecast na puro palaging inaapi."
Highly elated by the performance of the two young talents, Way Back Home director Jerry Sineneng commented that a new generation of stars has arrived and that Kathryn could be the next Judy Ann, and Julie the next Claudine.
"Pareho silang magaling, very professional, passionate at committed sa kanilang trabaho," he said. "Ginu-groom talaga sila as parehong bida. Pareho silang bida material. Baka siguro maging future rivals sila in terms of popularity, talent, number of fans. They are future superstars."
During a press conference for her comeback program Junior MasterChef: Pinoy Edition, Judy Ann herself weighed in on the prospects of the two young stars.
"Napapanood ko sina Kathryn and Julia at nakikita kong malaki ang potential nila na maging mga big stars in the future. With little steps they will get there," Juday said.
She said she is open to appearing opposite the two, joking "Okey sa akin ang mother roles basta 'wag lang sila ang magiging anak ko."
Kathryn and Julia, she added, should be given time and room to carve their own niche in the industry. She frowned on attempts to compare them with her and Claudine because times and tastes change over the years.
"But I think para naman maging fair, bigyan natin sila ng sarili nilang pangalan. Pinaghihirapan din naman nila nang matindi 'yun. Nakikita ko kung gaano sila kasipag. Unfair naman na ikinukumpara lang sila sa amin ni Claudine. Iba naman ang generation nila sa generation naming," she said.
Kathryn is deeply grateful of Judy Ann's appreciative comments and advice. "Sinabi nga ni Ate Juday na ayaw naman niya na yung mga pag-arte niya gayahin ko. Syempre, gusto niya gumawa rin po ako ng sarili kong name. So, happy naman siya sa nagiging takbo ng career ko."
For her part, Julia is very flattered to be compared to Claudine, noting that it may be her fair skin and acting that draw the comparison. "Hindi ko po sinasadya dahil idol ko lang po si Ms. Claudine kaya natural lang na lumalabas. O kaya may traits po kami na magkapareho."
Julia hopes that she doesn't get typecast into too many kontrabida or villain roles. "Siyempre, magiging masaya po ako kung magta-try rin po ako ng ibang characters."
During the primetime run of Mara Clara, fans were equally glued to the duo's real-life relationship, eagerly speculating on whether their animosity for one another on-screen had affected their behavior toward each other when they're off-camera. Kathryn and Julia were quick to dispel the negative speculations, stressing they are very good friends who share similar interests.
According to Julia, they do things that typical teenage do, like hanging out at the mall and eating out. "Kapag may free time kami, we eat or go to karaoke together. Kathryn always brings lots of snacks with her. We were even told to moderate our eating habits. Pero mas pinagbabawalan ako kaysa sa kanya, so during dinner, we sneak out. We look for a spot where no one will see us eating while we share secrets with each other" Julia told Chalk magazine in an interview.
Kathryn says she is amused when people insinuate any friction or drama between them. "Kami ni Julia, magkaibigan talaga kami. Yung mga nag-aakalang magkaaway kami, kung alam lang nila ang closeness and friendship naming dalawa."
Teaming up again for a new series, titled Growing Up (This is the Time of My Life), the pair is determined to keep the momentum of their career. The bond they share is a common vision of mutual success, and both are elated to be moving smoothly along its path. "Before wini-wish lang namin ni Julia na sana maging ganun kami, katulad ni ganito," says Kathryn. "Pero ngayon, paunti-unti natutupad na yung mga dreams namin."