After years of speculation about how their romance began, actors Coco Martin and Julia Montes have revealed that their nearly 15-year relationship never started with a formal courtship.
Speaking in an interview with Ogie Diaz premiered on Youtube on June 26, the longtime couple said they simply grew closer while working together on the hit 2012 television series Walang Hanggan, making it difficult even for them to identify the exact date they officially became a couple.
“Honestly… walang label,” Coco said.
“Hindi namin alam. Wala kami talagang nagligawan. Bigla na lang naging… nag-work. Parang ito na, parang kami na,” he said.
He said they eventually chose April 10 as their anniversary because it coincided with the birthday of veteran actress Dawn Zulueta, the day a writer told him that Julia had a crush on him.
“Kaya hindi namin alam. Wala talaga yung nagligawan. Yung official na tayo. Bigla na lang naging… kami na,” he added.
Julia admitted she initially rejected Coco when he tried to get to know her because she was focused on work and did not know how to deal with romantic relationships.
He was her crush, but she didn’t know the flow of things.
“Crush ko siya, pero siyempre hindi ko alam kung ano yung flow. Hindi naman sanay ako sa mga katrabaho ko lang. Ang defense mechanism ko, babarahin ko na,” she said.
She said her priority at the time was helping her family.
“Talaga ang mindset, work, work, work. Hindi ko rin alam how to deal with it that time.”
Coco recalled that he first met Julia years before Walang Hanggan while they were working on another television program, but she repeatedly turned him down whenever he tried to see her.
“Wala, binabara ako. Kaya sabi ko, wala ito. Wala akong nakikitang pag-asa o potential na pwede ko siyang ligawan,” he recalled.
Everything changed when they reunited for Walang Hanggan, where Coco said he personally recommended Julia for her role because he believed she fit the character.
During the early days of filming, however, the two barely spoke to each other, with Coco admitting that Julia was often “masungit” toward him while Julia said she thought Coco doubted her acting ability.
Their relationship gradually changed after a writer revealed that Julia secretly had a crush on Coco.
“Nag-communicate na kami. Nag-jive na ako sa kanya. Nag-uusap na kami sa set. Teamwork na,” Coco said.
Asked whether wedding bells are finally in sight after nearly 15 years together, Julia said the couple has chosen not to give in to outside pressure.
“Ako sasagot,” Julia said.
“Huwag tayong magpa-pressure. Bata pa naman kami. Gusto natin mabasbasan, pero marami pa kaming dapat gawin. Masaya kami sa kung ano pong meron kami at sobrang blessed kami sa relationship. Time will come naman, pag ready na both, saka na namin,” she added.
She admitted that seeing some couples struggle after marriage has also made her cautious.
The interview ended on a more personal note as the couple reflected on what has kept their relationship together through the years.
Coco became emotional while recalling how Julia cared for his late grandmother during her illness, saying she stayed by her side in the hospital and even accompanied her to Singapore for treatment.
For her part, Julia said their relationship has grown beyond romance and is now anchored on friendship and being each other’s strongest support system.
“Napakaswerte ko kay Julia,” he said.
“Mag-build yung relationship namin, hindi lang as couple, but as friends also,” she said, adding that they have become each other’s source of strength through life’s challenges.
