LOOK: Julia Barretto goes topless in birthday post

MANILA -- Actress Julia Barretto surprised her followers and fans as she posted photos showing her topless as she turned 23 on Tuesday, March 10.

"In this chapter in my life, I am FREE. Free to speak. Free to act. Free to feel. Free to love. Because this time, I am choosing ME," she wrote in the caption.

Last year, Barretto made headlines after she got involved in the controversial breakup of fellow Star Magic talents Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo.

Anderson has already denied that Barretto was involved in his split with Alonzo.

Barretto, who just finished iWant series "I Am U" with Tony Labrusca, is set to star in a new ABS-CBN television drama.
   
source: news.abs-cbn.com

Julia, Joshua defy distance in sweet online exchange

MANILA – Julia Barretto and Joshua Garcia are currently miles apart but they are not letting distance stop them from giving their fans their daily dose of 'kilig.'

On Sunday, Barretto shared her photos in South Korea where she is vacationing with her mother.

In the caption, the actress wrote “wish you were here” without tagging anyone in particular.

This prompted Garcia to ask Barretto who she is referring to. To which, the actress responded and directly admitted that her caption is addressed to Garcia.

Their simple online exchange drove their fans to comment on Barretto’s post, noting that they appear to be so in love with each other.

Both have been very vocal about their feelings for one another.

Garcia has admitted to courting the actress, while Barretto said she gave her "Love You to the Stars and Back" co-star "exclusive" rights to date her.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

James Reid denies dating Julia Barretto

MANILA – James Reid finally broke his silence on rumors that he is currently seeing Julia Barretto after they were supposedly spotted having a coffee date recently.

In an interview with Cinema News, Reid stressed that he is not dating Barretto and they have never been on a coffee date.

“Go out? No, no. They said that we are in the coffee shop? No,” he said.

Reid and Barretto were co-stars in the movie “Para sa Hopeless Romantic.” Although they have already worked together, the actor said he does not even have Barretto’s number.

Meanwhile, Reid admitted he is sad that some supporters of his team-up with Nadine Lustre bashed him online when the rumor made the rounds.

“It’s just like, sometimes, when I’m looking at my Instagram and looking at the comments and stuff, sometimes it hurts knowing the bashers are the fans. They have the name ‘JaDine,’ and sometimes I don’t know the difference,” he said.

Nonetheless, the actor said he is grateful for his fans who defend him.

“They said I’m quiet about it. I don’t have to explain myself in everything that comes out because it’s not worth my time. I don’t really mind, but I’m just grateful to have fans, they defend me and don’t listen easily,” he said.

In an interview over the weekend, Lustre admitted that she also gets affected by rumors romantically linking Reid to Barretto.

"Apektado po ako dahil ka-trabaho ko po si James and siyempre hindi po maganda na siya ang tinitira ng bashers. Aminado naman po kami na we are not together, pero sana po hindi maapektuhan ang pagta-trabaho namin sa isa't isa," she said.

Lustre, however, explained that she has nothing against Barretto.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

VIRAL: Koreans pick prettiest Pinoy celeb

A video of a group of Koreans sharing their thoughts on Filipino celebrities is now making the rounds online, getting nearly 30,000 views in less than three days.

In the clip, three pairs of Koreans were shown photos of various Filipino stars, where each of them shared how they find the celebrities.

The stars whose pictures were shown include Julia Barretto, Daniel Padilla, Kathryn Bernardo, Marian Rivera, and Liza Soberano.

While they admired the looks of said celebrities, some of them were expressed disbelief that Barretto, Padilla, Bernardo, Rivera and Soberano do not look like their age.

At the end of the clip, which was uploaded by Korean Star TV on its official YouTube channel, they also chose their favorite.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Julia Barretto reacts to 'snubbing' incident with dad

MANILA – Julia Barretto finally broke her silence after her father, comedian Dennis Padilla, claimed in an interview that she ignored him during a party held last December.

The event, a gathering of stars and staff of Dreamscape-produced series, took place last December 14. Padilla was a cast member of "Ikaw Lamang," while his daughter played the title characters in "Mirabella."

According to Padilla, Barretto was aware of his presence but neither approached nor greeted him during the party. In an interview with PEP, the comedian said he was deeply hurt that his daughter "snubbed" him.



In her Twitter account on Saturday, Barretto thanked all her fans for still having her back despite what has been said about her.

“THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for listening and understanding. Thank you for not being so quick to judge and for waiting for the whole truth before speaking too soon,” she wrote, unedited.

Barretto added it is from her supporters where she draws strength in times like this.

“THANK YOU for defending and protecting me. Times like this, I draw so much strength from you all and I don’t know how else to show you guys how thankful I am. I hope this message is enough. I love you all. You guys have no idea,” she said.

Barretto said, “I admire my fans’ maturity and how you handle situations like this with so much grace.”

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Enrique Gil asks fans not to bash Julia Barretto

MANILA – Enrique Gil finally weighed in after fans bashed his newest leading lady, Julia Barretto, online after it was announced that he will work opposite the actress in the series “Mira Bella.”

In an interview with ABS-CBN News on Monday, Gil urged his supporters, as well as fans of his former leading lady Julia Montes, to spare Barretto from bashing because his “Mira Bella” stint is purely a management decision.

“Sa concert day ko mismo, doon ko in-announce na gagawin ko 'yung ‘Mira Bella.’ Doon nagwala 'yung mga fans. Wala tayong magagawa kasi decision ng management. We can’t please all the fans naman. Trabaho naman ito,” he said.

Gil said he is just hoping that his supporters would still continue to support him even if he won’t be working with Montes for the meantime.

Aside from Gil and Barretto, "Mira Bella" will also feature Sam Concepcion.

“Sa mga fans namin ni Julia (Montes), kung puwede suportahan ako sa show ko, tapos si Julia sa show niya. Tapos if ever in the future, why not? For sure magkakatrabaho kami ulit sa future,” he said.

Gil admitted he got affected when he learned about the reaction of some of his fans.

“Sino ba naman gustong may nag-aaway or nagkakagulo? Siyempre gusto mo lahat masaya. Sinasabi ko naman sa fans na relax lang. Alam naman kasi nila na from the start, ayaw ko na nag-aaway ang mga fans,” he said.

Gil said he also talked to Barretto about the matter.

“Sabi ko sa kanya na huwag na intindihin, okay lang iyon. Siyempre hindi nila maiintindihan kasi hindi nila alam 'yung nangyayari sa showbiz. Sabi ni Julia, ‘Okay lang sanay na ako diyan,’” he related.

Gil is hoping “Mira Bella” would be a hit since this will be his first team-up with Barretto.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Marjorie proud of Julia's new projects, endorsements

MANILA – Marjorie Barretto is extremely proud of her daughter, teen actress Julia Barretto, who is continuously being blessed with good projects and endorsements.

On Tuesday, Barretto was launched as one of the celebrity endorsers of SM Accessories along with Anne Curtis, Georgina Wilson, Kathryn Bernardo, Xian Lim, Enrique Gil and Daniel Padilla at an event in Libis, Quezon City.

In an interview with ABS-CBN News, Marjorie said she herself gets overwhelmed now that Julia’s dreams are slowly turning into reality.

“When she showed me the short video, I was surprised, she was so beautiful. I’m so happy for her. We feel so blessed that they are trusting her. She’s been really waiting for this,” she said.

“I think she is blooming. I think she is inspired with how her career is going. It really shows with her face, with her smile, with how she carries herself,” she added.

Aside from her new endorsements, Julia is also set to headline her own series “Mirabella” soon.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Why ABS-CBN shelved Julia Barretto's 'Cofradia'

Young actress thrilled over new project 'Mira Bella'

MANILA -- For the first time, young actress Julia Barretto has directly addressed the reason behind the cancellation of her debut series "Cofradia."

Speaking with reporters during a press conference for her new product endorsement early this week, the 16-year-old actress explained that the series' storyline drew criticisms for alleged racism.

"Madami po kasing nagreklamo about racism, and ABS-CBN and Dreamscape (Entertainment Television), they really listen sa audience, sa viewers and everybody," Barretto said.

At the time it was unveiled in May, "Cofradia" was introduced as a series based on the Dominador Ad Castillo novel of the same title, which had film adaptations in 1953 and 1973.

The story centers on Cofradia, a young woman who is afraid to fall in love because of her dark complexion. With the help of a magic candle, she eventually transforms into a beautiful lady.

In July, a press conference was held announcing Barretto would instead star in the lead role of a new, original series titled "Mira Bella."

During the same event, Dreamscape's AdProm Head, Biboy Arboleda, explained that "Cofradia" was indeed shelved as it risked negatively affecting Barretto's launching vehicle as leading lady.

"They decided to pursue, they decided na gawin nalang 'Mira Bella' with an original story na dapat abangan, dahil sobrang ganda ng kwento niya," Barretto told reporters early this week.

"Wala [akong panghihinayang]. I mean, it's equally exciting, equally beautiful, sobrang ganda. I'm so excited na po ako na mapanood ninyo. Ang ganda ng storya," she added.

Also billed as a fantaserye, "Mira Bella" will see its title character struggle to overcome a curse.

Joining Barretto in the series as her leading men are Diego Loyzaga and Kiko Estrada.

Directed by Erick Salud ("Aryana," "May Isang Pangarap") and Jerome Pobocan ("Mara Clara," "May Bukas Pa"), the series also stars Liza Soberano, Gloria Diaz, Mylene Dizon, Pokwang and John Lapus. Its target airing date has yet to be announced.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com