Julia Montes

Mara Hautea Schnittka, known professionally as Julia Montes, was born on March 19, 1995, in Pandacan, Manila, Philippines. Raised by her deaf mother and grandmother after her German father left when she was an infant, Montes started pursuing acting at the age of five to support her family. Her early career involved commercial modeling and minor television roles in GMA Network shows like “Sana ay Ikaw na Nga” (2001) and ABS-CBN’s “Hiram” (2004) and “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” She later gained a permanent role in the kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit” from 2005 to 2008, where she honed her comedic timing and on-screen presence. Montes’ early experiences navigating the entertainment industry at a young age, coupled with her family’s needs, shaped her disciplined approach to her craft.

Montes achieved her breakthrough in 2010 with the lead antagonist role of Clara del Valle/Clara David in the remake of the classic soap opera “Mara Clara.” Her performance earned critical acclaim and paved the way for subsequent lead roles in both film and television. In 2012, she starred alongside Coco Martin in the romantic drama “Walang Hanggan,” a series that garnered high national ratings and established her as the “Princess of Philippine Television.” Her talent was further recognized with a FAMAS Award nomination for Best Actress for her role in the romantic drama film “A Moment in Time” (2013). Throughout this period, Montes demonstrated her versatility by taking on diverse roles, moving from teenage characters to more mature portrayals.

Her career continued to flourish with significant achievements, including a Gawad Tanglaw Award for Best Actress for her performance as Mona Roque-Hidalgo in the period drama “Ikaw Lamang” (2014). She received her second Gawad Tanglaw Award for Best Actress for her dual role as identical twin sisters Kara Dela Rosa and Sara Suarez in the melodrama “Doble Kara” (2015-2017), a challenging project that showcased her acting range. Montes also explored independent cinema, notably in Adolfo Alix Jr.’s family drama “Padre de Familia” (2016). After a brief hiatus, she made a television comeback in 2020 with the action-drama series “24/7” and later joined the long-running series “Ang Probinsyano.” Her 2023 film, “Five Breakups and a Romance,” also received positive reviews for her performance.