MANILA -- Julia Montes and Enchong Dee admitted on Thursday that they had gone through a rough patch, and credited their ongoing TV project together for paving the way for reconciliation.
The Kapamilya stars, who were rumored to be a couple for a time, opened up about the state of their relationship shorlty after a press conference held Thursday night for their primetime series "Muling Buksan ang Puso," which will air its final episode on October 4.
Montes and Dee appeared at ease as they addressed questions about the ABS-CBN drama, with the 24-year-old actor offering a ready answer when he was asked, at one point, whether he feels negatively about the actress' rumored romantic ties with their co-star, Enrique Gil.
On whether he welcomes the supposed closeness of Gil and Montes, Dee said, "Oo naman, sabi ko nga, I think that's the reason also why I accepted the project, kasi alam ko ito 'yung pagkakataon namin para mas maging magkaibigan kami."
Staying as friends
The 18-year-old actress, who was beside Dee during the interview, added, "Totoo naman kasi talaga. Thankful kami sa show na 'to dahil dito kami nagkaayos at naging mas open."
Asked what she feels caused their rift, Montes said, "Siguro kasi masyadong na-rush 'yung mga bagay-bagay. Siguro ngayon mas naa-appreciate namin kung ano ang meron kami kaya ganito kami ngayon, at masaya kami kung anong meron kami."
Dee and Montes were rumored to be a couple after co-starring in two films in 2012. They were reported to have supposedly broken up in October that same year.
With renewed ties as friends, Dee said he would prefer to keep his relationship with Montes at this level. "Sabi ko nga, katulad ng dati, bibihira 'yung ganitong klaseng reconciliation. So might as well take care of that friendship na naibalik. So doon nalang kami," he said.
Closer ties
Noting they have been working "24/7" leading up to the finale of "Muling Buksan ang Puso," both Kapamilya stars shared they continue to learn new things about each other.
Referring to Montes being a breadwinner for her mom and grandmother, Dee said, "[Natutunan ko kay Julia na] hindi kailangan maging matanda para maging mature at maging aware sa mga nangyayari sa buhay, because she did it at a very young age, 'yung responsibility na nagawa niya."
Montes, meanwhile, lauded the professionalism of her leading man, saying he can easily switch from being a serious actor to a goofy friend on set when the cameras aren't rolling.
"Mature kasi si Enchong, pero sa time na parang kailangan magpaka-teenager o 'yung tipong enjoy, makikita mo 'yung side niya na siya Enchong Dee na totoo.
"At saka sa pag-arte niya, napapanood ko siya before pa. At ngayon, nakita ko 'yung ibang Enchong Dee. Talagang masasabing versatile actor talaga siya," the actress said.
