Stepping Out of the Limelight, Stepping Into the Storm

The career of actress Julia Montes has always been intrinsically linked to that of her long-time partner, action star and director Coco Martin. Following the monumental success of the series Ang Probinsyano, many observers and fans breathed a collective sigh of relief, believing that Julia had finally stepped into a zone of peace, away from the relentless rumors and speculation that have ceaselessly encircled her and Coco Martin’s relationship. For years, their chemistry—both on and off-screen—was the unspoken truth of Philippine showbiz, a silent, undeniable connection that transcended their professional roles.

However, the perceived peace was short-lived. By 2025, the dynamic equilibrium was violently disrupted. Coco Martin, the lead star and creative force behind the hit series APJ Batang Quiapo, introduced his new leading lady: the versatile and charismatic actress, Maris Racal. The professional pairing of Coco and Maris immediately ignited the screen and, crucially, social media. The tandem quickly earned the viral moniker #Coris, and the buzz was phenomenal. But the success brought with it a question that hung heavy in the air, a question that was immediately voiced by fans: “Paano si Julia Montes?” (What about Julia Montes?)

The answer, according to showbiz insiders and a revealing look at Julia’s past actions, is complicated and potentially explosive.

The Unspoken Confrontation: Julia’s History of ‘Making Her Feel It’
The current rumors of “matinding selos” (intense jealousy) from Julia Montes towards Maris Racal are being amplified by Julia’s own resurfaced interview segments, which provide a chilling blueprint of how she handles perceived threats to her relationship with Coco Martin.

In a recent interview, Julia was directly asked if she had ever confronted a co-star who was “umaaligid” (loitering or flirting) around Coco Martin. Julia confirmed the confrontation, revealing that the woman was a co-star from Ang Probinsyano (later widely speculated by showbiz columnists to be Yassi Pressman). Julia admitted she had gone to the set to personally “watch over” Coco Martin.

Her description of the confrontation was startling in its admission of passive aggression: “Hindi ko siya kinausap pero pinaramdam ko kasi wala ng point para kausapin ko siya.” (I didn’t talk to her but I made her feel it because there was no point in talking to her). This statement reveals a calculated, highly effective method of silent intimidation, where Julia uses her presence and emotional atmosphere to communicate her boundaries, deeming verbal communication unnecessary.

Julia further justified her attitude with a declaration of professional authenticity: “Super warm ako alam kapag okay ako sa’yo o hindi… So hindi rin ako plastic. Hindi ako showbiz. Pag hindi ako okay sa’yo hindi kita papansinin.” (I am super warm, you know if I’m okay with you or not… So I’m not plastic either. I’m not showbiz. If I’m not okay with you, I won’t pay attention to you.)

She concluded the story of the Ang Probinsyano co-star with a deeply condescending phrase: “Nag-high siya eh. Ka-batch ko lang. Excuse me makapo ka pa naman.” (She got high and mighty. She’s just my batch. Excuse me, you’re so condescending/pretentious.) This exposed not just her territorial nature, but a willingness to deploy professional hierarchy and status to put a rival in their place.

The decision by Julia to bring up this old issue is highly scrutinized, particularly since she had previously stated that her rivalry with Yassi Pressman was closed and the love triangle issue was resolved. Showbiz columnists suggest that the motive behind resurrecting this history is simply a strategic move driven by her current “matinding selos” for Maris Racal.

The New Rival: Why Maris Racal Is Different
Insiders claim that Julia Montes’s intense jealousy toward Maris Racal is unlike her previous experiences. The viral success of the #Coris tandem has proven to be a formidable, undeniable force that poses a genuine threat to the established order of the Coco-Julia pairing. The on-screen chemistry between Coco and Maris is reportedly so natural and compelling that it has successfully captured the hearts of a significant portion of the viewership.

However, the dynamics of a confrontation with Maris Racal are allegedly very different. Showbiz insiders suggest that Maris “Iba raw ang pagkatao ng actress at kaya siyang tapatan ito kung issue lang naman ang pag-uusapan” (The actress has a different personality and is capable of standing up to her if the issue is confrontation).

Crucially, reports have surfaced claiming that Maris Racal had previously asserted that “hindi siya natatakot sa mga banta at pagseselos ni Julia sa kanyang partner na si Coco Martin” (that she is not afraid of the threats and jealousy of Julia toward her partner Coco Martin). This suggests Maris is not a passive victim and possesses the strength and personality to meet the challenge head-on, refusing to be silently intimidated or condescended to.

This creates a high-stakes power struggle on the set of Batang Quiapo: one side operating with the unspoken authority of a partner (Julia Montes), and the other operating with the confidence of professional competence and a strong character (Maris Racal).

The Professional Shield: Maris’s Nervous Defense
When questioned directly about the rumors, Maris Racal maintained a meticulously professional and cautious stance, attempting to shield herself with her dedication to her craft.

“I admire both Coco and Julia. Mabilis mag-assume ang mga tao pero artista lang kaming gumagawa ng trabaho namin,” (People are quick to assume but we are just artists doing our job), Maris responded. She attempted to normalize the situation by emphasizing the professional nature of her work and the tendency of the public to over-analyze celebrity interactions.

She also made a point to defend Coco Martin’s professionalism, stating: “Napaka-propesional ni Coco at marami akong natutunan sa kanya” (Coco is very professional and I learned a lot from him). This statement serves a dual purpose: it praises her director/co-star, but also subtly denies any unprofessional or improper conduct that would justify Julia’s alleged jealousy.

However, the narrator concludes that despite her careful choice of words, fans noted a distinct “pahiwatig ng kaba” (hint of nervousness) in Maris’s tone. Her professional statement, unfortunately, “ay hindi gaanong nakatulong upang mapatahimik ang bagyo at issyue sa kanila ni Coco Martin” (did not help much to silence the storm and issue between her and Coco Martin). The emotional tension surrounding the alleged jealousy is too intense for a simple statement of professionalism to diffuse.

The Moral Question of the Primetime Series
The intense drama unfolding behind the scenes of Batang Quiapo raises critical moral and professional questions for the production:

Professional Integrity: Can the artistic direction of a multi-million-peso series be sacrificed for the emotional comfort of one powerful person, even if that person is the partner of the lead star/director?

Workplace Environment: What is the psychological toll on an actress like Maris Racal, who is delivering a celebrated performance, only to be subjected to intense personal attacks and historical intimidation tactics?

Coco Martin’s Role: The ultimate responsibility lies with Coco Martin. As the common denominator in both the Yassi Pressman and Maris Racal situations, his actions—or lack thereof—in managing the boundaries of his professional and personal relationships are directly contributing to the toxicity of the workplace environment.

The entire situation serves as a stark reminder that in the Philippine entertainment industry, the lines between personal life, on-screen chemistry, and professional career paths are constantly blurred, often leading to painful, public confrontations. Maris Racal, though seemingly unbowed, is navigating a minefield, caught between her professional ambition and the intense, proprietary emotions of one of the industry’s most powerful, yet private, couples. The spotlight remains fixed on the set of Batang Quiapo, waiting to see which force—professional commitment or the shadow of selos—will ultimately emerge victorious.