Taking on the lead role in “Saving Grace” allowed Julia Montes to reflect on her childhood, particularly her relationship with her grandmother Flory and her deaf-mute parents, with a grown-up lens.

The family drama tells the story of Anna Sarmiento (Montes) who “kidnaps” her elementary student Grace (Zia Grace) after discovering that she is being physically abused by her parents. The series aired on a streaming platform from late 2024 to January 2025, and a teleserye version will reportedly be released this year.

While this was not Montes’ first heavy drama, it was a project that allowed her to look back on her own childhood and her relationship with her biological parents and lola.

The actress then revealed that her Lola Flory initially didn’t disclose the full story of her parents’ relationship.

“Before, hindi kinekwento ng lola ko ‘yung buong kwento ng mom and dad ko. Noong na-shoot ko ang [‘Saving Grace’], narealize ko na may mga bagay na pino-protect ka lang pala for your own sake,” she told reporters in an interview. “Alam ko na [ang story nila]. Aaminin ko [may pain] at first, kasi revelation siya for me. But hindi ako pwedeng malunod sa pain.”

(My lola didn’t tell the full story of my mom and dad before. When I filmed “Saving Grace,” I realized that I was being protected for my own sake. I know their story now. I admit there was pain at first because it was a revelation for me. But I can’t remain in pain forever.)

Julia Montes during an interview with reporters. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

While Montes was growing up, Lola Flory stood as her father and mother figure while keeping their family afloat. She eventually realized the strength of her grandmother’s love which, according to her, is “twice the love” of a mother.

“I’m not saying na sobrang positive ko talaga as a person. Pero mas inaaral ko to look at the positive and titingin ako kung bakit ginawa or sinabi ang isang bagay. Mas nilalawakan ko ang isip ko para hindi ko ma-judge ang isang bagay or tao. Para sa’kin, lahat ng nangyayari may meaning,” she said.

“Akala natin negative ang isang bagay. Pero in the future, [nare-realize na natin ‘yun] kapag nalagpasan natin siya… growing up, my childhood was hindi naman okay pero noong ginawa ko ang ‘Saving Grace,’ pinagpe-pray ko na makita ko ang positive light after everything na hindi okay,” she further explained.

(I’m not saying that I’m a positive type of person. But I taught myself to look at the positive side of things. I widened my perspective to avoid judgment toward something or someone. I think all things that happen have meanings. We usually dwell on the negative side. But in the future, we realize that it’s not after all. My childhood was not okay growing up. But when I did “Saving Grace,” I now pray to see things in a more positive light.)

Julia Montes during an interview with reporters. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

The actress also shared that her mother Gemma is “different” because of she is differently-abled. “Ang relationship namin ni mama is different. Deaf and mute si Mama, so struggling din siya sa emotional side niya kasi iba ang mundo for her,” she said.

“Habang nagdadalaga ako, nagdadalaga rin ang mama ko,” she continued. Technically, ang biruan namin na ako ang nanay ko at siya ang anak ko. Kaya ang lola ko ang tumayong father and mother figure ko. Siya ang umako sa’min.”

(My relationship with my mama is different. Mama is deaf and mute so she struggles with her emotional side. Her world is different. While growing up, my mama is growing up too. We always joke about me being the mother, while my mom is the daughter. This is why my lola stood as the father and mother figure. She took care of us.)

Despite her childhood, Montes has since developed a close relationship with her biological parents. She reunited with her German father in London in 2018.