In the glitzy realm of stardom, body shaming often lurks as an uninvited guest, casting a shadow even on the brightest stars.

It’s an unfortunate reality many celebrities—and even ordinary people—face, and actress Julia Montes is stepping forward to champion body positivity and undo this toxic culture.

Julia shared her personal experience with body shaming during an exclusive interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) on August 15, 2024.

The candid conversation took place at The Conservatory of The Peninsula Manila hotel in Makati City, where she was introduced as the newest ambassador for Avignon Clinic‘s Ulthera Ultimate Lift treatment.

Julia revealed that she has always been teased about having chubby cheeks since she was a child actress, but she never saw them as a source of insecurity.

It wasn’t until she stepped into the public eye and faced comparisons to other celebrities her age that insecurity began to creep in.

“Before, personally, ako as a person, hindi [ako insecure sa cheeks],” Julia told PEP.

“Pero siguro because of the line of work na meron tayo, nakikita tayo sa TV, nako-compare.”

Julia continued, “Andami kong ka-batch before na petite because Filipina. Tapos ako, blessed naman ako na nabigyan ako ng, sabi nga nila, height.

“Pero naging disadvantage din siya kasi sinasabi nila, ‘Ang laki-laki mo, hindi ka tulad ni ganito, hindi ka tulad ni ganyan.’

“Lagi ka nako-compare. So yun palang growing up, ano na siya, nag-build na siya sa iyo ng something, negativity.”

JULIA MONTES: “TUMATABA KA…”

Now, Julia is using her platform to advocate for body positivity, which, she believes, must start at home.

She said, “So yun, mag-start lang tayo sa simpleng ganyan. Start sa school, actually sa bahay pala, mga kamag-anak.

“Every time na may mga okasyon, yung mga babatiin ka, ‘Tumataba ka…’

“I know na nakasanayan na natin yun as Filipinos. Pero let’s just be open, para lang ma-less yung mga ganong insecurities ng bawat isa.”

Julia continued, “Sometimes, before nga pumunta ka sa party, ayaw mo na pumunta to begin with. Kasi nai-insecure ka na, nako-conscious ka na kung ano susuotin mo.

“Tapos kung babatiin ka pa ng ganon, it’s really not okay. Pero hindi maiiwasan. So siguro yun nga…

“Sana mas maging open ang bawat isa… in all ages.

“Walang age ito, lahat—from tito, tita, ate, kuya, hanggang sa mga kapwa mo, ka-edadan mo. Sana lang mas maging open. Kasi we are all built differently.

But has she discovered the perfect response to “Tumataba ka?” remarks.

Instead of getting upset or defensive, Julia said she chooses to handle these situations with humor.

“‘May pambili ng pagkain,” she quipped.

“So ang sagot ko doon, kasi may budget ka. So meron kang pambili ng pagkain.

“Pag pumapayat, ‘Oo nga e. Wala kasi akong budget.’ Ganon na lang.

“Kasi wala kang i-re-respond na okay, e. Kasi definitely, hindi naman nila alam kung ano talaga yung feeling mo towards that comment.

“So what will you say? So parang itu-turn mo na lang talaga into positive.”

JULIA MONTES: NO TO BODY-SHAMING

Julia hopes that the newer generation will take part in championing body positivity rather than spreading negativity on social media.

She said, “Yun yung gusto kong i-ano sa mga kapwa ko kabataan or kapwa ko ng mga nai-insecure sa weight.

“Siguro, let’s be open this year or onwards, this era, na maging open na tayo na no body shaming because every person is different and every shape, face, lahat tayo, unique.

“So kung ano yung uniqueness natin, yun yung ikinaganda natin. Lahat tayo maganda, ipinanganak nang maganda.

“Whatever shape, whatever, ano pa yung insecurities ng bawat isa, yun yung naging tayo.”

Julia added that she has always been open about discussing her insecurities, emphasizing the pressure from society and social media.

She hopes that her openness will inspire kindness, especially among the next generation, fostering a more accepting environment.”

“Gusto ko lang sanang i-ano sa kanila na kaya open ako magsalita na insecurities ko siya before, hindi dahil sa insecurities ko siya as a person.

“But because yung society, social media, napi-pressure ka, e. And sana mas maging kind tayo sa mga ganyang bagay.

“Kasi lalo na yung mga next generation, yung mga kabataan na gusto na ngayon yung mga iPad, social media thing.

“Sana huwag tayo masyadong nakapako sa ganyan.

“Para lang mas maging open and hindi maging harsh yung next generation sa mga physical ng bawat isa.”

Julia added, “I know, cliché or parang sinasabi nila, ‘Sinasabi mo lang iyan…’

“Hindi, pag tinignan natin ng isang bagay ng positive, lahat kasi nagre-reflect na siya, everything will follow.”