It took 21 years before Kapamilya actress Julia Montes got reunited with her biological father and closed the missing chapter of her life.

Julia Montes takes lead role in local adaptation of Nippon TV's 'Mother' - Manila Standard

As she reflects on her role in “Saving Grace”, Julia confessed that once in her past, she was like the character of the child “Grace”.

“I can say isa rin akong Zia before. Isa akong Grace na may tanong ka na parang ganun din, ‘bakit nila ako sinako? Hindi ba nila ako mahal?’ Hindi ko sinasabi na sinako ako, pero may question din ako na, ‘hindi ba nila ako mahal?’ May ganun kang feeling, doon ako nahirapan i-process.”

She has healed the wounds of the past, but everytime she gets to talk about it, memories flash back.

“Pag pinagdaan mo kasi siya, hindi mo na siya kayang iprocess. Ako ngayon, okay na ko. Pero pag kinukuwento mo pala, meron pa ring pala na babalik. May ganung feeling lang. Yun ang pinapangarap kong ishare sa mga tao na suportahan natin ang bawat isa. Hindi lang sa bata yan hanggang sa matanda.”

She added, “Personally, I can say na I can relate. Sa aspetong, what if kailangan mo rin ng tulong at hindi mo rin masabi. Kasi nga tayong mga Pilipino may mindset tayo na, ‘nanay mo yan, kapatid mo pa rin yan.’ Ganun tayo mapagmahal sa pamilya. Pero what if kailangan mo rin ng saving. Hindi lahat kasi ng tao, o capable i-address yun emotionally. At ako, blessed ako na nabiyayan ako ng gma espesyal na tao na nakatrabaho ko, si momski ko, na nag-guide sa akin para hindi rin ako mapariwara. Hindi rin ako maligaw sa buhay.”

In “Saving Grace”, Julia plays the role of Anna, a teacher who comforted a troubled child named Grace who goes to her class.

She finds out that Grace is a victim of child abuse with uncomforting mother and her partner, played by Jennica Garcia and Christian Bables.

When the late great Deo Endrinal, head of Dreamscape Entertainment, gifted this project and role to Julia, he had a dream of turning this project into an advocacy. Julia said, fulfilling the promise of portraying Anna to the fullest, was not enough.

“Para sa akin, hindi pa fulfilled. Kasi ang gusto pa ni Sir Deo, maconvey yung message na there’s really child abuse. Meron tayong kailangan suportahan. So yun yung inaayos namin ngayon, charity for the kids.”

She adds, “Yung kwento kasi, ang sarap lang panoorin pero yung after care, yun yung kailangan nating tutukan. Kasi hindi pa tayo masyadong open pa sa parte ng mental health. Yun yung pangarap kong magawa talaga, more than the show itself.”

Julia said expect a string of announcements about the advocacy project in the coming months.