Julia Montes

Mara Hautea Schnittka , better known by her stage name Julia Montes (born March 19, 1995 in Quezon City, Philippines), is a Filipina actress and commercial model of German-Filipino descent. She was a cast member of Goin' Bulilit before appearing as Clara in Mara Clara.

Personal life

Julia Montes was born in Pandacan, Manila to Gemma Hautea and Martin Schnittka, a German. Her father left her since she was a baby and only her deaf mother raised her, with the help of her grandmother, Flory Hautea. She has relatives in Germany, and one of them is Andrea Schnittka, whom they share a resemblance.

Showbiz career

She was discovered because of her TV commercials and afterwards she was cast in a number of GMA-7 shows like “Sana Ikaw Na Nga” as the daughter of actors Robin da Rosa and Angelu de Leon and in some episodes of the now defunct drama anthology “Magpakailanman.” Having no exclusivity in her contract with the Kapuso Network, she auditioned for ABS-CBN’s “Hiram” and was accepted. Then she tried out for the children show “Goin’ Bulilit,” got in and soon made a name for herself in the said show.
Also in 2008, She starred in Maalaala mo Kaya episode (titled as Card) as Abby, a story of a girl who is longing the love the of her parents while under the care of her own yaya, She also appeared in I Love Betty La Fea, Ligaw na Bulaklak, and some other MMK episodes.

2010-11: "The Remake of Mara Clara"

In 2010, she also guested in Gimik 2010 and Katorse. Also that year, her biggest break-out role was being Clara Del Valle/David in the remake of one of the famous Philippine Telenovelas, Mara Clara who was portrayed before by Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes, she was given the role of Gladys before as (Clara), a overindulged rich-but cruel-and inflexible girl who is switched with a down-to-earth poor girl (Mara), which she was really poor and Mara is the real Del Valle. She is with her co-star and Goin' Bulilit friend, Kathryn Bernardo who portrays Mara.

2011-present: Growing Up and Walang Hanggan

Since then, her name is popular in the showbiz industry alongside with , joining the names of the most popular actors/actresses of the industry.
Her second biggest break-out role is in Growing Up as Tammy alongside with her Mara Clara co-stars, Kathryn Bernardo, Kiray Celis, EJ Jallorina, Diego Loyzaga including the newest ABS-CBN actor, Daniel Padilla. Growing Up ended in February 2012. Montes currently stars in Walang Hanggan along with her co-star, Coco Martin.

Kathryn Bernardo

Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo, popularly known as Kathryn Bernardo (born 26 March 1996 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines), is a Filipina actress.She is best known for her role as Mara in the primetime Filipino drama, Mara Clara. Bernardo is currently a contract artist of Star Magic and ABS-CBN and most recently starred as Ana Bartolome in the 2011 drama film, Way Back Home.^[3] She also played the main protagonist Mikay in the primetime series Princess and I.

Early life

 Bernardo was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and was a student of the OB Montessori Center Inc. in Greenhills. She is the youngest of four children of parents Teodore Bernardo and Luzviminda (née Manuel)

Entertainment career

Television

Bernardo began acting in 2003, appearing as the young Cielo in It Might Be You. She went on to play different roles in other ABS-CBN shows like Krystala and Vietnam Rose before landing a permanent spot in the hit kiddie show, Goin' Bulilit.

2010–11: Mara Clara / Growing Up

In 2010, Bernardo went on to dramatic roles by landing the role of the young Victoria in ABS-CBN's Magkaribal and in GMA's Endless Love as the young Jenny. Coincidentally, both premiered in same day on 28 June 2010^.
Her first breakthrough role was Mara in the remake of Mara Clara with her co-star and real life best friend Julia Montes. Since its premiere, the teleserye was a consistent leader in the primetime ratings. Affirming its success, the show even picked up a nomination in the 2011 Banff World Media Festival in the "Telenovelas & Soap Operas" category.
After the primetime teleserye finished, Bernardo soon began appearing in the Sunday afternoon teen show, Growing Up. Together again with Montes, the show starred other up and coming ABS-CBN teen stars like Kiray Celis, Diego Loyzaga and Daniel Padilla. In the show, Bernardo played the role of 15-year old Ella, who lives with her single mother. The show premiered strongly ranking number 2 overall in the afternoon block.

2012–13: Princess and I

The actress currently topbills Princess and I, a romance-drama royalty-themed television series, following the success of the youth-oriented show, Growing Up in 2011. Playing the role of Mikay/Princess Areeyah, the teleserye is touted as one of the grandest, being the first Philippine show to be shot in Bhutan. In this show, Bernardo is paired once again to her Growing Up partner, Daniel Padilla, who has admitted in interviews to liking her in real-life. Aside from Padilla, Bernardo also has two other leading men, Enrique Gil and Pilipinas Got Talent former contestant Khalil Ramos. Other veteran actors like Gretchen Barretto and Albert Martinez join the cast.
The show is currently enjoying success being the number one primetime show as of September 2012. Due to its popularity, the show has been extended.