Coco Martin is Julia Montes' escort on her 18th birthday

JULIA Montes has chosen her leading man, Coco Martin, to be her escort during her 18th birthday set on March 19.

In the press conference of their upcoming Valentine's Day movie "A Moment In Time," the young actress said Coco accepted her invitation to be the guy who will accompany her during her special day.

"Hindi ko pa talaga siya na personally na-invite pero nasabihan ko na siya na kung pwede siya na. Kasi sa sobrang busy niya hindi ko rin sigurado kung makakapunta siya kaya lagi ko sinasabi sa interview na baka maudlot," she said.

In an interview with Coco, the actor said he already expected the task to be Julia's escort during the party. "Malamang nito, kami rin ang magkatuluyan!" he jokingly said.

When sought for her comment on Coco's statement, Julia shared she was caught off guard by her leading man's remarks. She added that Coco is her closest guy friend now.

"Hindi ko pinaghahandaan yun at hindi ko din naman alam kung anong mangyayari in the future. Basta ang masasabi ko lang, hindi ako magsasalita ng tapos," she said.

The actress said that Coco close to her grandmother. She mentioned that during their short trip in Europe and even during their taping days in Manila, Coco was the constant companion of her grandmother.

"Basta maalaga talaga siya sa lahat. Mas napansin ko lang at mas nabigyan ng justice yung word na gentleman kasi maalaga kasi siya, hindi lang sa akin, sa lola ko lalo. Hindi dahil showbiz lang niya ginagawa kundi ugali na talaga niya na ganoon," she said.

"Sobrang close kami and wala talagang ilangan. Sobrang kumportable ako sa kanya. Off cam, kung ano ako sa totoong buhay, kilala niya talaga ako at hindi ako nahihiya sa kanya kasi hindi niya ako jina-judge," she added.

Meanwhile, Julia shared that she already has the names of her 18 candles and roses for her birthday party. She confirmed that rumored ex-boyfriend Enchong Dee is included in her initial list but the latter could miss out the party because of prior show biz commitments.

Julia expects that her 18th birthday will be a gathering of her love ones as well as her friends from inside and outside of show biz.

"Ito yung first big event sa buhay ng isang babae and excited akong ma-experience ito soon. Masaya kasi andoon din yung mga taong nagmamahal sa akin," she said.

Now that she's turning 18, Julia said it doesn't equate to her accepting more daring roles. She said she will just continue what she has started in the business.

"Open pa naman (ako sa mga teen roles), pero for me kaya siguro ako binibigyan ng ganoong mga roles (mature) kasi mas challenging and hindi na ako paniniwalaan sa mga teeny boppers. Medyo mag stay ako sa ganung level pero bantay na hindi na mag mature pa," she ended. (Sunnex)