Julie Anne San Jose: Living, Loving, Learning Without Regrets
Best known for her enchanting voice, sleek dance moves, and her ingenuity when it comes to writing music, Julie Anne San Jose is no doubt in a league of her own.
Words by Maine Aquino
Photos by Angelo Villegas
Layout by Maria Sherie Kaye Castillo
What people do not know is that behind all the accolades and recognition is a young lady who has continously worked hard, and at one point, almost gave up before earning the title of Asia’s Pop Sweetheart.
When Julie Anne San Jose arrives at the GMA ArtisTakeover shoot, she is all set to do the tasks. There are no signs that she came from an earlier shoot where she was required to pose under the heat of the sun and do some exercise routines.
Her iron-willed nature is a proof how she puts importance on her responsibilities as an artist.
Julie or Japs, started her career at the age of 12. At such a tender age, she already knew that pursuing a career in showbiz would never be easy.
In her interview with GMNetwork.com, Julie Anne takes us back to where and how it all started and shared the joys and pains of auditioning, balancing her career and academics, staying away from rumors and negativity, and moving forward without regrets.
Popstar Kids to Asia’s Pop
Sweetheart
A new “callback” came for the young Julie, and this time it was an opportunity for her to be a part of Sugarpop. Sugarpop is a singing group composed of Popstar Kids winner Rita Daniela, Vanessa Rangadhol, Pocholo Bismonte, and Renzo Almario. The group performed in GMA’s former variety show, ‘SOP.’
A few years after, the group decided to disband. Julie’s hopes of becoming a singer almost dimmed.
Julie recalls, “Sabi ko, so baka nga hindi talaga para sa akin 'to. I wasn’t really pushing it through.”
Then Julie's dream came true when she received another call that changed her life.
The management of GMA Network asked Julie to sing the theme song of Marian Rivera and Dingdong Dantes’s show, ‘Dyesebel.’
Julie considers this stint the game changer.
“Malaking opportunity 'yun for me na kumanta as a solo performer, as a solo artist. Hanggang sa nagtuluy-tuloy na, I became a mainstay of ‘SOP,’ kung sinu-sino naging ka-partner ko. Tapos ‘Party Pilipinas,’ ‘Sunday All Stars,’ and then 'yung ‘Sunday PinaSaya.’”
Big Sacrifices, Bigger Learnings
Julie went through a lot of things just to be where she is now.
She credits hard work and discipline as the keys to achieving her dreams. Julie revealed that she made an agreement with her father. She promised that she would continue her studies if he allowed her to pursue her showbiz career.
“Ayaw ni Papa na mag-showbiz ako, pinapatigil niya ako mag-showbiz.
“Ayaw niya ng complication or ayaw niya ng issues. Ako, ipinaglaban ko kung ano gusto ko. I started liking it already eh. Ayaw ko rin naman tumigil sa school, so ang ginawa ko pinagsabay ko siya.”
Julie’s decision to do juggle her academics and showbiz career eventually paid off.
She gave her parents the best gift that she could possibly give them: graduating with a degree in Communication Arts from Angelicum College in 2016.
“I just want to make my parents proud, I guess. Gusto kong maibalik sa kanila 'yung ibinigay nila for me, 'yung mga ibinibigay nila for me. Sinabi ko nga noong naka-graduate ako, 'yung diploma ibibigay ko sa kanila.”
No Time for Negativity
As much as Julie’s father wanted to shield her from controversies, it was simply impossible.
Julie was not spared from the rumors, unfair criticisms, and online bullying.
Julie admits that to this day, she has a hard time understanding why some people would go to great lengths to ruin someone else’s day.
“I just don't get it,” she says, shaking her head.
“Why would people make such an effort just to ruin someone's day? Everyone's entitled to their own opinion. But you know, you don't really have to bully someone.”
Julie drops her hand firmly on the couch when she says that she chooses to dodge the negative comments online. “I don't have time for that. I'm doing good. Hindi ko kailangan ng kahit anong negative energy, kaya I just shrug it off.”
Her Song “Regrets” and Her Own Regrets
When people heard her latest chart-topping song, “Regrets,” they easily assumed that Julie wrote it based on a personal experience.
Julie’s answer is direct and sure: “People ask me kung bakit ‘Regrets,’ or kung para kanino. Wala talaga. I wrote it out of imagination.
“I just thought of writing something na makaka-relate ang mga tao. Kasi minsan may mga pagsisisi tayo sa buhay natin na kahit sabihin natin na dapat walang regrets, just lessons learned, which is actually true naman…
“It's about people na hindi nila nasabi or hindi nila naiparamdam ang totoong nararamdaman nila towards someone.”
When it comes to her own regrets, Julie admits that she’s made some decisions that she wished she could amend. But she also trusts that those wrong choices only made her a stronger and wiser person.
“I guess 'yung experiences na 'yun ang tumulong sa akin na mag-grow as an individual. Those experiences, we need that to grow as a person.”
“Patron Saint of Moving On”
When a Twitter fan asked Julie Anne for advice on moving on, the Kapuso singer’s reply was fast and was honest. “Girl, I just needed a week,” she said.
That reply quickly earned her the moniker, “Patron Saint of Moving On.”
Julie laughs as she remembers the discussions she saw online regarding her new “title.” To further validate her new moniker, Julie offers a piece of advice on what people should do after a breakup.
“Just learn from it, I guess. Those experiences kasi hindi naman talaga maiiwasan. Inevitable naman ang mga ganong klaseng situations sa buhay. Lessons learned, kasi 'yun ang mga magpapatatag sa 'yo.”
Julie admits that the wins and setbacks that she experienced have taught her lessons about living and loving.
“I guess ang lesson na natutunan ko is don't depend too much on someone, or depend your happiness on someone. Your responsibility, your own happiness.
“Kasi once na dumipende ka masyado, 'yun na magiging mundo mo, mahihirapan ka nang bumitaw. So 'pag nasanay ka na ng ganun you’re doomed. ‘Yun ‘yung mga iniiwasan nating mangyari.”
The Kapuso performer also stressed the importance of having a strong support system and an outlet whenever you find yourself reeling from a breakup.
“Dapat may outlet ka para hindi mo masyadong naiisip. Magpaka-busy ka. Ako, I took advantage of being busy with work. And may mga taong nagi-encourage sa akin, friends, especially my family, sobrang nandiyan sila to support me in everything that I do.”
Julie is infinitely appreciative of her fans’ support throughout her journey in the entertainment industry and through the highs and lows of her personal life.
Before ending the interview, Julie makes a promise: she will do her best to continue learning and innovating herself to create good music for the people who matter to her.
“I'm very grateful for them for sticking with me since day one.
“I'll never get tired of showing my gratitude towards them even in the simplest ways. From the simplest to the most complex forms. I'm gonna be making more music and they will always have a special place in my heart.”
Your responsibility, your own happiness.”
At 25, Julie cannot ask for anything more.
"I am not wishing for any material thing, I just want my family to be healthy. That's all. Health is wealth 'di ba? I just want them to be healthy in all aspects, physically, emotionally, spiritually."
But what about her birthday wish for herself?
"Happiness," she answers without missing a beat. "Genuine happiness."
It's the kind of happiness that comes from deep within.
"When you're happy, everything else follows," she adds.
Julie Anne then pauses, as though suddenly remembering something.
After a few seconds, she looks up and lets out a laugh. One big, hearty, innocent laugh.
"I can't believe I'm 25!
"May mga times na maiisip ko, 'Oh my God, ang bilis ng panahon, tumatanda na ako.' But I'm not worried about getting old, because the older I become, the more I get to know myself more. And yes, as you grow older, you lose more people, lose in a sense na you go your separate ways. You have to grow on your own."
Losing people, friends included, is not a bad thing at all.
"Sometimes, there are certain situations in life that you have to be on your own," Julie says. "I guess that's the beauty of reaching this age. You learn to accept the way things are because that's the only way you will become happier in life.
"Gano'n naman talaga. People come and go, just as seasons come and go.
"You meet people, you lose people, that's life. 'Yun siguro ang ginawa ni Lord para mabalanse ang buhay."
Julie chooses to be grateful for the wonderful things that came into her life.
"There will always be things that you want but will never have. Instead of feeling angry about it, you learn to appreciate the things that you didn't ask for but received anyway. Whatever life offers you, just accept it."
It doesn't mean Julie would stop dreaming. She still got the same fire, the same intensity, and the same drive to reach for her dreams. Only this time, she's more mellow, more self-aware, and more appreciative of the blessings that came into her life and of the people who chose to stay in her life.
We then ask Julie again the same question, "So what's your birthday wish for yourself?"
Julie doesn't respond right away. She thinks long and hard about her answer.
With wide, bright eyes and a radiant smile, she finally replies, "Pagmamahal. Pagmamahal sa sarili.
"Kasi pag 'di mo mahal ang sarili mo, parang may kulang. Loving yourself means accepting yourself. Kung 'di mo mahal ang sarili mo, 'di mo tanggap ang sarili mo. 'Di mo rin kilala ang sarili mo."
