Julia Montes denies competition with Kathryn Bernardo!

Young actress Julia Montes made it clear that there is no competition between her and former "Mara Clara" co-star Kathryn Bernardo.

In an interview during a Star Magic press conference on Thursday afternoon, Montes said their friendship is strong enough to withstand rumors.

"Nalulungkot [ako] kasi iba 'yung dating sa tao, parang nauunahan ko si Kathryn. Pero hindi kasi malaking proyekto, 'yung ginagawa niya ngayon," Montes said, referring to Bernardo's upcoming show, "The Princess and I."

"Nasa Bhutan sila and excited ako para sa kanya kasi pagkatapos nun makikita niyo 'yung ibang side niya rin. Princess siya doon.

"Walang inggitan. Friendly competition siguro in a way na nagbabantayan kami. Minsan ina-ate niya ako na, 'Ate, mas okay 'pag ginawa mo 'yung ganito, ganyan.' May ganun kami, bantayan ng role, 'yung ginagawa namin sa scene, 'yung ganun, tulungan," she added.

Montes said that she and Bernardo already prepared themselves from intrigues that may come their way even before they did the remake of 1992 ABS-CBN hit series "Mara Clara."

"Bago kami pumasok sa showbiz, alam na rin namin 'yung takbo dahil sa 'Goin Bulilit' alam na namin 'yung pagkakaiba ng normal relationship sa showbiz friendships. Alam namin kung saan kami doon," she explained.

Montes said that even if they are now doing their respective projects, they are still in touch.

"Minsan may 'miss factor' talaga kami. May ugali kasi kami sa set na pagkatapos magsha-shower kami, wala na kaming ganoon ngayon. Siyempre iba talaga 'yung bonding namin. Biglaan lang 'yung yayaan. Minsan dinner sa bahay nila or sa bahay namin, or sa labas. Pero 'yun nga, hindi naman kasi nawawala 'yung closeness. Hindi lang siguro madalas [magkita]," she said.

The young actress added that she considers Bernardo as her sister.

"Para nga kaming twins eh. Para talaga kaming may sisterhood. Ganun na kami ka-close. Hindi niyo lang kami nakikita together pero she's really like a sister to me. Siguro nakakatulong din 'yung I'm one year older than her," she said.

On Enchong

Meanwhile, Montes addressed rumors linking her to actor Enchong Dee.

The young actress, who will turn 17 on March 19, maintained that she is too young to enter into a romantic relationship.

"Kasi, bata pa po talaga ako. Seventeen pa lang po ako at ayaw ko naman suwayin 'yung lola ko. Okay nga naman 'yung work ko ngayon at nae-enjoy ko. Ayaw kong ma-distract. Alam mo naman 'pag love," she said.

"Personal choice ko rin na hindi pa ma-in love kasi alam ko 'yung responsibilidad ko sa family ko. At ayaw ko ngang ma-divide 'yung attention ko dahil lang sa pag-ibig," she added.

Asked if Dee has a chance of winning her heart, Montes replied: "Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa masagot, kasi nandoon pa siya sa test. Tignan natin, sabi niya makakapaghintay naman daw siya. Tignan natin."

She added that she might be open to having a relationship by the time she turns 20.

-abscbnnews