Julia Montes found herself at the center of one of the most memorable moments of the ABS-CBN Christmas Special 2025 after her long-time partner, FPJ’s Batang Quiapo lead star Coco Martin, surprised her with a kiss on stage. The unexpected gesture instantly sent waves of excitement and surprise to Kapamilyas online and around the world.
Known for keeping their relationship private even after Coco confirmed their status in 2023, the couple’s public display of affection felt rare and deeply personal. At that time, Coco serenaded Julia with the song “Kasama Kang Tumanda,” while she listened and smiled, clearly enjoying the moment. Julia then took over the second half of the song with the classic “Grow Old With You”. As the song reached its final chorus, Coco held a single microphone between them and leaned in to kiss Julia, taking everyone by surprise — Julia included. The studio erupted in cheers as Julia laughed, hugged Coco, and tried to process what had just happened.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Julia admitted that the moment truly caught her off guard.
“Ako rin nagulat,” she said, still amused by the memory.
She explained how the performance was meant to be simple and light, sharing, “Sobrang saya lang siguro...wala gulat din kasi ako eh.”
Julia recalled that before going on stage, they had agreed to just enjoy the moment, knowing how shy she is. “Ang ine-expect ko lang —ang usapan kasi namin— ‘oh enjoy lang tayo ha’ kasi alam niyang nahihiya ako. So sabi niya lang sakin ‘basta enjoy lang tayo’ sabi ko ‘okay’,” she shared.
Once the music started, she focused on having fun. “Pagdating sa stage ayun na fi-neel ko lang na para lang kaming nagkukulitan sa tugtog.”
The kiss, however, was never part of the plan. Julia revealed that she did not see it coming at all.
“Nung kiniss niya ako hindi ko rin in-expect. Parang sumagot lang ako tapos na-realize ko ‘ay nasa stage tayo’,” she said with a laugh.
Looking back, she described the moment simply as a reflection of their happiness. “Ayun, happy lang rin siguro to share na happy ang life, happy ang love life. Happy life.”
Coco publicly confirmed his relationship with Julia in May 2023, revealing that they had already been together for 12 years by then. In a previous interview last October, Julia described their relationship as something out of a fairytale.
READ: Julia Montes describes relationship journey with Coco Martin: ‘Magical’
“Kasi para sa akin, fairytale. Nasabi ko na sa past interview na parang knight in shining armor ko siya kasi syempre lahat naman tayo nung kabataan, may phase ka talaga na parang maggi-give up ka sa life. Ang prayer ko lang kay Lord, specifically, ‘Lord pagod na ako mag-alaga, gusto ko naman ako ‘yung alagaan.’ Tapos ito na siya–– Coco Martin,” she said.
Julia also shared that she had already developed a crush on Coco the first time they worked together in their hit series Walang Hanggan. Over time, working closely together helped them grow closer, with Julia recalling how she went to churches and prayed for clarity about their relationship.
“Kapag siya ‘yung para sa akin, mag-work; pero ‘pag hindi, ‘wag na kasi ayoko. Parang gusto ko stop na, ‘wag na mag pursue ‘yung relationship or ‘yung ligawan that time. Hanggang sa eventually, kada pray ko, wala, binibigay ni Lord. Up to now, kami pa rin. Thank you Lord!” she maintained.
More than a decade into their relationship, Julia said the connection between them still feels fresh. “Sobra siyang maalaga. Actually, nakikita naman sa mga video kung paano niya ako alagaan… Sa sobrang mahiyain namin, walang maniniwala na up to now nagkakahiyaan pa rin kami. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung magic namin: para kaming bago pa rin.”