Filipinos know all too well how huge loveteams are in the local entertainment scene. While not all the onscreen pairs we've rooted for through the years ended up together in real life, some successfully brought their reel-life romance into the real world and made it last. Among them are on-and-off-screen sweethearts Coco Martin and Julia Montes, fondly called by their avid shippers as CocoJul, who have been romantic partners for more than a decade.
As we look forward to seeing them headline a teleserye again via the highly anticipated series “Coco Martin’s Sigabo,” let us first revisit the ABS-CBN Studios programs that both of them starred in via this edition of Kapamilya Spotlight.
In one of their exclusive interviews with CCM Film Productions, they reminisced about how their friendship started even before starring together in the classic Kapamilya series “Walang Hanggan” in 2012. According to the couple, they’ve already known each other for quite some time as they got to work with one another on several projects even before their respective careers took off in ABS-CBN.
Although both of them were cast in the 2008 afternoon drama “Ligaw Na Bulaklak,” Coco and Julia never got to share scenes together since their characters were part of different timelines— she appeared in the flashback sequences as the younger version of Ara Mina’s character, while he was part of the present-day narrative. Three years later, Coco made a special appearance in the youth-oriented series “Growing Up,” in which Julia was among the main cast members.
Little did Julia know that Coco had been pining to work with her, especially after seeing her notable performance as the kontrabida Clara in the 2010 remake of the legendary soap opera “Mara Clara.” As he was about to do “Walang Hanggan” at the time, which was inspired by the 1991 film “Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit” top-billed by their eventual co-stars Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta, where the lead female and male characters were written with an intentional age gap, Coco thought that it would be befitting for them considering the more-than-a-decade gap between them.
Thus, he told late Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal that he wanted her to be his leading lady. Thankfully, his wish got granted, and they went on to capture our hearts with their portrayal of Daniel and Katerina, from which everything had started between them. They may have had a rough start because of Coco’s “pagsusungit,” but he subsequently softened up to her upon learning from one of the writers that she had a crush on him—and the rest, as they say, is history.
Two years later, the CocoJul tandem returned to primetime via the 2014 series “Ikaw Lamang,” which also starred Kim Chiu and Jake Cuenca. They played longtime friends Samuel and Mona, who eventually got married after their one-night stand spawned a son named Gabriel, whom Coco would portray in the second book of the series. Unfortunately, just when they’re already building a life together, Mona was accidentally killed during an election campaign in their town.
After doing a couple of dramas, the onscreen pair jumped to comedy and fantasy the following year via “Wansapanataym Presents Yamishita’s Treasures,” where they took viewers to a fun, magical, and action-packed summer adventure. Coco played the playful and brave treasure hunter named Yami, while Julia portrayed the graceful and kindhearted fairy Tanya. Together, they reminded viewers that more than gold and money, the true riches in life are family and friends.
Since it had been six years already since the last time that they’d worked together, fans got kilig and excited when their wish to see them share the screen again was finally granted in 2021, as Julia got cast in the final season of “FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.” As Coco’s Cardo Dalisay and his remaining allies sought refuge in Ilocos, they crossed paths with Mara, played by Julia. It was later revealed that she was only adopted by Armando (John Estrada) and Lolita (Rosanna Roces), the leaders of the rebel group that betrayed Task Force Agila, after being taken away from her biological parents, President Oscar Hidalgo (Rowell Santiago) and Aurora (Sharon Cuneta).
Just as it was presumed that Mara was already dead following a deadly encounter, viewers were surprised to see her very much alive. Everyone was stoked and kilig to witness the reunion between their characters, which, despite being brief and subtle, was romantic and poignant, making the finale extra momentous.
Even though they didn’t get to work together in Coco’s “FPJ’s Batang Quiapo,” not many people may be aware that Julia was still part of the hit series—not as an actress, but as a producer alongside her beloved real-life partner.
After four years of waiting, CocoJul has finally answered fans’ calls for another teleserye together through the highly anticipated “Coco Martin’s Sigabo,” promising to bring laughter, kilig, and action as Gabo and Sam. But based on the full trailer, the two start off on the wrong foot and can’t seem to stand each other. So how will romance blossom between them?
Well, that’s for us to find out, so you better not miss a single episode once “Coco Martin’s Sigabo” premieres this coming June 22 at 8 PM on ABS-CBN sa ALLTV2, Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL) and iWant.
Coco and Julia tease action and romance in official trailer of “Coco Martin’s Sigabo”
From ‘masungit’ to meant-to-be: A timeline of how Coco Martin and Julia Montes’ love story started
15 scenes that showcased CocoJul’s effortless chemistry in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano