Pormal na ipinakilala si Julia Barretto bilang calendar girl ng Tanduay para sa 2024 sa isang events place sa Quezon City, Miyerkules ng hapon, November 15, 2023.
Gaya nang dati, bago siya tumanggap ng mga proyekto, kinausap at hiningi muna raw ni Julia ang opinyon ng kanyang inang si Marjorie Barretto, mga kapatid, kaibigan, at partner na si Gerald Anderson.
“When I got the news, it felt like a challenge and an exciting opportunity that I knew I wanted to do.
“It’s more of sitting down with my family, also my loved ones and friends, telling them about the news.
"And when I felt that everybody was excited, everybody was supportive, dun na ako nagkaroon ng confidence talaga to do it. You need your support system to do something as daring as this.
“I’m grateful for my support system—my family, my partner, my friends—malaking bagay iyon,” sabi ni Julia, na pinahahalagahan ang mga sasabihin at payo ng kanyang mga mahal sa buhay.
“Naisip mo ba na darating ang araw na magiging calendar girl ka?” tanong ng Cabinet Files kay Julia.
Read: Secret to Julia Barretto's bikini-ready body
“Siyempre, hindi," sagot niya.
"Hindi ko alam noong bata pa ako na may ganoon pala. May nagpo-pose pala sa kalendaryo.
"Dati kasi sa homeroom namin, calendar lang, walang katabing babae.
"But kidding aside, I am so honored.
“I am very flattered to have been chosen to be the face of Tanduay for 2024, aside from siyempre, kinabahan ako, but at the end of the day, I am really grateful.”
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Perpekto ang tingin ng marami kay Julia dahil sa kanyang magandang mukha at katawan, pero hindi siya natakot aminin ang insecurities niya noon.
Saad niya, “When I was young, I was shy about my flaws. But as you grow old, you just slowly learn how to live with your imperfections and your flaws.
“Just accept them, be comfortable, and now, yung mga things, like before my hips and then my thighs, I remember when I was young, I was so bothered by it.
“But now, I love my hips. I love the thick thighs. I love being curvy.
"And now, I’m starting to love my flaws and turning them into my strength.
“Tumanda na rin kasi ako na parang ang dami nang mas malaking problema kesa mga hita ko at balakang ko.”
Tinanong din ng Cabinet Files si Julia tungkol sa pabuya niya sa sarili dahil sa kanyang calendar project.
Aniya, “Ummm… that’s a good question. Baka next year na lang for my birthday.
"Ano kaya? Bakasyon… travel? I don’t know pa.
"Gusto ko siyang i-save. Hindi ko pa siya gagalawin for now."
Postscript: Muling natawa si Julia nang itanong namin kung mabibili sa kanyang online store, ang lifestyle brand na JujuClub, ang mga kasuotang ginamit niya para sa calendar pictorial.
Aniya, “My stylist, siya ang nag-prepare ng outfits for the shoot pero hindi yata natin mahahanap yon sa Juju Club.
"Parang wholesome si Juju Club, pero tingnan natin…
“Sexy but decent [ang pictorial]. That was the goal. Even if you’re showing some skin, it’s still sana… praying na pleasant pa rin siya.”
Natuwa at nagpasalamat si Juia dahil positibo ang mga komento sa kanyang seksi pero disenteng mga larawan sa calendar project niya.