COVER

Heartful Cafe

Weeknights | 8:45 PM GMA-7 and Heart of Asia

Just as love brews in mysterious ways, can romance bloom between two opposing strangers?

THE STORY

Set in a coffee shop at a university campus, Heartful Café follows the story of Heart Fulgencio (Julie Anne San Jose). For Heart, the café is more than just a stomping ground for coffee drinkers— it’s a place where all the magic happens. Despite experiencing heartbreak herself, Heart enjoys playing cupid for customers. When her café turns into shambles, Ace Nobleza (David Licauco), a handsome co-investor comes into her life and rescues her.

THE STARS

the Network’s brightest stars—Asia’s Pop Diva Julie Anne San Jose and Kapuso heartthrob David Licauco.

Julie shares that she is both excited and challenged to be acting again, “It’s really good to be back doing a series, talagang exciting and challenging. I’m excited kasi ang ganda ng story ng Heartful Café, may new set of actors na makaka-work ako, and of course production team na bago rin. It’s also challenging because of our current situation na new normal. We have limitations and we have to follow safety protocols po.”

David believes that viewers can also learn a thing or two about business management, “Not only ‘yung mga tao matutuwa dahil romantic-comedy siya, light siya, I think matutunan din nila maging passionate when it comes to business, maging goal-driven, maging hardworking kasi ‘yung mga characters sa show ay talagang very focused sa ginagawa nila.”

THE CAST

Adding flavor to the series are EA Guzman as Uno Ynares, Heart’s TOTGA (The One That Got Away) who returns from his studies abroad after realizing that success is hollow without love; Ayra Mariano as Mars, Heart’s loyal companion who also serves as the café’s cashier and barista; Victor Anastacio as Roco, master barista whose funny remarks liven up the mood; Angel Guardian as Charity Manabat, Sol’s hopeless romantic friend; and Buddy, who also has a crush on Sol.

The series also introduces Zonia Mejia as Sol Fulgencio, Heart’s loud and sarcastic cousin who strives to be independent yet is afraid of confronting her vulnerabilities, and Jamir Zabarte as Buddy Portales, the boy next door who likes to repair broken things and is the total opposite of Sol.

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Heartful Café is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, FVP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, SAVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Program Manager Dennis Joi K. Bentulan, and Executive Producer James Ryan L. Manabat.

The original series is under the helm of director Mark Sicat Dela Cruz. It is a product of the visionary minds of GMA’s creative team—Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Head and Content Creator RJ Nuevas; Creative Consultant and writer Ken De Leon; Headwriter JMee Katanyag; and writer Jimuel Dela Cruz.

Julie Anne San Jose: Living, Loving, Learning Without Regrets

Words by Maine Aquino | Photos by Angelo Villegas

Best known for her enchanting voice, sleek dance moves, and ingenuity when it comes to writing music, Julie Anne San Jose is no doubt in a league of her own. Today, she plays the role of Heart Fulgencio, an online romance novelist and coffee enthusiast who owns a cozy and quaint cafe in GMA’s newest series, Heartful Café.

What people do not know is that behind all the accolades and recognition is a young lady who has continuously worked hard, and at one point, almost gave up before earning the title of Asia’s Pop Sweetheart.

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.

POPSTAR KIDS TO ASIA’S POP SDIVA

Julie started her singing career through the reality talent show Popstar Kids in 2005. But the top prize was not hers to have. A little girl named Rita Daniela, now a fellow Kapuso artist, emerged as the big winner.

After that loss, Julie didn’t see herself taking another shot at showbiz.

“It’s still surreal kasi I wasn’t expecting that I would go this far, that I would still be here in the industry,” she said smiling as she tried to remember her showbiz beginnings.

The young girl, who once tried her fate in auditions and almost gave up her singing career, is now one of the most bankable artists in OPM.

Destiny, however, didn’t make it easy for her to get her big break.

“Kasi noong nag-audition ako, actually napadaan lang kami ni Mama sa mall. And then triny lang namin kung papasa ba or whatever. We weren’t really expecting for anything.” “I wasn’t expecting for anything big. Hanggang sa umabot ako ng semifinals, grand finals, ‘yun. I didn’t win and it was okay for me. Sabi ko, ‘Lord, baka hindi talaga ito ‘yung for me. Okay lang po, mag-aaral nalang po ako.”

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.

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 ito. 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. “I wasn’t expecting that I would go this far, that I would still be here in the industry.”

BIG SACRIFICES, BIGGER LEARNINGS

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.

“I wasn’t expecting that I would go this far, that I would still be here in the industry.”

She gave her parents the best gift that she could 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.”

PATRON SAINT ON 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 fi nd 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 nagiencourage sa akin, friends, especially my family, sobrang nandiyan sila to support me in everything that I do.”

A HEART FILLED WITH GRATEFULNESS

Julie is infi nitely 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 to 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.”

“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.”

Julie chooses to be grateful for the wonderful things that came into her life.

We then ask Julie again the same question, “So what’s your birthday wish for yourself?”

With wide, bright eyes and a radiant smile, she fi nally 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.” mo rin kilala ang sarili mo.”

“When you’re happy, everything else follows.”

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Agimat ng Agila

Saturdays | 7:15PM | GMA-7

L-R: Julian Yuan Francisco, Bong Revilla, Jr., and Shery Cruz

A hero with powers of an enchanted eagle sets off on a journey to protect the environment and to battle evil forces

THE HERO

Agimat ng Agila is the television comeback of well-loved and versatile actor Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr. as Major Gabriel Labrador, the valiant head of Task Force Kalikasan who is wrongfully accused of his family’s death and is chosen as the bearer of the Agimat ng Agila.

Following his five-year-long hiatus from acting, Bong shares that he is both glad and blessed to be doing what he loves, “Acting is an integral part of my life, and I owe who I am today to the industry. Hindi ko talaga maiiwan ang industriya. Na-miss ko rin ‘yung camaraderie and ‘yung collective creativity with my coworkers – from co-actors to the writers, the directors, the crew, and the staff. All in all, na-miss ko ‘yung buong experience, and I am blessed to be doing it again.”

Bong Revilla, Jr.

Bong wishes to instill environmental awareness to the viewers and encourage them to be proactive stewards of nature, “Napakaganda ng Pilipinas at punongpuno ito ng likas na yaman. Agimat ng Agila shows this–the rich ecosystem and biodiversity in the country. Ipinakita rin namin dito ang epekto nito sa mga tao–the good and bad. Kung maipapaalala lang namin sa mga tao ang kagandahan ng ating kalikasan at ang mga simpleng pwedeng gawin para huwag nang lalo pa masira ito, then we have imparted a meaningful message.”

THE CAST

Completing the powerhouse cast are Sanya Lopez as Maya Lagman, the headstrong but compassionate adopted daughter of Nanay Berta; Elizabeth Oropesa as Nanay Berta, the reclusive and mysterious elderly woman who will assist Gabriel on his journey as the tagapagligtas; Roi Vinzon as Alejandro Dominguez, a respected and feared businessman and crime lord; Benjie Paras as Sgt. Wesley Dimanahan, Gabriel’s trusted confi dant and righthand man; Allen Dizon as Capt. Gerry Flores, second-in-command of the task force; Michelle Dee as Serpenta, an evil shadow creature who acts as an oracle for Alejandro; EA Guzman as Julian, an earnest man who secretly fancies his childhood friend Maya; Miggs Cuaderno as Bidoy, a smart-aleck who eventually becomes close to Gabriel; Ian Ignacio as Malvar, deputy henchman of Alejandro.

The series also features the special participation of Sheryl Cruz as Dr. Myrna Labrador, the soft-spoken and ethereal wife of Gabriel.

Playing equally vital roles in the series are King Gutierrez as Timon, acting head of Alejandro’s henchmen; Jhong Cuenca as Mulong, the enchanted eagle that is actually an engkanto cursed to be a bird; Mike Lloren as Lt. Col. Roman Abdilla, the unsupportive commander of Task Force Kalikasan who heavily dislikes Gabriel; Althea Ablan as young Maya; Dentrix Ponce as young Julian; Yuan Francisco as Wacky Labrador; and Seth Dela Cruz as Buknoy.

THE STORY

After accepting a military assignment in Task Force Kalikasan, Major Gabriel Labrador (Bong) and his wife, Myrna (Sheryl), settle down in the idyllic town of San Jacinta where they plan to raise their son Wacky (Yuan). Together with his faithful sergeant Wes (Benjie) and deputy Capt. Gerry (Allen), Gabriel becomes an integral part of the community for his commendable actions to protect the forest and wildlife.

Unknown to Gabriel, his efforts earn the ire of Alejandro Dominguez (Roi Vinzon), a local crime lord who maintains the persona of a well-respected and philanthropic businessman. Fortunately, an enchanted eagle witnesses his heroism and chooses him as the new ‘tagapagligtas’ to help save and protect the environment.

When Alejandro attacks Gabriel and his family, the eagle swoops in to save his life. Gabriel receives the bertud and is granted the abilities of the enchanted eagle. However, his arch-nemesis Alejandro also allies with the wicked shadow whisperer Serpenta.

Now armed with the Agimat ng Agila, will Gabriel be able to balance his thirst for revenge with his sense of righteousness in battling the evil forces of Alejandro?

THE CREATIVE TEAM

Agimat ng Agila is under the supervision of the GMA Entertainment Group headed by SVP for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, FVP for Drama Redgie A. Magno, SAVP for Drama Cheryl Ching-Sy, Senior Program Manager Ali Marie Nokom-Dedicatoria, and Executive Producer Joy Lumboy-Pili.

Based on the fi lm concept by Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr., the series is a product of the visionary minds of GMA’s award-winning creative team - Creative Director Aloy Adlawan; Creative Consultant Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan; Head Writer Jojo Tawasil Nones; Senior Writer John Roque; and developed for television by Agnes Gagelonia-Uligan and Jojo Tawasil Nones. Joining them is Genaro Nerdie Cruz, script consultant of Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.

Sanya Lopez