"Saving Grace: The Untold Story" lead star Julia Montes has always been vocal about her prayer life and how much she values her relationship with God. And just like many Filipinos, Holy Week is something she holds close to her heart. 

For Julia, mornings are especially meaningful during the Lenten season. Without the usual work schedule, she finds more time to reflect and spend quiet moments in devotion. It’s also when she takes the opportunity to express her gratitude to God. 

Over the years, Julia’s faith has deepened in ways she didn’t expect. "Kasi noong kabataan ko, ang faith sa akin, parang, you just pray and then, ask for anything or say thank you, parang gano'n lang kababaw," she confessed.  But as she matured, so did her connection with God. 

"I just realized na ang faith pala ay sobrang lalim din." Comparing faith to love, she expounded, "Ang love, hindi ma-explain into words kasi gano'n siya kalalim. Ang faith din gano'n, at parte siya ng buhay mo araw-araw." 

Still, Julia knows her faith journey is far from over. She’s aware that there’s still a lot to learn and unlearn, and that her relationship with God continues to evolve. But looking back, she’s grateful for how far she’s come and how her spirituality has grown from surface-level to something deeply personal and grounding.

When asked if there’s anything in life she would want to restart, Julia stood by her belief that everything—good or bad—happens for a reason. But if she really had to pick one moment to redo, it would be the time of the pandemic. If only she could, she would delete the fear she felt when her grandmother was hospitalized, the anxiety everyone carried, and the heartbreaking stories of friends who lost their loved ones. 

"Kung may ire-reset ako, sana huwag na nating pagdaanan ang pandemic. Sana pwede kasi medyo nahirapan ang bawat isa," she said.

*Photo credit to Patty Yap IG