For the first time, Julia Barretto breaks silence on Bea-Gerald breakup controversy

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Kapamilya actress Julia Barretto has had enough of the criticisms she has been receiving online after she was dragged in the breakup controversy of her fellow actors, Gerald Anderson and Bea Alonzo.

On Tuesday, August 6, Julia, for the first time, has finally broken her silence on the issue, saying these past weeks have not been easy for her.

“My faith, my patience, and my strength were put to the test,” the 22-year-old said in her Instagram post along with an old photo of her with Bea.

“I have endured many harsh words hurled against me and my family everywhere on social media. It is exhausting and painful,” she continued.

Julia cited two issues that made her the target of online attacks. First was because she “cheated” on her boyfriend and second, she was the  “cause of another relationship’s break up.”

With regard to the allegation that she cheated on her former boyfriend Joshua Garcia, the other half of the loveteam JoshLia, Julia made it clear that they broke up four months ago and that there was no third-party involved.

“From now on, anything I do in my private and love life is not considered as cheating, and is none of anyone’s business,” she said.

Addressing the second issue, Julia said Gerald has already clarified that he and Bea broke up not because of a third party.

“I would like to disassociate myself from the break up of Bea and Gerald. Their issues are entirely their own,” she said.

But since she was “brought into this mess without a choice,” Julia, this time, addressed Bea on her statement, saying, “Your heartbreak should have been a private matter, but you have selfishly turned it into something of national concern.” The breakup rumors with Gerald sparked when Bea posted cryptic messages on Instagram and “liked” some Instagram posts and comments about Gerald and Julia, his “Between Maybes” co-star, supposed relationship. The three of them have become the talk of the town since then.

“Bea, you wanted to keep your hands clean by not mentioning me in your controversial post, but with a click of your finger, in your sly way, you have charged everybody to destroy me FOR YOU,” Julia told Bea.

Julia slammed the 31-year-old actress for encouraging “a culture of hate” and “putting malice into the minds of many” when she liked “harmless photos” that then resulted in the criticisms against her.

Julia described Bea as a “woman of great influence and following,” which, the former said, the latter can use to promote strength and grace in women.

“But instead, you’ve used that to promote social media irresponsibility. That is downright bullying,” she said.

“You can play victim all you want, but I refuse to be your victim,” she continued.

The 22-year-old actress said her latest post was “not enough” to put in a nutshell everything she went through.

“For the longest time, I’ve always dealt with everything in silence but this time, I am forced to grow up,” she said, adding, “I will not be sidetracked, derailed, and be dictated by people’s judgments and opinions about me.”

Marjorie Barretto, Julia’s mom, had also said she will take legal action against the Instagram user who posted a photo of her daughter and Gerald.