Julie Anne San Jose saves the best for last in Limitless Part 3

The last two legs of Limitless, A Musical Trilogy witnessed how Julie Anne San Jose pull out all the stops to share her musicality, and put across valuable themes such as to “Breathe” and “Heal.” Yes, she will do the same, but Julie Anne, for sure, has something up her sleeve to save the best for last in the digital show’s final installment, titled Limitless Part 3: Rise.

This time around, themes that encourage one to rise and embrace one’s new self will pervade.

“A lot of feelings, mixed feelings,” said Julie Anne of her reaction that she and her team have already reached the homestretch for Limitless, which will commence tonight and conclude tomorrow in a recent virtual media conference. “What I feel right now is, of course, like bittersweet, kasi alam mo yun looking back on the previous legs, parang kailan lang na nag-start yung shoot namin, parang kailan lang na nag-bra-brain storm kami kung ano yung gagawin namin (it seems like we just recently started shooting segments for it, brainstorming about what we would do), we did not know yet what exactly we were doing (then), parang everything else followed.” This certain phase or the final act of Limitless will elicit sadness and happiness for Julie Anne and fellow creatives, who have built it from the ground and need to let it go, for the latter has served its purpose.

“Kumbaga sumabay lang kami sa agos nung mga circumstances nung panahon din (We just went with the flow and the circumstances),” reflected Julie Anne on how the musical presentation was conceptualized. “It was all very spontaneous, and the good thing about it is parang lahat kami ay na-su-surprise pa din every now and then sa mga kaganapan. That’s why I’m starting to miss it kahit hindi pa natatapos yung third part. Of course, exciting times ahead also because this is just only the beginning of something really, you know, great for all of us.”

But before she will set her eyes on new musical collaborations, presented digitally, hybrid or live with audiences, Julie Anne shared her Top Three performance memories for completing the musical trilogy that has brought her to some places in Mindanao, the Visayas and Luzon. She has had a quite tour of the Philippines.

“Each part has its own highlights,” said Julie Anne. “In Breathe (the first part), I climbed a mountain, so I was on the ridge of Sultan Kudarat, that’s one. With the second part, (titled Heal), I was on a sandbar, I was playing the piano. It was really, really memorable because we had to (bring) the piano (on set). As for the third leg, na parang pinaka-tumatak sa akin, actually, there are a lot, one of which is, I wrote a song. It always excites me when I’m doing a song or kapag may pinaparinig akong kanta sa mga tao. It’s such a great feeling when I get to write a song and I feel fulfilled.”

The GMA artist has already given viewers a glimpse into the musical presentation, whose another highlight is the segment called Limitless Live.

“It’s been a while since the last time that (we saw) an actual show, a live show with an audience, a set-up, and all,” said Julie Anne. “We all just felt that we had to grab that opportunity, kasi siyempre miss na din ng mga tao na manood ng live events (I think people miss to watch live events). To be able to mount a show like this, hindi po siya naging madali, we all faced different challenges.”

That’s true because the Limitless team had to follow health and safety protocols to deliver a new kind of entertainment experience that Filipinos deserve in these challenging times.

“It’s really the team work that made it work,” said Julie Anne, who was glad that she had the chance to perform before an audience. “Nakaka-happy siya, nakaka-warm ng puso kasi matagal-tagal ko na din gustong magka-live show, especially for me, as an artist, it’s important to reconnect with people.” Limitless Live is a breather from the online fatigue she and other artists experience, she added. “It’s different (when you perform) up close and personal. It’s a good feeling to see again friends, whom you haven’t met for a very long time, and my supporters.”

Joining Julie Anne in the show’s final leg is Rayver Cruz, who also guest appeared in Limitless: Heal.

“Very happy and of course, grateful that he was able to make it to Limitless Live. It was such a fun moment for everyone,” said Julie Anne, who was asked about the real score between her and Rayver. “Sa tingin ko mas makakabuti po kung siya na lang ang tanungin ninyo… parang mas OK po kung sa kanya manggagaling. But, yes, we’re very OK, like yun nga po dun sa mga latest posts namin, madalas nyo po kaming nakikitang nag-gui-guitar, that’s also in preparation for the Limitless Live, third part.”

The hard work and sacrifices of Limitless team have paid off because the musical trilogy is a finalist at the 2022 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards for the Entertainment Special: Variety Special category.

Although she is the face of Limitless, Julie Anne acknowledged the contributions made by the Synergy and Limitless, A Musical Trilogy teams. “Sila po talaga yung nagbigay buhay sa project na ito (They are the ones who breathed life into it),” added she.

Asked what’s next for her after Limitless?

“Hopefully, there’s another concert, sana in a bigger venue,” answered Julie Anne, who crossed her fingers while saying, “Sana, sana.”

Since to aspire for something is limitless and to dream is free, seeing Julie Anne turn the digital musical presentation into a live concert either at SM Mall of Asia or Smart Araneta is a possibility.

(For details, log on to gmanetwork.com/synergy and tickets are priced from P599 for general admission; P1,199, VIP; P2,995, GA 5+1, to P2,399, Synergy Pass Premium.)