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IN PHOTOS: Remembering '80s teen star Julie Vega

By Aedrianne Acar

Published On: May 21, 2019, 04:45 PM

Updated On: May 14, 2023, 06:15 PM

It's been more than three decades when her death shocked not only her fans, but the whole Philippine entertainment industry.

Julie Pearl Postigo, or more popularly known as Julie Vega, earned a reputation of being a brilliant actress at such a young age.

The former 'Gulong ng Palad' actress impressed film critics for her masterful performance in the movie 'Mga Mata ni Angelita' (1978), which gave her a FAMAS trophy for Best Child Actress.

In addition, she had a friendly rivalry with her good friend Janice de Belen, who was also one of the top child stars then.

But her death on May 6, 1985, which some alleged was caused by malevolent entities, remains, a mystery until today.

It is not surprising that even after 38 years, many are still curious about what really happened to such a promising young talent whose life was cut short unexpectedly.

GMA-7 shows like 'Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho' and 'iJuander' have previously produced stories that aimed at shedding light to the death of '80s teen sensation Julie Vega.

Take a look back at the short but meaningful life of this showbiz gem in this gallery.

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Photo by: coneyreyes (IG)

Coney Reyes

Versatile drama actress Coney Reyes posted on Instagram an old photo with the young actress Julie Vega. Coney worked with Julie in the film 'Lovingly Yours.' In addition, Coney also shared what she remembers about the late actress, “Julie was a very sweet, cheerful young lady... and a very sensitive actress.”

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie Pearl Apostol Postigo (better known by her screen name Julie Vega) was born on May 21, 1968. She was named after her parents Julio and Perla. Because she was the only girl in the family, her loved ones called her by her nickname Darling.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie was discovered by the famous movie director Lamberto Avellana and veteran actress Boots Anson-Roa in 1975. Julie was seen performing at a Christmas party. This photo above was a scene from Julie's very first film Ang Pag-ibig Ko'y Huwag Mong Sukatin. She was only 7 years old. Her screen name then was still Darling Postigo.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie Vega's first major role was in the film Mga Mata Ni Angelita in 1978. It was here when she started using the screen name Julie Vega. According to reports, she was chosen to play the title role out of over 200 applicants. Almost 30 years later, GMA Network made a television remake of the film starring Kapuso young actress Krystal Reyes.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Here's a trivia: Did you know that the original role for Flor de Luna was offered to Julie Vega? She declined the offer due to prior commitments. The role was offered to another talented actress Janice de Belen.

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Remembering Julie Vega

Though she turned down the role for Flor de Luna, Julie eventually starred in her own soap opera. She was cast for the lead role in GMA Network's Anna Liza. It was also the network's first soap opera in a primetime slot. The series premiered in the year 1980 and became one the most popular drama series in the history of Philippine television. Seen on the photo above is Julie Vega with co-star Leni Santos. Unfortunately, the series ended due to Julie's sudden death. Due to the success of the drama series, Julie was dubbed as the "Original Soap Opera Princess."

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Photo by: @alfieanido_matineeidol (IG)

Remembering Julie Vega

Because of the success of Anna Liza, Julie Vega automatically became the soap opera rival of Janice de Belen, the star of another successful drama series Flor de Luna. But despite being showbiz rivals, Julie and Janice remained best of friends. According to a report, Janice once stated, "There could be no me if Julie accepted the role as Flor de Luna." Julie and Janice were considered two of the most popular child stars of their time.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Because of the popularity of Julie Vega and Janice de Belen, the movie Flor de Liza was produced in 1981 featuring the two young stars. It was a crossover of their two shows Flor de Luna and Anna Liza. The film was the first collaboration of Julie and Janice.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie also starred in several movies. In fact, she won Best Child Actress for Mga Mata ni Angelita and Durugin si Totoy Bato (a film she starred in with her ninong Fernando Poe, Jr.). She was also nominated for Best Child Actress for Mga Basang Sisiw and Best Supporting Actress for Isang Bala Ka Lang.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

During her teenage years, Julie starred in movies produced by Regal Films and was included among the so-called "Regal Cry Babies" along with Maricel Soriano, Snooky Serna and Janice de Belen. The photo above was a scene from the movie To Mama With Love which was one of Regal Films' certified box office hits.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

During her teenage years, Julie starred in movies produced by Regal Films and was included among the so-called "Regal Cry Babies" along with Maricel Soriano, Snooky Serna, and Janice de Belen. The photo above was a scene from the movie To Mama With Love which was one of Regal Films' certified box office hits.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Actors Edgar Mande, Rey PJ Abellana, and Albert Martinez were among the many onscreen partners of Julie Vega.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie was also part of the movie Daddy's Little Darlings with Comedy King Dolphy and co-stars Snooky Serna and Janice de Belen.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie Vega with Albert Martinez during her 15th birthday celebration.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie with her ninong Fernando Poe, Jr. in the film Isang Bala Ka Lang.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Apart from being an actress, Julie was also a singer. In fact, she sang most of the theme songs of the movies she appeared in. Julie also had a record album. Her debut single Somewhere In My Past became a certified hit.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie also guested in the longest-running noontime variety show Eat Bulaga.

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Photo by: @alfieanido_matineeidol (IG)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie Vega in Mga Basang Sisiw with Janice de Belen, Che Che, and Sheryl Cruz.

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Photo by: @alfieanido_matineeidol (IG)

Remembering Julie Vega

Julie Vega, Janice de Belen, Gabby Concepcion, and Albert Martinez were the original cast of the film Tender Age. Unfortunately, the movie was shelved for some reason. After a year and a half, the movie was released with a revised script and a brand new cast.

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Photo by: @alfieanido_matineeidol (IG)

Remembering Julie Vega

This was Julie's last magazine pictorial.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

According to reports, some time after graduating from high school, Julie began complaining of extreme weakness and lack of sensation on the lower part of her body. She was later on diagnosed with a form of demyelinating disease. During her confinement, she contracted brochopneumonia which made her condition even worse. Julie died on May 6, 1985... fifteen days before her seventeenth birthday. The whole showbiz industry deeply grieved on her sudden passing. Julie's life story was later on shown on film and television portrayed by Nadia Montenegro and Angelica Panganiban.

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Photo by: Julie Vega Forever (FB)

Remembering Julie Vega

Another trivia: An hour after Julie's passing, Janice de Belen was the very first celebrity to arrive at the Lung Center. Janice deeply mourned the untimely death of her best friend.

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Remembering Julie Vega

Kapuso stories / At least two GMA-7 shows produced stories which tackled the life of brilliant teen actress Julie Vega. In 2016, 'Kapuso Mo Jessica Soho' (KMJS) got to interview Julie's mother, Perla Postigo to share her own account on what happened to her child. Perla recounted, “Nag-taping sila at nahimatay daw s'ya kaya dinala sya sa Capitol Medical Center. Parang napagod lang daw

“Ni-release s'ya ng doktor at hindi naman sya na-confine,”

Sadly, Mrs. Postigo remembered her daughter's condition got worse.

“Dinala na namin sya (sa hospital) kasi nakikita namin naduduling na 'yung mata n'ya,”

GMA News' documentary program 'iJuander' also worked on a Julie Vega story, a year before the feature of KMJS.

Source: iJuander