The passing Year of the Rooster has been lucky to Joshua Garcia whose star is predicted to be even bigger and brighter in the coming Year of the Dog. Joshua is an Ox (born on Oct. 7, 1997) and 2018 is his year. According to the Chinese Zodiac, “Oxes are known for diligence, dependability, strength and determination. Having an honest nature, Oxes have a strong patriotism for their country, have ideals and ambitions for life, and attach importance to family and work. These things reflect the traditional characteristics of conservatives.
“Having a desire to advance and great patience, Oxes can achieve their goals by consistent efforts. They are not influenced by others or the environment, but persist to do things in accordance with their ideals and capabilities. Before taking action, they will have a definite plan with detailed steps and add their strong faith and physical strength. So people of the Ox zodiac sign enjoy great success as a result.
“The most disadvantageous trait in Oxes is poor communication skills. They are not good at communicating with others, and even think it is not worthwhile exchanging ideas with others. They are stubborn and stick to their own ways.”
Year 2017 kicked off with good tidings for Joshua after his first movie, Star Cinema’s Vince & Kath & James with Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte that topped the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF). The Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) graduate was off to a good start. With his penetrating eyes that can delineate a whole range of emotions (check out his Cornetto TV ad), Joshua continued to shine in the Kapamilya soap The Greatest Love (as the grandson of Sylvia Sanchez), followed by Star Cinema’s Love You To The Stars and Back (again with Julia), The Good Son (another Kapamilya soap now airing) and in Star Cinema’s Unexpectedly Yours (directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina), currently drawing crowds nationwide, with Robin Padilla (as Joshua’s uncle) and Sharon Cuneta (as Julia’s mom). As a loveteam, Joshua and Julia are known as JoshLia who contributes a big percentage to the success of Unexpectedly Yours.
How do you feel about being compared to John Lloyd Cruz, na ikaw ang “bagong JLC”?
“I’m happy, masaya ako na ma-compare kay Mr. John Lloyd Cruz. But like I said, John Lloyd is John Lloyd and nakakahiya, ako mismo nahihiya na ma-compare ako sa kanya. But, of course, I also want to make my own name. Hindi ko mapantayan yung mga nagawa niya. I don’t think that I am the ‘bagong JLC.’ Whatever history he has made, his achievements in the industry, siya lang ‘yun, e. At hindi ko mapapantayan ‘yun.”
Obviously, JLC is one of your idols…
“Yes, sobrang idol po siya. I’m happy when I watch his movies because I learn a lot from him.”
What do you like about JLC’s style? Ginagaya mo daw ang acting ni JLC?
“I like his simple ways, ‘yung pagiging simple lang niya. Very down-to-earth talaga siya. Di ko naman po siya ginagaya, although many people are saying that even the way I dress up is like that of Mr. John Lloyd Cruz. They notice everything that I wear, including ‘yung bitin na pants ko and my white shoes. Lahat naman nagsusuot ng ganun, sumasabay lang din ako sa uso. Ayoko naman mapag-iwanan.”
Did you expect your movie VKJ (Vince & Kat & James with Julia Barretto and Ronnie Alonte) to be a hit in the 2016 Metro Filmfest?
“Actually, I was nervous because it was my first movie at lead role ako. I didn’t know what the people’s expectations were but I was at the same time confident because I knew that the film was good. What I was not sure of was if people would give it a chance. And I’m happy that the people did. Maraming natuwa, marami kaming napakilig at masaya lang kami.”
Bagay kayong loveteam-mate ni Julia. Nililigawan mo nga ba sya o kayo na ba? Be honest ha.
“Sa ngayon nililigawan ko pa lang po siya. I’m honest. Meron lang talaga kaming understanding and we are comfortable with each other. When we work, we don’t feel that it is work, parang relax lang. We care for each other. Si Julia kasi, matalinong babae.”
How are you like Joseph, your role in The Good Son? What is the real Joshua Garcia like?
“Joseph is very serious. I’m not like that. Ako kasi, makulit at masayahing tao, palatawa ako. In real life, I am like Obet, the character played by Mccoy. I am the jolly type. There are so many problems and I don’t want to make them worse.”
Anong mga pagbabago sa buhay mo ngayong sikat ka na?
“Hindi naman po ako sikat, dumadami lang ‘yung blessings. I’m happy that even if I am not yet popular, there are already so many blessings in my life. Manatili lang siyang ganun. I am happy that little by little, I am seeing my dreams coming true. I am able to help my family and I can buy the things that they want and they need. I hope that I can buy them a house. It makes me happy that I am able to help my loved ones. ‘Yun lang din naman ‘yung dahilan kung bakit ako nandito.”
Tell us more about your childhood, what kind of family you come from, your education, etc.
“Isang simpleng probinsyano po ako na lumaki sa uncle kong pari. Masasabi ko pong Lola’s Boy din po ako. Simpleng bata lang po ako na mahilig sa computer kasama mga barkada. Masaya po ang childhood ko.”
What was your childhood dream/ambition?
“I wanted to be a doctor. When I was in first year high school, I wanted to be a soldier.”
It’s a good thing that because of PBB, you were able to break into showbiz.
“Actually, I entered PBB because I needed the money, hindi para mag-artista. There were more than 10,000 of us who auditioned in Marikina. Ayun, para makatulong sa magulang, hindi para sumikat. But inside PBB, I thought that it would be sayang if I waste the opportunities. The challenges that I was made to hurdle were all related to acting, so nakuha na rin ‘yung loob ko ng pag-aartista.”
Sabi nila, your eyes are so expressive at marami kang emotion na nailalarawan ng mga mata mo. Saan ka humuhugot when you play a character?
“Ganoon po? Thank you kung ganoon. As far as portraying my character is concerned, hindi ko puwedeng hugutin ‘yung inspiration sa buhay ko dahil magka-iba talaga kami, whatever character I am playing. Magkaiba kami ng experience sa buhay, magkaiba kami ng pinagdaanan ng karakter ko.”
Who are the actors whom you look up to at gusto mong masundan ang yapak?
“John Lloyd Cruz and Robin Padilla.”
What are your goals in life?
“Matulungan ko yung Papa ko, mabigyan ng maluwag at maalwan na buhay sila Papa at Ate.”
(E-mail reactions at entphilstar@yahoo.com. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)
‘When am I in my best mood? Pag kasama ko si Julia.’
• What makes you smile?
“When I make my loved ones happy.”
• What makes you happy?
“Same answer as above.”
• What makes you sad?
“I feel sad when my friend has a problem, or whoever is important to me. Nalulungkot din ako pag sumama yung loob ko sa isang tao.”
• What makes you mad?
“Mahaba pasensya ko, eh. But when I get angry, you better be ready.”
• What do you like most about yourself?
“I am patient, pasensyoso and loving.”
• What don’t you like about yourself?
“My being over thinker.”
• What is your ideal girl?
“Maganda, mabait, magalang, may pinag-aralan, matalino, malambing at mapagmahal.”
• If you were somebody else, who would you be?
“Still Joshua Garcia. I don’t like to be somebody else.”
• If you were a superhero, who would you be?
“Tatay ko.”
• If you were a cartoon character, who would you be?
“Tom.”
• If you were a car, what model would you be?
“Toyota, maganda na pang-matagalan pa.”
• If you were an animal, what would you be?
“A lion.”
• If you were part of the house, what would you be?
“Door.”
• When are you in your best mood?
“When I am with Julia.”
• What is the best way to win your heart?
“Basta makapagtago siya ng sekreto ko.”