One topic that’s being discussed all over social media right now is the Philippine entertainment industry’s ~love team~ culture, where onscreen partners are depicted as a romantic couple IRL, usually starring in the same films, TV series, and even the same endorsements, too.
The phenomenon made headlines just this year when Liza Soberano opened up about feeling *boxed in* when she was in a love team with her reel-to-real beau Enrique Gil.
However, the experience was different for Joshua Garcia, who was also in a love team with his ex-GF Julia Barretto for three years before they decided to go their separate career paths in 2020.
When asked if he ever felt *boxed in*, the actor answered: “Hindi naman.”
“Iba iba naman yan, especially kapag magka-relasyon sila, makakapag-work sila and they can play din. At the same time, hindi sila nalulungkot sa trabaho kasi kasama nila yung partner nila,” he tells Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph). “Hindi lang partner sa work, partner pa sa totoong buhay. Sobrang inspired sila magtrabaho nun, ganado yung mga yun!”
While the end of #JoshLia wasn’t planned, the Pinoy Big Brother alum says that he chose to ~go with the flow~.
“Ako kasi yung tipo ng tao na sasabayan ko lang yung agos ng karera ko eh. Simula nung nagsimula ako [sa showbiz], wala akong tinanggihang proyekto. Dire-diretso lang yung agos na yun, sinabayan ko lang, hindi ko sinalubong. Parang ganun yung nangyari sa akin,” he shares. “Eventually, lumabas nalang na ‘O, pwede ka na mag-partner ng iba’, ‘Pwede ka na mag-solo’. Sobrang blessed ko na ganun yung nangyari sa akin.”
It has been over two years since Joshua went solo, and since then, he has starred in several *iconic* teleseryes, including the latest adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s Darna and his upcoming romantic drama, Unbreak My Heart. So cool!
*This story originally appeared on Candymag.com. Minor edits have been made by the Cosmo.ph editors.