Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto are back on the big screen together, this time in more mature and complex roles. But after a decade of working together, a real-life romance, and a breakup, how do the two keep their respect for each other intact?
The former couple answered this during the Grand Media Day of their new Star Cinema movie Always Yours, Never Mine, held last September 18 in Taguig. They were asked how they manage to keep the peace and respect between them after going through different chapters of their lives together.
For Joshua, it comes down to respect and acceptance of where each of them is in life today.
"Siyempre, you have to accept na people grow, 'di ba? I think 'yun – it's respect and acceptance. So you have to respect kung nasaang estado ka na ng buhay mo ngayon, 'di ba? So, ang laking tulong n'on na mapaganda pa 'yung relationship namin," Joshua said.
Julia, for her part, said gratitude plays the biggest role, having been blessed with the chance to work with Joshua on several projects over the years.
"For me, aside from respect, as Joshua said, I think it's just gratitude for what you've shared together. A good example of that is, you know, Josh and I, who have been in each other's lives for how many years now, working together. There's something bigger than just, you know, what had transpired in the past," Julia said.
She added that she sees Joshua as more than just a screen partner, but as someone who shares the same passion for their craft.
"For me, Josh is more than a screen partner. There's something so profound in having shared so much – so many milestones together, having been through so much together – that you could always come back together to do that one thing that you both love to do so much. And it just so happens that Josh and I love our job so much, and we love doing it together," she said.
Julia also said she feels lucky to have that kind of bond with Joshua.
"So I'm lucky that I have that kind of partnership and friendship in my lifetime. I'm just so grateful for everything that we've shared – all the hard work, the teamwork, the team effort, the good times, the bad. So I think gratitude above all else is the one that's really going to keep the respect going," she said.
Meanwhile, Joshua revealed that he and Julia had known for quite some time that they would be doing another project together. What sealed the deal for him was his character, Apollo.
"What made me say yes? Actually, medyo matagal na naming alam ni Julia na may gagawin kaming project together. Kaya lang, hindi pa namin alam kung anong klaseng material at kung sino 'yung magdi-direct. And then, n'ung nalaman namin na ito na, 'yung 'Always Yours, Never Mine,' malaking parte ng decision ko 'yung character ni Apollo," Joshua said.
"N'ung binasa ko kasi 'yung script, sabi ko, sobrang daming layers n'ung character ni Apollo. Ang dami niyang hindi sinasabi," he added.
The actor said the chance to work with some of the industry's most respected names also made the offer hard to turn down. The film is directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, with a story by veteran filmmaker Olivia Lamasan, Trishtan Perez, and Vanessa Valdez.
"Sabi ko, gusto kong makagawa ng ganitong klaseng pelikula. And of course, with Julia pa. And then, plus Direk Cathy Garcia-Sampana. And of course, Ms. Van [Vanessa Valdez] and Olivia Lamasan pa," he said. "So kapal, 'di ba? Pag tinanggihan mo 'yun, baka hindi na lang talaga ako bigyan ng trabaho. Kasalanan mo na 'yun."
The two were also asked if they are willing to go back to being a tandem as JoshLia.
"Yeah. Kailangan lang ng perfect timing, perfect project," Joshua said.
Julia added: "Perfect material. If it's about working together, oo naman."
But Joshua made it clear that if they do team up again, they want to offer something different.
"Ayaw din naman naming bumalik na same lang ang gagawin namin, 'di ba? Gusto namin may bago kaming maipapakita sa mga tao," he said.
Joshua and Julia first worked together in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Vince & Kath & James, which gave birth to the JoshLia love team. They became a couple offscreen a year later and went on to star in Love You to the Stars and Back, Unexpectedly Yours, and I Love You, Hater,. The two ended their relationship in 2019.
Despite the split, they continued working together, starring in the zombie film Block Z, which came out in January 2020. After four years, they reunited in Petersen Vargas's Un/Happy For You in 2024, which became a box-office hit and earned more than P250 million locally.
Always Yours, Never Mine marks their 10th year as screen partners. The film follows Apollo (Joshua) and Luna (Julia), two lovers whose paths keep crossing over 30 years, from their youth to middle age, but whose timing never seems to be right. Also in the cast are Bianca Umali, in her first Star Cinema movie, and veteran actress Chanda Romero.
Always Yours, Never Mine opens in Philippine cinemas on September 30.