Joshua Garcia, Julia Barretto weigh in on second chances
MANILA, Philippines — After the box-office success of “Un/Happy for You” two years ago, former couple Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto have reunited for Star Cinema’s film “Always Yours, Never Mine,” directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana.
Since their first team-up in the 2016 romantic film “Vince & Kath & James,” the onscreen chemistry between the two — known as JoshLia to fans — still feels “natural” a decade later, they noted.
“Maybe because we don’t force it and we just react (to the scenes) as actors. May binibigay sa akin na eksena, I just respond, react, and the chemistry will eventually come out,” explained Joshua during the “Always Yours, Never Mine” grand mediacon, adding that they don’t really prepare too much for their chemistry and that they didn’t undergo workshops. The film is now showing in cinemas.
“I think we just really enjoy doing what we do and doing it together. When you’re honest and being yourself, I think lumalabas lang siya naturally. I think it helps that Josh and I have known each other for quite a while. We could just be ourselves,” reacted Julia.
In “Always Yours, Never Mine,” Joshua and Julia play Apollo and Luna.
The film, with screenplay by Vanessa R. Valdez, “explores the limits of love, time and destiny as Apollo and Luna’s lives unfold across three decades.”
“The story of ‘Always Yours, Never Mine’ spans 30 years, that’s why you’ll see the characters of Apollo and Luna in different stages and seasons of their lives. Ang magandang matatanong mo sa sarili mo kapag pinanood mo ang pelikulang ito: ‘Sa pagmamahal ko ba sa isang tao, napigilan ko siya na maging kung sino siya talaga dapat maging?,” shared Vanessa.
“I don’t think this is just a love story; it’s actually a life story. It’s about how we love our lives, the choices we make and even the choices we don’t make,” she added.
A huge part of Joshua’s decision to accept the project with Julia, he said, was because of his character, Apollo.
“When I read the script, I found out na ang daming layers ng character ni Apollo. Ang dami niyang hindi sinasabi. So I told myself, ‘I want to make this kind of film.’ And of course, with Julia pa, and direk Cathy, Miss Van, and Olivia M. Lamasan (screenplay). If I say no, baka hindi na lang talaga ako bigyan ng trabaho, di ba? Sabi ko, ‘Magkano?’” quipped Joshua.
For Julia, she is always thrilled to be working with Joshua. As she elaborated, “Because we grew up together. We’ve been doing this for a decade already this year. I truly enjoy working with Josh. Because we’ve already established this dynamic and understanding and know each other so well on and off screen and when we’re on set and we’re outside of set.”
Reconnecting with Joshua, according to Julia, meant “seeing a different version of ourselves.” “So once we step on set, parang may bago kaming palagi. ‘Oh, there’s something new in Josh that he’s giving me, something different.’ And naturally, you will have to react differently with who you are today. So it’s exciting that Josh and I get to do this after how many years.”
Julia also wouldn’t mind collaborating with Joshua again after their current project. “If every year, that would even be great. But I’m always looking forward to working with Josh.”
As exes and based on the premise of “Always Yours, Never Mine,” which follows the couple as they meet in three different stages of their lives, Joshua and Julia were asked if they believe some stories deserve a second chance.
Both answered that they haven’t experienced this in real life.
“It depends sa dalawang taong nagmamahalan,” shared Joshua. “I don’t know the answer kasi hindi ko pa nararamdaman. Hindi ko pa nararating ’yun. Hindi pa ako nagkaroon ng ganung experience na pipiliin ko siya ulit. It’s difficult for me to answer that.”
“I don’t know. I think it’s different for everyone,” replied Julia. “Ang dami kasing nagkakaroon ng second chances and it actually works out. And then there are some who try again and it doesn’t.”
Echoing Joshua’s sentiments, Julia said she hasn’t experienced it in her lifetime. “But yeah, why not? Give it a try if you feel like, in your heart, it’s worth giving a second chance. I mean, getting hurt is part of it. I think just don’t be jaded. Just welcome love and welcome pain as well.
“I’ve not experienced it, but it’s not also for me to say that love doesn’t deserve a second chance. Maybe it does. I think it always does, actually. Now, thinking about it, always give love a chance. You’ll never know.”
Joining the “Always Yours, Never Mine” cast are Bianca Umali, Chandra Romero, Joy Barcoma, Bob Jbeili, Karen Reyes, Migs Almendras and Paulo Angeles.
The film marks Joy and Bianca’s first film under Star Cinema.
“Always Yours, Never Mine” will also be shown internationally, with screenings in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Australia and New Zealand starting on Oct. 22; the US, Canada and Guam on Oct. 23; the UK and Austria on Oct. 31; and Spain, France, and Italy on Nov. 1.
It will also have a European premiere with a meet-and-greet session with Joshua and Julia in the UK at the Genesis Cinema London on Oct. 31 with screenings at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Another premiere and meet-and-greet session with JoshLia will take place in Madrid, Spain at the Palacio de la Prensa Cinema on Nov. 1, with screenings at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
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