# Joshua Garcia

Joshua Espineli Garcia (Tagalog pronunciation:; born October 7, 1997) is a Filipino actor, dancer, and commercial model. He began his professional acting career in 2015 after being part of the reality show Pinoy Big Brother: All In as a contestant. He rose to prominence for his critically acclaimed performances in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival top-grosser Vince and Kath and James and in the primetime series The Good Son. Garcia has starred in various TV series such as The Greatest Love (2016), Ngayon at Kailanman (2018), The Killer Bride (2019), and Unbreak My Heart (2023). He has also starred in the films Love You to the Stars and Back (2017), I Love You, Hater (2018), Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan (2023), and Un/Happy For You (2024).

## Early life

Garcia was born on October 7, 1997, in Bauan, Batangas, Philippines. He is the son of Filipino parents Geo Garcia and Marife Espineli. Coming from a broken family, he was raised by his father and his priest uncle alongside his elder sister, Lorenza Mae. He also has three younger paternal half-siblings and two maternal half-siblings.
He is a dancer and used to be a member of the Batangas cultural dance group, the Sining Kumintang before joining the reality TV show Pinoy Big Brother: All In as one of the 19 housemates who entered the Big Brother house.

## Career
### 2015–2016: Career beginnings and breakthrough

Fresh from his stint in Pinoy Big Brother, Garcia started his acting career via the afternoon series Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita alongside fellow housemates Jane Oineza and Loisa Andalio. In the same year, he made his film debut in a supporting role in the Maja Salvador starrer You're Still The One. Garcia's acting chops first garnered attention when he played a supporting character for the Olivia Lamasan movie Barcelona: A Love Untold starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, which earned him a Best Supporting Actor nomination in the FAMAS Awards.
In 2016, he was included in the powerhouse ensemble cast of the family drama The Greatest Love.
Garcia's breakthrough came in when he got his first movie leading role in the 2016 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Vince and Kath and James where he won New Movie Actor of the Year in the 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies. His acting performance received wide critical acclaim and even scored Best Actor nominations in the said festival's awards, the 35th Luna Awards and the 2017 FAMAS Awards along with his Best Supporting Actor nomination for Barcelona: A Love Untold.

### 2017–2020: Rising popularity and tandem with Julia Barretto

Following the blockbuster success of Vince and Kath and James and his tandem with actress Julia Barretto, they both starred in a string of television and movie projects together. Their tandem made their television debut in an episode of the country's longest-running drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya where they played as teen sweethearts who learn the value of unconditional love at a young age. Their performances was widely praised by the viewers and also dominated the trending topics on Twitter.
Later that year, Garcia starred in his follow-up movie with Barretto in the romantic comedy-drama Love You to the Stars and Back which was a box-office success. His portrayal of Caloy, a teen suffering from leukemia likewise earned himself another round of Best Actor nominations in FAMAS and Luna Awards. His partnership with Barretto in the box office continued in the same year with Unexpectedly Yours where they starred alongside veteran actors Sharon Cuneta and Robin Padilla.
In 2017, he headlined an ensemble cast in the crime drama primetime series The Good Son alongside Jerome Ponce, McCoy de Leon and Nash Aguas. He won various acting awards for his highly acclaimed portrayal in the series as Joseph Buenavidez including a "Best Drama Actor" recognition in the 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television.
In 2018, Garcia and Barretto starred in the romantic comedy movie I Love You, Hater with Kris Aquino. After four big-screen projects together, they finally made their teleserye debut via the primetime TV series Ngayon at Kailanman which premiered on August that same year.
In 2019, he was part of the lead cast of the primetime TV series The Killer Bride which paired him with actress Janella Salvador. This also reunited him with Maja Salvador from their previous collaboration in You're Still The One where he made his film acting debut.
In 2020, he reunited with Barretto accompanied by an all-star ensemble cast in the zombie film Block Z which was directed by award-winning director Mikhail Red. After his long-standing partnership with Barretto ended, he starred in various episodes of Maalaala Mo Kaya which include an episode entitled "Notebook" where his performance earned him an award for "Best Single Performance by an Actor" in the 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television.

### 2021–present: Ultimate leading man of his generation

In 2021, he made a return to primetime television and joined the lead cast of the TV series Viral Scandal opposite Charlie Dizon. Later the following year, he starred as the male lead in ABS-CBN's TV adaptation of Mars Ravelo's Darna starring Jane de Leon which also reunited him with Janella Salvador.
In 2023, he starred in the movie adaptation of Bob Ong's best-selling book Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan which was streamed worldwide through Prime Video. He also topbilled the cast of the romantic drama TV series Unbreak My Heart with Jodi Sta. Maria, Richard Yap and Gabbi Garcia which is a historic partnership and co-production of his home network ABS-CBN and long-time rival GMA Network.
Garcia worked with Barretto again after four years in the 2024 romantic drama movie Un/Happy For You. He is set to star in the Philippine adaptation of the South Korean drama It's Okay to Not Be Okay alongside Anne Curtis and Carlo Aquino, which will be streamed on Netflix.

## Personal life

Garcia dated actress Julia Barretto after starring in numerous projects together as a love team. Their two-year relationship ended in April 2019.
Garcia started taking an entrepreneurship course at Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities (SISFU) in 2020 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023, he enrolled in a culinary course at the Center for Asian Culinary Studies.

## Filmography
### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2015 | You're Still The One | Ericson |
| 2016 | Barcelona: A Love Untold | Tonying |
| 2016 | Vince and Kath and James | Michael Vincent "Vince" Arcilla |
| 2017 | Love You To The Stars and Back | Caloy Enriquez |
| 2017 | Unexpectedly Yours | Jason Manlangit |
| 2018 | I Love You, Hater | Joko Macaraeg |
| 2020 | Block Z | Lucas |
| 2020 | James and Pat and Dave | Michael Vincent "Vince" Arcilla (cameo) |
| 2023 | Ang Mga Kaibigan Ni Mama Susan | Gilberto "Galo" Manansala |
| 2024 | Fruitcake | Cardo |
| 2024 | Un/Happy For You | Juancho Trinidad |
| 2024 | Inside Out 2 (Filipino dubbed) | Lance Slashblade (voice) |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 2014 | Pinoy Big Brother: All In | Himself / Housemate | Evicted (Day 133) |
| 2015–present | ASAP | Himself / Performer | |
| 2015 | Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita | Joel Galvez | |
| 2015 | Luv U | Dionard | Guest |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Pablo | Episode: "Itlog" |
| 2016 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Ernesto / Barbie | Episode: "Puno" |
| 2016 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Emman | Episode: "Lason" |
| 2016–2017 | The Greatest Love | Zosimo "Z" A. Cruz | |
| 2017 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | John Michael Española | Episode: "Bituin" |
| 2017–2018 | The Good Son | Joseph R. Buenavidez / Joseph Reyes | |
| 2018–2019 | Ngayon at Kailanman | Innocencio "Inno" S. Cortes | |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Ian Paquit | Episode: "Medalya" |
| 2019–2020 | The Killer Bride | Elias Sanchez / Elias Gonzales | |
| 2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Jason Carale | Episode: "Tren" |
| 2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Arnel Amaro | Episode: "Notebook" |
| 2021–2022 | Viral Scandal | Kyle Constantino | |
| 2022–2023 | Mars Ravelo's Darna | Brian Robles | |
| 2023 | Unbreak My Heart | Lorenzo "Renz" Isidro | |
| 2025 | It's Okay to Not Be Okay | Patrick "Patpat" Gonzales | |

## Discography

Singles :
| Year | Song Title | Album | Company |
| 2015 | Walang Iba | Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita Soundtrack | Star Music |
| 2016 | Hey Crush | Vince and Kath and James Soundtrack | Star Music |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Award | Category | Nominee/Work | Result |
| 2014 | Star Cinema Online Awards | Most Promising Actor | Himself | Won |
| 2015 | 29th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best New Male TV Personality | Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita | Nominated |
| 2016 | 42nd Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actor | Vince & Kath & James | Nominated |
| 2017 | 48th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Most Promising Movie Actor of the Year | Vince & Kath & James | Won |
| 2017 | 2017 Luna Awards | Best Actor | Vince & Kath & James | Nominated |
| 2017 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actor of the Year | Vince & Kath & James | Won |
| 2017 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Love Team of the Year (with Julia Barretto) | Vince & Kath & James | Nominated |
| 2017 | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Supporting Actor | The Greatest Love | Nominated |
| 2017 | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television | German Moreno Power Tandem Award (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2017 | 2017 FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Vince & Kath & James | Nominated |
| 2017 | 2017 FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Barcelona: A Love Untold | Nominated |
| 2017 | 2017 Anak TV Awards | Makabata Star Awardee | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Aral Parangal Awards | Movie Actor of the Year | Vince & Kath & James | Won |
| 2018 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actor of the Year | Love You To The Stars and Back | Nominated |
| 2018 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Love Team of the Year (with Julia Barretto) | Love You To The Stars and Back | Won |
| 2018 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Male Face of the Night | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2nd Gawad Bedista | Actor of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2nd Gawad Bedista | Media Personality of the Year (Male) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | 31st Annual Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards | Favorite Pinoy Newbie | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards | Best Actor in Film | Vince & Kath & James | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 Bulacan State University Batarisan Awards | Best Male TV Personality | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2nd Eddys Awards | Best Actor | Love You To The Stars and Back | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 Golden Laurel Awards | Most Promising Love Team of the Year (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 Golden Laurel Awards | Best TV Actor | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Face Of Advertising and Marketing Excellence | Most Promising Couple Endorser (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Gawad TANGLAW | Best Ensemble Acting | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Gawad PASADO | PinakaPASADOng Aktor sa Teleserye | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | The Platinum Stallion Awards 2018 | Youth Character Model of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 49th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Love Team of Movies & TV (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 49th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Best Ensemble Performance in a Drama Series | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Love You To The Stars and Back | Nominated |
| 2018 | 2018 FAMAS Awards | Male Celebrity of the Night | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Kabantugan Awards | Best Movie Actor | Love You To The Stars and Back | Won |
| 2018 | 8th EdukCircle Awards | Best Actor in a TV Series | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 8th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Film Actor of the Year | Unexpectedly Yours | Nominated |
| 2018 | 8th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Endorser of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2018 | 8th EdukCircle Awards | Love Team of the Year (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Luna Awards | Best Actor | Love You To The Stars and Back | Nominated |
| 2018 | 4th ALTA Media Icon Awards | Most Promising Male Star for TV | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 4th ALTA Media Icon Awards | Best Love Team (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 RAWR Awards | Actor of the Year | The Good Son | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Comguild Academe | Most Loved Male Endorser | Himself | Won |
| 2018 | 2018 Anak TV Awards | Makabata Star Awardee | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | GEMS Gabi Ng Parangal 2019 | Best Actor | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | 50th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Prince of Philippine Movies & TV | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | 50th GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Male Celebrity of the Night | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | 2019 Inside Showbiz Awards | Favorite Movie Actor | I Love You, Hater | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 Inside Showbiz Awards | Favorite TV Actor | The Good Son | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 Inside Showbiz Awards | Favorite Love Team (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | 2019 Golden Laurel Awards | Best TV Actor | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 Golden Laurel Awards | Favorite Love Team (with Julia Barretto) | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | 35th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Love Team of the Year (with Julia Barretto) | I Love You, Hater | Nominated |
| 2019 | 9th EdukCircle Awards | Best Actor in a TV Series | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | 9th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Endorser of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2019 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by An Actor | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Medalya" | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 RAWR Awards | Actor of the Year | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | VP Choice Awards 2019 | TV Actor of the Year | Ngayon at Kailanman | Nominated |
| 2019 | 2019 Anak TV Awards | Makabata Star Awardee | Himself | Won |
| 2019 | 3rd Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding TV Performance by an Actor | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Medalya" | Won |
| 2019 | 2019 Comguild Academe | Male Endorser of the Year | Himself | Nominated |
| 2020 | PUSH Awards Year 5 | Male TV Performance of the Year | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Medalya" | Won |
| 2020 | 51st GMMSF Box Office Entertainment Awards | Prince of Philippine Television | Himself | Won |
| 2021 | Gawad PASADO 2021 | PinakaPASADOng Katuwang na Aktor | Block Z | Nominated |
| 2021 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actor | The Killer Bride | Nominated |
| 2021 | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by An Actor | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Tren" | Nominated |
| 2022 | 2022 Golden Laurel Awards | Best Drama Actor | Viral Scandal | Won |
| 2022 | 2022 TikTok Philippines Awards | Celebrity of the Year | Himself | Won |
| 2022 | Gawad Pilipino 2022 Icon Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actor | Darna | Won |
| 2022 | Gawad Dangal Filipino Awards 2022 | Best Actor in a Teleserye | Darna | Won |
| 2022 | 5th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Darna | Nominated |
| 2022 | 5th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Social Media Personality | Himself | Nominated |
| 2022 | 3rd Annual TAG Awards Chicago | Best Actor | Darna | Nominated |
| 2022 | 3rd Gawad Balisong | Outstanding Filipino Gamechanger of 2022 (Entertainment) | Himself | Won |
| 2023 | 35th PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by An Actor | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Notebook" | Won |
| 2023 | 4th VP Choice Awards | TV Actor of the Year | Darna | Nominated |
| 2023 | 2023 Golden Laurel Awards | Best Drama Actor | Darna | Won |
| 2023 | 4th Annual TAG Awards Chicago | Best Actor | Unbreak My Heart | Won |
| 2023 | 2023 Anak TV Awards | Makabata Star Awardee | Himself | Nominated |
| 2023 | 6th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series | Unbreak My Heart | Nominated |
| 2023 | 6th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Brand Endorser | Himself | Nominated |
| 2023 | 6th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Social Media Personality | Himself | Nominated |