Joshua Garcia opened up about what it was like filming a love scene with ex-girlfriend Julia Barretto in their 2024 blockbuster film Un/Happy For You.
While looking back on his filmography on The B Side with Bianca Gonzalez, he shared that they worked with an intimacy coordinator for the scene.
“Noong una, since yung production sa amin, parang iniisip pa rin kami na baka mailang kami kasi siyempre mag-ex kami tapos magla-love scene. So nag-provide yung production ng intimate coach or intimacy coordinator. And then, nung bina-block na kami nasa Naga kami nung bina-block na kami sa love scene, masyado naman kaming... parang masyadong aral,” he recalled.
The leading man went on to share that he and Julia eventually felt it was better to trust themselves in doing the intimate scene on their own.
“Parang kami ni Ju nagkakatinginan na. So pag-alis nung coordinator, sabi namin kay direk (Petersen Vargas) na hindi na namin kailangan ng coordinator. Feeling ko kaya namin itong gawin nang kami lang. Then we did the scene, okay naman. I think mas okay din yung minsan tumatalon ka dun sa boundaries ng isang tao. Kasi lalo sa acting, kasi it's all about emotions eh. So mas makukuha mo yung totoong emotions, totoong reaction. Kung may gagawin sa scene partner mo na hindi mo rin yung na-expect, I think doon din lumalabas yung mga magic minsan, yung mga shot na mga gano'n,” Joshua explained.
Joshua also looked back on one of the film’s viral scenes, in which he was seen crying in the rain alongside co-star Nonie Buencamino.
“Hindi ko alam kung paano ko gagawin yung scene na yan. Parang nandito na kasi ako sa phase ngayon na parang ayoko nang umiyak nang ganyan. Parang ayoko na umiyak nang masyadong sira yung mukha ko. Parang gusto ko, nandito din yung pain pero hindi ko kailangan na sobrang (umiyak) Eh ayon yung hinihingi sa akin dito. So, hindi ko alam kung paano ko siya gagawin,” he shared.
The premier actor continued how he eventually pulled off that scene.
“Ginawa ko habang nagse-set up sila, dumahan ako somewhere. Pero sini-set ko yung mood. Nag-play ako ng music sa tenga ko. Play ako ng mga mellow songs, nakakaiyak na songs. Pagsalang ko doon, one take nagawa ko kaya as an actor very rewarding,” he said.
Joshua also shared how his co-stars helped him improve the scene and bring out a more heartfelt performance.
“Nandoon si Julia nung time na yan to support sa lines. Kaya lang, so sobrang lakas nung rain effect. Wala na akong marinig. So while doing the scene, bahala na. Doon na gagana yung ano mo, yung trabaho mo. So, yun na yun. Kinakausap ko lang yung sarili ko. And then, cue ko na lahat yun yung tapon. Kasi dapat on cue lahat yun eh. Kinu-cue ko na lang lahat. And then, dumating sila. Napalakas ata yung tulak ko kay Tito Nonie. Kaya nasapak ako nang totoo. Tapos nakatulong naman. Lumabas yung iyak ko,” the actor added.
Joshua went on to share how he feels that the film has resonated with audiences: “Yun naman din talaga yung goal na maramdaman niyo yung na-experience ni Juancho and ni Zy.”