The concept of love teams, especially in the Philippines where it's deeply embedded in the entertainment culture, has changed and has been challenged in recent years. And just when we thought we'd never hear of JoshLia again, here comes Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto surprising everyone with a new project. And it's not just any project, it's a movie that highlights a couple's breakup: Un/Happy for You.

Is it simply the story of their characters Zy and Juancho? Or, do parts of it resemble what happened between Joshua and Julia as ex-lovers in real life? That's part of what makes this Star Cinema and Viva Films collaboration project truly exciting. Their official trailer garnered nine million views on various platforms in just 24 hours, which says something about how much people look forward to their reunion movie and how much the fans still resonate with JoshLia.

Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto reunite on the cover of Metro for their upcoming movie 'Un/Happy for You.' | Photography by Shaira Luna Check out our moving cover here.

Sure, relatable breakup movies are aplenty. As Joshua said when we asked what sets Un/Happy for You apart from other breakup movies, 'Kasi ang dami na ring mag-ex na pelikula 'di ba? So I think 'yung best answer d'yan is kasi 'yung gumanap talaga ay mag-ex, right?... Parang bago siya, aabangan talaga ng tao kasi 'Ano na? Ano nang nangyayari sa inyo?''

'That's right. Actually, I think that's the right answer,' Julia chimed in, adding that the movie, directed by Petersen Vargas, will feel like a journey. 'Kasama rin 'yung magiging audience ng pelikula na makita sila [Zy and Juancho] mag-fall in love, and then the downfall of that relationship. And then, finding each other again years later down the road. And then, it's nice because you'll see the POV of two different people who were in one relationship and seeing just how they journeyed through their pain [separately] and then coming together and then being able to discuss it and what really went down.'

On Julia: Printed dress by Debbie Co | On Joshua: Outfit by Baro Label

'The way we were'

It's no secret that Joshua and Julia一whose first project together was the Star Cinema movie Vince and Kath and James in 2016一were not just a reel couple. Their onscreen team-up crossed over into real life in 2017, the same year they starred in movies Love You to the Stars and Back and Unexpectedly Yours. A year later, they worked on their first primetime TV series, Ngayon at Kailanman.

Sadly, they broke up in 2019, and perhaps people thought the 2020 action-horror film Block Z would be the last JoshLia project they'd ever see. But the two reunited in the digital special E-numan, which was one of the two mini movies featured in Love Unlock; it was filmed online during the COVID-19 community quarantine.

Then on Valentine's Day in 2021, Joshua and Julia starred in the music video of Moira dela Torre's 'Paubaya,' which showed the two in a heartbreaking wedding scene. The video, which has 40 million views on YouTube as of publishing time, crushed many people's hearts. Why, about six minutes of that almost 12-minute video were dedicated to their emotional closure scene! That dialogue (which Joshua and Julia wrote themselves), wow, that made many cry buckets of tears. Add to that the clips from their personal travels together, and we were totally wrecked.

'Masaya na ako sa mga pinagsamahan natin. Masaya ako na masaya ka,' Joshua told Julia.

Julia replied, 'Gusto ko na maging masaya ka rin.'

That scene ended with the two of them hugging and forgiving each other until they parted ways, with flashbacks to happier times in between.

In 'Paubaya,' these happier times show Joshua and Julia enjoying life together like a road trip, happily riding a motorcycle. We recreated that journey on the latest digital cover of Metro, which they last graced together in June 2018. On board a white Vespa again, the two make their way back to the hearts of their fans, signaling a new journey for the lovers-turned-friends.

On Joshua: Outfit by Baro Label

Together again

More than three years since 'Paubaya' was released, here we are feeling all the feels again, rewatching that music video after seeing Un/Happy for You's trailer.

But while we're crying anew, it's also heartwarming to see through Joshua and Julia that ex-lovers can indeed be friends. It's a recurring question and topic in relationship matters. While it depends on the persons involved and their circumstances, Joshua and Julia have shown that it is possible.

Breakups are often associated with sadness, bitterness, and, worse, hatred and revenge, which lend that unpalatable spiciness to the situation. 'Un/happy for you' is perhaps what some would like to say to their exes. But there are times, too, that the happy memories a former couple shared trample on those bitter feelings until they're replaced by sweet nostalgia. In the case of Joshua and Julia, they've always savored the friendship they've built through the years. The bitter after-taste the pain from their former relationship left is now overpowered by the sweetness of acceptance and forgiveness.

On Julia: Beige textured dress by Anthony Ramirez | On Joshua: Outfit by Baro Label

Talks for a reunion project for JoshLia started during the pandemic. But the two actors waited to come by the right time and the right script. 'Before pa, may pinitch na sa'min din. Pero I think it was not the right time pa. This time 'yung tamang panahon,' Joshua shared, adding that they now have new experiences that added a fresh twist to their pairing.

For Julia, it matters a lot, too, that she was going to work on Un/Happy for You with the right partner. When asked what made her say 'yes' to this project, Julia said, 'I think number one, personally for me, was reuniting with Josh for a film. I mean, I do enjoy working with him and collaborating with him for, like, the projects that we've done in the past. So I was just really excited to do that all over again.'

Joshua wouldn't want to proceed with this project any other way, too. 'Bukod sa gusto ko makatrabaho uli si Julia, gusto kong magpelikula ulit. And ang tagal ko nang hindi nakatrabaho ang Star [Cinema] sa pelikula so gusto kong bumalik. And sabi ko sa kanila, kung babalik ako ng Star [Cinema], mas maganda siguro kung with Julia,' Joshua told Metro.Style.

On Julia: Beige textured dress by Anthony Ramirez

Navigating their dynamics anew

While I'm no actor, I can imagine how tricky it must be to shoot a breakup movie. For some, it could involve 'opening the old wounds,' as Julia joked. But, it could be even more awkward if the actors in the cast are ex-lovers breathing life into scenes that may share similarities with the circumstances in their past relationship, like JoshLia.

But if Joshua and Julia's mood and vibe in our cover shoot were any indication, we can say there's none of that awkwardness and drama people may assume exist between them. The JoshLia chemistry and magic are still palpable, but they now stem from genuine friendship.

'I don't know how we got so lucky that everything just came so naturally and easy. Walang naging challenge reuniting with Josh again. He's in such a good headspace and in a good place in his life that it really shows in his aura and the way na paano siya makisama sa ibang tao and even to me,' Julia opened up. 'So, I don't know, parang ang suwerte namin na nakakagawa pa kami ng pelikula na magkasama, na genuinely okay kami, masaya kami, nakakapag-share pa kami. Nakakapagtawanan pa kami, parang I guess it's rare. And 'yun, du'n ako sobrang thankful… It was easy with him, doing this.'

Julia described her and Joshua's process in portraying their characters as 'intimate.' It was something only they could understand. Rather than dig up old wounds, she said they were inspired by their happy memories together instead. 'I was really looking forward to coming together to make this film and recreate those happy memories that we really built so much in the past,' Julia mentioned during their movie's media conference.

On Julia: Beige blazer with pearl accents by Patty Ang | On Joshua: Outfit by Baro Label

Joshua, on the other hand, admits it's unavoidable to draw from the past for his portrayal. But, he noted, 'I think bilang aktor, nasa sa'yo na rin 'yun kung paano mo siya babawasan 'yung nararamdaman mo just to protect yourself lang din du'n sa pain na naramdaman mo.'

Something old, something new一that's what Joshua and Julia's work relationship is like these days. He said she's still as caring as he remembers her to be. 'Gusto n'yang ma-make sure na okay ako palagi, okay 'yung lahat palagi. So, I think, ang laki ng impact nu'n sa set pagka ganu'n 'yung co-actor mo. And s'yempre kami 'yung parang leads dito, dapat kami 'yung mas maganda 'yung vibe sa set.'

Reuniting with Joshua in a movie set reminded Julia, too, of how much of a gentleman he is. 'I'm so happy that he's still that way and that he still looks out and cares for my well-being and everybody else's on the set,' she observed.

Since it's been about five years since they last worked together in a film, it'd be understandable for them to have that adjustment period to be in sync again. They didn't have to try that hard, though, because it was a smooth, easy transition. While working with each other feels familiar, they were also pleasantly surprised to see how much their co-actor has grown as an artist and individual. As Joshua pointed out, they're more professional now and they've come to know their boundaries, so those have contributed to refreshing their dynamics.

Joshua shared his thoughts about having Julia as a cast mate again: 'Na-enjoy ko lang siyang kasama sa trabaho. Siya 'yung parang 'pag ka-eksena ko, mararamdaman ko 'yung dapat kong maramdaman sa eksena. Kasi unang-una, 'di madamot si Julia sa eksena, napaka-giving niya. Nagustuhan ko rin sa kanya 'yung kung paano siya magtrabaho, kung paano siya sa script, kung paano siya mag-detalye ng mga beats, ng mga linya. So, that's something na natutunan ko na rin sa kanya. Bukod sa natutunan ko na siya sa ibang actors, pero nagulat ako na ginagawa niya na rin 'yung ganu'n. So, parang 'Wow, something new.''

Happy for each other

It's a new era for JoshLia. Even though the love team remains to be a significant part of Joshua's and Julia's careers, what's nice is that it doesn't define and limit them.

Joshua commented on the love and support the JoshLia fans have been showering them with, saying, 'Sobrang thankful namin ni Ju na throughout ng mga shows namin, mall shows, 'di sila nawala. Andu'n sila sinusuportahan kami.'

'Kaya nakaka-happy, no?,' Joshua turned to Julia. “And 'di tayo Joshua, Julia. JoshLia talaga tawag sa'tin. Alam mong tumatak din talaga sa mga tao. Nakaka-proud din, 'di ba? Na ito 'yung pinaghirapan natin dati na kahit nawala siya for five years, nu'ng bumalik kami parang…'

Julia finished Joshua's sentence: 'Parang hindi nawala.'

Aside from the fans' overwhelming support, what also didn't disappear along the way despite Joshua and Julia ending their romantic relationship is their love for each other as friends. Their breakup, though painful, was also a beautiful one.

Can a breakup actually be considered beautiful? It's possible, JoshLia agreed, citing breakups in friendships. 'I think what's beautiful about breakups in friendship… Personally, that's the most painful for me. I feel like the most beautiful part about it is that it opens doors for people who are meant to be in your life and who are meant to be your truest, realest friends,' Julia reflected.

Joshua also believes it's truly painful to 'break up' with friends. But if you feel it'd result in your growth then it must be done to allow new people into your life who could help solidify your core.

And now that they've welcomed each other back into their present lives, it's interesting to know the path JoshLia will take next in the near future.

Will they take on more projects together? They're very much open to that, and their willingness to explore possibilities for JoshLia shows how comfortable they truly are with each other's company. And their current partners have nothing to worry about, they both emphasized. As Julia said in their media conference, 'I believe both Josh and I are both in a very secure place in our lives, na kahit gumawa pa kami ng sampung pelikula… 'yung intensyon naman nu'n e hindi para makasira ng isang magandang bagay.'

After taking on an emotional roller coaster ride in Un/Happy for You, Joshua and Julia are hoping their next project will be in the comedy genre, something like a sitcom. 'Parang every day we have, like, a group of cast mates and we're just having fun with them,' Julia excitedly imagined. 'Para tayong naglalaro sa work, like ad-libs and punchlines.'

Joshua has his own idea for their next project. He told us, 'Ako talaga, gusto ko ng comedy-action parang Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Or parang gusto ko rin 'yung Ocean's Eleven pero magbabarkada tayo pero mag-aasawa. Tapos magnanakaw tayo pero dapat cool tayo, 'di 'yung parang nagnanakaw na tayo, haggard pa tayo. Dapat ganu'n. Parang ang sarap panuorin nu'n.'

'Sa mga producers…,' Joshua said in jest, encouraging project pitches.

'Game! We're game,' Julia added.

JoshLia's still got game, and the real score between them is that they're genuinely friends, who wish nothing but the best for each other.

'I am happy for you because you are your own person now. You are your own man,' Julia told Joshua, acknowledging his growth and character development. 'Mas kilala mo na 'yung sarili mo… May confidence ka na sa sarili mo.'

Joshua is likewise happy for Julia一that despite all the changes in her life, her beautiful personality didn't change. 'I am happy for you because 'di ka nagbago in a good way. Ikaw pa rin 'yung Julia na matalino, na magaan kasama, na palangiti… I'm just happy for you in general一kung nasaan ka ngayon sa buhay, sa estado ng relasyon mo ngayon sa family mo, sa nobyo mo, with your friends.'

Un/Happy for You, Joshua teased, is all about healing and acceptance. Complementing his answer, Julia told Metro.Style, 'Tama si Josh. It's [about] healing. It's [about] letting go. It's [about] accepting. It's [about] setting free.'

Again, is it Joshua and Julia's story? Or, is it Zy and Juancho's story? The viewers will get a sense of it once the movie hits theaters nationwide on August 14. In the meantime, seeing these two together again on the cover of Metro and witnessing how they are behind the scenes show that they've healed, they've let go, and they've accepted what happened in the past and left it at that. More importantly, they've set each other free because what they have left in their hearts are love and respect for the memories they've shared and the times they've spent together.

Un/Happy for You, directed by Petersen Vargas, features the story and screenplay written by Kookai Labayen and Crystal San Miguel, with Simon Lloyd Arciaga and Jen Chuaunsu as the co-writers. It stars Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto alongside Nonie Buencamino, Ketchup Eusebio, John Lapus, Kaila Estrada, Aljon Mendoza, Bong Gonzales, Ana Abad Santos, Meann Espinosa, Bianca De Vera, and Victor Silayan. This Star Cinema and Viva Films offering comes out in theaters nationwide on August 14, 2024.

Photography by Shaira Luna

Metro Head: Christina Lopez

Editor-in-chief: Geolette Esguerra

Sittings editors: Red Dimaandal, Grace Libero-Cruz, Kate Paras-Santiago, and Randz Manucom

Creative direction by Eugene David

Videography by Pat Buenaobra

Makeup by Robbie Piñera

Hairstyling by Raymond Santiago

Grooming by Ryan Panaligan

Styling by Cath Sobrevega (Julia) and Joey Espiritu (Joshua)

Photography assistant: Emelito Lansangan

Styling assistants: Gi Gumapac, Saurit Bibares, Takuya Morita, KT Landingin, and Jem Arboleda

Shot on location at Grapevine Manila

Special thanks to Star Cinema, Viva Films, Tiffy Roque, Sunshine Dionisio, and Vespa Philippines

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