In Becoming Patpat, Joshua Garcia Finds Himself and Who He’s Yet to Be

Some stories don’t ask to be told, they demand to be felt. They linger not in words, but in the quiet corners of the heart. And sometimes, in those still moments, we catch ourselves asking, “okay pa ba tayo?”

For Joshua Garcia, that question has echoed through the many characters he’s brought to life. From that charming boy from Batangas on “Pinoy Big Brother: All In” to a character with a heavy emotional baggage, he’s grown right before our eyes, shaped by the spotlight of a demanding industry, and has blossomed into the versatile actor we admire today.

From “The Good Son” to “The Killer Bride” and “Viral Scandal,” Joshua’s performances have consistently revealed his depth and emotional honesty. One thing about his roles? They always feel close to home.

But his newest role in the local remake of “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” hits differently. It’s more personal, more grounded, more real, more than okay. It’s as if he’s reminding us, both on-screen and off, that sometimes, it truly is okay not to be okay. 

Joshua has always been the quiet, reserved type and we first saw that during his PBB stint. Back then, he often preferred to sleep or spend time alone, retreating into his own world. An introvert by nature, he isn’t one to wear his heart on his sleeve. Yet through Patpat, he found a way to speak through silence, glances, and moments of vulnerability. 

Portraying a man who hides his pain behind calm composure became, in many ways, a reflection of his own quiet battles and felt like holding up a mirror to himself. The series gave Joshua the space to confront emotions he used to keep tucked away and, in doing so, reminded him, and all of us, that healing starts when we allow ourselves to feel. 

It also marked Joshua’s first time sharing the screen with Anne Curtis, who brought warmth and depth to her role as Mia, alongside Carlo Aquino’s ever-viral performance as Matmat. Together, the three formed a trio whose intertwined stories felt achingly familiar—ordinary lives laid bare in extraordinary ways. 

Like many of us, Joshua, too, understood the hesitation of fans. The original series held a special place in many hearts, and recreating something so beloved naturally came with doubts and expectations. Could the same emotions be captured? Could it feel as magical yet as raw as before? But as the episodes unfolded, those doubts began to fade. The Filipino version found its own rhythm, rooted in our very own culture, our very own scenic places, our pain, our tenderness, our comfort. It became less of a copy and more of a reimagining, one that stood proudly on its own.

And at the heart of it all was Joshua and the rest of the ensemble, whose sincerity grounded the story in truth. His portrayal of Patpat didn’t seek to outshine or replicate, as it sought to understand. Every look, every pause, every unspoken word carried weight, allowing the audience to see themselves in his silence and even in his chaos. It’s in these subtle choices that Joshua is one of this generation’s most compelling actors, because every role, he lives it. 

In doing so, he shows us, not just through Patrick but through every character he brings to life, to feel a little deeper, to embrace our cracks, and to find beauty in simply being human.

He carries that same heart into his latest family drama movie, “Meet, Greet & Bye,” which stars Piolo Pascual, Belle Mariano, Juan Karlos and Ms. Maricel Soriano. As Brad, Joshua brings a charm and warmth that anchor the story. Every glance and gesture reflects his gift for finding truth in simplicity, even in the fleeting hellos and goodbyes of life.

We’ve all had moments when we needed to remind ourselves that it’s okay not to have everything figured out, that it’s enough to keep going, to breathe, to simply be. For Joshua, that truth also came with time. He didn’t master it on the first try; instead, he kept showing up, learning, and refining his craft until growth became second nature. 

Through the years, he’s transformed into an actor of remarkable depth, able to become Elias, Innocencio, Caloy, Juancho, Patrick, or Brad, with the same sincerity and soul each time, yet bringing something new to each one.

And that’s what makes his performances resonate so deeply, as they mirror our own. His growth becomes ours, too. His journey greatly reveals to us that healing and becoming are lifelong processes, and in every character he portrays, we find a piece of our own and we find fragments of who we are and who we’re still becoming.

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Photography by Wilmark Jolindon

Assisted by Jobo Nacpil

Art Direction by Joe Andy

Fashion film by Sean Pascual

Grooming by Ryan Panaligan

Styling by David Milan

Words by Jacob Santos

Official Venue Partner: Street Kohi

Food sponsor: Gang Gang Chicken

Special thanks to Starmagic, ABSCBN, Street Kohi, hausbyjuju and The Social Club Production

Publisher BIG PICTURE ASIA

For partnership or advertising inquiries: Sales & Marketing – jsmooth@bigpictureasia.com