After Jerry Gracio, ABS-CBN writer and Palanca awardee, disclosed the supposed project for Joshua Garcia’s live-action adaptation of the famous Filipino comic Janus Silang penned by Edgar Calabia Samar, the actor himself shared that it was initially planned in 2017 and 2018.
“Matagal na ‘yun. Actually 2017, 2018 pa na plinano ‘yun. May GMO unit pa ‘nun. Naplano nila na ako ‘yung gaganap sa Janus Silang after Greatest Love sana pero hindi nagawa,” Garcia revealed.
ABS-CBN acquired Janus Silang’s TV rights in 2018, and on that note, the GMO Entertainment Unit, one of ABS-CBN’s leg, was assigned to work for the supposed project.
According to the writer, Garcia was proposed to play the title role, but because of the pandemic, the non-renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise, plus the actor’s age, it did not go as planned.
Meanwhile, during the virtual conference for the Star Magic Workshops for this year, director Rahyan Carlos accidentally revealed that Joshua requested one-on-one training in preparation for a possible role in the upcoming Kapamilya series Darna.
When asked about its confirmation, Garcia responded a bit humorously but soon answered that it was true.
“Makwento kasi talaga ‘yan si Direk Rahyan,” he started.
“Totoo ‘yun, nag-ask ako kasi… napanood ko kasi ‘yung mga last kong ginawa, parang nakita ko na parang that they had the same mannerisms, same the way magsalita ‘yung mga characters na ginagampanan ko. Parang gusto kong tanggalin ‘yung mga stock knowledge ko sa acting, para magdevelop, may matutunan ulit ako na bago.
“Nagbabasa na lang ako ng mga libro ngayon about acting kasi siguro kailangan ko nang magpalit ng bagong technique. And si Direk Rahyan, siya ‘yung parang teacher ko talaga sa acting,” Joshua answered.
Aside from his showbiz career, the Kapamilya actor also takes on a new career in the field of business. He even enrolled himself in a course aligned with the business track to support and provide him knowledge about his recent investment.
Garcia decided to be part of the Academy of Rock, a school providing music education to students and aspirants who wish to pursue music as a career and talent, together with actor Enchong Dee.
Joshua shared that he’s a believer in the goal of education and with the opportunity he has, the Academy of Rock has become a blessing to him.
“Siguro mashe-share ko na lang is ‘yung isa sa mga goals namin. ‘Yung isa sa goal din kasi namin is ‘yung ma-hone ‘yung talents ng mga local artists natin, ‘yung mga aspiring na gustong matuto ng iba’t ibang klaseng instruments. Gusto namin silang tulungan,” Garcia shared.
He pursues his belief in education by fully deciding to invest in the venture.
“Bago ako makapasok sa Academy of Rock, nagstart muna na nahiligan ko ‘yung business, nag-aral ako, bumalik ako sa school para mag-aral ng business entrepreneur. Tapos sakto si Enchong is my friend na mahilig sa mga business, marami siyang mga businesses.
“So, pinitch niya sa akin itong Academy of Rock and hindi siya mahirap mahalin kasi alam mong may natutulungan kang mga tao, alam mong para sa education ng iba kaya ayun hindi rin sila nahirapan para mapa-yes ako. Nag-invest din talaga ako,” Joshua expressed.
Meanwhile, the actor-entrepreneur will star in the upcoming drama series Viral, which will be aired anytime this year.
Together with Garcia are Kapamilya stars Charlie Dizon, Dimples Romana, and Jake Cuenca. They will also be joined by Ria Atayde, Louise Abuel, Vance Larena, Markus Paterson, Karina Bautista, Aljon Mendoza, Kaila Estrada, and Jameson Blake, among others.
Dado Lumibao and Froy Allan Leonardo, the filmmakers of The Killer Bride, are directing the teleserye. The Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and A2Z Channel 11 will air “Viral.”