In the words of Kapamilya heartthrob Joshua Garcia, "Tapos na ang pila."
That statement alone raised a hubbub: Is he playing sweet music with vlogger Bella Racelis?
Since breaking up with girlfriend and love-team partner Julia Barretto in 2019, Joshua’s love life has become a matter of great interest to fans, all eagerly awaiting the next girl who will capture the actor’s heart.
Even Julia, who is now in a relationship with actor Gerald Anderson, has gotten curious. Apparently, she and Joshua have remained in touch.
She told host Boy Abunda in an interview about giving her ex-boyfriend a piece of advice.
"I tell him, 'How are you? May girlfriend ka na ba? Huwag ka munang maggi-girlfriend,’” Julia recalled telling Joshua.
“Sabi niya sa akin, 'Ba't ba ayaw mo ako magka-girlfriend?' Sabi ko, 'Basta, huwag ka muna magka-girlfriend. Enjoy what you have now.'
“Because he's young and he's in his prime and he's a brilliant actor. It's not the time to be limited right now. I want him to really enjoy his time.”
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
Will Joshua heed Julia’s words of wisdom?
With that said, here are the celebrities romantically linked to Joshua following his much-publicized split with Julia.
IVANA ALAWI
Joshua didn’t play coy back in January 2022 while playing the “jojowain o totrapahin” challenge.
“Siyempre, jojowain,” said Joshua about sultry actress and popular YouTuber Ivana Alawi.
“I mean, come on, choosy ka pa ba? Mabait, maganda, sexy—lahat sinabi na.”
The feeling was mutual as Ivana would later reveal harboring a crush on the actor.
“Cute yung mukha at saka mabait siya. Nakita ko pa na family-oriented.
"Pero hindi ko masabi kasi di ko pa siya nami-meet personally,” Ivana told reporter and talent manager, Ogie Diaz.
Joshua, for his part, commented, “Nakakadagdag confidence kapag may humahanga sa iyo…
"So siyempre thank you, thank you na na-appreciate niya yung work ko, yung acting ko, kasi yun yung narinig ko so, maraming salamat.”
This public admission of mutual admiration led many to think that the two might indeed end up dating.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
It wasn’t meant to be, however.
To be fair, Joshua right from the start was careful not to stir the rumor mill despite voicing his appreciation of Ivana.
“Pero hindi kasi lahat ng tao masasabi mo na meant para maging karelasyon. May nakatadhana sa ‘yo na mami-meet mo lang para maging kaibigan mo, yun lang yung sa akin,” he explained.
BELLA POARCH
Filipino-American singer Bella Poarch was frank in declaring her admiration for Joshua in an interview with ABS-CBN News in August.
“My favorite Filipino actor right now is Joshua Garcia. Crush ko yun, e. Crush ko yun, e, si Joshua.
Bella also admitted in the same interview that she and Joshua were communicating.
“We message a lot. He already knows what I’m gonna say,” revealed Bella.
Before the admission, Bella gave hints of her fondness for Joshua when she uploaded in April on her TikTok account a clip of Joshua singing.
CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
NOOD KA MUNA!
Bella then commented a flushed face emoji on Joshua’s shirtless photos on social media.
Joshua returned the favor by reacting with a shushing face emoji.
The exchange drew hilarious reactions from Joshua’s many followers.
“@bellapoarch please lang lumaban ka ng patas HAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHHA,” someone wrote.
TRINA GUYTINGCO
Ateneo Lady Eagle Trina Guytingco was romantically linked to Joshua after photos of them together hit social media in May.
The Kapamilya star and basketball athlete were in El Nido, Palawan, to celebrate the birthday of actress Kathryn Bernardo.
Joshua, however, set the record straight by saying that they were just friends.
“Tropa ko yun, barkada namin yun nila Daniel [Padilla]. Nagkataon lang siguro nung time na yun, partner-partner sila.
"'Tapos parehas kaming single kaya parang tropa-tropa namin may pag-push,” clarified Joshua.
He then proceeded to congratulate Trina, who was playing for the Gilas Pilipinas women's basketball team in the 31st Southeast Asian Games. The squad eventually won the gold medal.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
“Congratulations nga pala kay Trina. Nasa SEA Games siya ngayon, naglaro ng basketball,” smiled Joshua.
RIA ATAYDE
Joshua’s closeness with actress Ria Atayde prompted speculations they were an item.
Said Ria at the advance screening of iWantTFC Mother's Day series Miss Piggy, “Rumored boyfriend ko nga daw siya, pero mas nare-reassure ako sa lalim ng friendship namin for us to withstand the rumors and all.
"Whatever people throw at us, parang kampante ako that we could be friends forever.
“Josh was an attractive guy, he's just really younger and for me, it's such a... alam niyo iyon? I'm 30 and Josh is what, turning 25 pa lang.”
For her, keeping their friendship is more important than entertaining thoughts of taking it to the next level.
“Josh is an amazing guy,” she acknowledged.
“Some people are better off as friends. Kasi that way, mas secure ka na hindi mo siya mawawala in your life.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
“I guess that's it na lang rin na we're better off as friends. So at least I know I can keep him forever.”
In Joshua's part, the young actor admitted admiring the eye-catching Ria. maintaining their relationship has always been platonic.
BELLA RACELIS
The Batangueña vlogger’s closeness with the Darna leading man has ignited speculations of romance.
A reel shared by Joshua on September 6, 2022 on his JG IMAHE account – the actor’s other Instagram account dedicated to his photography hobby – showed colored and black and white pictures and clips of Bella taken seemingly during a day out.
Joshua and Bella sightings are not rare as of late. In August, the two were seen together at a party looking very cozy.
Fans also noticed the Kapamilya actor sending reactions through likes and emojis on Bella’s social-media posts.
What’s more, Joshua apparently made a playlist for Bella according to Cosmopolitan Philippines in an online article published on August 19, 2022.
ADVERTISEMENT - CONTINUE READING BELOW ↓
“We’re gushing over the thought that they have a shared playlist together and it even includes a song from Euphoria star Dominic Fike. So, so kilig!” the article mentioned.
Joshua and Bella are yet to confirm or deny whether they are a couple or not.
In the meantime, Joshua’s fans continue to wonder and ask: “May nanalo na?”