After almost a decade in show business, Joshua Garcia has been able to prove his mettle as actor, earning a number of awards.
The 25-year-old is now being touted as "the next John Lloyd Cruz."
Joshua is not resting on his laurels.
He wants to do more.
Cornerstone Studios and Create Cinema answered his prayers, offering him the comedy-drama "Fruitcake," allowing him to try something new.
Where before he was only too keen to disguise his provincial nature including his Batangueño accent, in the film, Joshua plays the role of the probinsyano Cardo to the hilt.
"Masaya ako kasi similar yung character ko sa akin at hindi ako nahirapan gawin," he said.
The only challenge he had to face was to veer away from the usual subtleties.
"Kasi kailangan kong OA-yan (overacting) yung punto ko para mas mukha siyang nakakatawa," he explained.
He has gained new respect for comedians in the process.
"Ang hirap kaya magpatawa," he stressed.
"Madaling umiyak pero yung magpatawa, mahirap talaga."
Good thing the material was easy to digest.
"Pag binasa mo pa yung script, malalaman mo na agad na comedy siya," he said.
So he just followed what was written in the script.
"Sana matawa yung mga tao kasi yun din naman yung gusto kong mangyari; kung may lugar ba ako sa comedy."
"Fruitcake," directed by Joel Ferrer, is a multi-character comedy-drama movie that portrays the intertwining stories of Filipinos from all walks of life in modern-day Metro Manila. At the lowest and unluckiest point in their lives, their destinies converge on one fateful LRT Train ride.
The rest of the cast: Empoy Marquez, Heaven Peralejo, KD Estrada, Jane Oineza, Enchong Dee, Ria Atayde, and Markus Paterson, among others.