Joshua Garcia-Julia Barretto film earns P20.5M on opening day

Metro Manila, Philippines— Fans are certainly "happy" with the reunion movie of Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto.

“Un/Happy For You” is a box office hit on its opening day with a gross earning of P20.5 million.

Star Cinema and Viva Films said the film posted the biggest opening gross of a local movie this year.

“Thank you for coming back to the cinemas and for making our film the biggest opening gross of a local film this year. Dama namin ang init ng suporta at pagmamahal niyo,” ABS-CBN PR said in a post on X (former Twitter).

Garcia and Barretto previously told NewsWatch Plus that it was the right time for a reunion project.

First, there was a sense of familiarity since the two worked together in at least four films before their much-talked-about split in 2019.

Second, a feeling of security at this point in their lives. Garcia and Barretto have starred in a number of film and television projects.

Garcia and Barretto play the roles of exes “Zy” and “Juancho” in the film directed by Petersen Vargas.

The trailer shows Garcia plotting revenge on Barretto but ends up blindsided since Barretto is about to get married.

“Tulad ng sinabi ko noong umpisa, kung babalik ako sa pelikula gusto ko kasama si Julia kasi siya rin kasama ko noong nagpe-pelikula ako,” said Garcia in an interview with NewsWatch Plus.

[Translation: I said this before, if I’d go back to the movies I want to do it with Julia since I was with her when I began doing films.]

Garcia said he appreciated sharing the lead role.

“Ayoko kasi noong ganong pressure, at least kapag dalawa tayong magkasama, dalawa tayong ma-pressure,” the actor said in jest.

[Translation: I don’t like that kind of pressure; at least if it’s the two of us, we will both feel pressured.]

For Barretto, the material was the turning point to accept the project.

“Working with Josh again, working with Star Cinema again, and of course the material, we have a good script,” she said.

The former on- and off-screen couple said both of them grew as actors after their split, and their personal history provided context on how they approached their characters in the film.

“Mas matured na yung approach namin sa lahat ng bagay. Kapag work, work na talaga, pag usap, usap, pag sabaw na tayo parang naglalaro na rin tayo,” said Garcia.

[Translation: We’re both more mature now in terms of our approach. We’re serious about work, but there are light moments and fun during our shoot.]

“Un/Happy for You” is showing in 230 cinemas nationwide.

NewsWatch Plus Senior Correspondent Tristan Nodalo contributed to this report.