Besides being a Gen Z actor and social media star, Joshua Garcia is also a college student at Southville International School Affiliated with Foreign Universities. ICYDK, he was admitted to an entrepreneurship course at the school about two years ago thanks to the help of his mom.
During his childhood, however, Joshua’s family struggled to pay for his studies. In fact, there was even a time when he would have to go to school without any allowance. “Papasok ako sa school, hingi ako ng baon sa [tatay ko.] Tapos sabi niya, kumuha lang daw sa wallet niya. ‘Pag tingin ko sa wallet niya, 20 pesos nalang ‘yung laman,” he once recounted in a Magandang Buhay guesting a few years back.
“Tapos hindi ko nalang kinuha. Pumasok nalang akong walang baon,” he added, getting emotional.
After watching his old interview in a recent guesting at the same show, he revealed that he would also sleep at his father’s office to save money. “Nagtatrabaho kasi [si Papa] sa auto service sa Binondo. Tapos kinuha niya ako doon for three to four months, andoon ako natutulog,” he shared.
Pointing to a mattress on the floor, he explained, “Pina-experience niya sa’kin ‘yung buhay niya doon. Dito kami natutulog. Maglalatag siya ng karton and then kutson, tapos lalatagan namin. ‘Yung opisina doon, doon kami natutulog, electric fan lang.”
As he experienced his father’s difficulties firsthand, he eventually decided to drop out of school when his father lost his job: “Kaya noong time na kailangan namin pumili kung sino mag-aaral sa’min ni Ate kasi mawawalan na siya ng trabaho, nagparaya na ako. Sabi ko, sige si Ate muna kasi college na siya, magtatapos na siya. And then nag-stop ako.”
Amidst all the challenges he went through, Joshua still remains grateful for his humble beginnings. According to him, these experiences formed his character and taught him the importance of staying grounded.
“Kailangan ko siyang pagdaanan bago ko pagdaanan ‘yung mga pinagdadaanan ko ngayon. Kasi ang laking tulong nito para ibalik ako doon sa pagiging humble [at] ibaba ako sa lupa. Laking tulong noon ‘pag naalala ko ‘yung hirap namin,” he concluded.
You can watch Joshua’s full interview here:
From The Candy Bulletin Community
