‘I will wait for more good offers, and I just want to do significant work, have fun and enjoy acting again’ – Patrick Garcia
By: NOEL D. FERRER
It is such a joy to see Patrick Garcia return to acting via “A Journey” on Netflix, now on the movie top spot in the streaming platform.
When we look back at Patrick’s beginnings, he started at age 9 as an altar boy at St. James Parish Church headed by Bro. Paul Abiog of Ayala, Alabang, where they used to live. He served for several years until his family moved to Frisco del Monte, Quezon City.
At the age of 13, his older sister Cheska convinced him to try acting. He tried out for the 1994 movie, “Separada,” and was cast right away. The movie was well received by the critics and became an instant hit, and also cemented Patrick’s status as the newest heartthrob in the Philippines.
A year later, Patrick landed many more roles in movies and soap operas, such as “Gimik,” “Araw-Araw, Gabi-Gabi,” “Asero,” among others. Then in 1996, he received the FAMAS Best Child Actor award for his role as Ryan in the critically acclaimed film “Madrasta” by director Olivia Lamasan. The following year, 1997, Patrick received multiple awards for his performance in the movie “Batang PX.”
After “Madrasta,” Patrick has been working steadily ever since, taking on more challenging character roles in movies, “Mano Po III : My Love,” “Nagbibinata” and TV series “Captain Barbell” and “Super Twins.”
As one of the original cast of “Ang TV” with his “A Journey” co-stars Kaye Abad and Paolo Contis, Patrick was later relaunched as a member of Star Circle Batch 2 in ABS-CBN.
He established his foothold in ABS-CBN and then later transferred to GMA.
In ABS-CBN, he was paired with Anna Larrucea, Paula Peralejo and Jodi Sta. Maria. His teamup with Jodi was featured in notable projects such as “Tabing Ilog” (also with Paula), “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” “Saan Darating ang Umaga” and “Kampanerang Kuba.” He was also in “Babangon Ako at Dudurugin Kita” and “Obra.”
In 2009, Patrick starred in the remake of “Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin” and “Full House.”
After his role in “Iglot” GMA Network, Patrick returned to ABS-CBN and did “Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin,” “Apoy sa Dagat,” “Anna Liza,” “Two Wives,” “All of Me,” “Langit Lupa,” “Wildflower,” “Sana Dalawa ang Puso Ko,” “The Blood Sisters” and “Playhouse.”
Asked why he opted to do “A Journey” after his long hiatus, Patrick replied, “When they told me it was with Paolo Contis and Kaye Abad, that’s when I said yes to the project. I said, make sure it’s Paolo and Kaye because working again with them would be nice and it was good to reconnect with them.”
Did he have to make major adjustments when he returned to the movie set?
“None at all. We really had a good time. Walang ilangan. Very comfortable, nagtutulungan kami. We knew when to help each other and know when to make kulitan. I think that’s how professional we are. Alam na namin ‘yung isa’t isa,” he related.
“We would talk behind the scenes, about how we were during ‘Tabing Ilog’ days, and how we used to have fun. A lot of memories from the past came back, really good memories.”
They shot the movie in Tasmania, Australia.
“There was more time to bond, catch up, talk about our lives now, our partners and our kids. We took a fancy finding breakfast. Basically, we’re still the same people. Akala namin we’ve changed a lot but we’re basically the same people pa rin. Very grounded and we always go back to the child in us when we are with each other,” Patrick also said.
Asked about his family’s reaction to the film, the actor reflected: “It’s a good feeling that your family is excited to watch you on screen again. Everybody in my family has seen the movie. They loved it as a whole, and they only had good things to say –siyempre family ko ‘yun! I’d say it thrills me still that they appreciate what I do.”
What is Patrick’s take away in the movie? Does he have any realization after doing the film?
“Life is short. In the film’s question on what matters more to me – the journey or the destination – for me, it’s the journey with the people you love towards the same destination. Siguro, ‘yun ang pinaka-ideal for anyone,” Patrick asserted.
Patrick’s own “magic list” of what he wants to do includes: build family dream home, travel the world with family, sky dive, watch LeBron James play basketball live before the NBA star retires, and make more significant and challenging film and tv projects.
“A Journey” seems to have inspired the artist in Patrick Garcia. He shared: “It has been good to work with friends again. I’m mastering my bravery to step out of my comfort zone.
I will wait for more good offers, and I just want to do significant work, have fun and enjoy acting again. That’s the most important thing. No pressure. More than the money or the fame, I want to make projects that will connect with the people and make them feel different kinds of emotions when they watch me or any project I am involved in.”
Do give “A Journey” in Netflix a chance, and let us draw up and share our own “magic list.”
