Open Secret: As protected by Joshua and Julia

Are Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in a relationship? (Photo: Julia Barretto/Twitter)

Of meaningful gazes, entwined hands, confessions to the press, and of their friends and co-workers speaking out for them, the question still remains to this ‘open secret’: Are Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto in a romantic relationship?

The on-screen partners started making buzz in their first movie together — “Vince & Kath & James,” but the ‘kilig’ continued online as they graced their social media accounts of posts about each other.

This was followed by press and Instagram stalkers who cannot seem to get over their chemistry especially on their second movie, “Love You to the Stars and Back.”

In one of their press conferences for the said film, Joshua already admitted that he was courting Julia since the start of the year.

Things got a bit heavy when Joshua became emotional as the press bombarded him with questions about them, but Julia was spotted holding his hand to comfort him.

But what really got the fans’ hearts jumping was when Julia in an interview after the presscon said that she would not let him court her if she did not have feelings for him at all.

This got Joshua going red in the face, trying his best to suppress a smile but failing anyway.

(Read: Julia admits feelings for Joshua)

On separate interviews, both of Julia’s parents – Dennis Padilla and Marjorie Barretto also praised the lad for his efforts for their daughter.

If all of these are not enough, two actresses have already spoken for the two about their relationship.

Megastar Sharon Cuneta has recently expressed her ‘jealousy’ of the two as they worked together in the film “Unexpectedly Yours” with Robin Padilla.

(Read: Megastar on Joshlia: Naiinggit ako)

“They are so nice to watch together. They are so made for each other,” she said.

Sharon also kept teasing the two to confess already and tell everyone what is the real score between them, after all, they would not hold each other’s hand if they were not a thing.

Erich Gonzales, one of Julia’s closest friends in the industry, also revealed in “Tonight with Boy Abunda” that the two are already a couple in real life.

Julia, who was with Erich in the episode, said that she would prefer if Joshua confirmed their relationship instead of her.

Boy then asked why Julia has not said the word ‘yes’ to Joshua. She, however, left the audience with a vague but meaningful question, “Sino ba nagsabing hindi pa (Who even said that I have not)?” which got the crowd cheering.
With so many hints dropped here and there, the two has yet to make it official.

In a thanksgiving digicon for “Unexpectedly Yours” on December 6, the press once again asked the golden question.
While Julia previously said that Joshua should answer, the young actor decides to pass it back. “Dapat siya ‘yung tanungin niyo eh (You should ask her),” he said.

This got Julia explaining, “You know what, this I believe ha, personally. I think whether we are or we’re not yet, I don’t see us really telling everyone that anytime soon. Maybe because there’s.. that time will come eh.”

The young actress was delighted that the press respects whenever they dodge the question for a bit of privacy in their public life. “What it is that’s going on between the two of us, I think it’s nice that we can keep it between the two of us,” she said.

“But right now, we’re just so happy that kahit ‘yun man lang sa amin lang dalawa (even just that we can keep it between the two of us). It’s our own little secret,” she added.

In a separate interview after the digicon, Joshua echoed Julia’s words.

“What you see is what you get. Kami naman ay kung ready na kami, sa ngayon kasi, kung kami man o hindi pa, eh, dadating naman ‘yung time siguro na ready na kaming i-share sa lahat (Whether we are in a relationship or not, we will get to the time when we are ready to share everything),” he said.

While there is no real confirmation behind the sweetness of Joshua and Julia, their answers alone are enough to mark their joy in their little secret. For now, Joshlia fans can happily bathe in the sweetness they choose to share to the world.