Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia break barriers in local ‘It’s Okay to Not Be Okay’

For Anne Curtis and Joshua Garcia, “It’s Okay to Not Be Okay” isn’t just a remake — it’s a reclamation of space, emotion and much-needed conversations around mental health in the Filipino context.

As they step into the emotionally layered world of the Filipino adaptation of the hit Korean drama, the two actors are not just tackling iconic characters; they’re stepping out of their own comfort zones and into roles that challenge perceptions — not only of themselves, but also of what local primetime storytelling can achieve.

A reinvention of the familiar

Curtis plays Mia, a reimagining of Ko Moon-young, the troubled yet magnetic author with an undiagnosed antisocial personality disorder. But unlike the original, this version of Mia is more raw, less whimsical, and, as Anne described it, “a little bit scarier.”

“She’s less playful and more grounded in pain,” Anne explained during an intimate press conference in Quezon City. “We wanted to reflect something closer to what trauma can look like in real life — especially here, where mental health awareness is still growing.”

Curtis said she poured much of herself into the role. “This character made me confront my own inner battles. I’ve always been strong for my family, and never really said ‘I need help.’ But Mia gave me permission to say, ‘It’s okay if I can’t do it all.’”

Though she acknowledged the pressure of adapting a beloved K-drama, Anne emphasized their intent: “We’re not copying — we’re transforming. Some scenes are familiar, but the heart of it is completely Filipino.”

From her haunting performance to her head-turning wardrobe — crafted in collaboration with top local designers — Anne also made sure that Mia’s identity was steeped in Filipino creativity and cultural nuance.

Surprising pairing,

grounded connection

Meanwhile, Joshua Garcia, who plays Patrick, Mia’s love interest and the devoted caregiver to his autistic older brother Matthew, admitted that being paired with a superstar like Anne came as a surprise.

“Of course, kinakabahan ako (I’m nervous),” Joshua said with a laugh. “But once we started working, I focused on the story. On the character. Patrick is someone who has carried too much too early, and I can relate to that.”a

What strengthened Joshua’s portrayal, however, wasn’t just rehearsals — but immersion. The team spent time in autism schools, speaking with caregivers and experts. For Joshua, it was an experience that reshaped his understanding of empathy.

“I observed how people on the spectrum are treated with patience and care, and how their siblings and caregivers quietly give so much of themselves. That helped me become Patrick.”

Garcia’s chemistry with co-star Carlo Aquino, who plays Matthew, was another crucial element. Both self-described introverts, their quiet connection off-camera helped their dynamics blossom on-screen.

“May eksena talaga na hirap na hirap ako (There was a scene that really made me struggle),” Joshua recalled. “Nakasandal ako sa pader, hindi ako makaiyak (I’m leaning against the wall, I can’t cry). Then Carlo just came up behind me, stayed in character, didn’t say anything — and that helped me break through.”

Director Mae Cruz-Alviar witnessed these moments first-hand. “They were magic together, especially when the cameras stopped rolling,” she shared. “Carlo knew how to ground Joshua when he needed it. That emotional trust between them gave the series its soul.”

Mental health at the forefront

What sets It’s Okay to Not Be Okay apart from other Filipino dramas is its unapologetic focus on mental health — a subject still clouded by stigma in the Philippines.

“People still say things like, ‘Baliw ’yan,’ or laugh off symptoms,” Curtis explained. “But what this show teaches us is compassion. It teaches us language. It gives us space to feel.”

Garcia chimed in with a sobering reminder: “Mental health is especially neglected among men. Society teaches us to be tough, not to cry. But Patrick taught me na hindi nakakahiya ’yun (that’s not embarrassing).”

The show doesn’t shy away from the darkness: trauma, abandonment, grief. But it also offers hope — through healing, found families, and the courage to ask for help.

A cultural reimagining

Rather than being a scene-for-scene adaptation, this version of It’s Okay to Not Be Okay takes the essence of the original and interprets it into local realities. Instead of fairytale motifs, the Filipino version uses folklore. Instead of polished exteriors, it offers real textures — imperfection, messiness and emotions that hit close to home.

Curtis credited the creative team for trusting their cast to bring depth and authenticity. “They gave us room to shape the characters. To let them breathe as Filipinos.”

Even the fashion, she noted, became part of the storytelling. “I worked with Filipino designers to give Mia her look. Fashion is a form of armor for her, and I wanted that to be rooted in our culture.”

A debut worth watching

With its multi-platform premiere — 18 July on Netflix, 19 July on iWantTFC, and 21 July on ABS-CBN’s Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, and TV5 — the adaptation is set to open a new chapter in Philippine drama.

More than just an ambitious project, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a statement: that Filipino stories about mental health, trauma, love and healing are worth telling — and worth watching.

“Exactly what the title says,” Anne ended. “It’s okay to not be okay. What matters is we don’t go through it alone.”

This isn’t just a K-drama adaptation. It’s a reckoning — with ourselves, with our families and with how we treat those quietly hurting.