MANILA — Joshua Garcia and Julia Barretto are no longer a couple, but that hasn’t stopped the actor from being supportive of his former girlfriend amid a controversy romantically linking her with their fellow Star Magic artist, Gerald Anderson.

“JoshLia,” as they’re fondly called by their legion of fans, announced their change of status to being “best friends” in late June, following weeks of rumors that they have broken up.

Barretto’s ties with Anderson, her leading man in the romance film “Between Maybes,” became the subject of speculation in mid-July when the actor’s girlfriend of three years, Bea Alonzo, hinted of infidelity in her relationship with an Instagram post about having had “enough.”

Alonzo’s visible Instagram activities, including liking posts alleging an affair between Barretto and Anderson, led to the onscreen partners becoming the target of criticisms and allegations of cheating.

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

Alonzo has since revealed that Anderson did not accord her a formal breakup and “just started not talking to me.”

While Barretto’s mother Marjorie and sister Dani have already denied that she was a factor in the separation, the actress has notably remained tight-lipped despite persistent accusations.

Garcia, who just recently wrapped filming the zombie flick “Block Z” with Barretto, said he is “hurt” for his ex-girlfriend amid the intrigues tagging her as a third party.

Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv

“Siyempre, naging karelasyon ko rin si Julia. Nasasaktan ako for her, sa nangyayari, pero I think makakabangon naman siya,” Garcia told ABS-CBN News’ MJ Felipe on Thursday, just before the actor’s departure for the US for an “ASAP” show in San Jose, California.

Asked whether he believes the accusations, Garcia said: “Hindi ko masasagot ‘yan, e. Siguro, lahat ng mga tao may kani-kaniyang opinyon about sa nangyaring isyu.”

Barretto arrived shortly after Garcia at Ninoy Aquino International Airport on Thursday afternoon. Inside, they were photographed together, as seen in snaps released by “ASAP” on its official social media channels.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by ASAP NATIN ‘TO (@asapofficial) on Aug 1, 2019 at 10:44pm PDT

The two also appeared to be constant companions as they arrived in the US on Friday (Manila time), with photos showing them seated together on a shuttle, among others.

Garcia had earlier sent Barretto words of encouragement via text message, as seen in a screenshot posted by the actress on July 24.

“Malalampasan mo ‘yan. I know you, you’re the strongest girl na nakilala ko,” he told Barretto at the time.