Anne Curtis, Joshua Garcia, and Carlo Aquino take the spotlight in Metro’s latest digital cover, photographed at the Proscenium Theater. The trio opens up about how It’s Okay to Not Be Okay has shaped their understanding of mental health and autism as the series nears its conclusion.
Curtis said her main concern in taking on the project was the pressure of adapting a popular Korean drama, but she later focused on using the show to raise awareness about mental health.
“Will I be able to give it justice? That was my biggest concern,” she said in Metro’s exclusive feature. “Then I realized, what am I doing worrying about that? The whole point of this is reaching out to a wider audience, especially in the Philippines, where there’s still a stigma about mental health.”
Garcia shared that the series helped him become more aware of mental health, which also allowed him to grow as a person and performer.
“‘Yung mental health, hindi siya malinaw sa’kin before kaya nu’ng nalaman ko ’yung awareness about that, mas nag-grow ako kasi mas naiintindihan ko ’yung sarili ko,” he said, adding that acting has become his emotional outlet.
Aquino, who plays Matmat, also known as Manong—an adult with autism—prepared for the role through a three-day immersion in a school for children with autism.
“Every step of the way, kung paano maglakad si Matmat, kung paano tumakbo, kung paano ’yung hands. Inaral niya ko, inaral ko rin siya,” Aquino said, adding that the experience brought him peace and gratitude.
Director Mae Cruz-Alviar praised the entire cast, describing them as humble and generous.
“All of them—from the main characters to the support—they were so humble, open, and generous,” she said. “There would be times I would be in such awe that I would just stop and watch them, or think, ‘Wow, this is a casting coup!’”
