Ria Atayde has addressed rumors linking her to actor Joshua Garcia.

While guesting on the Cinema One show Pop Cinema with hosts MJ Felipe and Bianca Gonzalez, Ria was asked to describe what her relationship is to Joshua.

Netizens started speculating that Ria Atayde and Joshua Garcia were dating after they joined the outings of the “Nguya Squad,” aka the barkada of celebs Kathryn Bernardo, Daniel Padilla, Sofia Andres, Daniel Miranda, Patrick Sugui, Aeriel Garcia, Joe Vargas, Bianca Yanga, Gabbi Garcia, and Khalil Ramos.

“One word for Joshua: gentleman,” described Ria. “Joshua is a very good friend.”

Bianca explained how netizens felt Ria and Joshua may be more than friends because the “Nguya Squad” is made up of showbiz couples.

“May mga lumalabas na barkada pictures, tapos it started with ‘Couple sila‘ because KathNiel, Sofia and Daniel, tapos kayo yung dalawang single doon. Siguro kino-connect ng mga tao. How do you feel kapag kino-connect ng mga tao na, ‘Ay, automatic, kasi couples’ ganyan‘?”

“We laugh about it,” Ria responded, saying she would even joke around, telling Joshua, “‘Uy, rumored boyfriend, halika dito.'”

“We’re friends and it’s funny. Seryoso, joke ba ‘to? Super, every time I see that I’m like… (laughs). ‘Cause he’s really like a younger brother.”

Ria went on to explain how comfortable she is with Joshua because he portrayed the grandson of her mom Sylvia Sanchez in the 2016 family drama, The Greatest Love. They are also both part of the upcoming TV series Viral, which will premiere in November 2021.

“Because of that, he actually celebrated Christmas with us that year and we’re close,” she added. “We just don’t post about each other or anything. We were close because of that and then things got busy, pero we’d always still keep in touch throughout the years.”

Apart from their projects, Ria revealed that Joshua has also been spending time with her guy friends.

“Lots of reasons to hang out and he also just recently started playing golf with the boys of my friend group. Now, he’s part of it as well. It’s really just that.”

It’s the perfect way to commemorate your bond.

“I’ve been teased with Dominic Roque and Marco Gumabao so I guess whoever is single naman nilalagay nila sa ‘kin, regardless kung sino. Gets ko naman, guys. Single nga. Gets na gets.”