The Unbreakable Spirit of Josh Ford

Cool, calm, and collected

Josh Ford showed up fresh off a nap—he slept through his pre-VMAN shoot prep—but he spoke to you like you had his full calendar. Understandable. These days, the guy is booked 24/7, and sleep is currency. But still, he treated you like the most interesting person in the room. Postured straight with a watchful eye, he didn’t intimidate you. He eagerly asked questions, tangoed between two languages, and nodded at your replies as if you were the superstar-to-shoot.

You could settle with saying, ‘this guy is nice.’ But, that’d be missing the mark. Fresh from his stay at the Pinoy Big Brother house, 24/7 under the gaze of reality TV, he emerged through weekly challenges and dynamic banter with fellow housemates, real self intact. Now, the Filipino-British boy-next-door defies expectations, carries unexpected authority, and engages the world like a veteran.

Josh was only a kid when he got his start in local television. “I started as a child actor, portraying young versions of already-established Filipino actors [and characters,]” he shares. His portrayal of the kid version of the lead character in the hit series On the Wings of Love back in 2015 gave him a good head start.

A decade has passed since—but by 2023, he returned just as ready, like he never missed a step. That year, he joined GMA’s Sparkle Artist Center and accepted the opportunity as a launchpad to get to where he is now. Along the way, he kept portraying roles that mirrored his fresh-faced spirit: a touch of heartthrob as Razille ‘Train’ Zapusumo in Luv Is; a hint of doe-eyed charm as Gio in Jose & Maria’s Bonggang Villa.

And in the last few months, we finally saw him, unfiltered. No edits. No retakes. PBB doesn’t work like that. But as always, he stuck to his instincts, trusted his wit, and charmed the hell out of everyone watching.

“I’m thankful for PBB. It ramped up [my name] at a pace I liked. I take it as a blessing. Wherever I go, at least one person will recognize me—and I’m grateful for that. I love meeting new people.”

It’s no lie. He’s not pressured by the reality of fame. He’s stepped into characters and continues to walk onto sets like the world never weighed on his shoulders. And his set for his cover shoot wasn’t any different. Stepping into the frame, he commanded attention, and kept it even when he idled in between shots. Contrasting his formal pinstripe tie and button down that’d put Wall Street yuppies to shame, he shook hands and greeted everyone warmly. He exudes a refreshing eagerness, what’s most surprising is that it comes from a place of maturity, not inexperience.

The perfect balance

He’s covered long distances, even if it feels like he’s only just arrived. Born in the United Kingdom, he’s had to juggle returning home and coming back here for work. That kind of tension can pull a person apart by the seams. Instead, he meets it with unspoken certainty. He already paid the cost, leaving family and other dreams behind once he set his mind to settling here, and facing highs and lows within unfamiliar territory. Make no mistake. These have not left him weakened. It’s an enduring signal of where his unbreakable spirit is headed.

“[Here], I could feel alone, but I don’t. I’m happy and lucky to have people that love me, for who I am. I feel seen, and all my hard work comes with that.”

“I think having different cultures in your life is very important. Learning about other people is as important. That’s big, and my life’s all about that. Everyone’s story is unique, and I’m never tired of seeing it all. This industry makes you meet new people, and I love that.”

It can be quite challenging to navigate a split heritage or balance softer features with a sure soul—but Josh approaches it with a level of control. To him, they’re the differences that complete each other. He filters out the noise and cements his presence, saying: my differences don’t weaken me—they complete me.

He’s built quite the system for himself. It layers together seamlessly like his seasonal outfits back in England. When his work demands constant connection, he welcomes it—and turns it into a cycle where new friends fuel career momentum. Still, he stays wholly in tune with what he’s truly aiming for: good company that comes with good fortune.

The strategy? Letting his heart walk first. Then, he follows.

The man beyond those curls

Smiling at spectators. Embodying a script crafted with care. Navigating reality TV with Kira Balinger and the guys. They’re not just marks on a checklist to get paid. They’re how he thrives. Kinship is his armor. Community, his kingdom.

It’s not ego that drives him—it’s discipline. That’s what keeps him focused, grounded. Beneath the boyish charm runs a certain sharpness—disarming, but intentional. He doesn’t serve his image. He shapes it. And now, people are starting to notice.

“I’m not a stylist,” he laughs. “—but I’m big on a sense of style. How they [people] carry themselves says a lot about who they are. I’m honest and straightforward with how I feel. I’ll say things in a good way, because we don’t want bullsh*t. We want to be who we are, through and through. It cuts into all that. I just want to be me.”

His lack-of-ego approach bleeds into his wardrobe. There’s no style bible or secret sauce with Josh, and he’ll be the first to admit it. To him, fashion and personal grooming are meant to be enjoyed, not policed. He thrives in playing with his features and experiences birthed from two worlds.

“It’s important to me that something stands out. But still comfortable. Being a British guy, I love Joggers. Now that I’m here, though, I’ve come to love polos. I can appreciate a good-looking polo. I really do miss layering. I love it. Sure, you can style here. But, tiis pogi with the heat. I’m not gonna wear like four layers outside. I’ll sweat. If I can, though, I’ll try my best.”

And the hair? He lets it fly on his own, finding its wings with just a little extra help. “For my curly hair, it came with me when I was born. Suddenly, it turned straight in grade school. Then, when I came back to the UK, it returned to curly. So, I stuck with it—if it’s not curly, then I’m not Josh Ford, you know? With my hair, I just let it be. Just scrunch it. That’s why it’s messy at times. But, I do use Sea Salt Spray to keep it all intact when I need it to be fresher.”

Clad in clean-cut polos and old-fashioned coziness, where’s this 2000s schoolboy headed next? Perhaps the runway? We’d do well to keep his future modeling career here. Where better to catch an opportunity, than as a hopeful leading man? It’ll help that he loves the Philippines so much. As a matter of fact, he’s not leaving until he gets to represent the Filipino man, his way.

“Filipino men today are diverse. We don’t have one feature. It’s mixed. The heart, the charm, the friendliness: it’s all there. And you can see it in every look. That’s a Filipino’s style, to me. Josh? Filipino to the core. I don’t look the part. I don’t speak English like a Filipino. But, at heart, that’s who I am. And I want to show that it can come from anywhere.”

Photography Karl King Aguña

Chief of Editorial Content Patrick Ty

Creative direction Vince Uy

Art direction Mike Miguel

Fashion Ryuji Shiomitsu

Grooming and Hair Dexter Gonzalgo

Production design Rocket Design Studio

Production Francis Vicente

Fashion editor Rex Atienza

Fashion associate Corven Uy

Grooming assistant Milady Domo

Fashion assistants Bryla Kyle Doromal, Ila Dawn, and Lorenzo Rafael