Joshua: Hey, everyone. Welcome back to All Yellow Joshua. Today, I am joined with my best friend for nine years, Vell Barria official. And for today’s podcast, we’re going to talk about our friendship. No, Bestie would you mind me introducing all our friendships and everything?

Vell Barria: You forgot to introduce me.

Joshua: I didn’t-

Vell Barria: Come on.

Joshua: I did introduce you. What are you talking about?

Vell Barria: Introduce me.

Joshua: We’re just trolling. We just wanted to be in the comedic and everything. So what do you call? I did introduce you. I said Vell Barria official. Oh my gosh. Okay. Do you want one more introduction?

Vell Barria: Yeah.

Joshua: Okay. Now introducing the all blue girl of the Philippines, my best friend, one of the best singers of all time in her generation, the Vell Barria official. Woo. Yay. So, okay. So we first met in Simbang Gabi. When you say Simbang Gabi way back in the Philippines, it’s basically a nine day church celebration wherein you hear mass before Christmas. Now we met in one of those days because we attended the same choir. However, when I auditioned to the choir, she wasn’t present. And now when I went to the choir, I was giving away rosaries for people, asked me Christmas gifts and everything. And I saw her, she had the brightest smile on her face. I still remember that very day when she looked at me and she approached me, “Hey, you’re Joshua, right? You’re the yellow guy.” And I’m like, “Yeah, yeah.” And at that, then she was wearing red, but now she’s all blue. And that’s just how we became friends. You know that feeling you guys when we meet someone? You can always say, “Hi. Hello, how are you,” and everything. However, there’s always that one friend, that one special connection that you will feel inside your heart, that the moment you guys meet, the moment your eyes lock into each other. And the moment you guys finally breathe the same air that you guys are… You would really, really know that she’s your best friend. Now, two years later, April 21, 2016, we finally became best friends. Now, Bestie tell your side of the story and how this exciting friendship came. Hold on your turn up the floor. I’ve been talking.

Vell Barria: I was wearing the choir stuff and I was trying to deal with the discrimination in my second choir that I’ve served. Not the first one, but the second one that I’ve served for the [inaudible 00:01:59] choir. No name names, I was in serious triggers and pain because I was judged for being autistic. So I think that the challenge begins with this. If we’re really best friends or… So when I cried to my BFF, Joshie, I cried to you on the phone saying that, “Hey, I’m not even comfortable around my choir.” But who came? Of all, you came.

Joshua: Yeah. I-

Vell Barria: And I remember Starbucks and-

Joshua: Aww.

Vell Barria: … it was really one of the best, first memories I’ve ever seen with you. And the rest is history.

Joshua: Our first streak with each other, right?

Vell Barria: Yeah.

Joshua: OK. So back story, you guys with that Starbucks thing, because here’s the thing I have seen how good of a singer Val is. She’s really one of the best singers when you hear her voice it’s as if an angel is going down from heaven, just to give, bless us with her time. It’s been a long day. You guys, so excuse me if I’m stuttering from time to time. Anyways, you guys. And then she called me. She felt like she wasn’t being used to her full potential. She wasn’t really being acknowledged as a good singer and everything. And I felt for her because I personally know what it’s like to not be acknowledged the way I’m supposed to be acknowledged. I’m not saying I’m entitled or anything. All I’m just saying is of course I know what I deserve. And I know that’s not for me. Same goes for Val. Now, when she called me around that time, echoing to what she said, I did tell you, “You want to go to Starbucks?” And she used to say, “Yeah.” Can you demonstrate how you said, “Yeah.”

Vell Barria: Yeah.

Joshua: Oh, so you’ve done very cute. Yeah. So when she said that, I was like, “Okay.” So we went to Starbucks. I treated her waffles and caramel. She also treated me the same thing. She also got the extra mocha because she was craving for something sweet and chocolate. And I was like, “You know what? You’re my best friend.” And she said the same thing. We hugged. We screamed. We laughed. We talked around in circles. And we talked and talked again until we finally just ended up going home, laughing with big smiles on her face. And most of all, you would really know and feel that connection inside your heart, the moment things just escalate really quickly. It doesn’t matter if you met this person for a week. Doesn’t matter if you met this person for a year. All that matters is if you’re happy, if you know in your heart that this friendship can grow together, what’s stopping you? Life is so short. You never really know when your last day on earth is over. As we stand up, as we eat, as we breathe, as we look at our phones, as we bend down to get something, we’re aging every day. And the moment you made someone happy, I tell you the biggest blessing from heaven is arriving. And God will bless you with a youthful smile that will forever be scored in each other’s hearts. And I think that’s what I felt with Val. You know you’re my best friend for nine years. I honestly have had a lot of friends. I’ll be honest. And at one point I did tell myself, “Okay, they could be my next bestie. But in truth be told, no one is like you, Val. And I say this with the biggest form of flattery and sincerity that there is because I love you to death. And most of all, you just have a heart that has been through a lot and has never been broken. So without further ado, going nine years in our friendship, all I could really say without going through many details of all, this friendship has been so strong. How we have been through so much together. We grew up both in the Philippines. And the fact that we’re meeting here, here in America! Isn’t that crazy? Oh my gosh. So I think I’ve shared my part and it’s Val’s turn. So yeah.

Vell Barria: And I want to answer the question. So-

Joshua: So yeah.

Vell Barria: That I would like to answer it. How do you keep… Well, how do we keep our friendship strong?

Joshua: Prayers?

Vell Barria: It’s not just prayers. It’s about… Let me give you some top three. Number one is prayers. We pray for each other and we pray for one another. And we pray that we stick together as we keep an open communication because open communication, just like our marriage is very important, not just in marriage, our boyfriend, girlfriend relationship. It is also about with BFFs, with best friends forever, because some relationships cannot maintain because the prayer is missing. Open communication is missing. And the third one I’m going to be very straightforward to talk about is how you stick together if you go for a lot of mistakes. And nobody’s perfect in this world. And nobody’s even perfect. I mean, Josh made mistakes. We’re sinners. And if you guys are Christians or Catholics or any religion, if God is the center of your relationship, then that is number one, because even though if you’re not religious, then just be kind because you do not know when other people need that.

Joshua: Exactly. Amen. High five, Bestie. There we go. That’s my best friend, you all. I’m so proud to have her. I may not be autistic or God knows what I am all. All I’m just really so thankful with our friendship is that, Hey, we did maintain it through prayers because we do go to church together. We still honor God together. Despite the fact that she’s Christian. I’m Catholic. She was formerly Catholic. And most of all, we did have this strong buildup of foundation that truly kept us all together. And some of the things that we have in common are singing, having a huge amount of love for our favorite colors, and then we love French fries.

Vell Barria: Lots of pizza too.

Joshua: Oh my God. Pizza, pizza, pizza.

Vell Barria: Pizza, pizza.

Joshua: And of course, and most of all, we both have loving sincerity hearts because truth be told, the world already is a negative place, you guys. So why add that to it? Right, Val? And the fact that we connected in such a powerful and strong and beautiful bond. It says a lot for all of us. We’re not perfect, you guys. We’re not the best, best friends of all. People can’t say, “Oh my God, you’re Besties.” Well, thank you for that. We’re inspired by that. But at the same time, we also have our fallouts. We also have our breakups. We also have our misunderstandings. We also have our own differences. But despite the fact that God made a way for us to remain together and throughout all the years. Imagine nine years we were able to really, really… You’re good. You’re good. We were able to really get it here. So yeah. You know what I mean? So thank you so much, Val, for inviting me here. And hopefully this visit will not be the last, but I absolutely love it. So yeah.

Vell Barria: But before we go to the next question, another from my side, because you got the most part anyway. So what are some things you have in common is the open-minded and the openheartedness, because open-mindedness goes scientifically thinking. You got to think of the depth, the deeper perspective. And it’s not just about like, “Oh, oh, this is not good.” We judge quickly.

Joshua: Exactly.

Vell Barria: But in our case… In my case, I judge quickly.

Joshua: I’m glad you admitted that.

Vell Barria: It’s… I don’t know how to think that deep. But I got to realize that I have to think deep before judging things.

Joshua: Amen.

Vell Barria: So what we… I’m not just-

Joshua: I’m so happy that you’re actually admitting that in the podcast because it just shows the sincerity and authenticness that we both have for each other. So I’m proud of you, Bestie, for admitting that. I love you.

Vell Barria: Love you, too.

Joshua: Yay!

Vell Barria: And another thing we have in common is that he counted the makeup.

Joshua: Oh yeah. Oh my gosh. We’re going to talk about that makeup? Really?

Vell Barria: Yeah. He loves makeup.

Joshua: You love makeup. Well, what are you talking about?

Vell Barria: But there is a shade that… You want me to say it? Concealer’s his favorite.

Joshua: Maybelline is my favorite! What are you talking about?

Vell Barria: No! Concealer was your favorite because she conceal the negative energy.

Joshua: Yeah. And it can cover up all our mistakes in the past. Yes. Okay. Now-

Vell Barria: But I have this curiosity. Someone makes it. Someone’s asking, “What does it mean to have Joshua in the Autism NetWORK?”

Joshua: Oh, that floor is yours. I’m not… I can’t speak for myself. Okay.

Vell Barria: For my Joshie, prior to him visiting the Charleston city, South Carolina, he wants… His goal is to really meet me. But when me and David brought up the A and N, I want him to feel at home. And he felt at home in a literal perspective. And nothing much more to say. He was able to have good bunch of friends. He was able to feel at home. Feel like a family, which the Autism NetWORK, we have support system here together.

Joshua: Thank you.

Vell Barria: And really-

Joshua: Thank you, Bestie. I appreciate that.

Vell Barria: If you’re happy, then I’m happy. Even though, I hope I could have the same, but-

Joshua: And it feels like home.

Vell Barria: Gotcha.

Joshua: Right? There we go.

Vell Barria: Yep!

Joshua: And most of all, I feel like echoing what Val said. Just seeing the logo, autism network, red, yellow, and blue. It symbolizes our home country because the Philippines flag consists of a red, blue and Philippine stars, which are yellow. Of course, my favorite color. And then your favorite colors are actually blue and red and I met you when you were red and now you’re all blue. So can you imagine seeing that logo? It warmed my heart to the point where I have to be here. And guys, just for a fun fact. I have a vlog called I finally got to see my best friend. It’s true. 895 days I waited just to finally reunite with her and the fact that God blessed me, the money, the sources, the ticket, the cheap fare.

Vell Barria: Provisions.

Joshua: Yeah, exactly. To see you. It’s the best blessing in the world. Honestly, I can’t really ask for more. That’s why when you told me that, “Hey, I’m sorry, I can’t take you here.” And I went, “I don’t care about those things. I don’t care about the money. I don’t care about the gifts. I don’t even care about some other things. All I care is to hug you finally. And just to see you, because what good will I get out of those material things if I can’t see my best friend.” Right? So, yeah.

Vell Barria: But before I do the side one, the follow-up question that comes into my mind is what would we do if we have conflicts and mishaps? We need to open up together.

Joshua: Oh yeah, definitely.

Vell Barria: We don’t hate each other just because we made a mistake.

Joshua: Yeah. Definitely.

Vell Barria: And we admitted that we broke up because a part of it is we’re not ready to speak up and second we want to cool off.

Joshua: No, I think the better word for that is it’s just not appropriate to share it in public. She knows what I’m talking about. I know what I’m talking about. It’s okay. It’s okay. You know what you’re talking about. I know what I’m talking about. We can’t talk about it.

Vell Barria: We can talk about it-

Joshua: We cannot talk about it.

Vell Barria: … down the line. But-

Joshua: But yeah. It is true. We did break up twice, but we were younger. We were-

Vell Barria: Naive.

Joshua: Yes. We were not in a place where we were thinking as adults. Now that we’re grown up, I’m not… We’re not mature, you guys. I’m not saying we’re mature. In fact, I can testify to the whole word that, “Hey, I have a lot to learn in life.”

Vell Barria: So do I.

Joshua: Yeah. However, I can testify with all my heart at the same time that I have grown up from that younger Joshua, from way, way back. You have grown up as well, Val, and I’ve seen your growth as a person. I saw it. Your husband, David, saw it. The communities have seen it. And most of all, you yourself have grown so much from the person that you were 10 years ago. I’ve seen it. I’ve lived it. And I am so proud of you, Bestie.

Vell Barria: Thank you.

Joshua: Now, I guess what we will do with this visit is that I was hoping… We were hoping rather not I, because with you and I Bestie, I’m not a me, we are a we.

Vell Barria: We’re a we.

Joshua: So we were hoping that we could perform for the autism network. We would like have to share our voice. Share a chance to inspire other people because like I mentioned earlier, the world already is a negative place so why add up to it? So I guess, I can wish with all my heart that maybe I could have more time for this. We have more time for this rather. But if we’re given only 20 minutes to talk about it, then it’s okay. Something’s better than nothing. That’s the world of positivity. Right? So yeah. Right? So it doesn’t matter if you only have like a sandwich or French fries or even just water, right? What matters is you have food. Many people are starving out there. They don’t even have a dollar to buy a burger. But the fact that we have little blessing. You can always get back food. You can always get back money.

Vell Barria: Everything.

Joshua: You can always get back material stuff. You can always get back private stuff. But you cannot get back your time because once your time is over, oh my gosh, you guys, that’s why I offer everything to God and how to maintain the friendship. Because just for a short song, God, thank you so much for blessing us this opportunity to be able to share our story. It may not be the best story in the world. I’m not saying it is. All I’m just saying is to be given the opportunity to share our story, to share on behalf of me and my Bestie, how much this would mean to us. And most of all, how to thank God for it. It will really mean the world for us. So God, I know you’re listening to this. (singing)
So thank you so much, God, for everything. I can wish with all my heart to have all the time in the world to talk about this, but however, in your time, in your perfect, perfect time, I know you will bless us with the blessing that our heart’s desire truly have been desiring from the very beginning, from the day we were born, from the moment we got the opportunity to join this community. And for most of all, the moment you bless my best friend, Val, with a talent to soar high, to sing really well. And most of all share her talent that she may never know for all that she lives that will forever change someone’s life. So that’s all I’m going to have to say. My voice is already aching from all the talking. Guys, this is a raw and real recording. No music, no edit. So.

Vell Barria: Unfiltered.

Joshua: Yeah, of course. So Bestie, you do the talking.

Vell Barria: Oh my gosh. You carry 90 or 80% of all the podcast.

Joshua: Hey, not 90, more like 70. Goodness gracious.

Vell Barria: Admit it, man. All right. So my last thoughts about this is like I said, that you stick together as friends. Not just friends as someone you love. Is that in marriage, relationship, friendship because nowadays there’s no such thing as sustainability when everybody else were thinking that they’re perfect, blah, blah, blah. And one thing’s for sure that… I don’t even know what to say because you said it all.

Joshua: Mm-hmm (affirmative).

Vell Barria: But for me, I mean, I’m… After learning, we’re… We learn from mistakes and we’re learning from imperfections because I do have imperfections. Even though we’re so influential to the people. We see ourself as not perfect humans. We’re just good and learning people. We’re just learning. We’re just learning.

Joshua: And growing.

Vell Barria: We’re just growing. We’re growing because if we’re just like, “Oh, I know everything. I know everything. I don’t learn anything.” I am not ready to grow and I’m not ready to accept whatever opportunities may be. So I present this. So I try to use this kind of learning experience as also opportunities. And I use opportunity like being with you. Being with you, even though we have mishaps in life and even though we have misunderstanding and sometimes we have lack of communication, sometimes.

Joshua: Amen.

Vell Barria: We’re still able to patch things up, which is one of the things that in a friendship we want to do so bad. Let’s patch things up. Let’s open up together while we still can. And of course let’s let it out.

Joshua: Exactly. So, guys, I love you, Bestie, for sharing all of those. You know how much you mean to my heart. And like I said earlier, I can wish that we could talk about this all day. I could talk to all of you guys forever about this, but unfortunately… What do you call this? Time is in our essence. And so to end this all, Bestie, would you like to sing our song for them? Okay. (singing)

Vell Barria: (Singing).

Joshua: Yay. I love you, Bestie. Feel free to subscribe to all of our-

Vell Barria: Love you, Bestie.

Joshua: … YouTube channel, All Yellow Joshua, Vell Barria official. We love you guys so much. And thank you. Shout out to you Autism Network. Shout out to Lisa, to everyone involved in this podcast. Thank you doctors. Thank you. You’re doing great job. On behalf of all your patients, you guys are a blessing. Continue to be a blessing because you never know who needs it the most. Whoa, let’s do this!