Not your average cutie
Sweet and bubbly as she is, there’s more to Barbie Forteza than meets the eye
Sweet and bubbly as she is, there’s more to Barbie Forteza than meets the eye
Most people usually take a breather following a major venture, but not Barbie Forteza. Busy since the start of the year with “Meant To Be” – the hit series that ended on a high note only last June – the actress is at full throttle, this time in a film co-starring Ken Chan. Her most recent movie outing was six years ago and in an exclusive interview, she told Bulletin Entertainment she is more than excited doing one again. “For a change sa big screen naman (ang coming project ko),” she said. “Bale ito na ang pinaka-pahinga ko. ’Yung schedule naman sa pelikula mas maluwag kaysa sa TV.” The film, with working title “This Time I’ll Be Sweeter,” sees Barbie playing a news reporter. Barbie maintained she didn’t prepare much for it as she feels “wala naman masyadong kaibahan (ang pagiging reporter) sa pagiging artista.”
“Ang pagiging artista at reporter kasi kailangan lagi kang handa,” she elaborated. “Kailangan alerto ang utak mo, ’yung presence of mind mo kailangan parating nandiyan. Kailagan hindi ka ma-caught off guard.”
The biggest challenge for her is to let audiences see and feel her ability to portray different times in her character’s life.
“Honestly hindi ko naman maki-claim na totally different Barbie ’yung makikita nila dito. Pero para
sa akin, ang challenging dito, eh ’yung halos three years ’yung tinakbo ng istorya, from college up to when we are working na. So, ang gusto kong mangyari, makita nila ’yung mga nuances ng character ko,” she shared.
The film is produced by Regal Entertainment and directed by Joel Lamangan, whom Barbie is working with for the first time.
Barbie shared she has been careful not to get the ire of Joel who is known to be quite strict with his actors.
“Kaya nga ako, palagi ako maaga sa set. Mahigpit siya sa schedule eh. Tsaka hindi lang dapat ’yung present ka. Ibig sabihin kailangan pagdating mo sa set alam mo ’yung gagawin mo, hindi ka sa set magbabasa ng script. ’Pag tinanong ka kung saan nanggaling ang eksena, dapat alam mo din,” she related. Career plans Barbie made waves on social media when she donned a bikini on “Meant To Be.” While admitting to appreciate the good feedback she received for that, she is not ready to shed her sweet image. “Imi-milk ko muna ’yung baby face ko. Tsaka kasi ’pag nag-level up na ako, wala ng balikan ’yun. Ang hirap naman na kunware se-sexy ka ta’s babalik ka ulit sa tweetums so parang ang weird naman,” she
said.
Having won a Best Actress award for her performance in “Laut” at the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival, is she more picky with roles now?
“In fairness naman sa TV kasi, safe naman lahat ng roles na naibibigay sa akin kaya hindi ko kailangang maging picky. Pero in terms of
films? Diyan ako medyo metikolosa lalo na kapag indie kasi mostly medyo daring itong mga ito eh, minsan may violence, may murahan. Eh ako, aminado ako may pinapangalagaan pa din akong image as marami akong supporters na teenager. So as much as gusto kong tanggapin lahat, hindi pwede.” On being tagged as one of the better actors of her generation, Barbie demurred, “Ang hirap iclaim kasi hindi ko naman masasabi na meron akong ginagawang kakaiba kasi pare-parehas naman kami ng edad, ng experience. Pero siguro malaking tulong na rin ’yung material, ’yung
role o project na nabigay sa akin.”
Asked about her dream role, Barbie said she wants to portray a serial killer. “Kasi ang mga tao ayaw na nila ng mga stereotypes so, for a change, sana naman mabigyan ako ng chance sa ganung project.”
Keeping it simple
Being a celebrity for eight years now, Barbie is used to her life being scrutinized on media.
“Kasi para sa akin kung pinagtutuunan ako ng pansin ng mga press, ng media, ibig sabihin importante ako kahit paaano. Kahit issue pa ’yan o kahit hindi masyadong magandang article tungkol sa akin kahit papaano flattered ako kasi nag-aaksaya sila ng panahon sa akin,” she said. Though there are certain parts of her life she would want to keep private. “Minsan may mga magazine na gustong i-cover ’yung bahay ko. Parang ang sabi ko, ’yun na nga lang ’yung natatangi kong safe haven, sana hindi na makita ng tao ’yun,’” she said. The actress is currently being linked to fellow GMA actor Jak Roberto but she’d rather not talk about it – at least for now.
“Hindi naman ako suplada pagdating sa ganu’n kasi hindi ko naman siya kinakahiya, ang gusto kong akin na lang muna. Pwede naman ako mag-share pero hindi naman to the extent na in full details.
“Ang awkward din kasing pag-usapan kasi parang masyadong bragging na hindi naman lahat ng taong makakabasa nu’n may pakialam sa akin, sa buhay ko.
So, might as well ’wag ko na lang ipangalandakan since hindi naman makakatulong din,” she said. If anything, she readily admitted she and Jak are enjoying each other’s company.