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In a world where anyone can be an overnight sensation, Barbie Forteza earned her star the old-school way. Having been in the business for 13 years now, she’s someone whose fame isn’t merely dictated by the number of followers or double taps on her social media account. With a warm smile, megawatt charm, and an insane ability to breathe life into any character she portrays, she demonstrates her brilliance in a way similar to what her industry forebears would boast about.
Of course, it’s her role in the highly-raved historical fictional series Maria Clara at Ibarra that comes first in our talking points. Ever since she came to our screens as nursing student Klay who gets transported to the pages of Jose Rizal’s provocative novel Noli Me Tangere, Barbie has been getting the recognition she truly deserves.
Such a huge part of the narrative around the show has been how deeply it resonates with society’s fear of history distortion, a phenomenon that centers on dishonoring the past’s pivotal events and its implications for our present lives. The crew knew just how crucial it is to execute the concept well, and with how they nailed everything—from the colonial atmosphere of the cinematography down to the faithful fashion depiction—it’s no surprise that fans have been clamoring to put the show onto a streaming platform where the rest of the world can tune in.
Sure, all the applause sent her way may seem flattering, but Barbie perceives it as a compliment rather than a fact and downplays her skills, giving credit to the unsung heroes. “Kasama man ako o hindi, ganito kalaki talaga yung project. So I’m just really grateful na part ako ng show. Na masasabi ko na part ako nitong important milestone on GMA Primetime. I’m just so proud of everyone, especially the creative team,” she tells Cosmopolitan Philippines.
“Kasi sila yung nag-research, sila yung nagbusisi ng every detail of the show. Kaming mga actors, latter part na lang naman kami pumasok. Pero yung team, passion project nila ‘to.”
Like a number of child actors’ origin stories, Barbie’s career stemmed from her passion for the craft. She reminisces about wanting to become an artista at a young age, a decision that her parents fully supported from the get-go. From portraying the young Rhian Ramos in Stairway to Heaven to her role as Steffy Dy in Mano Po Legacy, she hustled and honed her skills until she eventually claimed her spot as one of the Kapuso Network’s big stars after more than a decade of hard work.
Despite her household name status, Barbie never let fame get to her head. As passionate as she seems, acting is business– and she has complete trust in her management to call the right shots. “I’m an independent woman with big dreams and big bills,” she jokes. “Ako naman, mahal ko naman trabaho ko. Hangga’t nago-offer sila sakin, hangga’t may binibigay sila na project, hindi ko naman tine-take for granted yun.”
That said, accepting Klay’s role was certainly a no-brainer for her, despite being unfamiliar with the novel’s storyline. ICYDK, Barbie went through an “alternative learning system” in high school, a curriculum that skipped studying Rizal’s readings. “To be honest, nung ginawa ko yung Maria Clara at Ibarra, saka ko lang siya na-appreciate,” the actress admits. “Kasi naging clouded na nga pag-iisip ko dahil sa current events. Para sakin importanteng mabalikan yung pinanggalingan para malinaw ang ating pupuntahan, as a Waze,” she says, completely nonchalant despite being a natural comedic presence on set.
Barbie confesses that she usually takes time to carve the characters she portrayed in the past, acquiring techniques from the likes of Hollywood heavyweights Meryl Streep and Viola Davis. Yet it’s a different matter altogether for Klay, whom she claims to be ninety percent inspired by her own personality. Thrown in the Spanish era where women’s rights were oppressed, and patriarchy ran the society by a mile, Klay unapologetically serves her unfiltered opinion to lead a dynamic, progressive conversation but makes it to a point to listen and take other people’s accounts in perspective.
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She shares, “Yung proseso ko ng paggawa kay Klay, hindi ganon kahirap. Kasi as a person, ang laki na din talaga nimature ko. Siguro gawa na din ng pandemic. Ang dami ko na-realize. So inincorporate ko yun kay Klay. Kasi lumaki sya ng walang tatay eh. So natuto sya at a young age na tumayo sa sarili niyang mga paa. Yung lalim, natural na lumabas sakin kasi ang daling kapitan nung script.”
She stresses her belief that one can be *woke* without needing to rise above others. “Para sakin, it’s important to be socially aware, but not to the point na you’ll shame people. Na, you take it against people because they don’t think like you. Isa yun sa mga dahilan kung bakit relevant show namin, kasi madami nakaka-relate.”
Barbie has created a character that demands a delicate hand and veteran skill to not just rely on her own understanding, but also on human complexity. “Katulad ng nangyayari sa Maria Clara at Ibarra ngayon, na kahit liberal man yung mindset niya, nasa loob ka ng very conservative na era na ganun nag-iisip. So she has to learn to adjust and adapt.”
Also, part of the reason why she celebrated when she got the role is the opportunity to work with Dennis Trillo, a leading man who seems to have not aged a day since his Adik Sa'Yo and Majika days.
Barbie certainly shares our sentiments, failing to resist Crisostomo Ibarra’s charm in her. “Ang saya kasi dati ako lang nag-iisip na posible pala yun. Ngayon, marami na kami,” she says, reacting on how she took her character’s *ship* with the actor’s. She adds that she has been looking forward to working with Dennis for quite some time now, not necessarily as a love interest—but just hoping to be with him in a show to pick his brains and learn more about his creative process.
Luckily, contrary to what the old adage says—she’s grateful to have met her hero. Barbie describes Dennis as hushed yet kind—an actor whom, despite his superstar status, acts like a normal guy on set. “Napaka-professional, punctual, never siya nale-late. At lagi mo syang makikitang may script sa kamay. Lagi talaga siyang nag-aaral ng script. So ikaw din parang mape-pressure ka na aralin yung script. Lalo na idol mo yun, so you look up to the person. So kung ano ginagawa nya, kung ano maganda tutularan mo.”
Aside from Dennis, she has also gotten closer with Fil-Chinese actor David Licauco, her love interest in the show. The pair actively exchange sweet banters on Twitter, and Barbie is honest about how special it is to find a friend in the former Mr. Chinatown winner, given that it’s already their third project together. She shares that they also bond behind the scenes, opening up to each other about personal experiences, including their struggles. “Mas naging close kami kasi mas nakilala ko siya. Siya din madami siya na-discover tungkol sakin. Dahil dun, mas naging comfortable ako around him. Alam ko na pano siya timplahin. Nag-grow kami as onscreen partners kasi professionally, naiintindihan namen isa’t-isa. So sa totoong buhay, yung friendship namin, nag-grow din.”
Barbie always puts in the effort—in acting and her personal relationships. She credits her unwavering tenacity to her parents, who cultivated in her a no-nonsense approach to life. Barbie’s dad was a tricycle driver while her mom sold yema boxes for a living. Obviously, life isn’t a bed of roses, but the simplicity made her ever-present, finding gratitude even in the smallest of moments. “Makakakain kami sa pizza restaurant 'pag mayroong may birthday. Nakakatuwa kasi laging kinakantahan ‘pag may birthday, ‘tas syempre may pa-cake. Yan yung lagi kong nilu-look forward dati. Bibili ako jacket sa department store, mga ganung simpleng bagay. Talagang tine-treasure ko.”
In Maria Clara at Ibarra, Klay got praised for her superb acting showcasing how a Gen Z personality airs her thoughts on progressive stances that challenge the status quo. While Barbie seems to share her character’s feminist take in real life, she’s also one to admit that she’s a sucker for romance—believing that there’s nothing quite like being treated with chivalry and respect by a modern-day gentleman. She goes on and shares that her boyfriend Jak Roberto went the traditional route and wooed not just her but also her parents. “Yung pagpapalaki sa akin na similar sa nangyari before is siguro yung pagiging conservative. Not necessarily strict. Pero yung wag basta basta magpapaligaw. Parang, kailangang i-earn nung guy yung matamis mong oo.”
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Despite being a ~*hopeless romantic*~, Barbie quipped that she’s all for promoting even power dynamics in a relationship. She admits that while she can be quite assertive, she believes that no relationship will thrive if pride reigns in the center. “Alam mo, minsan, medyo I would make a conscious effort to be submissive kasi minsan, nari-realize ko masyado 'kong Alpha. Yung parang, 'Okay sige, tama ka na nga,'” she says with a laugh. “Kasi most of the time, nararamdaman ko na masyado akong strong as a Leo, pero kasi ako naman, ayokong magkaron ng ganun na may isa sa atin na Alpha. Gusto namin balanse. Ise-share ko sa ‘yo yung kung ano yung mga dapat tapos ganun ka din sakin. That’s in terms of pagha-handle ng career, personal problems, or even finances, ganyan. Medyo umaabot na kami dun.”
She also acknowledges the perk that comes with working in the same industry with her beau. “Kasi I can just imagine siguro kung non-showbiz. Ang hirap i-explain. Sabihin man natin na iba career niya, ang hirap i-explain na may love interest so kailangan naming mag-push, kailangan namng i-promote. At least eto alam niya yung trabaho. If anything, pinu-push niya pa nga na mag-post kami,” she shares, referring to Jak’s support of her team-up with David.
Like most actresses her age, Barbie was also partnered with a slew of actors throughout her career. But, she debunks the myth that women like her can only thrive opposite another star. She’s asserting a new, wholly positive view of going solo. Nowadays, she’s a regular on Top Twitter trends, with an inclusion of no name but her own. “Nakaka-empower. Kumbaga tapos na ko sa phase na dependent ako sa ibang tao to grow. Ngayon, ako na lang mag-isa. So mas na-enjoy ko. Sarili kong pacing, wala akong iniintay, wala akong iniisip, wala akong kino-consider na ibang tao. Sinusunod ko yung sarili ko. I am my own boss in a way in terms of growth as an actress. Nakakatuwa.”
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“At saka kasi ever since kumalas ako sa very first love team ko, doon ko na-realize na dapat matuto akong tumayo sa sarili kong paa, magkaron ako ng sarili kong identity. Kinonsider ko siyang asset,” she adds.
Maria Clara at Ibarra might’ve solidified Barbie’s ascent as an actress, but it’s only a sampling of what’s to come. In the future, she looks forward to working with the likes of Vilma Santos, John Arcilla, and Jericho Rosales—all critically-acknowledged actors in the field. She also hopes to make more movies. Whatever happens, Barbie is out to prove that she’s more than a pretty face. “‘Di ako galing sa pamilya ng artista, ‘di ako galing sa reality search. Kung nasan man ako ngayon, lahat yun purong pagpupursigi ko talaga. And ngayon nate-take ko yung credit individually, and I don't have to give it to someone else kasi I am my own person as an actress.”
She’s a Modern Filipina, the Maria Clara whom the next-generation novelists would write about—independent, passionate, and fearless. “Para sa akin, a modern Filipina is someone who fights. Whatever life gives me, I’ll face it head-on with grace,” she concluded.
PRODUCED BY: Ira Nopuente, Andie Estella
CO-PRODUCED BY: Patricia Melliza
PHOTOGRAPHY: Borgy Angeles, assisted by Pao Mendoza
ART DIRECTION: Bacs Arcebal, Pau Moyano
STYLING: Steven Coralde, assisted by Chelsy Estrada
HAIR AND MAKEUP BY: Toni Aviles
WORDS BY: Cass Lazaro
*Disclaimer: No animals were hurt in the production of this shoot.
