Barbie Forteza Jubilant That 'The Half Sisters' Will Shoot In Japan & Extended To Air Until August

BARBIE FORTEZA says she and the other cast members of "The Half Sisters" didn't have an inkling when they started that their show would be lasting for more than a year now. At the thanksgiving presscon for the show, Director Mark Reyes says they just received word that they've been extended again up to August and it has surpassed the success of his previous long-running show, "Encantadia", that ran for only almost a year.
"All of us thought it'd be just like other afternoon shows that will run for about four months," Barbie says. "Now, as a bonus, the story will even be taken to Japan so we shall be flying there to shoot some scenes."

She says the show boosted her career a lot. "Ngayon, kahit saan ako magpunta, bata man o matanda, kilala ako as Diana, my character."

What's her most memorable scene so far? "Yung nilibing ako ng buhay. They wanted to get a double for me but I said, kaya ko yan, and so I did it myself. Nilagay ako sa kabaong at ibinaon ako sa lupa."

How about the kissing scene in the rain with Andre Paras? "Yes, memorable din yun kasi it was taken in the mountains in Tanay at 2 AM, with rain effect, so we just did it para matapos na kasi lamig na lamig na kami."
How is it working with Andre? "When we started, nagkakahiyaan pa kami. Sobra. But he's okay pala. Hindi mayabang. Now, palabiro na siya. Close na kami."

Is he wooing her? "Yung tangkad niyang yun, tapos, ganito height ko, you think liligawan niya ako? But gusto ko talaga ang show kasi yung hindi nangyayari sa'kin sa totoong buhay, nangyayari rito. Biro mo, isang matangkad at guwapong lalaki, patay na patay sa'kin. Ang karibal ko sa kanya, si Winwyn Marquez, pam-beauty queen, tapos ako pa rin ang mas gusto at hinahabol niya. I love my job!"

She was recently nominated as best supporting actress at the Urian Awards for her performance in "Mariquina". She attended the affair and people thought she's expecting that she'd win. How true? "Naku, hindi po. Never akong nag-expect o umasa kasi mas deserving talaga ang nanalo, si Ms. Gladys Reyes na tinanggap ko nang buong puso dahil idol ko siya. I attended bilang pasasalamat sa Urian na na-nominate ako. Actually, when I learned pa lang sa bahay na I was nominated, para kong luka-luka, sigaw ako nang sigaw at hindi ako makapaniwala."

But she's grateful for "Mariquina", that previously gave her an award at the Cinemalaya Filmfest, because it's her performance in that film that prompted Director Louie Ignacio to get her to play the lead role of a Badjao maiden in "Mga Isda sa Tuyong Lupa". "I'm really thankful for that at sobrang excited na akong mag-shoot kami. Gusto ko na ring mabasa ang buong script at nang mapag-aralan ko na."

And not only that, Director Mark Reyes says an independent producer is also getting the cast of "The Half Sisters" to do a movie together since they already have a sure market of their own fans who enjoy watching them daily in "The Half Sisters". "I'm keeping my fingers crossed na sana matuloy kasi family na kami ng mga kasama ko sa 'The Half Sisters' and I'd love to do a movie with all of them."