Jak Roberto Initially Intimidated As Glaiza De Castro's Leading Man In 'Contessa', Talks About Love Affair With Barbie Forteza

JAK ROBERTO says he was initially intimidated when told he’d be one of Glaiza de Castro’s two leading men in “Contessa”. The other one is Geoff Eigenmann. “Siempre, kilala naman natin ang calibre ni Glaiza as an intense drama actress,” he says. “Napanood ko siya noon as Pirena in ‘Encantadia’ at talaga ang galing-galing niya. Ngayon, marami kaming eksenang magkasama sa ‘Contessa’ kasi ako yung best friend niya ritong may lihim napagtingin sa kanya. Pero hindi naman maipagtapat ang tunay kong damdamin kasi mas pinili niya si Mark Herras. Pero nang mapatay si Mark right on their wedding day, ako na ang naging laging karamay niya lalo nang siya ang mapagbintangang pumatay kay Mark at nabilanggo siya. Masarap siyang kaeksena dahil kailangang galingan mo rin ang acting mo para mag-level up ka sa kahusayan niya.”

Off cam, it’s common knowledge that he’s now in a relationship with Barbie Forteza. “We first got to work together two years ago sa indie film na ‘Laut’ where she won a best actress award sa isang international filmfest in Portugal. Mag-asawa kami roon, parehong Badjao, and I’m her irresponsible husband. Pero wala pa kami noon.”

It was only when he became one of Barbie’s four leading men in the hit romcom on GMA-7, “Meant to Be”, that they became closer to one another. By that time, Barbie has broken up with her first BF, Kiko Estrada. “Actually, una kong naging ka-close yung parents ni Barbie, lalo na ang Mama Amy niya. Kasi kami ng sister kong si Sanya, may pet dog, whose photos I posted sa social media. Nakita yun ni Mama Amy na mahilig din pala sa pets kaya sa set ng ‘Meant to Be’, nagkukuwentuhan kami.”

Both parents of Barbie approve of their daughter’s relationship. They both say “mabait si Jak, marespeto” and this is a good sign as it means there is no parental resistance at all. Barbie says Jak really reminds her of her own dad.

“Maalaga sila pareho,” says Barbie. “At si Jak, may strong sense of responsibility para sa sister niyang si Sanya at sa mom nila. Sa ngayon, very supportive kami sa isa’t isa. We ask each other’s comments about our work, kasi nga nasa magkaibang project kami. So gina-guide namin ang isa’t isa. Very positive talaga kami and we help each other grow.”