BARBIE FORTEZA is really one of the busiest among Kapuso stars.
After starring in “Mano Po Legacy” and several episodes of “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko”, she’s now back on a primetime series in “Maria Clara at Ibarra” that will replace “Lolong” starting October 3.
This is not surprising because Barbie is dependable when it comes to surveys as all her shows rate well.
Billed as a historical fantasy series, “Maria Clara at Ibarra” is a dream come true for her as she gets to co-star with her good friend Julie Anne San Jose and her long time crush, Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo.
“It’s a joy working with both of them,” she says.
“Locked in taping kami sa Ilocos and it helps na kasama ko si Julie Anne na matalik kong kaibigan, so kuwentuhan kami kapag naho-homesick ako.
"At siempre, hindi rin matatawarang makatrabaho ko ang idol ko na sa kabila ng pagiging Drama King remains very humble and very professional.”
In the re-imagined story of “Maria Clara at Ibarra”, Barbie plays Klay and she comes from the modern world. By some stroke of luck, she is thrown back into the past and so, Gen Z meets the original Ibarra and Maria Clara.
“Nang mapadpad yung character ko sa nakaraan, sa mundo ng Noli Me Tangere, doon ko makikilala lahat ng ibang characters,” adds Barbie. “The experience will change me totally, yung perspective ko sa buhay, yung pananaw ko tungkol sa pagiging isang Pilipino, pati yung views ko about love and life. Napakaganda ng pagkakasulat at ang pagkaka-direct dito ni Direk Zig Dulay kaya don’t miss it.”
She discovers that doing a historical show is not that easy.
“Talagang sobrang mabusisi and we have a historical consultant to guide us in all our scenes,” she adds.
“Very meticulous ang pagkakagawa sa kabuuan ng show, so we are all very proud of it.
"Lahat, pinag-aaralan, pati bawat galaw namin na dapat, parang yung sa mga tao nung unang panahon.
"Pati ang tamang paggamit ng pamaypay at pagtutupi ng panuelo. Mainit lang yung costumes ko pero I’m glad na-experience kong maisuot yung mga damit na ginagamit nila noong Spanish times.”
Their taping is very memorable for the whole cast.
“Inabot kami ng mga kalamidad sa set while taping in Vigan. Nagkalindol, tapos inabot din kami ng bagyo.
"Kasalukuyan kaming nagte-taping sa gitna ng famous Calle Crisologo sa Vigan nang biglang lumindol. Nawindang kaming lahat.”
She’s glad to be part of a show that is based on the immortal works of Dr. Jose Rizal, “Noli” and “Fili”.
“Malaking tulong sa mga kabataan at mga estuydante ang show namin kasi higit nilang maiintindihan ang mga obra ng ating national hero in a fun way.
"History becomes easier to learn and digest kapag pinanood nila ang ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’.”
Supporting, Barbie, Dennis and Julie Anne in the series are Tirso Cruz III as Padre Damaso, Manilyn Reynes as Narsing, Rocco Nacino as Elias, Andrea Torres as Sisa, Juancho Trivino as Pade Salvi, Juan Rodrigo as Kapitan Tiago, Dennis Padilla as Mang Adong, Ces Quesada as Tiya Isabel, plus David Licauco, Lou Veloso, Gilleth Sandico and Karenina Haniel.
How about the rumor that she and Jak Roberto have broken up?
“Ha? Break na naman kami? Teka, tawagan ko siya and I will inform him. Hahahaha!
"Nakakatawa kasi magkasama lang kaming ihatid sa airport yung sister ko at anak niyang bumalik na sa America, where they are based. Sa totoo lang, masayang-masaya kami ni Jak.
"Noong nasa lock in taping ako, siya ang nag-asikaso sa family ko, pati sa mga aso namin. I just cannot describe how happy we are right now!”