- Barbie Forteza recalled her audition for Stairway to Heaven
- She shared how she prepares for the roles given to her
- Barbie was previously being compared to Kathryn Bernardo
Barbie Forteza is currently one of the well-known actresses of GMA Network remembered for her heart captivating portrayals in numerous teleseryes.
As she celebrated her 10 years in the showbiz industry, the actress recalled her very first callback at the Kapuso network.
Through an exclusive interview of GMANetwork.com during a shoot for Barbie’s ArtisTakeover last June 28, she remembered how she failed quite a few times during her auditions.
“Kahit sa commercials palagi naman akong ‘di nakukuha. Meron kami laging wishful thinking ni mama na baka ito na ‘yun, na baka makita na ako finally sa TV,” she recalled.
“In the first place, hindi naman namin talaga pinush ni Mama na mag-audition dun sa Stairway. Nagkataon lang na kailangan namin sumweldo para sa pinag-extra-han namin so kailangan talaga naming lumuwas.
“E, sakto may audition, so pinuntahan na rin namin.”
A few weeks later, the then 12-year-old Barbie received a call back from the staff saying that she would be auditioning in front of director Joyce Bernal.
“Nung kinol back ako sa Stairway [to Heaven], dalawa na lang daw kaming pinagpilian for the role at mismong si binibining Joyce [Bernal] ang pipili. So, parang naisip namin na parang first time namin ginawa ito. Kasi dati nako-call back kami for Dyesebel, Darna, Marimar, pero parang mas legit ito kasi mismong direktor ‘yung titingin. May naramdaman lang kaming kakaiba nung tinawagan kami for Stairway… Na parang, baka ito na nga yun. And yun, nakuha nga, nakuha.”
And the rest, as they say, is history.
The 2009 series remake of Stairway to Heaven served as her debut in the industry. She starred as the younger Jodi Reyes (whose older version was played by Rhian Ramos) in the Philippine adaptation of the Korean drama. Since then, she has regularly featured in both television and film.
Some of her famous roles include Nita Negrita (2011), Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin (2011-2012), Vampire Ang Daddy Ko (2013), Anna KareNina (2013), The Half Sisters (2014-2016), That’s My Amboy (2016), Meant to Be (2017), Inday Will Always Love You (2018) and the recently wrapped Kara Mia.
But how does Barbie prepare for the roles given to her? “It all depends on the project,” Barbie answered.
The actress shared that with every role assigned to her, she gives her 100 percent and full commitment to it.
“Sa totoo lang, mas masaya and mas nakaka-engage ang isang project kung alam mong dedicated ‘yung buong team dun sa project na ‘yun.
“Meron akong indie film dati, ‘yung Puntod by Cesar Apolinario. Deaf-mute ‘yung role ko dun so kinailangan kong mag-sit in sa class ng mga deaf mute para lang alam ko ‘yung mga galawan nila, kung paano sila makipag-communicate sa mga tao, kung paano nila itrato ‘yung mga tao, at nag-aral din ako ng sign language noon.
“Sa Tuos naman, ‘yung pelikula na kasama ko si Ms. Nora Aunor, nag-aral kami ng Karay-A — yung mas malalim na Ilonggo. Mahirap kasi ‘pag ‘di ka sanay sa sinasabi mo tapos ‘yung emotions mo ‘di parehas kasi ‘di mo alam ‘yung sinasabi mo, e.”
She further explained, “Basta ‘pag may tinanggap ako I give my one hundred percent. Kaya kapag may trabaho na feeling ko hindi ako comfortable gawin, hindi ko na ginagawa at all. Kasi I’d rather give nothing to something na ayaw kong gawin kaysa sa i-half ass ko lang.”
The Kapuso actress was previously compared to one of ABS-CBN’s popular actresses Kathryn Bernardo since they also had the same label as Teen Queen during their younger years in showbiz.
Kathryn was once starred in a Kapuso teleserye Endless Love where she played as the young Jenny who was later played by Marian Rivera. Kathryn was paired back then with Kristoffer Martin.
Later that year, she opted to topbill the ABS-CBN drama Mara Clara with Julia Montes and turned down the Tween Hearts series, her suppose project with Barbie, Kristoffer, and Joshua Dionisio. After 9 years, she came back to GMA Network this July 12 to promote her movie with Alden Richards Hello, Love, Goodbye.
