Unknown to some, before she hit it big as a Kapuso talent, Barbie Forteza was supposed to play the main antagonist in ABS-CBN’s planned remake of the classic soap opera Annaliza originally starred in by the late Julie Vega. However, said project was put on hold in 2008 until the re-boot finally pushed through in 2013 and featured Andrea Brillantes. Looking back, many ask if she had any regrets that the soap had to be temporarily shelved then.
“Well, honestly, I got disappointed because it was a huge project,” says Barbie. “It’s good that GMA gave me the break when they assigned me the part of the young Rhian Ramos in Stairway to Heaven that turned out to be a chart-topper. The rest, as they say is history. I’m happy that the management believed in my potential. It paved the way for me to establish my fan base.”
For the petite young actress, loyalty is one strong success formula.
“When the viewing public gradually took notice of me that was the time when ABS-CBN expressed their interest to get me back. Obviously, I chose to stay with GMA because they were the first one to tap my star potential. I guess, I made the right decision because the network is really taking good care of my career!”
She stars in the consistent ratings winner Meant To Be.
“I’m simply overwhelmed with the public’s support on our program since we started airing. So far, it’s doing very well. That’s why I’m always excited reporting to the set. It feels good!”
Barbie is turning 20 and is aware of her impending transition as an actress.
“That’s where I’m slightly worried. For sure, my mother studio will offer me more demanding and challenging roles that go with my age. Will I be able to deliver? So, as early as now, I prepare myself especially in the physical aspect!”
Despite this mindset, the talented star swears she won’t have a drastic change of image.
“I don’t want to have a 360 degree turn in my image because definitely, it would shock my fans. My wish is that the transition will be gradual. I don’t want to miss a stage. I want to maximize the experience I’ll get. Like the tween stage, I think I enjoyed its full swing.”
Many observe that the critically-acclaimed young star is in an enviable position when it comes to the roles she plays on screen.
“I’m thankful because there’s balance in what I do. My GMA projects are there for my avid fans but I’m lucky to appear in indie movies that bring me artistic fulfillment. I won acting plums for the Cinemalaya entry Mariquina in 2015 and Laut in 2016. In fact, the latter gave me my maiden international Best Actress trophy during the 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival in Portugal,” Barbie ends.
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Roxanne Barcelo is both happy and proud to be part of the movie Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids with Monsour Del Rosario and Vincent Soberano. The latter wrote, produced and directed the action-fantasy-horror vehicle, which will be dubbed in English.
“You’ll be seeing a different Roxanne here,” she states. “It’s my full-length action film where I play the role of an aswang slayer. It’s really a huge honor to be part of a grand production in which top martial artists are gathered together, the likes of Sir Monsour and Sir Vincent whose passion and accomplishments in the field cannot be underestimated. That’s why I really put my best foot forward in this project.”
Surprisingly, her five-year exposure to Muay Thai only helped a bit in her action routines.
“That’s right! Direk Vincent made it a point that the martial arts action sequences in Blood Hunters: Rise of the Hybrids are so unique and have never been seen before. Simply put, it’s world-class so I had to undergo intensive training. The moves are far different from what I knew in Muay Thai. That’s why I never missed any of the training sessions. I’m happy that at the end of the day, I am able to deliver.”
Roxanne stresses that what makes the fantasy-action-horror project interesting is that it would introduce in the international market some of our ancient Filipino folklore and superstitions.
“Yes, we have lots of dark characters here like the aswang, kapre, duwende and diwata that would be seen by the foreign audience. Imagine, incorporating that with topnotch action! The CGI effects are even done in Korea to further enhance the film’s value. It would really make every Pinoy proud.”
Despite the intention of exhibiting the film worldwide, the talented lass assures that the producers are determined to show it first in the Philippines.
“They plan to enter it in the 2017 Metro Manila Film Festival which I think is a smart move. I’m certain it will be a hit by then knowing the local viewers’ interest and fascination on this type of genre,” Roxanne avers.
