Barbie Forteza

Forteza is a recipient of several international and local accolades including Fantasporto International Film Festival Best Actress Award, Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Award, PMPC Star Awards for Movies New Movie Actress of the Year, three Gawad Pasado Awards, a FAMAS Award and nominations for a Seoul International Drama Award, a Gawad Urian Award, Luna Award, Young Critics Circle Award and The EDDY's Award.

• In 2017, she was awarded with Ani ng Dangal by National Commission for Culture and the Arts.

Early life and education

Barbara Ambas Forteza was born on July 31, 1997, in Biñan, Laguna, to Imelda Ambas and Tony Forteza. She has a sister named Gabrielle Forteza-Vierneza.

She graduated from high school through Department of Education Alternative Learning System in 2015. The following year, she enrolled for college with a bachelor's degree in psychology at University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Calamba Campus and took up some criminology classes during her freshman year.

Career

Forteza made her television debut at the age of 12, where she played as young Jodi in GMA Network's remake of the 2003 South Korean television drama series, Stairway to Heaven. She bagged her first lead role as Cyndi Gomez in First Time. Forteza also appeared in several movies such as: Tween Academy: Class of 2012, The Road and the indie film, Puntod in which she won as New Movie Actress of the Year in the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. In April 2013, Forteza released her self-titled album, Barbie Forteza under MCA Records with the carrier single, Meron Ba which was used as the theme song for GMA Network's Koreanovela, Big.

In 2014, Forteza was chosen to play one of the lead roles in the television series, The Half Sisters, alongside Thea Tolentino. The afternoon series ran for nearly two years. In August, she won the Best Supporting Actress award in the new breed category at the 10th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, for the film Mariquina, portraying a teenage version of Mylene Dizon's character Imelda.

In 2016, she won the Best Actress Award in 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival when she portrayed a sea gypsy for the indie film, Laut.

She gained widespread recognition for her role in the 2022 fantasy drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra, where her on-screen partnership with actor David Licauco garnered significant public support. Building on the success of their partnership, they went on to work together in the film That Kind of Love and in several television projects, including Maging Sino Ka Man and Pulang Araw.

Philanthropy

Forteza celebrated her birthday with kids of the Philippine Children Medical Center in 2014. She is one of the goodwill ambassadors for Smile Train Philippines. and she made a surprised visit to Smile Train Philippines Christmas Party and brought gifts to the children in 2018.

Forteza and her on-screen partner David Licauco were named as newest ambassadors Save the Children Philippines in 2024.

In April 2025, she's an advocate for fitness and health and joined back to back charity fun-run for the benefit of I Want to Share Foundation which helps children with cancer and finished a 5 kilometer run for Takbo Babae for woman's advocacy. She also completed a 10 kilometer run for Save the Children Philippines which helps improve the lives of the children.

Personal life

Forteza previously dated actors Miguel Tanfelix and Kiko Estrada. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Jak Roberto from 2017 to 2024. The couple first worked in the romantic comedy TV series Meant to Be.

In November 2025, she confirmed to being happy and single.

Filmography

Television series

Television variety shows

Television comedy shows

Television anthologies

Film

Discography

Albums

Awards and recognitions

References

References

1. Pornel, Atom. (January 9, 2020). "Barbie Forteza finally claims Kapuso Primetime Princess title as she celebrates 10 years with GMA-7 {{!}} Pikapika {{!}} Philippine Showbiz News Portal".
2. "Barbie Forteza".
3. Anarcon, James Patrick. (January 28, 2022). "Barbie Forteza: Bankable female star".
4. (3 July 2015). "Barbie Forteza, Vaness del Moral earn high school diplomas".
5. (23 November 2016). "Barbie Forteza describes her ideal man".
6. (10 August 2016). "Will Barbie be a 'crime-buster'?".
7. PEP.ph. (September 10, 2009). "Stairway to Heaven will air pilot episode on September 14 - PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". pep.ph.
8. Tuason, Doods. (June 2010). "Today's Most Influential Kids, Tweens, and Teens". Yellow Pages Ink.
9. PEP.ph. (June 5, 2013). "Barbie Forteza releases her self-titled debut album - PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". pep.ph.
10. PEP.ph. (August 10, 2014). "Nora Aunor leads winners of Cinemalaya 2014 - PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". pep.ph.
11. (February 24, 2023). "David Licauco and Barbie Forteza's looks that prove they're a match".
12. (June 26, 2024). "Barbie, David bring partnership to the big screen".
13. (3 January 2025). "7 times Barbie Forteza proved she is a strong independent woman".
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15. (6 December 2018). "WATCH: Barbie Forteza, muling bumisita sa Smile Train Philippines".
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17. "Barbie and David named as Save the Children Ambassadors".
18. (6 April 2025). "Barbie Forteza joins her first fun run".
19. (14 April 2025). "Barbie Forteza finishes another advocacy run".
20. (12 April 2025). "Barbie Forteza completes 10 kilometer run for children's charity".
21. (February 9, 2023). "Barbie Forteza: Bankable female star".
22. (February 27, 2017). "Barbie Fortaleza reacts on Kiko Estrada's 'I still love her' comment".
23. Crucillo, Karen Juliane. (January 2, 2025). "Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto break up; actress asks for respect, privacy".
24. (August 13, 2023). "JakBie relationship timeline: how they met, milestones, and more".
25. "Barbie Forteza single ang lovelife status; balik-takbo pero solo".
26. "IN PHOTOS: Barbie Forteza's on-screen love teams {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
27. PEP.ph. (May 23, 2014). "Barbie Forteza and Thea Tolentino to face off in The Half Sisters - PEP.ph: The Number One Site for Philippine Showbiz". pep.ph.
28. "Abangan si Ruru Madrid at Barbie Forteza sa 'Dangwa'! {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
29. "Five things to know about Barbie Forteza-Andre Paras starrer That's My Amboy".
30. "COMMENTARY: Barbie Forteza catches attention of four hunks in Meant to Be".
31. "EXCLUSIVE: What you've missed sa pagpasok ni Barbie Forteza bilang Pearly sa 'Super Ma'am' {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
32. "Inday Will Always Love You Archives - Page 3 of 3".
33. (January 17, 2019). "GMA Network's "Kara Mia" gets conflicting feedback; Barbie Forteza, Mika dela Cruz react".
34. "Barbie Forteza at Andre Paras, muling magtatambal? {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
35. "Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday".
36. "Barbie kontrabida? Barbie Forteza, kinaiinisan ng mga manonood ng 'Heartful Café' {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
37. Atilano, Joseph R.. (December 19, 2021). "Young stars of 'Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune' talk about their Chinese traditions, practices".
38. "Pilot episode ng 'Maria Clara at Ibarra,' nag-trend sa Twitter Philippines".
39. Shackleton, Liz. (2025-04-21). "GMA Network & CreaZion Team With Viu On Philippines Drama Series 'Beauty Empire'".
40. "Barbie Forteza, balik-Sunday noontime show".
41. (April 25, 2012). ""Tweets for my Sweet," coming your way this May on GMA7".
42. (March 11, 2021). "Barbie Forteza expresses satisfaction over her title as Kapuso Primetime Princess".
43. "Pepito Manaloto Teaser Ep. 259: JakBie sa 'Pepito Manaloto' this September 16".
44. (March 1, 2023). "Barbie Forteza expresses satisfaction over her title as Kapuso Primetime Princess".
45. (April 3, 2017). "In Eat Bulaga's Lenten Special; Maine takes on most difficult role yet".
46. "WATCH: Barbie Forteza in 'Elehiya'".
47. "IN PHOTOS: Si Barbie Forteza bilang si Bonita Baran sa 'Magpakailanman' {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
48. "Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto banner Wagas' second story "Wait Lang...Is This Love?" {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
49. "Barbie Forteza to show another iconic role in 'I Can See You: The Lookout' {{!}} GMA Entertainment".
50. "Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko: The real identity of Captain Barbie {{!}} Full Episode 3".
51. "GMANetwork.com - Pictures - List of GMA Pictures Projects".
52. "Meet Tween Academy: Class of 2012".
53. "Barbie Forteza got frightened while shooting The Road".
54. (December 8, 2011). "GMA Films & Imus Productions launch Panday 2".
55. (December 27, 2012). "The problem with being pa-sosy".
56. "Barbie Forteza, nagbigay ng ilang detalye sa horror movie nila ni Kris Aquino".
57. "Barbie Forteza shares her favorite scene from her 2014 indie film 'Mariquina'".
58. "Francis Magundayao and Jon Lucas fight over Barbie Forteza in EwanKoSau Saranghaeyo (I Lab Yu)".
59. "MOVIE REVIEW: Barbie Forteza gives face to minorities in Laut".
60. "CINEMALAYA 2016 REVIEW: Nora Aunor and Barbie Forteza have exemplary performances in Tuos".
61. (November 11, 2017). "'This Time I'll Be Sweeter' review: Toxic romance".
62. (April 2018). "Barbie and Derrick's 'Almost a Love Story'".
63. "Barbie Forteza, Eugene Domingo to star together in Netflix's 'Kontrabida Academy' {{!}} GMA News Online".
64. (26 May 2023). "KathNiel, Barbie Forteza, Julie Anne San Jose, and Dennis Trillo Are Seoul International Drama Awards 2023 Nominees".
65. (April 15, 2023). "Barbie Forteza, David Licauco, and Andrea Torres win awards for 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' anew". GMA Entertainment.
66. (November 18, 2022). "Gawad Lasallianeta nominates 'Maria Clara at Ibarra' for awards". The Asian Affairs.
67. (January 4, 2023). "Kapuso talents and shows earn nominations at the 7th GEMS Awards". Head Topics.
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72. "RAWR AWARDS 2022".
73. (October 19, 2020). "VOTE NOW! RAWR AWARDS 2020".
74. "#WINNER: Mga natanggap na award ni Barbie Forteza".
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78. (December 7, 2016). "Inquirer Indie Bravo! toasts an a-list year for PH films".
79. "Barbie Forteza wins Best Actress award for indie film 'Laut' at an International Film Festival".
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84. (January 1, 2023). "Philippine Entertainment in 2022: The Year's 11 Most Memorable Female Performances".
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86. "IN PHOTOS: Celebrities na kabilang sa '100 Most Beautiful Stars' 2018".
87. "31st Star Awards for TV nominees revealed; JoshLia, JakBie to receive special awards".
88. "Jennylyn Mercado and Barbie Forteza earn their stars at German Moreno's Walk of Fame".
89. "Barbie Forteza surprised by Star Awards nomination: "Hindi ko akalain!"".