# Barbie Forteza

Barbara Ambas "Barbie" Forteza (born July 31, 1997) is a Filipino singer-actress and television personality. Her critically acclaimed movies are Mariquina (2014), Laut (2016), Tuos (2017) and Almost a Love Story (2018). She is known for playing a strong female character in drama series The Half Sisters, Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday but she gained wider recognition after starring in drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra (2023), Maging Sino Ka Man (2023) and Pulang Araw (2024).
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 Gaward 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.

## 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 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.

## 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.

## Filmography
### Television series

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
| 2009 | Stairway to Heaven | young Jodi Reyes | GMA Network |
| 2010 | First Time | Cyndi Gomez | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Pilyang Kerubin | Charity Santos / Charity Dimaano | GMA Network |
| 2010–12 | Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts | Barbara "Bambi" Fortez | GMA Network |
| 2010–11 | Jillian: Namamasko Po | Maggie Molina | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Nita Negrita | Antoinette / Nita Raymundo / Nita Negrita / Netnet | GMA Network |
| 2011–12 | Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin | Katherine Somera / Mylene Avelino Fuentebella | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Luna Blanca: Ang Ikalawang Yugto | teen Blanca Sandoval Buenaluz | GMA Network |
| 2012–13 | Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa | Mariposa de Guzman / Princess Aira | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Anna Karenina | Anna Karenina "Karen" Zamora / Anna Karenina "Karen" Villarama | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Genesis | Faith | GMA Network |
| 2014–16 | The Half Sisters | Diana Mercado Alcantara / Diana Mercado Valdicañas | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Dangwa | Mary "Yaya May Flower" Catacutan | GMA Network |
| 2016 | That's My Amboy | Maria Rosario "Maru" Carreon Tapang / Maria Rosario "Maru" Tapang Romero | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Meant to Be | Maria Belinda "Billie" Bendiola | GMA Network |
| 2017 | My Love from the Star | Herself | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Super Ma'am | Pearly | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Inday Will Always Love You | Happylou "Inday" Magtibay Fuentes / Happylou "Inday" Fuentes-Melendez | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Kara Mia | Kara Machado Lacson | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Love You Two | Venus | GMA Network |
| 2020–21 | Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday | Ginalyn Agpangan Escoto | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Heartful Café | Corazon "Cors" | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune | Steffy Dy | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss | Steffy Dy | GMA Network |
| 2022–23 | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Maria Clara "Klay" Infantes | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Maging Sino Ka Man | Monique Salazar-Santos / Dino | GMA Network |
| 2024 | Pulang Araw | Adelina "Chinita" dela Cruz | GMA Network |

### Television variety shows

| Year | Title | Note(s) | Network |
| 2009–10 | SOP | Performer | GMA Network |
| 2010–13 | Party Pilipinas | Performer / Co-host | GMA Network |
| 2013–15 | Sunday All-Stars | Performer / Co-host | GMA Network |
| 2015–19 | Sunday PinaSaya | Supporting cast / Co-host | GMA Network |
| 2020; 2021–present | All-Out Sundays | Guest (2020); Main host / Performer (since 2021) | GMA Network |
| 2023–24 | It's Showtime | Guest / Performer / Judge | Kapamilya Channel Jeepney TV ALLTV A2Z GMA Network GTV |

### Television comedy shows

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
| 2010 | JejeMom | Angelene "Angel" Arevalo | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Tweets for My Sweet | Adele Reyes | GMA Network |
| 2013–16 | Vampire ang Daddy Ko | Girlie / Boyong | GMA Network |
| 2016–18 | Pepito Manaloto | KatKat | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Daddy's Gurl | Pureza | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Happy Together | Michelle Mendoza | GMA Network |

### Television anthologies

| Year | Title | Role(s) | Network |
| 2009–10 | Dear Friend: My Christmas List | Abby / Abigail | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Maynila: Step Yes, Step No | Carly | GMA Network |
| 2010 | Claudine: Madrasta | Eliza | GMA Network |
| 2011 | Spooky Nights: Ang Manananggala (Battle of the Half-Sisters) | Marvi | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Maynila: True as Gold | Mira | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Spooky Nights: Kalansay | Cheska | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Maynila: Bet Kita | Pam | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Magpakailanman: Chef with no Hands (The Maricel Apatan Story) | young Maricel Apatan | GMA Network |
| 2012 | Maynila: Love Express | Un­known | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: Trust in Love | Un­known | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: Room for Love | Geri | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: Prinsesa ng Pag-ibig | Prince / Princess | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: Tibok at First Sight | Abby | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: Care Giver | Un­known | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Maynila: My Brother's Lover | Jenny | GMA Network |
| 2013 | Magpakailanman: Kambal na Sapi | Cristine | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Maynila: Spirit of the Heart | Carrie | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Maynila: Love Pretends | Carla | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Wagas: Randolf and Mel Love Story | Mel | GMA News TV |
| 2014 | Maynila: Love in Between | Rachel | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Maynila: Mimay Luv | Mimay | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Maynila: One True Heart | Erin | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Maynila: Queen of My Heart | Lauren | GMA Network |
| 2014 | Wagas: Ang Mga Pag-ibig ni Datu Ambiong | Un­known | GMA News TV |
| 2015 | Maynila: Finding Mr. Right | Apple | GMA Network |
| 2015 | Maynila: Status, It's Complicated! | Monique | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Dear Uge: My Yaya Poser | May | GMA Network |
| 2016 | Magpakailanman: Anak sa Mundo ng Droga | Ava | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Eat Bulaga!'s Lenten Presentation: Mansyon | Yayen Neruda | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Tatay Pitong at Pilyong Nokyo | Starla | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Tadhana: Beauty and Bahrain | Mimay | GMA Network |
| 2017 | Maynila: Love Potion | Drew | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Magpakailanman: Ang Babaeng Tinimbang Ngunit Sobra (The Melinda Mara Story) | Melinda "Dang" Mara | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Tadhana: Ola Kala | Jessica | GMA Network |
| 2018 | APT Entertainment Lenten Presentation: Elehiya | Lucia | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Wagas: Love at Panganib (The Erick and Gia Fernandez Love Story) | Gia Fernandez | GMA News TV |
| 2018 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs | Snow White | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Maynila: My Sister's Secret | Elvie | GMA Network |
| 2018 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Okay Ka, Genie Ko! | Genie Lyn | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lola Enchanted | Genie Lyn | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Magpakailanman: Ang Pagmulat ng Binulag na Kasambahay (The Bonita Baran Story) | Bonita "Bonet" Baran | GMA Network |
| 2019 | Wagas Presents: Wait Lang... Is This Love? | Mayumi "Yummy" Bubuyog | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Sa Ilalim ng Buwan | Kayla | GMA Network |
| 2020 | Magpakailanman: My Everlasting Love (The Joji and Alyssa Mendoza Story) | Alyssa Mendoza | GMA Network |
| 2021 | I Can See You: The Lookout | Emma Castro | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Captain Barbie | Captain Barbie | GMA Network |
| 2021 | Regal Studio Presents: My Birthday Wish | Joana | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Magpakailanman: My Bipolar Mom | Ashley | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lelang and Me | Scarlet / Luningning | GMA Network |
| 2022 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Bida Kontrabida | Sleeping Beauty | GMA Network |
| 2023 | Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lady and Luke | Lady | GMA Network |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 2007 | Shake, Rattle and Roll 9 | Young Marionne (segment: Bangungot) |
| 2009 | Puntod | Baby |
| 2009 | Ang Darling Kong Aswang | Aileen |
| 2009 | Wapakman | Patitang Meneses |
| 2010 | Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote | Bratty |
| 2011 | Tween Academy: Class of 2012 | Kara |
| 2011 | The Road | Ella |
| 2011 | Ang Panday 2 | Bilara |
| 2012 | Sossy Problems | Becca |
| 2012 | Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako | Barbie |
| 2013 | My Little Bossings | Rosy |
| 2014 | Full Moon | Mica |
| 2014 | Mariquina | Young Imelda |
| 2015 | Saranghaeyo #ewankosau | Calixta "Kai" Luna |
| 2016 | Laut | Nadia |
| 2016 | Tuos | Dowokan |
| 2017 | This Time I'll Be Sweeter | Erika |
| 2018 | Almost A Love Story | Baneng |
| 2024 | That Kind Of Love | Milagros "Mila" Maharlika |
| TBA | Kontrabida Academy | |

## Discography
### Albums

| Year | Title | Album Details |
| 2013 | Meron Ba | Released: April 2013 Label: MCA Music Formats: CD, digital download |

## Awards and recognitions

Performance Awards :
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Nominated Work | Result |
| 2023 | Seoul International Drama Awards | Outstanding Asian Star Prize | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2023 | 25th Gawad PASADO Awards | PinakaPASADOng Aktres sa Telebisyon | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Won |
| 2023 | 25th Gawad PASADO Awards | PinakaPASADOng Dangal ng Kabataan | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Won |
| 2023 | 12th Northwest Samar State University Students' Choice Awards for Radio and Television | Best Actress in Primetime Teleserye | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Won |
| 2023 | The 5th Gawad Lasallianeta | Most Outstanding Actress in a Drama Series | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2023 | 7th GEMS Awards 2023 | Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (TV Series) | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Won |
| 2023 | Platinum Stallion National Media Awards | Best Drama Actress | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Won |
| 2023 | 4th VP Choice Awards | TV Actress of the Year | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2022 | 3rd Annual TAG Awards Chicago | Best Actress | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2022 | LionhearTV RAWR Awards | Actress of the Year | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2022 | LionhearTV RAWR Awards | Bida Ng Taon | Maria Clara at Ibarra | Nominated |
| 2020 | LionhearTV RAWR Awards | Bida Ng Taon | Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday | Nominated |
| 2017 | 4th PEP List Awards | Female Comedy Star of the Year (Editor's Choice) | Herself | Won |
| 2017 | 19th Gawad PASADO Awards | Pinakapasadong Katuwang na Aktres | Tuos | Won |
| 2017 | 40th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Tuos | Nominated |
| 2017 | The EDDYS | Best Supporting Actress | Tuos | Nominated |
| 2017 | Luna Award | Best Supporting Actress | Tuos | Nominated |
| 2017 | Young Critics Circle | Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role | Tuos | Nominated |
| 2017 | Young Critics Circle | Duo Performance: Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role (shared with Nora Aunor) | Tuos | Nominated |
| 2017 | 9th Ani ng Dangal Awards | Ani ng Dangal Awardee | Laut | Won |
| 2016 | 7th Inquirer Indie Bravo! Awards | Inquirer’s Indie Bravo Awardee | Laut | Included |
| 2016 | 36th Fantasporto International Film Festival | Best Actress | Laut | Won |
| 2015 | 38th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Mariquina | Nominated |
| 2014 | Cinemalaya Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Mariquina | Won |
| 2010 | 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | New Movie Actress of the Year | Puntod | Won |
Special Awards :
| Year | Award Giving Body | Category | Result |
| 2023 | Asia's Royalty Awards | Most Admired and Superb Actress of the Year | Won |
| 2022 | Business Mirror | The 2022 Honor Roll | Included |
| 2022 | LionhearTV | The Year's 11 Most Memorable Female Performances | Included |
| 2021 | 2nd Annual TAG Awards Chicago | Best Loveteam (with Jak Roberto) | Nominated |
| 2019 | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Love Team of the Year (Almost a Love Story shared with Derrick Monasterio) | Nominated |
| 2018 | Anak TV Awards | Makabata Star 2018 | Won |
| 2018 | YES! Magazine | 100 Most Beautiful Stars | Included |
| 2017 | 31st PMPC Star Awards for TV | German Moreno Power Tandem (with Jak Roberto) | Won |
| 2016 | Walk of Fame Philippines | Eastwood City Walk of Fame Awardee | Included |
| 2014 | 6th PMPC Star Awards for Music | Best New Female Recording Artist | Nominated |
| 2013 | Candy Magazine Awards | Most Stylish Rising Star | Won |
| 2013 | Candy Magazine Awards | Most Stylish BFF with Bea Binene | Won |
| 2013 | 32nd Annual Huwarang Ina Awards | Most Outstanding Female Teleserye Artist | Nominated |
| 2012 | YES! Magazine | 100 Most Beautiful Stars | Included |
| 2012 | 2nd Yahoo! OMG Awards | Most Promising Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2012 | Party Pilipinas Most Liked Awards | Most Liked Loveteam with Derrick Monasterio | Nominated |
| 2011 | YES! Magazine | 100 Most Beautiful Stars | Included |
| 2010 | FAMAS Award | German Moreno Youth Achievement Awardee | Won |
| 2010 | 1st Yahoo! OMG Awards | Awesome Young Actress | Won |
| 2010 | Google Zeitgeist 2010 | Top 10 Fastest Rising People | Top 2 |
| 2010 | FAMAS Award | Most Animated Celebrity of the Night | Won |