Barbie Forteza

2007-2013: Career beginnings

In 2007, Forteza debuted as an actress in Shake, Rattle, and Roll 9, where she played the younger version of Roxanne Guinoo’s character.^[10] She then made her television debut at the age of 12 in 2009, where she played young Jodi in GMA Network's remake of the 2003 South Korean television drama series Stairway to Heaven.^[11] In the same year, she appeared in multiple films, such as Patient X, Ang Darling Kong Aswang, Wapakman, and Puntod, where she won the PMPC Star Awards New Movie Actress of the Year.^[12][13][14] Forteza then bagged her first television lead role as Cyndi Gomez in First Time.^[15]

Forteza’s career progressed in the early 2010s through the subsequent television series, such as Pilyang Kerubin, Reel Love Presents Tween Hearts, Nita Negrita, Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin, Luna Blanca, Paroa: Ang Kwento ni Mariposa, Anna Karenina, and Genesis.^[16][17] Her film appearances include Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote, Tween Academy: Class of 2012, The Road, Ang Panday 2, the two 38th Metro Manila Film Festival entries Sosy Problems and Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote, at si Ako, and My Little Bossings.^{[18][19][20][21]}

In 2013, Forteza debuted as a singer through 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.^[22]

2014-2021: Critical acclaim

In 2014, Forteza starred in the PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Daytime Drama Series The Half Sisters opposite Thea Tolentino.^[23] The series ran for two years.^[24] She also appeared in the independent films Full Moon and Mariquina.^[25] Her portrayal of a shoemaker's daughter in the latter earned her acclaim, and she won the Best Supporting Actress award in the New Breed Category of the 10th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.^[26][27]

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.^[28]

2022-present: Mainstream recognition

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.^[29] 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.^[30]

Television series

Television variety shows

Television comedy shows

Television anthologies

Film

Albums