(Photo by Xavier Solis)
AS SHE headlines another GMA series, award-winning actress Barbie Forteza said she is happy with her two leading men, Derrick Monasterio and Juancho Triviño.
Monasterio and Forteza have worked together in several projects. Fans even created the portmanteau “DerBie” to call their team-up. This is the first time, however, that Forteza and Triviño are paired in a series.
“Ilang years na po kaming magkaibigan ni Derrick. Before Inday Will Always Love You, gumawa na po kami ng pelikula (Almost A Love Story) na sa April din po ipapalabas. Abangan niyo po yun,” Forteza said in a recent press conference with Cebu’s entertainment press.
In the series which is produced by GMA News and Public Affairs, Monasterio plays Patrick, the fiance of Erica, which is portrayed by Kim Rodriguez.
Among Forteza and Monasterio’s numerous projects is the 2014 series, “The Half Sisters.”
Forteza said that like Monasterio, Triviño also takes care of her on the set.
“Masaya. Di naman nagkakalayo ang ugali ni Juancho and Derrick. Parang hindi ako nahirapan na lapitan si Juancho or hindi ako nailang kasi napaka giving niya pag dating sa eksena at napaka gentleman nya. Binigyan pa ako ng unan. Ninakaw pa sa hotel kasi antok na antok na ako,” Forteza laughed.
“Ayun silang dalawa, inaalagan ako which is very helpful kasi nga marami kaming eksena in a day. Malaking bagay sa akin na may nag-aalaga sa akin sa set,” the actress added.
During the press conference, Forteza was asked if her boyfriend, Kapuso actor Jak Roberto doesn’t get jealous of her two leading men.
“Hindi naman. Alam naman po namin na trabaho ito at busy naman po sya kay Glaiza,” Forteza jokingly said.
Roberto is the leading man of Glaiza de Castro in GMA’s new afternoon soap, “Contessa.”
Roberto and Forteza worked together in the 2017 series, “Meant To Be” which also starred Ken Chan, Ivan Dorschner, and Addy Raj.
During the taping of “Inday Will Always Love You” in Cebu last week, the actress shared a screenshot of her and Roberto in a video call.
She captioned the Instagram story: “4 more days.”
Meanwhile, Forteza said that while she is open to doing more mature roles, she is still maximizing the fact that because of her youthful looks, she still gets offers to portray young characters.
“Opo naman. Kung maganda ‘yung material at hindi masyadong give na give, kung alaga pa rin. Pero para sa akin kasi advantage sa akin na mukha akong bagets,” Forteza said.
She also explained why she enjoys “bagets” roles at present.
“Wala namang problema pag nag step up ng panibagong image. Ang akin lang, pag ginawa ko na ‘yun hindi na ako pwede bumalik sa pagiging bagets. Hangga’t kaya ko at nagugustuhan ako ng mga tao bilang Barbie Forteza na bata, gagawin ko po,” she said.
To be aired soon, “Inday Will Always Love You” will feature scenic spots in Cebu such as the Temple of Leah, Sirao Flower Farm, 10,000 Roses Cafe, historical and religious landmarks like Magellan’s Cross and the Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño and the beauty of Bantayan Island, among many others.