Barbie Forteza
SHE headlines another primetime series on GMA Network but versatile actress Barbie Forteza refuses to be pressured by how “Inday Will Always Love You” will perform as far as ratings are concerned.
The romantic comedy series is off to an impressive start, beating its rival show during its pilot week.
“I think it’s best not to expect or not to get pressured sa mga ratings and sa reviews. I think mas better na happy ka sa ginawa mo at maging proud ka na naging part ka ng show. Kung ano man ang mangyari, proud ako na part ako ng ‘Inday Will Always Love You’,” she added.
Last year, Forteza topbilled the romantic comedy, “Meant To Be” together with Ken Chan, Jak Roberto, Addy Raj, and Ivan Dorschner.
The series turned out to be a surprise hit and was well received by viewers.
“Yung success po (Meant To Be) ay sobrang overwhelming and unexpected. Chill lang kami sa taping. We just had fun and nag enjoy kami everyday,” she said.
For “IWALY,” Forteza said she is hoping that the story alone would pull the audience in. She is also hoping that Cebuanos would support it, since 80 percent of the series was shot in Cebu.
“Sana maka relate silang lahat sa story, ‘yun ang importante. ‘Yung maihambing nila ‘yung storya nila kay Happylou. ‘Yung ma imagine nila na sila si Happylou at maka sunod sila sa journey ni Happylou,” she added.
She plays the role of a dutiful daughter who goes to Cebu to work as a lechonera and to look for her father.
In “IWALY,” she is paired once again with perennial onscreen partner and longtime friend,
Derrick Monasterio who has been looking after her during the shoot, especially in one particular scene.
“Sobrang protective niya (Derrick) sa akin. Kasi totoo na ang iyak ko. ‘Yung una, tinanong nila ako kung kaya ko to act with live pigs kasi never ko pa na experience. Pag nakakita ako ng baboy, ang cute nila. Doon ko lang na realize sa lechonan na kami na ang mindset ng mga baboy pag nakakita ng tao sasaktan sila. Lalo na pag nasa lechonan. Eh, hindi ko naman gagawin ‘yun. Na sasaktan sila.
Lahat sila naka-ganun sa akin (titig) tapos mga pito ‘yun. Sobrang sweet ni Derrick kasi hinaharangan niya ‘yung baboy,” she said.
“IWALY” also stars Ricky Davao, Nova Villa, Gladys Reyes, Manilyn Reynes, Tina Paner, Juancho Triviño, Kimpoy Feliciano, Buboy Villar, and fliptop artists Mzhayt and Price Tagg.
Directed by Monti Parungao and Rember Gelera, it is produced by GMA News and Public Affairs.