Barbie Forteza sheds wholesome image to be the ‘wildest virgin’ in ‘Saving Cherry’
When Barbie Forteza showed up at the media conference for her latest film “Saving Cherry,” she was almost unrecognizable in her revealing dark-red minidress and heavier make up.
But more than her looks, there was a palpable shift in the way Forteza walked and talked from the woman who played countless roles of varying degrees of meekness and passivity onscreen. The woman who came in was confident in her own skin, unafraid to speak her mind—and had a foul mouth to match.
She was very much in character as Cherry Valdez, the protagonist in this latest offering by Regal Entertainment.
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In the trailer of “Saving Cherry,” Forteza plays the newlywed Cherry Valdez, who saved her virginity for her husband, only to discover his infidelity with her own eyes right after their wedding. What follows sets her on a quest for revenge that ultimately becomes a journey of self-discovery. With the unwavering support of her loyal circle of friends, she embarks on a path of healing and empowerment.
Notably, the scenes depicting Cherry post blow-up showed Forteza not only in daring outfits and makeup, but also in her way of speaking as a woman who has seen the world for what it is sans the rose-tinted glasses that she is used to wearing.
From the trailer’s seemingly raunchy and comedic vibe, the actress was asked, how is Cherry different from the other roles she played?
“She is the wildest woman I’ve ever portrayed, to date. And the most freeing for me. Not just the role, but the freedom of approaching every scene,” said Forteza. “In-unleash ko lang yung wild side ko. Rawr! Hindi ko din akalain na may ganoon din akong side. So far eto yung most mature role ko.”
Speaking to INQUIRER Entertainment and another media organization after the mediacon, Forteza looked back on her decision to accept the titular role that not only seemingly goes against her branding as an actress, and how it ultimately proved to be a liberating choice for her.
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“Yung initial reaction ko was, ‘What made them think na kaya kong gumawa ng ganitong material? Kasi nga, I’ve never done this before. This is something I’ve never done before. So, I guess yung level of trust na hindi pa nila ako nakita sa ganitong character and yet, they only saw me for the character of Cherry. Grabe yun, grabeng commitment yon sa actor,” she said.
“And so, yung level of dedication ko din when I said yes, kargado, Kasi may halong gratitude. And kasi ako naman ever since, ang mga hangad ko rin dito talaga ay makita ako bilang actor, and yun ang pinaramdam sa akin ng Regal,” she further said.
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Forteza was referring to movie director Ivan Andrew Payawal, and the Regal management, including executive producer and vice president Atty. Keith Monteerde, and JB Abellera, head of creative content strategy. Monteverde further said that Forteza was their first choice to play “Cherry.”
“Yun ang pinaramdam po sa akin ng Regal and ni Direk Ivan, na hindi nila ako kinahon sa mga characters na nagawa ko na dati. Binigyan nila ako ng bago. Pinatikim nila ako ng bagong putahe at napakasarap,” she said.
Forteza, who just recently turned 29, further said the decision to accept the role was in consultation with her Sparkle GMA, which has been managing her career, to see if the project is aligned with the “trajectory” that they envision.
After headlining the immensely popular series “Maria Clara at Ibarra” came the realization that in whatever project she would be starring in, it would have a lasting impact on viewers. She began accepting more challenging roles such as the series “Pulang Araw,” a movie by critically acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza in “Until She Remembers,” and the campy “Kontrabida Academy,” where she learns to play villain alongside Eugene Domingo.
An upcoming collaborative drama project between GMA and ABS-CBN will also have Forteza acting side by side with megastar Sharon Cuneta.
Like her character in “Saving Cherry,” Forteza is determined to take control of her legacy as an actor, breaking free from a mold and become an unexpected but pleasant surprise to her fans.
“Hndi na lang siya kasi basta proyekto. Na whatever I do, whatever I will put out will still be here long after I’m gone. So, this becomes my legacy, yung filmography ko. So, I have to make it good, parang this is how I will be remembered in the future. Gusto ko makita nila na ganito ako na matapang, mindful ako bilang actor. But most definitely, nag-enjoy ako sa buong journey ko dito sa industry,” she said.
Forteza was quick to say that she does not necessarily espouse the values that she shows onscreen as Cherry, nor has she, to her knowledge, been cheated on. She was previously in a long-term relationship with fellow Kapuso actor Jak Roberto. In January 2025, the ex-couple announced that they have parted ways after seven years together.
This is in contrast with her response when the cast members were asked during the mediacon what their dream wedding would be. “I wanna get married in Vegas (Las Vegas, Nevada) in Vera Wang. Para may divorce,” she said.
“Saving Cherry,” showing on September 2, also stars Mikee Quintos, Mika Salamanca, AC Bonifacio, Sassa Gurl, Khalil Ramos and JC Alcantara.