Barbara "Barbie" Ambas Forteza (born July 31, 1997) is a Filipino actress, singer and television presenter. Regarded as the "Kapuso Primetime Princess", her accolades include a Star Awards for Movies, a Cinemalaya Film Festival Award for Best Supporting Actress, and a Fantasporto International Film Festival Award for Best Actress, with nominations from Gawad Urian, Luna Awards, Young Critics Circle, and Seoul International Drama Awards. Forteza has started in multiple acclaimed movies, such as Mariquina (2014), Laut (2016), Tuos (2017) and Almost a Love Story (2018).
She is known for playing strong female characters in drama series such as The Half Sisters (2014), Meant to Be (2017), Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday (2020). She gained wider recognition after starring in the primetime TV drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra (2022), 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 Gawad 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. In 2017, she was awarded with Ani ng Dangal by National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
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's degree in psychology at University of Perpetual Help System DALTA – Calamba Campus and took up some criminology classes during her freshman year.
Career 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. 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. 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. Forteza then bagged her first television lead role as Cyndi Gomez in First Time.
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. 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.
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.
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. The series ran for two years. She also appeared in the independent films Full Moon and Mariquina. 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.
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.
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. 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.
Philanthropy Forteza celebrated her birthday with kids of the Philippine Children Medical Center in 2014. She is one of the goodwill ambassadors for Smile Train Philippines. In 2018, she made a surprise visit to Smile Train Philippines Christmas Party, bringing gifts for the children as part of the event.
Forteza and her on-screen partner David Licauco were named as newest ambassadors Save the Children Philippines in 2024, an NGO which helps improve the lives of the children.
In April 2025, she joined a back to back charity fun-run for the benefit of I Want to Share Foundation which helps children with cancer and finished a 5 kilometer run for Takbo Babae for woman's advocacy. She also completed a 10 kilometer run for Save the Children Philippines.
Personal life Forteza previously dated actors Miguel Tanfelix and Kiko Estrada. She was in a 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) Note(s) 2009 Stairway to Heaven young Jodi Reyes 2010 First Time Cyndi Gomez Pilyang Kerubin Charity Santos / Charity Dimaano 2010–12 Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts Barbara "Bambi" Fortez 2010–11 Jillian: Namamasko Po Maggie Molina 2011 Nita Negrita Antoinette "Netnet" Buenaventura / Nita Raymundo 2011–12 Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin Katherine Somera / Mylene Fuentebella 2012 Luna Blanca: Ang Ikalawang Yugto teen Blanca Buenaluz 2012–13 Paroa: Ang Kuwento ni Mariposa Mariposa de Guzman / Princess Aira 2013 Anna Karenina Anna Karenina "Karen" Zamora / Anna Karenina "Karen" Villarama Genesis Faith 2014–16 The Half Sisters Diana Alcantara / Diana Valdicañas 2015 Dangwa Mary "Yaya May Flower" Catacutan 2016 That's My Amboy Maria Rosario "Maru" Tapang 2017 Meant to Be Maria Belinda "Billie" Bendiola My Love from the Star Herself 2018 Super Ma'am Pearly Inday Will Always Love You Happylou "Inday" Fuentes 2019 Kara Mia Kara Lacson Love You Two Venus 2020–21 Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday Ginalyn Agpangan Escoto 2021 Heartful Café Corazon "Cors" 2022 Mano Po Legacy: The Family Fortune Stephanie "Steffy" Dy Mano Po Legacy: Her Big Boss 2022–23 Maria Clara at Ibarra Maria Clara "Klay" Infantes 2023 Maging Sino Ka Man Monique Santos / Dino 2024 Pulang Araw Adelina "Chinita" dela Cruz 2025 Beauty Empire Noreen Alfonso 2026Honor Thy Mother Patricia Monique Aragon Dela Cruz
Television variety shows Year Title Note(s) Ref. 2009–10 SOP Performer 2010–13 Party Pilipinas Performer / Co-host 2013–15 Sunday All-Stars 2015–19 Sunday PinaSaya Supporting cast / Co-host 2020; 2021–present All-Out Sundays Guest (2020); Main host / Performer (since 2021) 2023–25 It's Showtime Guest / Performer / Judge For citations of Forteza's guesting on It's Showtime.
Television comedy shows Year Title Role(s) 2010 JejeMom Angelene "Angel" Arevalo 2012 Tweets for My Sweet Adele Reyes 2013–16 Vampire ang Daddy Ko Girlie / Boyong 2016–18 Pepito Manaloto KatKat 2019 Daddy's Gurl Pureza 2023 Happy Together Michelle Mendoza
Television anthologies Year Title Role(s) Note(s) 2009–10 Dear Friend: My Christmas List Abby / Abigail 2010 Maynila: Step Yes, Step No Carly Claudine: Madrasta Eliza 2011 Spooky Nights: Ang Manananggala (Battle of the Half-Sisters) Marvi 2012 Maynila: True as Gold Mira Spooky Nights: Kalansay Cheska Maynila: Bet Kita Pam Magpakailanman: Chef with no Hands (The Maricel Apatan Story) young Maricel Apatan Maynila: Love Express 2013 Maynila: Trust in Love Maynila: Room for Love Geri Maynila: Prinsesa ng Pag-ibig Prince / Princess Maynila: Tibok at First Sight Abby Maynila: Care Giver Maynila: My Brother's Lover Jenny Magpakailanman: Kambal na Sapi Cristine 2014 Maynila: Spirit of the Heart Carrie Maynila: Love Pretends Carla Wagas: Randolf and Mel Love Story Mel Maynila: Love in Between Rachel Maynila: Mimay Luv Mimay Maynila: One True Heart Erin Maynila: Queen of My Heart Lauren Wagas: Ang Mga Pag-ibig ni Datu Ambiong 2015 Maynila: Finding Mr. Right Apple Maynila: Status, It's Complicated! Monique 2016 Dear Uge: My Yaya Poser May Magpakailanman: Anak sa Mundo ng Droga Ava 2017 Eat Bulaga!'s Lenten Presentation: Mansyon Yayen Neruda Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Tatay Pitong at Pilyong Nokyo Starla Tadhana: Beauty and Bahrain Mimay Maynila: Love Potion Drew 2018 Magpakailanman: Ang Babaeng Tinimbang Ngunit Sobra (The Melinda Mara Story) Melinda "Dang" Mara Tadhana: Ola Kala Jessica APT Entertainment Lenten Presentation: Elehiya Lucia Wagas: Love at Panganib (The Erick and Gia Fernandez Love Story) Gia Fernandez Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Snow White Maynila: My Sister's Secret Elvie Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Okay Ka, Genie Ko! Genie Lyn 2019 Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lola Enchanted Magpakailanman: Ang Pagmulat ng Binulag na Kasambahay (The Bonita Baran Story) Bonita "Bonet" Baran Wagas Presents: Wait Lang... Is This Love? Mayumi "Yummy" Bubuyog 2020 Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Sa Ilalim ng Buwan Kayla Magpakailanman: My Everlasting Love (The Joji and Alyssa Mendoza Story) Alyssa Mendoza 2021 I Can See You: The Lookout Emma Castro Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Captain Barbie Captain Barbie Regal Studio Presents: My Birthday Wish Joana 2022 Magpakailanman: My Bipolar Mom Ashley Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lelang and Me Scarlet / Luningning Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Bida Kontrabida Sleeping Beauty 2023 Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko: Lady and Luke Lady 2026Paskong PinoyEpisode: "A Perfect Christmas"
Film Year Title Role Note(s) 2007 Shake, Rattle and Roll 9 Young Marionne Segment: "Bangungot" 2009 Puntod Baby Patient X Sonia Ang Darling Kong Aswang Aileen Wapakman Patitang Meneses 2010 Si Agimat at si Enteng Kabisote Bratty 2011 Tween Academy: Class of 2012 Kara The Road Ella Ang Panday 2 Bilara 2012 Sosy Problems Becca Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako Barbie 2013 My Little Bossings Rosy 2014 Full Moon Mica Mariquina Young Imelda 2015 Saranghaeyo #ewankosau Calixta "Kai" Luna 2016 Laut Nadia Tuos Dowokan 2017 This Time I'll Be Sweeter Erika 2018 Almost a Love Story Baneng 2024 That Kind of Love Milagros "Mila" Maharlika 2025 P77 Luna Caceres Kontrabida Academy Gigi 2026 Saving Cherry Cherry
Discography Albums Year Title Album details 2013 Meron BaReleased: April 2013 Label: MCA Music Formats: CD, digital download
Awards and recognitions