Barbie Forteza


Barbara "Barbie" Ambas Forteza is a Filipino actress, singer and television presenter. She is dubbed the Kapuso Primetime Princess. Her critically acclaimed movies are Mariquina, Laut, Tuos and Almost a Love Story.
She is known for playing a strong female character in drama series The Half Sisters, Meant to Be, Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday. She gained wider recognition after starring in the primetime TV drama series Maria Clara at Ibarra, Maging Sino Ka Man and Pulang Araw.
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

Forteza made her television debut at the age of 12, where she played as young Jodi in GMA Network's remake of the 2003 South Korean television drama series, Stairway to Heaven. She bagged her first lead role as Cyndi Gomez in First Time. Forteza also appeared in several movies such as: Tween Academy: Class of 2012, The Road and the indie film, Puntod in which she won as New Movie Actress of the Year in the 26th PMPC Star Awards for Movies. In April 2013, Forteza released 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.
In 2014, Forteza was chosen to play one of the lead roles in the television series, The Half Sisters, alongside Thea Tolentino. The afternoon series ran for nearly two years. In August, she won the Best Supporting Actress award in the new breed category at the 10th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival, for the film Mariquina, portraying a teenage version of Mylene Dizon's character Imelda.
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.
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. and she made a surprised visit to Smile Train Philippines Christmas Party and brought gifts to the children in 2018.
Forteza and her on-screen partner David Licauco were named as newest ambassadors Save the Children Philippines in 2024.
In April 2025, she's an advocate for fitness and health and joined 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 which helps improve the lives of the children.

Personal life

Forteza previously dated actors Miguel Tanfelix and Kiko Estrada. She was in a long-term relationship with actor Jak Roberto from 2017 to 2024. The couple first worked in the romantic comedy TV series Meant to Be.
In November 2025, she confirmed to being happy and single.

Filmography

Television series

Television variety shows

Television comedy shows

Television anthologies

Film

Discography

Albums

Awards and recognitions

YearAward giving bodyCategoryResult
2023Asia's Royalty AwardsMost Admired and Superb Actress of the YearWon
2022Business MirrorThe 2022 Honor Roll
2022LionhearTVThe Year's 11 Most Memorable Female Performances
20212nd Annual TAG Awards ChicagoBest Loveteam Nomitated
2019PMPC Star Awards for MoviesMovie Love Team of the Year Nomitated
2018Anak TV AwardsMakabata Star 2018Won
2018YES! Magazine100 Most Beautiful Stars
201731st PMPC Star Awards for TVGerman Moreno Power Tandem Won
2016Walk of Fame PhilippinesEastwood City Walk of Fame Awardee
20146th PMPC Star Awards for MusicBest New Female Recording ArtistNomitated
2013Candy Magazine AwardsMost Stylish Rising StarWon
2013Candy Magazine AwardsMost Stylish BFF with Bea BineneWon
201332nd Annual Huwarang Ina AwardsMost Outstanding Female Teleserye ArtistNomitated
2012YES! Magazine100 Most Beautiful Stars
20122nd Yahoo! OMG AwardsMost Promising Actress of the YearNomitated
2012Party Pilipinas Most Liked AwardsMost Liked Loveteam with Derrick MonasterioNomitated
2011YES! Magazine100 Most Beautiful Stars
2010FAMAS AwardGerman Moreno Youth Achievement AwardeeWon
20101st Yahoo! OMG AwardsAwesome Young ActressWon
2010Google Zeitgeist 2010Top 10 Fastest Rising People
2010FAMAS AwardMost Animated Celebrity of the NightWon