‘But we will start taping for Book 2, ‘El Filibusterismo’ by the end of January. — Barbie Forteza’
BARBIE Forteza’s stock got a big boost with her much acclaimed portrayal of the feisty Klay in the top rating GMA series “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
Everyone is praising her as the Gen Z nursing student who gets transported to be part of Rizal’s “Noli Me Tangere.”
“I’m really so thankful for all the praises I’m getting,” she says in our exclusive interview with her as the endorser of ISHIN products with David.
“Actually, we didn’t expect na viewers will love our show that much. From our debut on October 3 last year, we’re so happy we maintained our high ratings.”
Audiences also fell in love with her love team with David Licauco. They were paired before in a previous soap, “Mano Po,” but it’s their “Filay” (Fidel and Klay) love team that viewers embraced warmly even if Barbie is really dating Jak Roberto in real life. What does she think is the reason her tandem with David click?
“Maganda kasi ang naging story arc ng characters namin. Noong una, para kaming aso’t pusa hanggang naging close kami sa isa’t isa.”
Will the show be extended since it’s rating very high? “No. We will definitely end on February 17. But we will start taping for Book 2, ‘El Filibusterismo’ by the end of January.
So tuloy pa rin ang kuwento ni Klay and even I, excited na rin.”
Barbie is happy to endorse Ishin, an oral food supplement that can whiten and brighten your skin’s complexion to make it glow, but also helps to promote overall health. It is available in its variants you can order online via Shopee or Lazada.
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Anjo Yllana is happy to be in a new movie, “Hello, Universe,” to be released by Viva Films in cinemas nationwide on January 25. Janno Gibbs plays the lead role and he supports him as his best friend. Does he mind playing a supporting role when he did lead roles with Janno before in their comedies with Viva in the ‘90s?
“Not at all,” he says at the film’s press con. “Janno is not just a good friend. Parang magkapatid na kami niyan. So I will always be ready to give him support, anytime.”
“Hello, Universe” is the first mainstream directorial job of Xian Lim who is better known as an actor. How is he now as a director?
“Xian is very talented. He surprised us as he has many new ideas about comedy. And he’s very collaborative, open to suggestions kung paano namin mas mapapaganda ang eksena.”
It’s common knowledge that he had issues with his younger brother Jomari Yllana in the last elections over campaign funds. Are they okay now?
“No, hindi pa rin kami nakakapag-usap. But open akong makipag-usap at handa akong makipagbati. Yes, nagtampo ako, but tapos na ‘yun kaya lang wala pang closure. He is my brother, so hindi naman kami magkaaway, kaya I am confident na maaayos din naman yan in the near future.”
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Angeli Khang plays plays dual roles in “Bela Luna.” “Yes, I play two different characters,” she says. “One is Bela, a battered wife in the province, and the other one is Luna, an empowered woman in the city. It’s a movie with two different stories about two different women who are connected with each other, but I cannot just reveal how they’re really connected as it will be a very big spoiler.”
In the movie’s press con, Angeli is introduced as the Queen of Vivamax as all her past films like “Silip sa Apoy,” “Mahjong Nights” and “Selina’s Gold” all became number one. How does she feel about it?
“Naku, ayokong isipin or i-claim. Basta ang lagi ko lang iniisip, I just have to do my best in every project they give me. I’m just thankful to Viva na tuloy-tuloy ang movies ko, which is a blessing kasi gusto ko pa mag-grow in every project that I do. Hindi naman ako mahilig sa titles na queen ng kahit ano.”
Which of the two characters that she plays can she relate with, Bela or Luna? “I can relate with both of them in that they’re both brave and I think I’m brave din naman in my own way. But the role of Bela is more difficult kasi in my past movies, I’m always abused at api, but si Bela is a strong woman, she stands for herself, well educated. Kita ang confidence niya pati sa kilay, mata, sa movements niya kaya Direk Mac is always reminding me about it. When he pitched it to me, sabi niya, anak, big project ito. Matagal namin itong pinaghandaan ni Ricky Lee. Ang gusto namin, malampasan mo ang previous performances mo. Sir Ricky Lee visits us sa set so I can see na very serious sila ni Direk sa ‘Bela Luna’ at hands-on sila talaga sa paggawa nito.”
