Barbie Forteza graces cover of Cosmopolitan PH as 'Modern Maria Clara'
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In her interview, Barbie Forteza underscores the importance of expression one's opinion and knowledge without shaming others.
Kapuso Primetime Princess Barbie Forteza became candid as she revealed that she and Maria Clara at Ibarra character Klay were the same in a way that they did not know the whole story of the provocative novel of Dr. Jose Rizal, Noli Me Tangere.
In her cover story for Cosmopolitan Philippines' December 2022 issue, the 25-year-old actress expressed her gratitude for the series as she now enjoyed the beautiful yet tragic love story of Maria Clara and Crisostomo Ibarra.
She was quoted as saying, "To be honest, nung ginawa ko 'yung Maria Clara at Ibarra, saka ko lang siya na-appreciate kasi naging clouded na nga pag-iisip ko dahil sa current events."
Even though Rizal's works and life have been part of the Filipino school curriculum for over half a century already, Barbie went through an "alternative learning system" in high school which made her skip studying Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo.
"Para sa 'kin, importanteng mabalikan 'yung pinanggalingan para malinaw ang ating pupuntahan," Barbie added, echoing the famous phrase of Dr. Rizal.
Like Klay, Barbie stressed the idea of standing up for what you think is right without shaming others.
"Para sa 'kin, it's important to be socially aware, but not to the point na you'll shame people. Na, you take it against people because they don't think like you. Isa 'yun sa mga dahilan kung bakit relevant show namin, kasi madami nakaka-relate," she expressed.
"Katulad ng nangyayari sa Maria Clara at Ibarra ngayon, na kahit liberal man 'yung mindset niya, nasa loob ka ng very conservative na era na ganun nag-iisip. So she has to learn to adjust and adapt."
Thanks to Maria Clara at Ibarra, Barbie's friendship with David Licauco, who plays Klay's love interest Fidel, grew deeper even if the show was already their third time working together.
"Mas naging close kami kasi mas nakilala ko siya. Siya din madami siya na-discover tungkol sa'kin. Dahil dun, mas naging comfortable around him. Alam ko na pano siya timplahin. Nag-grow kami as onscreen partners kasi professionally, naiintindihan namin isa't-isa. Sa totoong buhay, 'yung friendship namin, nag-grow din," she admitted.
Maria Clara at Ibarra airs Mondays to Fridays, 8:00 p.m., on GMA Telebabad. It is also livestreamed online on GMANetwork.com/KapusoStream.
The show's past episodes are also available on GMANetwork.com/FullEpisodes.
ASIDE FROM KLAY, TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF BARBIE'S MOST MEMORABLE ROLES IN THIS GALLERY:
