Barbie Forteza Is Still Surprising People

This is an excerpt from the June 2026 Special Issue. Subscribe to MEGA Digital All-Access to read the full story. Long before she became one of Philippine entertainment's most recognizable faces, Barbie Forteza was a ten-year-old actress trying to find her place in the industry. Nearly two decades later, she's still evolving—and still surprising people. RELATED: Dolly de Leon and the Long Road to Recognition While Forteza has built an impressive filmography through the years, from Tween Academy: Class of 2012 to the recent Kontrabida Academy, one project for her stands apart. The 2014 Cinemalaya entry Mariquina marked a turning point in her career—not only earning her critical recognition where she won Best Supporting Actress in Cinemalaya Awards, but also changing the way the industry viewed her. She recalled her role as the rebellious young Imelda, the younger counterpart of the character portrayed by Mylene Dizon. “That really started how […]