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.
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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.
