MOST ladies of the new generation look at beauty very differently, and easy access to social media has reshaped the way they define beauty since it is usually wrapped in filters, fillers and, oftentimes, fierce ambition. Especially in the world of entertainment where outward appearance is the basis of the masses why they adore a celebrity, that’s why many in this industry are encouraged to sculpt their bodies, augment their look, lean in and dress to kill.
I’d like to reiterate that there is nothing wrong with taking care of one’s appearance or striving to be successful, but somewhere along the way, many of our female celebrities have traded in their ‘softness,’ not aware that it can be their most powerful form of beauty.
Not Barbie Forteza though. She has remained soft but firm, at times vulnerable but always vivid and bright. Forteza possesses the kind of soothing beauty that makes people exhale deeply, not because she is overpowering but because her energy allows them to put their guards down.
Forteza, now at the threshold of being 30, practically grew up in show business, first facing the cameras at a tender age of 10, and she has never stopped working since. ‘Almost my entire life has been in this big bubble where I learned about life and people, about a world that is so different from all that we are. My work has become my safe space, and the many characters I’ve played over the years have somehow contributed to the person that I have become.’
One of the biggest misconceptions about a ‘soft’ lady like Forteza is that she is fragile and easily broken. But in reality, softness is not fragility, it is flexibility. Like Forteza who has learned to speak more to herself with kindness when she made the realization that self-love is not extravagance, it is and should be an affirmation.
‘I guess I’ve transformed into a woman that I like. I was molded by my experiences in this business, the highs and lows and everything in between, into this woman I have become. My softness has allowed me to always feel deeply without being overwhelmed, to remain open even after setbacks and disappointments, and to love deeply without losing myself,’ she said.
She added, ‘I don’t demand perfection, especially from myself and the people around me; I value sincerity and progress instead. I always allow some space for mistakes.’ In a world that often pushes for self-improvement at all costs, choosing self-compassion has indeed become Forteza’s act of quiet rebellion.
Forteza’s softness has allowed her to understand her emotions in a much beneficial way, without needing to shut these down just to escape from anything which she did not prepare her self for. She had her share of painful heartbreaks and career letdowns, but she has always learned to acknowledge her emotions and steer these to transform into a stronger, smarter and a more assertive woman. This emotional awareness allows Forteza to experience life fully, without numbing or hiding what she feels, and it has become a form of strength that is more stable than hardness. Hardness oftentimes resists pressure, but softness adapts to it.
Over the years, I’ve seen Forteza grew into a formidable actor in projects like Mariquina, Half Sisters, Maria Clara at Ibarra, Kontrabida Academy, Pulang Araw, Beauty Empire and, most recently, in the movie Saving Cherry and the ongoing limited Prime Video series Honor Thy Mother.
‘I am very proud of the output for my recent projects, especially for Honor Thy Mother. Working with this amazing ensemble cast of actors, especially my dearest Mama Sharon [Cuneta], has allowed me to combine love, joy, and passion in what I do, and I cannot be more blessed and grateful.’
Confidence is often portrayed as loud and dominant, but there is a more valuable form that is quieter and more grounded. Barbie Forteza does not chase attention, she attracts it effortlessly. She does not compete, she captivates. Her kind of confidence is one that does not demand attention, it naturally earns respect. And when it comes to her flourishing career, she continues to be a gentle woman who leaves her mark in everything she takes on.