Barbie Forteza shows wild side in ‘Saving Cherry’: 'Iba talaga ito'

It was Barbie Forteza's birthday on July 31. She turned 29. Hard to believe, isn't it? For many of us, Barbie is still the same young girl we've been watching all these years on the small screen. It didn't help that, for years, GMA cast her in roles that highlighted her youthful and innocent image. That's why it comes as such a surprise to see and hear Barbie cursing and shedding that wholesome persona in the recently unveiled trailer of Regal Entertainment's latest film, "Saving Cherry." Without question, it is her boldest and most mature role to date. Barbie herself agrees, admitting that the film pushed her to do things she had never done before. "Oo, parang ganun. Actually, meron kaming isang location na hindi aprub sa magulang ko. Ganung level. Pero excited sila. They're both very excited to see this dahil nga ibang-ibang Barbie ito." It is exactly what she wants. "Alam ko rin naman na pelikula siya, at alam ko rin na gagastos ang manonood nito s o, I made sure na, at least, hopefully, maging worth it yung ibabayad nila. Something na hindi pa nila nakita ever from me." Given her string of successful projects, one might think Barbie would have hesitated before accepting such an audacious role. Apparently, not. "Nag-yes po ako agad. This was pitched to me noong February 2025 sa office ng Regal with everyone actually. Na-overwhelm ako kasi ganun yung treatment at ganun sila kaseryoso to have me on board. Doon pa lang, parang convinced na ako. Kapag ganun yung respeto sa'yo at ganun yung trato sa'yo ng mga katrabaho mo, bakit ka naman hihindi?" Then there's the role itself. "Tapos nalaman ko pa na bagong materyal siya para sa akin. I'm excited for everyone to see it. Sa ilang projects ko, laging sinasabi na ibang Barbie. Pero ito, iba talaga." Barbie even has her own description for Cherry: "The wildest virgin you would ever see." "I play the role of Cherry. She is the wildest woman I have ever portrayed to date. Siya yung wildest and most freeing." She is grateful that she and film director Ivan Payawal shared the same vision. "Binigyan niya kaming lahat ng buong laya as to how we understood every scene. Nakinig siya sa amin. He is really a good captain." It was such that she maintained she was able to "unleash" her "wild side." "Ang saya kasi, aminin naman natin, hindi naman lahat ng mukhang mabait, mabait. Hindi ko rin akalain na meron din akong ganoong side. Wild, pero may dahilan. May lalim." Note the film explores the subject of infidelity. Asked whether cheaters deserve a second chance, Barbie didn't mince words. "F*ck no!" Joining Barbie in "Saving Cherry" are Mikee Quintos, AC Bonifacio, Sassa Gurl, Mika Salamanca, JC Alcantara, Khalil Ramos.