After showing off her acting chops in the family drama Until She Remembers earlier this year opposite Charo Santos, actress Barbie Forteza switches gears to sexy comedy in the upcoming film Saving Cherry where she plays the title role of the newlywed who goes on a heartbreaking rampage once she discovers her husband (played by Khalil Ramos) has been cheating on her.
During the film’s presscon, Barbie couldn’t help but be all praises for her new leading man. “Si Khalil is the ideal leading man. Finally, nagkaroon na ako ng leading man na maayos. He’s a brilliant actor. IIbabalik ko sa kanya. He is also an actor’s actor. I love working with actors who also love what they do, who understand what they are doing, why they’re here, and who is just as hungry, ‘di ba? To do good. To be good. Yung napaka-professional, napaka-gentleman!” she told the press.
Barbie also shared how she is also close with Khalil’s longtime girlfriend and fellow actress Gabbi Garcia, and they have kept in touch before and after shooting the film. “Lagi kong sinasabi kay Gabbi na oo, maraming salamat. Goals talaga sila. At napakatino, napaka-disenteng lalaki,” she added.
READ: Barbie Forteza wants to be known as a serious actress: ‘I want to be here for the long run’
The Saving Cherry star said that Gabbi was actually one of the first people she talked to after accepting the project early last year.
“This was pitched to me February of 2025 sa office ng Regal with everyone actually. Na-overwhelm ako kasi ganun yung treatment and ganun sila ka-seryoso to have me on board. Dun pa lang, convinced na ako. Pag ganun yung respeto sa ‘yo, ganun yung trato sa ‘yo ng gusto mong katrabaho, bakit ka naman hihindi? Tapos nalaman ko pa na bagong materyal siya para sa akin. Nag-yes ako agad.
"Actually sinabi rin sa akin ni Gabbi Garcia, dahil nag-message ako sa kanya. Sabi niya, ’Nagulat nga din ako na tinanggap mo yan. Kakaiba yan para sa ‘yo and I’m very, very excited for you.’ Yan ang sinabi sa akin ni Gabbi kasi sabi ko magkakatrabaho kami ni Khalil dito sa project na ito,” she recalled.
READ: Barbie Forteza on working with Charo Santos for the first time: ‘Walang ka-ere ere!’
During the film’s grand media conference, Barbie revealed that just like her latest onscreen role, she has also had her own experiences during crazy things for love, but only in a good kind of way.
“Crazy good siguro. Kasi as a Leo, I always see to it that I don’t go too crazy, na parang when I feel there’s something wrong, hindi na ako para mag-ano pa dun. So siguro good crazy pagka birthday or pagka special day, anniversary or Valentine’s Day, kahit nasaan pa 'yan, nasa Tagaytay, nasa Pampanga, may COVID, ginagawan ko na paraan, pumupunta ako. Romantic naman,” she admitted.
Saving Cherry stars Barbie Forteza, Mika Salamanca, Mikee Quintos, AC Bonifacio, Sassa Gurl, JC Alcantara, and Khalil Ramos. Directed by Ivan Andrew Payawal under Regal Films. The movie opens exclusively in cinemas nationwide on September 2, 2026.