Barbie and Bea vs bullies

Barbie Forteza

GMA 7 young stars Barbie Forteza and Bea Binene have had close encounters with bullies—just like their characters in their recent movie, “Tween Academy: Class of 2012.”

In the youth flick, produced by GMA 7 and SM Development Corp., Barbie and Bea attempt to reinvent themselves to be accepted into campus cliques. They also go through similar travails in their Kapuso show “Twin Hearts.” In real life, Barbie and Bea chose to challenge their tormentors.

Barbie recalled that when she was in Grade 4, a classmate in her old school (in Biñan, Laguna,) tried to push her around. “She borrowed money from me,” Barbie recounted. “After she failed to pay me back three times, I refused to lend her my allowance na.” The bully got upset, but Barbie stood her ground.

Bea learned to fight for her rights, too. “In my old school, kids used to tease me,” said Bea who’s now home-schooled.

She’s not the type to get trampled on; after all, she’s a bronze medalist in a national wushu competition. “When someone says something bad to me, I answer back,” she said.

Born fighters, Bea and Barbie vow never to become bullies themselves, though.

Bea Binene

“My costars, especially the veteran actors I work with, made me promise that I’d remain humble and simple,” said Barbie who will top bill the forthcoming soap “Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin.”

She’s no “mean girl,” too, said Bea. “I’m the same onscreen and off-,” said the young star, who  top bills the GMA 7 afternoon soap, “Pahiram ng Isang Ina.” Her mom keeps her grounded, she said. “My parents are separated; I have to be strong and responsible.”