Barbie Forteza. Instagram/@barbaraforteza
Barbie Forteza is grateful for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to take on the role of the modern-day Maria Clara “Klay” Infantes in the hit teleserye “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” which culminated in her finally reuniting with Fidel de los Reyes y Maglipol (David Licauco) after seven years.
The actress took to her personal Instagram account on Saturday, Feb. 25 to express gratitude to the show’s co-stars, staff, network, and fans, a day after it aired its final episode.
“Liham pasasalamat,” she began. “Salamat po sa @gmanetwork na naglakas loob gumawa ng ganitong kahalagang proyekto at sa pagkaloob sa akin na gampanan si Maria Clara Infantes. Salamat sa lahat ng bumubuo ng programang ito sa likod ng kamera. Hindi po biro ang pinagdaanan natin sa paggawa ng palabas na ito pero dahil sa sipag at tiyaga ninyong lahat, napakaganda ng kinalabasan.”
(A letter of gratitude. Thank you to GMA Network who had the guts to offer me the role of Maria Clara Infantes in this timely project. Thank you to the people who were involved in this program, even those who were behind the camera. What we’ve been through in bringing this program was not easy, but because of our hard work and perseverance, the final result turned out to be beautiful.
Forteza then thanked her co-stars and fans for their support, saying their encouragement became her source of strength when times were tough during filming.
“Salamat sa mahuhusay at mabubuting aktor at aktres na nakasama ko sa proyektong ito. Salamat sa lahat ng nagmahal sa aming programa. Sulit ang lahat ng hirap at pagod dahil sa walang kapantay ninyong suporta,” she said.
(Thank you to the amazing and kind-hearted actors and actresses I’ve worked with in this project. Thank you to the fans who loved our program, your moral support made all the hardships and exhaustion worth it.)
The Kapuso star admitted that she had been through a lot when she portrayed Klay, but it made her admire the character even more.
“Higit sa lahat. Maraming salamat sayo, Klay. Marami tayong pinagdaanan pero nalagpasan natin ang lahat ng iyon. Tunay kang kahanga hanga. Saludo ako sayo,” she added.
(Most of all, thank you, Klay. We’ve been through a lot but we managed to make it through. You’re truly admirable. Hats off to you.)
Forteza’s co-star Julie Anne San Jose, who starred as Maria Clara de los Santos y Alba, praised the former for pulling off the role in the comments. The “Kara Mia” star, for her part, thanked the singer-actress.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@barbaraforteza
The actress’ comments section was also filled with supportive comments from fans.
Image: Screengrab from Instagram/@barbaraforteza
The final episode of “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” which became a trending topic on Twitter Philippines, turned out to be an emotional journey for Klay, who pursued medicine in hopes of helping the less privileged.
The titular character also had a tearful reunion with the real world counterparts of Crisostomo Ibarra (Dennis Trillo) and Maria Clara (Julie Anne San Jose), who were oblivious to who Klay is. The female heroine then became overwhelmed with emotion when her love interest Fidel (David Licauco) crossed a portal to meet her in the present.
Forteza is set to reunite with Licauco in an episode of the anthology show “Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko”, although the airing date is yet to be revealed. EDV