Barbie Forteza ‘super-flattered’ to have Sharon Cuneta’s blessing for ‘Maging Sino Ka Man’ TV remake
Barbie Forteza. Image: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications
When Barbie Forteza was informed that Sharon Cuneta gave her blessing for the remake of 1991 film “Maging Sino Ka Man,” the Kapuso star confessed that she’s “super flattered” that about the latter being “aware” of the TV series.
Cuneta, who became aware of the remake only last July, said while the film “means so much” to her and now-senator Robin Padilla, she believes that Forteza and David Licauco will “make their own mark that [the current] generation would enjoy.”
The actress, when asked about Cuneta’s blessing on the sidelines of the remake’s media conference, appeared to be shocked with the Megastar’s words of wisdom.
“Maraming salamat! Super flattered and overwhelmed na aware na pala ang ating Megastar of this project (Thank you very much! I’m super flattered and overwhelmed that the Megastar is aware of this project),” said Forteza, who’s paired with Licauco in the ongoing show.
As a result, Forteza said she’s more determined than ever to give justice to her dual role as Monique and Dino. “I would just give my very best para hindi siya mapahiya and to give justice to the remake ng iconic film na ginawa po nila (I would just give my very best so she wouldn’t be embarrassed, and to give justice to the remake of this iconic film).”
Barbie Forteza. Image: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications
The Kapuso star then shared that she crossed paths with Cuneta in the past, but it happened when she was still very young. Even so, she can’t help but recall how “super welcoming” she was at the time.
“Nag-meet na kami pero matagal na matagal na. Bagets pa ko n’un. Hindi ko na rin sure kung naalala pa niya pero nag-meet kami noong nanood ako ng movie sa mall,” she said. “Nagkita kami d’un, very surprising. And then noong nagkita kami, super welcoming at warm niya. Nagpa-picture ako sa kanya, pumayag siya. Ang saya ng feeling.”
(We met before but it was a long time ago. I was still a young girl. I’m not sure if she remembers this but we met when I watched her movie at a mall. We met each other there, it was very surprising. And when we met again, she’s super welcoming and warm. I had a picture taken with her — which she allowed me to. It’s such a joyful feeling.)
Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. Image: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications
As the lead star, Forteza said she “intentionally watched” the original film which made her appreciate Cuneta, Padilla, and Dennis Padilla’s acting prowess, which she described as the “cherry on top.”
“Ang ganda, and pati ‘yung mga bata, kaya noong napanood ko ‘yung original film, lalo akong na-excite na gawin ‘to kasi napanood ko ‘yung original,” she said, while saying she made sure to study the film’s legacy. “Now, I understand why it’s very iconic up to this day.”
The actress also admitted that she was initially daunted by having to play the contrasting roles of Monique and Dino. She nevertheless learned how to keep up with the remake’s “physical demands” and action-centered genre as filming went on.
“Challenging po sa’kin sa show na ‘to ay ang pagkakaroon ng dalawang characters — sina Monique at Dino. Challenging because maybe the characterization, nuances, magkakaiba. I need to commend our assistant director dahil cino-consider ‘yung pagpapalit ko ng look from Monique to Dino or Dino to Monique,” she said.
(It’s challenging for me to portray two characters — Monique and Dino. It’s challenging because the characterization and nuances are different. I need to commend our assistant director because they considered the switch from Monique to Dino, and vice versa.)
“‘Yung physical demands of not just the character but also the show itself, the genre, ‘yung requirement na lagi kang ready. Hindi ako sanay sa action talaga. Lampa talaga ako sa totoong buhay, so isa ‘yun sa malalaking adjustments na ginawa ko sa proyektong ito,” she further added.
(The physical demands of not just the character but also the show itself, genre, and requirement to always be ready. I’m not used to the action genre. I have a low endurance in real life, so it’s one of the adjustments I need to do.)
Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. Image: Courtesy of GMA Corporate Communications
“Maging Sino Ka Man” is the follow-up project of Forteza’s successful onscreen pairing with Licauco after “Maria Clara at Ibarra.”
The series also stars Jean Garcia, Juancho Triviño, Faith de Silva, Rain Matienzo, ER Ejercito, and Jeric Raval. EDV
