David Licauco, Barbie Forteza could be the next Rudy Fernandez, Nora Aunor — ER Ejercito

Barbie Forteza and David Licauco. Photo from GMA Corp. Comm.

Seasoned actor and former Laguna governor ER Ejercito had nothing but high praises for his “Maging Sino Ka Man” co-stars David Licauco and Barbie Forteza, who he said could potentially become the next big stars of the future, following the footsteps of Ace Vergel or Rudy Fernandez, and Nora Aunor or Vilma Santos, respectively.

Ejercito made the declaration during the press conference for “Maging Sino Ka Man” headlined by Licauco and Forteza. The TV series is a remake of the 1991 film starred in by now-senator Robin Padilla and Sharon Cuneta.

“As an action star, I highly believe that David Licauco can be the next Ace Vergel and the next Rudy Fernandez. I believe that David Licauco will be like them,” he said. The late action stars are known for their lead roles in action films from the 1970s to 1990s.

The actor-turned-politician then pointed out that Forteza has what it takes to continue the legacy of veteran actresses Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos.

“I also believe that Barbie Forteza can be the next Nora Aunor or the next Vilma Santos for the new generation… Naniniwala akong malakas ang chemistry nina Barbie at David. Sila ang next Nora-Tirso (I believe that Barbie and David have such strong chemistry. They are the next Nora Aunor-Tirso Cruz III),” he said, referring to Aunor’s popular onscreen partnership with screen veteran Tirso Cruz III, who is now the head of the Film Development Council of the Philippines.

In response, Licauco appeared to be visibly delighted by Ejercito’s remarks.

“Siyempre, it’s a huge compliment for me. Maraming salamat,” he said. “At tsaka, si Gov (Ejercito), mukhang intidimidating from the outside pero noong nagka-kwentuhan po kami, talagang maayos siyang kausap, humble despite ‘yung dami ng kanyang accomplishments sa buhay.”

(Of course, it’s a huge compliment for me. Thank you very much. And Gov Ejercito may look intimidating from the outside, but when we started talking, he’s fun to talk to and humble despite his many accomplishments.)

The Kapuso star then admitted that he’s more of a “romantic” actor, noting that he has much to learn when it comes to learning the ropes of being an action star.

“Noong sinabi sa akin na full-fledged action series siya, to be honest, sa acting kasi, gusto ko ang romantic scenes. But then, nakita ko na ‘yung action ay merong acting din. Merong nuances kung paano siya gagawin (When I was informed that this is an action series, I honestly prefer romantic scenes in terms of acting. But then, I realized that action has acting too. There are nuances that need to be observed),” he said.

The love team, also known as BarDa, are joined by Ejercito, Jeric Raval, Jean Garcia, Juancho Triviño, and Faith de Silva. EDV