Barbie Forteza on showbiz breakups in 2023: ‘We respect their personal lives, privacy’

Barbie Forteza. Image: Melody Santos via Instagram/@barbaraforteza

MANILA, Philippines — Barbie Forteza opted to not comment on the string of breakups  in the entertainment industry in the past year, saying she respects their “personal lives and privacy.”

The year 2023 witnessed several breakups in local showbiz including Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, and Andrea Brillantes and Ricci Rivero, just to name a few.

Barbie, who remains in a long-term relationship with Kapuso star Jak Roberto, told reporters that making a comment about the past breakups is not her story to tell, as she stressed that she and her boyfriend are not involved in their relationship.

“Ang mga ganyang bagay is not our place to talk about kasi it does not involve us. We’re not friends with anyone na nai-issue. Kaya hindi kami para maki-comment,” she said.

(It’s not our place to talk about those kinds of topics because it does not involve us. We’re not friends with anyone involved in the issue. This is why we’ll not comment on it)

The actress, however, wished for “everyone’s healing” towards the celebrities who previously split from their partners. She also pointed out that she and Roberto are busy with their respective pursuits to give the recent breakups the time of day.

“We will respect their personal lives, we will respect their privacy, and wish for everyone’s healing,” she said.

“‘Yung mga ganyang bagay, para sa’min, hindi na namin ma-entertain pa kasi hindi kami involved. As for us, busy kami sa sarili naming buhay. Busy [si Jak] sa pag-hanapbuhay habang busy ako sa paglilipat. Hindi na namin para pag-usapan pa ‘yun.”

(We cannot entertain such issues because we’re not involved. We’re busy with our own lives. Jak is busy with his business, while I’m busy with the move to my new home. We don’t have time to talk about those things.)

But when asked how she and Roberto maintain their longstanding relationship, Barbie said communication, trust, and love are important.

“Communication, of course. Trust is also important. Most of all, love,” she said.

Barbie and Jak are set to celebrate their seventh anniversary this May.