ICYDK, Barbie Forteza recently went on tour as part of Sparkle Goes To Canada (the first-ever Sparkle-produced show outside the country!) from April 2-10, 2024. She and love team partner David Licauco were joined by fellow fan favorite celebrity pairings: Julie Anne San Jose and Rayver Cruz, and Bianca Umali and Ruru Madrid.
READ: David Licauco And Barbie Forteza Share *Sweet* Moments In Canada
During Avignon Clinic's launch for the brand-new Avignon Zaffiro, Cosmopolitan Philippines got a chance to interview the celebrity endorser on her beauty regimen and her recent trip abroad. Wearing a gorgeous deep red custom Joseph Palma creation (styled by Janra) and matching Louis Vuitton pumps, with her glam expertly done by Fatima Mercado, Barbie definitely ~*glowed*~ during the event!
Barbie Forteza talks about her Sparkle Goes To Canada experience
When asked what she enjoyed the most about her experience (aside from the shows, of course), the actress excitedly opened up about their side trips. "Yung mga free day namin nagda-downtown kami sa Toronto nila Ruru, ni Bianca, ni Rayver, tsaka ni Julie tsaka ni David. So na-maximize namin kahit papano yung downtown ng Toronto, nakaikot kami."
And this overseas trip only helped the group further bond as friends. In fact, Barbie and Bianca are certified besties! They constantly message each other when they aren't busy with work, and are currently trying to find hole-in-the-wall coffee shops: "gusto naming gawin dito sa Pinas!," she exclaimed. "Alam ko meron siyang gustong pagdalhan sakin ng brunch place, dito sa Marikina yata 'yun...sobrang gusto namin i-schedule 'yun."
"Our friendship grew stronger when we got to work together abroad," she explained. "Wala kang katulong eh. Ikaw lang, as in kaming girls, sariling sikap: hair and makeup, wardrobe and outfits, ganyan. So iba yung naging bond namin, iba yung naging friendship and trust namin sa isa't isa. I can't wait na malibot ang buong mundo kasama ang Sparkle's best!" Barbie got especially close to Julie and Bianca, who she works with on All-Out Sundays: From helping with each others' maletas to zipping each other up for quick outfit changes, traveling with the group meant "nakita ko yung ugali ng bawat isa."
Bianca posted a series of videos of their group, with the caption giving a nod to the show F.R.I.E.N.D.S. "The One in Calgary, Canada with F.R.I.E.N.D.S.," she penned, including the maple leaf emoji. So cute!
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Barbie did do some shopping in Canada (chocolates and maple cream cookies for her family), but her gift to herself was a pair of slippers from Dubai airport! "Parang reward ko sa sarili ko for a job well done sa Canada, kasi medyo challenging din talaga yung lamig, and siyempre yung buong show hindi ba, medyo pagod din. Pero sobrang worth it, and sobrang saya yung mga global Pinoys."
What's next for Barbie? "I am currently taping for our new Primetime show Pulang Araw. I will be working with Sanya [Lopez], David, and Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards, of course!" The cast has bonded a lot through their shared love of food! "Kunyare nasa Sariyaya, Quezon kami...or kunyare Los Baños, kung ano yung masarap ng pagkain doon, buko pie, ganyan. Lahat kami nagkakasundo, talagang paunahan kung sinong bibili yun ang kakainin."
Barbie said it helps that they became good friends off-camera, because they can help support each other as the Pulang Araw storyline is so emotionally heavy. "Sa bigat nung material, sa bigat ng concept nung storya namin, nakakapagtulungan kami. Kumbaga, kaya naming maging pranka sa isa't isa na, "Oh ganito yung gagawin ko. Okay lang ba sa iyo?" So mas magiging magaan in a way, kahit mabigat yung show."
Pulang Araw will air "very, very soon", and we're so excited!
Barbie Forteza's beauty regimen
When it comes to her beauty regimen, Barbie makes time to take care of her nails, hair, and face. "Siguro it helps na maarte ako," she said laughingly. "I guess it also falls on the obligation that I'm an artist, a celebrity. So I really have to look presentable...sobrang relaxing din naman kasi kapag nagpa-pamper time, diba? Me time, I call it "me time" kasi talagang outside of work and it's my way to relax."
Right now due to the summer heat, Barbie has lessened her reliance on cream-based products. Instead, she switched to water-based items like gel moisturizers. "I never forget to wear sunscreen, both sa face and sa body. I [also] stay hydratated and never forget to remove my makeup after. 'Yun lang!" To recap, Barbie keeps her routine simple: toner, water-based moisturizer, and sunscreen.
ICYDK, Barbie is the celebrity endorser for Avignon Clinic—and how she became their brand ambassador is a funny story! Back in 2021, she was looking for a place to get facials and found Avignon Clinic on social media: "Nasa QC lang siya, eh taga-QC ako so..." She was willing to pay at the time, however at the end of her appointment she was spotted by the brand's founder and CEO, Chris Cachuela. They met for the first time, and when she was about to pay he said "Hindi! Sa amin ka na," to which she immediately replied "Okay, let's go!"
