Barbie Forteza

Barbara "Barbie" Ambas Forteza, born on July 31, 1997, in Biñan, Laguna, Philippines, is a singer and actress. She began her television career at age 12 with GMA Network's remake of Stairway to Heaven. In April 2013, Forteza released her self-titled debut album Barbie Forteza under MCA Records, featuring the carrier single "Meron Ba", which served as the theme song for GMA Network's Koreanovela Big. Forteza gained wider recognition after starring in primetime TV drama series such as Maria Clara at Ibarra, Maging Sino Ka Man, and Pulang Araw. She has received several accolades, including the Fantasporto International Film Festival Best Actress Award for her role in Laut (2016), the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival Best Supporting Actress Award for Mariquina (2014), and the PMPC Star Awards for Movies New Movie Actress of the Year.