The human emotion and experience, fear, takes the focal point in the GMA Pictures and GMA Public Affairs film titled “P77” or the Penthouse 77.

Whether it is rooted in the mundane realities of living or in the deep recesses of the mind is something viewers have to decode when they go to the local cinemas beginning today.

Lighting their way, as a manner of speaking, is reliable, versatile actress Barbie Forteza, who takes on the role of a cruise ship chambermaid and cleaner named Luna, with the aspiration of giving her family a comfortable life.

 

The Kapuso artist banks on her acting tools to be in that lifeworld of Luna.

“Feeling ko I’ve learned everything along the way as I go (and navigate my work) since I didn’t have any formal acting (training or education),” said Barbie on The STAR’s inquiry about the discovery and development of her acting approach, also encompassing the Sanford Meisner technique, in a recent press conference.

“I like watching the interviews of my favorite actors like Javier Bardem, Meryl Streep, Judi Dench, and a lot of my favorite actors, they use the Meisner technique, which is very convenient to the (current) setup or system in the Philippines on how a content, a movie or TV (series) is being made,” added she on the practical and pragmatic dimension of it.

Barbie (fourth from right) with (from left) film director Derick Cabrido and the rest of the ensemble cast of ‘P77’ Chrome Cosio, Euwenn Mikaell, JC Alcantara, Gina Pareño, Jackielou Blanco and Carlos Siguion-Reyna.

“There are times when you do a lot of projects na pinagsasabaysabay,” continued she. “Like now, I just came from (the set of) ‘Beauty Empire.’ Then, I’m doing the mediacon… So, for me, it is Philippine friendly.”

All acting approaches, such as Meisner and Method, are valid and effective. They require preparation and commitment. However, Meisner provides the thespian practical exercises to be in the character and in the latter’s moment, as depicted in the script as well as in the film direction.

“You make yourself aware of the surroundings,” said Barbie of her own understanding of the technique. “You get stimulus from your co-actors, you react, ganyan.”

With that, it is practical and accessible to any actors like Barbie, who, according to her, didn’t have a formal education on Meisner. She simply did her research and read the available literature on the technique. Responding truthfully to the scene and fellow actors is one principle of such an acting approach.

Barbie also tapped the olfactory approach, like the use of a particular perfume to differentiate Luna from other characters.

Prior to that, Barbie was also asked to give everyone a sneak peek into building the character Luna from the ground.

Barbie Forteza displays her acting versatility by taking on the role of Luna, who presents the universal emotion of fear and provides hints of its possible real or imagined cause in the GMA Pictures film ‘P77.’ Similar to actors out there, Barbie brings the ‘truth’ about her role and finds capturing fear challenging since it’s one thing people avoid encountering and experiencing in reality.

“As actors, we really want to show truth as much as we can in portraying our roles,” said she, hinting at the goal of any actor, regardless of genres, from drama, comedy and romance-love to horror-thriller.

“Parang it’s mentally challenging. It’s the most mentally challenging,” continued Barbie of becoming and being Luna on the screen. “Kasi iba yung ‘pag takot na yung kailangan mong bigyan ng katotohanan, ang hirap nun kasi it’s the one thing na iniiwasan mo sa totoong buhay, di ba?, na matakot (it’s different when you bring some sense of truth or reality about fear and make it believable. It’s one thing we avoid experiencing). So, you do everything para di ka matakot (for you not to be scared),” continued she.

Accessing such a human emotion is definitely challenging for Barbie, whose work on the “P77” set asked her to show fear in different scenes, filmed in different camera angles and shots, but in the same way and with the same intensity.

What also made it extra taxing was for the actress to incorporate the real cause of fear, like PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or past experiences that cloud the character’s making sense of reality or limit her actions and movements.

Barbie with David Licauco, Dustin Yu and Bianca de Vera.

Barbie had to study the social and psychological contexts of Luna and acknowledged the guidance director Derick Cabrido gave her for the proper portrayal of the role.

As for the growth of her talent, Barbie also expressed her gratefulness to GMA for its continued trust in her, and she was aware, too, that it comes with pressure — and responsibility, as one may put it. That’s to become better.

“Siguro yun po ang nag-pu-push sa akin na hindi iisang Barbie yung maipakita ko na every time they give me something to work with (perhaps, it is what motivates me to show varied sides of me in acting), it will be worth it kasi hindi biro na magtiwala ka, mag-invest sa isang artista at naiintindihan ko po yun,” said she.

“Again, acting is my passion,” said Barbie of her core for being in the entertainment industry. “I didn’t enter showbiz to be famous. I really entered showbiz because I want to be an actress… kaya pinagbubutihan ko talaga (that’s why I really work hard and better myself).”

Please watch “P77” in theaters near you.