Here at Cosmo, we’re girls’ girls. We love it when women continuously support and make the conscious effort to express love and fondness toward fellow women—especially if it’s between two powerhouse actresses that we know today.

With network wars completely fading from the entertainment realm in the Philippines, we’ve seen a couple of celebrities who have expressed their desire to work with fellow actors and actresses, regardless of their home networks. Exhibit A for today is Barbie Forteza who openly joins the long list of celebrities who adore Kapamilya A-lister, Kathryn Bernardo.

In a June 2024 press conference reported by Inquirer.net, Barbie was asked about her thoughts on Kathryn while promoting her upcoming film, That Kind Of Love. She opened up about how much she looks up to Kathryn—that’s why it’s no problem for her to be considered in the same league as Kathryn. If anything, the Kapuso actress sees it as an “honor.”

“Actually, naku, hindi ko alam kung paano ko po sasagutin ‘yan. Kasi aaminin ko, isa rin po si Miss Kathryn Bernardo sa mga taong nilo-look up ko sa showbiz. […] And so to be acknowledged or to be noticed na kahit paano ay parehas [kami], is siyempre a very big honor for me,” she said, as reported from the press conference.

Kathryn and Barbie are known to be former child actresses from the two once-rival TV networks, ABS-CBN and GMA, respectively. As they flourished to their respective stardom, the two actresses managed to make a name of their own, beyond the love teams that they are part of.

Aside from the fame and the acting chops that Kathryn possesses, Barbie noted how she admires Kathryn’s clear demeanor towards her personal and showbiz life. In the same press conference, Barbie openly stated her thoughts about Kathryn’s trajectory as a celebrity.

“She really handles her career and personal life really, really well. That is why there’s no doubt kaya maraming brands ang na-a-attract niya. Dahil ganoon niya talaga dalhin ang sarili niya,” Barbie said in the press conference.

Barbie Forteza and Kathryn Bernardo on career and love life

Last year, we could say that Barbie and Kathryn have been juggling a lot of things between their personal and their work lives. Barbie, for one, was embroiled in numerous issues and controversies between her real-life romance with Jak Roberto and the intense success that her new love team with David Licauco—called BarDa—got from the public.

Kapuso celebrities Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto have been dating since 2017. Instagram/jakroberto

Barbie, who has always strived for authenticity, spoke about the hardships of balancing her personal and work life these days. In an interview with Luis Manzano, the TV host asked the Kapuso actress if she’s having a hard time drawing the line between her onscreen and offscreen life.

“Alam mo, siguro sa career ko, ‘yan ang hindi ko inakalang mae-encounter kong problems. […] I’d like to believe na nag-mature na rin ako ‘di ba, so parang to go back to that, tapos parang na-o-overshadow niya ‘yung achievements ko as a person, and as an actress, na ‘yun naman talaga ‘yung dahilan kaya ako pumasok sa showbiz,”  Barbie strongly expressed.

Barbie and her real-life partner, Jak, have been publicly dating since 2017. Despite Barbie’s love team, the two remained sweet and strong as a couple!

Kathryn Bernardo wins the ‘Best Actress’ award at the FAMAS Awards 2024. Instagram/starcinema

While this was happening on Barbie’s end, Kathryn made headlines for joining the list of most controversial and most shocking breakups of the decade after her split with 11-year boyfriend and love team partner, Daniel Padilla. But as we all know, Kathryn handled their breakup with the most genuine and emotional letter to fans.

Months after the Internet-shattering announcement, Kathryn continues to make the rumor mill churn with speculations linking her to various actors. Yet, she continues to move forward in her career with back-to-back endorsements and upcoming films which she top-bills. And if that’s not enough, she and her family also finished their dream house this year.