Jak Roberto, known for his easygoing persona as the “professor of anti-silos,” has shared his perspective on the love team between his girlfriend Barbie Forteza and fellow Kapuso actor David Licauco.
While he clarified that he is not envious of their on-screen pairing, he expressed concern about some fans who appear to be taking it too seriously.
Roberto, affectionately dubbed “Prof,” for his reputation as the understanding boyfriend to Forteza, is famous for his relaxed approach to relationships. His one-liner advice to couples on the brink of breaking up has become a viral sensation on social media.
During an interview on ‘Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,’ Roberto reiterated his full support for the “BarDa” love team, emphasizing that, as actors, it is part of their job to portray sweet gestures for the audience.
“Hindi po ako nagseselos. Mula’t mula po,” he stated. “Pati rin si Barbie po, hindi rin. Nagkataon na parehas kaming artista and I think kung non-showbiz ‘yung magiging ka-relasyon namin, hindi magkakaintindihan talaga. So para sa’min, naintindihan namin ‘yung work namin.”
However, the Kapuso heartthrob acknowledged feeling “disheartened” by fans who take Forteza’s on-screen partnership too seriously, particularly those who wish for her and Licauco to become a real-life couple.
“Pero sa set-up na kinagat sina David at Barbie. May mga tao at fans who continue to ship [them], kahit konti, hindi ka napipikon?” Abunda inquired.
“Actually, nalulungkot ako sa Filipino mindset natin [tungkol sa love teams] na siyempre, hindi mo naman masisisi, kahit naman ako, maging fan ng isang artista, talagang magiging gan’un ‘yung pakiramdam ko. [Pero] may comments na pinepersonal na. May mga nagsasabi ng ‘di magagandang salita,” he responded.
“Pero as an artista at alam ko ang ginagalawan kong mundo, naiintindihan ko lahat ‘yun. Nalulungkot lang ako sa iba. Sana maintindihan nila kung ano ‘yung personal at trabaho,” he continued.
Roberto further underscored that he and Forteza grant each other the freedom to pursue their respective roles as actors, emphasizing the pivotal role of trust in sustaining their relationship.
“Wala po kaming pakialaman sa trabaho. Parehas kaming actor. Pagdating sa trabaho, trabaho. Pagdating sa love life, love life,” he said. “Mahalaga ‘yung trust kasi alam namin sa isa’t isa na trabaho lang ‘yun. As long as nagtitiwala kami sa isa’t isa na trabaho lang siya, wala naman nagiging problema.”
When Abunda inquired if Roberto has ever experienced jealousy when others expressed romantic interest in Forteza, he affirmed that such situations had not arisen throughout their six-year relationship.
“Hindi talaga eh. Kaya siguro nagkataon na naging professor ako ng ‘anti-silos’ class,” he replied, eliciting laughter from the host.
Roberto also disclosed that he and Forteza have discussed marriage at certain points in their relationship. Still, he clarified that both have their individual priorities at this juncture.
“May mga times, pero biruan pa lang namin [‘yung usapang kasal] kasi may kanya-kanya pa kaming priorities. Siya rin, iba ‘yung passion niya sa trabahong ‘to. Sobrang wild pa ‘yung imagination niya na aabutin niya ‘yung career ni Tita Gloria Romero, gan’un po ang mindset niya. Gan’un niya ka-love ang pag-arte,” he remarked.
Roberto’s remarks follow his recent in-person “anti-silos class” held at Jose Rizal University in Mandaluyong, which appeared to be part of Sparkle GMA Network’s talent recruitment program.
In a separate interview, Forteza expressed her appreciation for Roberto’s “support” regarding her love team with Licauco. She values his “maturity” when it comes to the attention directed at their supposed love triangle.
