Angelica Panganiban believes that Barbie Forteza has what it takes to portray ‘Rubi’ should the iconic teleserye get a modern remake.
Angelica shared her thoughts during a guest appearance on the online show ‘Dogshow Divas’ with Baus Rufo & Macoy Dubs, where she was asked which young actress today she would entrust with the role she made famous in 2010.
“Alam mo kasi napanood ko ‘yung Kontrabida Academy. Nagalingan ako kay Barbie Forteza,” Angelica said.
She explained that Barbie’s versatility stood out to her, noting that the Kapuso star can seamlessly shift between genres. “Isa siya sa puwede kong pagpasahan kasi parang kaya niyang bumakla. Kaya niyang magpatawa rin, at magaling siyang mag-drama,” she added.
Angelica portrayed Rubi—dubbed “Ang Bidang Kontrabida”—in the Philippine adaptation that aired on ABS-CBN in 2010. The series was based on the Mexican drama of the same name, which became a massive hit in the Philippines when its Tagalog-dubbed version aired in 2004. The character of ‘Rubi’ is known for being ambitious, manipulative, and morally conflicted, making the role both demanding and iconic.
Barbie recently headlined the Netflix film ‘Kontrabida Academy’, where she played Gigi, a role that showcased her ability to handle villainous material with humor and emotional depth. In previous interviews, Barbie has spoken about the challenges of portraying antagonists, describing kontrabida roles as emotionally intense but creatively fulfilling.
As of writing, Barbie has yet to react publicly to Angelica’s endorsement.
