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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Movies and TV devider MOVIEGOER: Barbie's wild side

MOVIEGOER: Barbie's wild side

Published Aug 7, 2026 10:25 am

Does everyone have a wild side? Does it hold water even among ladies known for being prim and proper?

Barbie Forteza, former child actor and teen actress known for her sweet, leading lady roles, is out to mildly shock viewers with her new movie, "Saving Cherry." The Regal film, set to open on September 2, serves as Barbie's baptism of fire in the adult-film department.

But unlike the traditional bold launching films that Regal has been known for back in the '80s and '90s, this one is billed as a crackling sex-comedy.

With her quick wit, easy laughter and candid ways, Barbie is a natural for the part, that of a young girl anticipating marriage and preparing to lose her virginity.

During a mediacon on Aug. 3 at the Araneta Center in Cubao, Barbie boldly blurted out unapologetically, "I unleashed my wild side in this movie."

According to Ivan Andrew Payawal, the film's director, "Saving Cherry" is a comedy that also stars Khalil Ramos, Mika Salamanca, Mikee Quintos, among others. The story follows a conservative woman (Barbie) who wants to save her virginity for her wedding night. She embarks on an empowering road trip in the company of her four girlfriends.

Based on the film's trailer shown to media that afternoon at Gateway 2, "Saving Cherry" tackles Filipino womanhood in the present time as it struggles against conservatism, superstition, and peer pressure.

Producer Keith Monteverde summed it up best when he said, "Coming home from the US, I realized that it's never easy being a woman in the Philippines." Our culture, he said, is marked by hypocrisy.

Meanwhile, couples Aljur Abrenica and AJ Raval and Troy Montero and Aubrey Miles made quite a scene as they strutted the runway on July 30 at the Maddox Iconic Runway: Diamond Jewelry Fashion Show 2026 at Edsa Shangri-La, Manila.

A third couple, Roderick Paulate and Carmi Martin, although technically not married to each other, stole the show as they sashayed and danced to the tune of their signature number, Rick Astley's "Together Forever." Their presence together on one stage brought back nostalgic memories of their old musical-variety TV show, "Tonight with Dick and Carmi."

The first-of-its-kind fashion show, directed by Robbie Carmona and gathering over 40 artists, was staged in celebration of Maddox Jewelry's fifth anniversary.

Maddox Jewelry founder Charo Cordial said in an interview prior to the main event that everyone deserves to shine. She believes that ordinary Filipinos should have the capacity to buy jewelry pieces at affordable prices, allowing them to feel a bit more confident and glowing.

***

An ASEAN Cultural Center is set to open in Manila on Aug. 9, 2026, Sunday, at the Metropolitan Theater. The inauguration will be highlighted by the "Best of ASEAN Performing Arts" at 6 p.m.

The inauguration coincides with this year's 59th ASEAN Commemoration.

The first-ever Navotas Music Fest 2026, a landmark music festival that brings together some of today's biggest OPM artists, is rolling soon in September.

Organizers promise it will be a celebration of music, culture, and community.

The festival will feature performances by Maki, Cup of Joe, Mayonnaise, KAIA, Room Session Band, and more exciting artists.

Related Tags

Barbie Forteza Saving Cherry Regal Entertainment Khalil Ramos Mika Salamanca Mikee Quintos Ivan Andrew Payawal Keith Monteverde Aljur Abrenica AJ Raval
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