Barbie Forteza expressed her admiration for Kathryn Bernardo, especially with how she takes care of her “career and personal life,” while hoping they would work together in the future.

At a press conference for her film “That Kind of Love,” Forteza was asked about being compared to Bernardo, to which she said that the latter was someone she looks up to in the industry.

“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 show biz,” she said. “She really handles her career and personal life really, really well.”

(Actually, I don’t know how to answer this question. Because if I have to be honest, Kathryn Bernardo is one of the people I look up to in show biz. She really handles her career and personal life really, really well.)

Forteza also praised Bernardo’s professionalism, and to be compared to her is an “honor.”

“That is why there’s no doubt kaya maraming brands ang naa-attract niya. Dahil ganu’n niya talaga dalhin ang sarili niya. And so to be acknowledged or to be noticed na kahit paano ay parehas [kami ng career path at acting style], is siyempre a very big honor for me,” she said.

(That is why there is no doubt that many brands are attracted to her because she carries herself well. And so to be acknowledged or seen in the same likes as her, is, of course, a very big honor for me.)

The Kapuso star showed her desire to work with Bernardo in the future.

“And sana, sana magkatrabaho kaming dalawa dahil isa rin siya talaga sa mga gusto kong makatrabaho, at isa sa mga ina-admire kong actors of our generation,” she said. (I really, really hope that we would work together because she’s one of the actors I always wanted to work with. She is also one of the actors I admire the most in our generation.)

Forteza was joined by her onscreen partner David Licauco, who earlier admitted that he is also a fan of the Kapamilya actress as well.

“That Kind of Love” is a romantic comedy film that will mark Forteza’s reunion with Licauco, following their successful pairing in the period series “Maria Clara at Ibarra,” and will premiere on July 10. They are also among the leading actors in the upcoming drama “Pulang Araw” which stars Alden Richards, Sanya Lopez, and Dennis Trillo.

Meanwhile, Bernardo was recently named the FAMAS Best Actress for her performance in “A Very Good Girl.” She is set to star in the upcoming movies “Hello, Love, Again” and “Elena 1944.”