Sparkle's first-ever concert tour in Canada may be a business trip, but Barbie Forteza saw it as a good mix of work and play.
It was an eight-day trip from April 2 to 10, 2024, with two shows held at the Southview Alliance Church in Calgary on April 5, and at the Toronto Pavilion in Toronto on April 7.
Directed by Johnny Manahan, aka Mr. M, the Canada Goes To Sparkle concert tour was headlined by Barbie, David Licauco, Ruru Madrid, Bianca Umali, Rayver Cruz, and Julie Anne Jose.
"Na-maximize namin kahit papa'no," said Barbie, whose face lit up when PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) asked what she enjoyed the most in Canada.
PEP.ph interviewed her on the sidelines of the media launch of Zaffiro, the newest beauty treatment from Avignon Clinic, which Barbie is endorsing.
The event was held at Manila House Manila in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City, last Monday, April 22, 2024.
BARBIE FORTEZA'S UNFORGETTABLE MOMENTS
She then enumerated the four highlights of her workcation in Canada.
1. stronger friendships
Barbie said she and fellow Kapuso star Bianca Umali grew closer after spending time together on and off cam.
They instantly connected because of their shared love for coffee as well as the popular '90s American sitcom FRIENDS.
Describing their newfound closeness, Barbie exclaimed, "Sobra! Ngayon nga magka-message kami."
Barbie went on to say that she also had a lot of bonding moments with Ruru, Julie Anne, Rayver, and David.
"Our friendship grew stronger when we got to work together abroad.
"Kasi wala kang katulong, e. As in kaming girls, sariling sikap, hair and makeup, wardrobe outfits, ganyan.
"Iba yung naging bond namin and friendship and trust namin sa isa't isa.
"I can't wait na malibot ang buong mundo kasama ang Sparkle's best."
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2. COFFEE HUNTING
Another highlight for Barbie were here coffee hunting jaunts with the gang.
In an Instagram post, Barbie showed that she hung out with the whole group in Kensington, Calgary.
She also didn't mind thirdwheeling with reel-and-real-life couple Bianca and Ruru in a coffee shop that they went to in downtown Toronto.
One cafe they discovered has a relaxing backyard sitting area.
In her interview with PEP.ph, Barbie said she and Bianca are already planning to replicate the same experience here in Manila.
"Kapag wala kaming trabaho, gagawin namin yung ginawa namin dun na naghahanap kami ng hole-in-the-wall coffee shops.
"And alam ko may gusto siya pagdalhan sa akin na brunch place sa Marikina yata yun. Gusto namin i-schedule yun."
Read: Barbie Forteza, David Licauco more "comfy" now with Barda love team
3. winter wonderland in canada
Barbie also made the most out of her winter experience in Calgary.
She visited the famous Banff National Park where she enjoyed wandering around the bridge overlooking the snowy mountain peaks and glacial lakes.
4. BUYING PASALUBONG
Even as she enjoyed her time in Canada, Barbie did not forget to purchase pasalubong for her family back home.
Asked what she bought for them, she replied, "Mga chocolates po. 'Tsaka mga maple cookies, maple cream cookies for my family."
PAMPER TIME IN MANILA
When she arrived back in Manila, Barbie beat her jet lag with Zaffiro as her pamper treatment in Avignon.
Powered by Neavia, Barbie says Zaffiro is a painless beauty treatment that addresses hydrates, tightens, and lifts the skin with no downtime.
It can be customized according to the patient's needs: boost hylaluronic acid for anti-aging, reduce acne scars, and skin brightening, among others.
The treatment can also be used in other parts of the body or as hair nourishment.
Talking about her experience with Zaffiro as a facial treatment, Barbie explained: "Sobrang lala ng jet lag ko. Naisip ko pumunta ng Avignon sa BGC. Susuungin ko yung traffic ng BGC kasi dun lang may Avignon. Kasi Avignon pa lang ang first-ever clinic na merong Zaffiro."
"Nung na-try ko siya, yung hydro exfoliation, sobrang refreshing. Di mo mararamdaman, pero makikita mo after yung result.
"Kasi nakaka-dry [ng skin] sa Canada, e. Napansin ko yung pag-improve ng texture."
She added that the treatment also gave her an instant facial lift.
"Saka yung thermo lifting, ang gustung-gusto ko painless siya kasi medyo mababa po ang pain tolerance ko.
"Totoo po siya, dahil nanggaling ka sa hydro exfoliation, malamig pa yung face mo, so kapag ginawa yung thermo lifting yung second step, kahit mainit yung effect niya, di mo gaano mararamdaman, pero instant ang effect.
"Pati skin lightening [effect] niya talaga pong maganda."
@pepalerts Here’s what went down at Avignon Clinic’s official launch of its newest beauty treatment, Zaffiro, led by celebrity endorser Barbie Forteza. She is joined by fellow Kapuso star Rocco Nacino and his wife Melissa as well as the brand’s beauty queen ambassadors Nicole Cordoves, Roberta Tamondong, Hannah Arnold and Amaliyah Shakirova. #PEPNews #EntertainmentNewsPH #NewsPH @Avignon Clinic @Barbie Forteza ? original sound - PEP.ph