Kapuso actress and Kara Mia star Barbie Forteza was alarmed when she received news that a woman is pretending to be her new personal assistant and ordered food under her name.
Barbie said she got a call from her GMA Artist Center handler, saying there was a delivery of two cartons full of boxed pastries that were addressed to her. The pastries were ordered by a woman named Myrna Marquez.
"Dalawang kahon ng pastries na para daw sa akin, umorder daw ako. Sabi ko, 'Hindi,'" Barbie told Aubrey Carampel in an interview for 24 Oras' "Chika Minute" segment aired tonight, February 12.
Barbie said her handler called the pastry shop owner to clarify the matter.
She said, "Sabi, yung Myrna Marquez daw, kinlaim na personal assistant ko siya.
"Bago ko siyang personal assistant, at sinabi ko raw sa kanya na gusto kong matikman yung pastries nung shop."
The pastry shop listed Myna Marquez's contact number on the receipt included in the delivery, so Barbie's handler called her.
Speaking to Barbie's handler, Myrna repeated the same spiel, that she was Barbie's new personal assistant.
Barbie denied she knew the woman or anyone by that name.
"Wala talaga akong at all na kilalang Myrna Marquez, wala akong bagong assistant.
"At saka nung sinend lang sa 'kin yung picture nung cookies, saka ko lang sinearch sa social media kung saan [yung pastry shop]."
The pastry shop owner called Barbie's handler and said the woman claiming to be Myrna Marquez said to deliver the boxes of cookies to a hotel in Mandaluyong City.
Barbie said, "Binabawi nila pinapadala nila sa ibang lugar, sa [Edsa] Shangri-La. Kasi nandun daw ako, may presscon ako.
"E, wala akong ginagawa, nasa bahay lang ako kahapon."
The Kara Mia star warned others of this woman and her modus operandi.
"Baka hindi lang sa 'kin niya ginagawa, or baka hindi lang pagkain ang hinihingi niya. Worse, baka pera.
"Baka hindi lang ako yung artistang ginagamit niya," Barbie cautioned.
She also has a message for entrepreneurs and online sellers who want to reach out to celebrities.
"May ano naman kami, social media accounts.
"Dumiretso na lang kayo sa amin, para siguradong kami yung makakatanggap, kami yung makaka-negotiate ninyo."