Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto end seven-year relationship amid speculations of “7-year itch”

Kapuso stars Barbie Forteza and Jak Roberto have officially called it quits after seven years of being together.

The news broke after Barbie confirmed their split through a heartfelt Instagram post on January 2, 2025, leaving fans shocked and heartbroken.

In her post, Barbie shared photos with Jak alongside a message that expressed both gratitude and closure:

“Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened,” she began, quoting Dr. Seuss.

“Having you in my life was the happiest I had ever been. Seven wonderful years. A lot of laughs, a lot of ramen, and so much love. Your love was exceptional. But sometimes, good things fall apart so better things can come together. Beautiful goodbye, @jakroberto.”

She continued by thanking Jak for his love: “Thank you for loving me the way you did. I am excited for what’s to come for the both of us. You take care of yourself. May you find the love you deserve. I hope for everyone’s understanding, and I wish you can help us put this matter to rest.”

The unexpected news quickly made waves online, with fans and netizens sharing their reactions on social media. Many expressed their sadness over the split, while others speculated on the reason behind their breakup.

One of the prevailing theories points to the infamous “7-year itch”—a belief that relationships tend to hit a breaking point after seven years.

However, some fans pointed to Jak’s alleged insecurities and issues of jealousy. A comment on LionhearTV’s Facebook page read: “Gnon tlga pag bongga career mo mag sacrifice tlga love life mo.”

“baka nagkaroon ng resibo si Barbie about sa Ava-Jak incident. mukhang si Barbie kasi yung tipong “huwag na huwag na huwag kang magloloko”.”

Another netizen noted: “Seven years na nga… Hindi kinaya ng ‘7-year itch.’”

Many fans also mentioned David Licauco, Barbie’s onscreen partner in the hit series ‘Pulang Araw’, speculating whether their close friendship may have added tension to Barbie and Jak’s relationship.

“In love na yata si Barbie kay David,” commented one netizen, while others defended Barbie and urged people not to jump to conclusions: “Let’s not assume things. Only Barbie and Jak know the truth.”

Despite the noise, David has remained silent, only sharing a recent Instagram post featuring a bottle of wine by a window—hinting at a quiet start to the New Year.

Jak Roberto has yet to release a statement about the breakup. His last post on Instagram was a New Year’s greeting, showing no signs of the split. Fans noted that the comments section of his posts has been limited, preventing many from sharing their thoughts on the matter.

Barbie and David’s tandem, known as “BarDa,” gained massive popularity in 2024 with their undeniable chemistry in ‘Pulang Araw’. The success of their love team led to speculations that their closeness may have played a role in the breakup.

For now, the reason behind their breakup remains a mystery, but as one netizen put it: “In time, the real story will come out. But for now, let’s respect their privacy.”