Interview With The Vampire
Sprite-ly Chynna Ortaleza is fangs-bared-ready for televisionBy Richard Black
Published in Forward (04-05/2002)
Most of us know her as the Kitikitext girl, walking and texting at the same time in a Sprite TV commercial. But in the time we spent with her, Chynna Ortaleza has proven that she is anything but a ditsy teenager with nothing better to do than text away her time. Not a girl, not quite a woman, Chynna is so full of intense energy that one cannot help but be drawn to her vibrance. Armed with rapier wit and girlish charm, she doesn't fall short of keeping our attention completely.
Originally, she was one of the first anchors of the award-winning TV show 5 and Up. Remember her? She was the girl with the tomboyish haircut, conversing with now-Milo boy Atom Aruallo. So what might all-grown-up Chynna be doing in the glitzy world of show business these days? She now stars in GMA 7's soap Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin and teen series Click.
Now don't be bending over backwards hoping she'd bump into you as she texts away. Chynna is no text addict. In fact, not a trace of a cellphone was seen in the course of our interview.
So, Sprite girl: What would it be, Coke or Pepsi? Coke. I prefer the taste of Coke. I find Pepsi a tad too bland; Although this new thing that they have, the "Kiss of Lemon" thing is arousing my curiosity. I'd like to try it.
Who would you rather date? The Urban Peasant or Adonis? Adonis. I'd rather date someone who looks good than someone who cooks well. Can you blame me? Besides I think the Urban Peasant is a little too old for me.
What is the lamest pick-up line ever used on you? Wala. (pauses to think) I've never been approached by anyone na nagpapakilala. I don't know - Perhaps they're intimidated by my presence. Maybe they think I'm as kikay in real life as I am in the Kitikitext commercial. Or baka akala nila hindi ako approachable. But I am so very friendly!
What should guys NOT do to attract you attention? Ayoko ng nagmamayabang. Pretentious people also turn me off. I hate those types. Oh, here you go! You were asking about pick-up lines: Now I remember... Someone called my house one time, and told my mom and I: "Hi. I'm Chinese. I'm very rich. I have my own loaning business. I have a Ford Expedition."
Aha! That's a pick-up line if I ever heard one...Although he should have said Ford F-150. Nice pickup. Har har, very funny, but that would NOT have helped either. I mean, what was with him? Gusto ko, sweet lang. I would rather have guys that took the friendly route rather than make pa-impress. Kung puro pa-impress ka lang naman, wala ka ring mararating. Besides, I don't like the idea of guys approaching me just to make ligaw. I'd rather have a lot of friends, right?
But of course. Tell us, Chynna: Uso pa ba ang harana? Para sa akin, hindi na. I don't want guys to be giving me flowers and stuff...I don't believe in traditional courtship anymore. I'd rather that the guy be my friend first, before anything. That way you don't have to pretend to be who you're not or make pa-impress or anything like that. You start off as friends. Then every time you're together you can learn something new about each other. Everyday, something new. 'Tpos kung saka-sakali, at the very least you have a true friend...But then again, sometimes I feel that it might also be nice to be courted. Ewan. Depende na sa guy siguro. Hindi bagay ang panliligaw for all guys.
Excuse me - Not that I'm making a move or anything, but I have to ask the inevitable: Are you seeing someone now? Yes, as a matter of fact I am, and yes, you are excused.
We first saw you as the Kitikitext girl for the Sprite ad. In real life, have you ever had any trouble bumping into people and objects, mobile or immobile, while texting without watching where you're going? No, I've been pretty accident-free. I'm not a text addict. I don't walk around while texting. When I text I usually stand in one corner or just plain stand still. Tapos text na ko, without placing any innocent lives or private property in danger. See? I'm not even holding a cellphone right now!
Have you met somebody through text? Yes, I have to admit that. Just one person.
And what became of it? He became...my boyfriend. (giggles) We didn't actually meet through text. We were friends initially, but he texted me once, saying that he was too shy to tell me how he felt about me to my face. So he told me through a text message...Hayun!
Do you entertain let's-be-textmates offers? No. I don't make textmates 'cause I know I'd just be too scared to meet up with them eventually. Anyway, I have friends and sila ang textmates ko.
What's your pet peeve? Oysters. Man, I hate oysters and all other kinds of shellfish, like tahong, talaba...(makes a gesture of disgust). They make me sick.
Why? Are you allergic or something? No naman.
What then? You don't like their appearance? It's not that. When prepared properly, they can look pretty appetizing...It's just that when I actually eat shellfish...Yuck. Wala lang, ayoko lang talaga. See, I'm not even sure why, they just taste...weird.
Nowadays, you're on TV playing quite the sweet girl on Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin. Is this the real you? No! I want to be a kontrabida!
And why is that? I think it's more like me to play the antagonist. I have a strong personality. My friends tell me that whenever they watch me on TV, they find it hard to believe it's me because I look so api! They know that the real me wouldn't stand for bad treatment. Besides, I feel it's easier to relate to characters that are closer to your personality, di ba? All you do is take a little of your personality and expound on it.
What's your dream role? (flashes a real toothy smile) I want to play a vampire!
A what-sis? A vamprire? Exactly.
Not an aswang? Nope. Sorry ha, medyo mapili ako. I want to play a vampire. Ever since I was twelve I've been reading Anne Rice - my mom would even warn me, "Stop reading that or you'll become a vampire!" Ha! I wish! Besides if you take a look at my teeth you'll notice that I have no lateral incisors. They're all canines.
Stop it, you're scaring me! No, look. I have a small jaw and big front teeth. See? I'm born for the role. Either that or a rabbit, but it's much cooler to play a vampire. (smiles)
Hmm... So maybe when they were casting Queen of the Damned they should have looked to you first? Exactly! Too bad the role went to Aaliyah. (giggles) Asa pa ako, no? But I would have loved to be in that movie kahit pa-extra-extra lang.
Describe your ideal date. Siyempre yung kaming dalawa lang. But I would really like to spend a day at the beach. I would rather spend time talking to a person than spend time watching a movie. I actually want to get to know a person. I'm impressed with guys who can keep an interesting and stimulating conversation going. And - I have to get this out of my system - I like talking. Not being talked at. I say this because some guys will just talk incessantly about themselves, and although we girls may find it somewhat interesting, siyempre mas gusto kong conversant kami instead of just listening to never-ending monologues.
What was the worst date you've been on? Hmm...I am so boring...I don't think...Wait...I remember back when I was in high school; there was this guy who really liked me. But I didn't really like him. I didn't want to go out with him pero nakakaawa so pinagbigyan ko siya. We went to the disco and ayaw niya akong isayaw! He wouldn't even talk to me! I tried talking to him but he would only reply with a silly laugh. Yun lang siya tatawa-tawa lang. Siguro nervous energy lang niya yun, but I never saw him nor went with him again.
Where is your ideal spot vacation? Gusto ko sa Disneyland! I've never been to Disneyland before. I really, really want to go there. I like Ariel, you know, the little mermaid. I will make it a point to hop on every single ride, see every single attraction.
For a while there I was thinking you would say Transylvania or Bulgaria. No naman. I want to play a vampire, not meet one.
Aside from Queen of the Damned, what other movies do you like? Do you really want me to answer that? (flashes a mischievous smile) Hands down, Interview With The Vampire! Queen of the Damned is not my favorite movie; It's really Interview With the Vampire.
So, what do you do for fun? I stay home and PlayStation the day away. I like playing RPGs like Resident Evil - until it started scaring me so I stopped. Pa Tekken-Tekken na lang ako ako. Or I go to the mall with my friends. Ang sarap kasi ng may kausap ka, especially if you have a lot in common to share with. Hindi mo mararamdaman na lumilipas ang oras.
You know what? I know exactly what you mean... Good. Are we done?
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