From here to Chynna
By Raymond Tobias LombosPublished in Woman Today (09/18/2002)
Although she seems as fragile and exquisite as porcelain, this young lady possesses the smarts and drive that could eventually, make her a major showbiz player
Chynna Ortaleza is all grown up. Far from being the child-host of that seminal show 5 and Up, this young miss has since developed into a poised actress who could --- if she wants to --- become showbiz' next big star.
Blessed with a fragile frame and porcelain-like complexion, one's immediate reaction is to protect her from the harshness of the world. This girl, however, credits her stint in 5 and Up in introducing her to the sometimes harsh aspects of reality. "It (5 and Up) was great. Bata pa lang ako, I got a glimpse of what life is."
According to Chynna, the show was instrumental in developing her confidence especially when facing the camera --- something that would prove fortuitous later on. "It prepared me. If not for the show, I would still be the shy girl I was before," she says.
After reaching the show's age limitation on its host, she decided to enjoy her high school years, eventually finding herself in the honor roll.
Nonetheless, fate seemed to have other things in mind for her. "It was during my last year in high school that I began to receive calls to do commercials." Her "re-discovery", she says, was typical of a thousand and one stories on how commercial modes were plucked from obscurity to fame. "I was walking in the mall when talent scout saw me and said 'Oy, pwede ka sa commercials.'"
Chynna snagged commercial work almost as soon as advertisers saw her VTR. "It was my first VTR pa lang, and I immediately got a commercial," she tells. Just two months after her first work came out, another opportunity to do a commercial came.
It was soon after her second commercial was shown in television that GMA-7 came a-calling with an offer she couldn't refuse. "I don't know what happened," she remarks, "after the softdrink commercial, GMA-7 got me already. Wala naman akong plans to join showbiz, but when opportunity came sa tingin ko if I let it go sayang naman."
Chynna didn't find it difficult to face the camera anew when GMA-7 cast her as Mimi in the network's teen show, Click. By her own admission, the character she was asked to play did not by any means tax her gift for acting. Chynna found the character two-dimnesional and this bothered her. "Kasi parang 'di-challenging. People won't be interested in her --- so inisip ko, bakit 'di gawing kikay siya, pero lagyan ng serious side."
Fortunately, director Mac Alejandre proved receptive to her ideas and gave Mimi the chance to develop from a supporting character to one that has since become a major come-on for the show's target audience. "Nagkaroon siya (Mimi) ng sariling storyline --- ng background," she notes.
At present, Chynna has also been tapped to play the long-suffering adopted daughter of Chanda Romero in Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin --- no doubt a meatier role than the light fare that Click dishes out. Is this then a portent of more serious roles in the future? "I'm still new. Marami pa akong 'di nagagawa (as an actress). Marami pa akong 'di napu-prove sa sarili ko," she admits. Clearly, she is no star in a hurry.
It is, however, her decision to continue her studies that is most admirable about this young actress. Despite her increasingly hectic schedule, Chynna has managed to find time to earn a degree in Communication Arts at the University of Santo Tomas where she is on her second year as an irregular student. She's hopeful that she will eventually be able to do some serious work as a broadcaster ("My first love!", but is nonetheless thankful for the breaks that she has been receiving on the performing side of her career. "(The important thing is that you) just follow your dreams. Don't be discouraged when people say you can't do something. If you believe in yourself and you push yourself, you can do what you want and it's gonna happen. It's really up to you talaga if you want to achieve something."
Sound advice from a teen worth emulating.
The Chynna Factor
Full Name: Chynna R. Ortaleza
Birthdate: Dec. 6, 1982
Color of Hair/Eyes: Brown
Dad's Name: Gryk Ortaleza
Mom's Name: Leah Ortaleza
Brothers: Hector and Marco
Food loves: Pizza and Sushi
Chill Out Pick: Watching TV
Color Choice: Purple
Get-Ups: Jeans, spaghetti-strapped shirts
TV show: Click and Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin
Type of Music: Alternative/Pop
Reading Stuff: Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles and Magazines
Performers: Britney Spears and Madonna
Turn-Ons: Nice and interesting people
Turn-Offs: Mayabang and pretentious people
Ambition in Life: To be a director or a successful actress
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