Perfect Cover Girl
Published in Sunstar (07/02/2005)Eric Ramos saw Chynna Ortaleza in one of her television appearances and he knew right away he has found the perfect cover girl for the initial issue of his new men's magazine, Pump.
Eric used to edit FHM, considered the leading men's magazine in the Philippines. He resigned from his job, however, when he felt his right as editor of the magazine was being obstructed.
While preparing for the first issue of Pump, he wanted to feature on the cover a girl who has turned into a woman right in front of the public's eye, one whose career in showbiz the public followed. Exactly like Chynna, who started her career in television when she was just 12 years old.
She was one of the young hosts of the public affairs show, "5 and Up," which Cheche Lazaro produced.
When Chynna became a teenager, she was paired with Richard Gutierrez when they were doing GMA's youth-oriented Sunday show "Click." For a while, their tandem was a hit.
"But three years ago, I told Richard that it was time for us to move on individually. Sabi ko sa kanya, 'di ko pinangarap na makilala lang bilang half of a love team.
"Ganun din pala ang paniniwala ni Richard. Although, unlike me, who was cast in TV shows bilang ako lang, he got Angel Locsin for his ka-love team," related Chynna.
At 22, Chynna thinks she's ready for mature roles. And striking a sexy pose for a men's magazine like Pump may be a stepping stone.
"Ganun pa man, when Eric first broached the idea to me, I had second thoughts," she said. "But I didn't tell him my fear outright, kung baga. Instead, I told him kakausapin ko ang Artist Center, which handles my career, and Tito Albert Martinez, who is helping me repackage myself. Natural na my parents's opinion also counted a lot."
Chynna's dad is former advertising man Gryk Ortaleza, who used to also produce films. Her mom, Lea, is her chaperone to wherever she goes, which is understandable because Chynna is the youngest and only girl in a brood of three.
So far, Albert, Chynna's parents and all of the people behind Artist Center, gave their thumbs up when they saw Chynna's pictures. Eric gave them a free hand to choose the pictures which they want published.
"Halos lahat ng photos ay okay sa amin para i-publish. In my case, nakita ko exactly the image I want to project, kaya I am not just satisfied (with the results of the pictorial), I am also happy.
"This is the right time for me to pose for a men's magazine like Pump because I want people to know I'm not a kid anymore," said Chynna. "I've grown up into this kind of woman. And I want to show that because I'm proud of who I've grown up to be."
"Parang itinugma na in my new TV series, 'Sugo,' which stars Richard in the title role, I play a 'dark' character. I am not a downright kontrabida pero iba ang dating ko," said Chynna.
She said she doesn't mind being a "second choice" to play one of Richard Gutierrez's leading. The role was intended for Bianca King, who reportedly did not do well in the workshop, prompting GMA-7 management to pull her out of the multi-million project.
"What is important is that GMA-7 recognizes my talent. They have entrusted me a very challenging role in 'Sugo,'" said Chynna. "Sugo" will start airing on July 4 on GMA-7's primetime telebabad block.
"It's fun working again with Richard. Wala naman kaming naging problema," she said.
Other than Chynna, Richard is also paired with newcomer Isabel Oli, a former ABS-CBN talent who auditioned for a role in "Sugo," and Taiwanese actress Jo Chen who appeared in the series "MY MVP Valentine,""Twin Sisters" and "Lavander," all of which were sown on GMA-7.
Chynna can also be seen on top-rating soap "Love to Love" opposite R&B prince Jay-R every Sunday afternoon, after SOP Gigsters, where she also a regular.
"Jay-R is nice to work with kahit may language barrier. He can't speak Tagalog fluently. But I really find him sexy," she said.
School, according to Chynna, is still a priority for her. She is currently enrolled in Masscom at the University of the Philippines. Eventually, she wants to become a newscaster.
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