Chynna's Change
By Edgar CruzPublished in The Daily Tribune (09/29/2005)
The last time I had a serious talk with 22-year-old Chynna Ortaleza, we were being flimsy. She was a lanky teen back then, bubblier as usual than a newly uncorked sparkling wine. This happened during a Regal Entertainment press conference when Ed Sicam and I quizzed her who among Richard Gutierrez, Cogie Domingo and Railey Valeroso is the better smoocher. Not too exposed on the ways of the world, she did not have a definite answer. Four years after the fact, during my last interview with her at a Tomas Morato resto, she has a specific answer: it's Railey!
"He gives me the spark!" she explains her choice without being shy about it. This is understandable. Railey has been her squeeze for two years and she must have learned the difference between a professional and a personal kiss. Having smacked many times over as screen partners, Chynna says that Richard's mouth is too big for hers. It's unlike Railey's. Her boyfriend has thin lips and a mouth just as big as hers, putting away the factor of size difference, allowing them to focus on the act of kissing, making it as thrilling as possible for Chynna.
Two things contributed to Chynna's amazing transformation. Since she hooked up with Railey, she decided to shed off the ways of the inexperienced. Posing for the virgin issue of Eric Ramos' Pump magazine was the final realization for her to crossover from teenybopper to sexy star. Her outlook about her craft has clearly changed. She might not do private part exposure but she decided to get as bold as she could. Doing challenging roles continues the ambition. Chynna is doing the role of Bobbi Mercado, the troubled daughter of '60s singer Eddie Mercado, tonight in Mel Tiangco's Magpakailanman drama anthology.
When Bobbi learned that his dad had a mistress tucked somewhere in North America, she rebelled against him by living an outcast's life. This Thursday, Chynna plays Bobbi's tattered life which requires her to cry. "It was easy for me but direk Argel Joseph had to teach me how a drug addict behaves. I've never used drugs or hung out with users so I wouldn't know. I think I did reasonably well." Chynna adds with pride in her voice and smile.
This special appearance with Ariel Rivera as Eddie, Biboy Ramirez, Sid Lucero, Dino Guevarra and Gio Alvarez continues Chynna's desire to act out challenging roles. She agreed to do an anti-hero role in Sugo to expand her range of character personification. She's also set to do a digital movie with Mark Meily to complete the transformation. But Chynna is not looking for more television assignments because as it is, her Sugo role has blocked off four days of her week. What she's doing is saving her earnings from her current wave of fame to be able to put up a business.
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