Chynna: college and career

Chynna Ortaleza talks about her primetime comeback, her sophomore year in UP, and choosing a different path when it comes to her career. Read up on her one-on-one with iGMA. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Associate in Arts This 24-year old is taking up Associate in Arts at the University of the Philippines Open University. “Well, it’s actually all general subjects, leading to arts,” she explains. Now on her sophomore year, she says that the Open University is very easy and convenient for busy people like her. “Usually, my classes are a mix of all sorts of people -- working students, young moms, everyone! Or people who just want to continue studying.” She continues, “Masaya naman, kasi di ba, it’s UP, there’s an opportunity for you to graduate [from] a good school, and it’s also convenient because you can take classes via the Internet. And then sometimes, if you want, you can go the University, and then you can take classes with your classmates and your teachers. Pero it’s not as demanding as regular school.” Chynna further explains that there are two options for the Open University: a purely Internet-based learning system, and a face-to-face system, which she chose. In the face-to-face system, there is a need to attend classes every now and then – something that Chynna considers important. “It’s going to be healthy to discuss things with other people, ‘cos it’s so hard if it’s just Internet based and you’re left with your modules,” she says. But for this semester, Chynna took a break because she has to concentrate on her show and her business. “I’m quite busy with La Vendetta and I’m busy with Stellar. So I decided to stop first, until my business has stabilized, and I’ve trained enough people to take care of it.” Mystery character Chynna’s role in La Vendetta will enter the story by the third week as the personal assistant of Amanda (Jean Garcia). “Joan [is] a mystery character. She’s grey - kung baga parang medyo gitna lang siya. There is a reason why she’s angry. I’m [Amanda’s] right hand, so she trusts me, but hindi natin alam kung ano pwede kong gawin,” Chynna narrates. Her last primetime show was last year (Atlantika), and although she’s glad to be in the GMA Telebabad slot again, she’s proud of the fact that she can be in “different places” when it comes to acting. “I can be in primetime, and the last project I had was in Dramarama [Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso?], and it was quite successful as well. I trust GMA, e. They know where they can put their stars na hindi naman masusuya yung viewers na lagi silang nakikita.” Chynna says she’s delighted to be in La Vendetta, especially since she is surrounded by really good actors. “I’m also happy because it’s not fantasy for a change. And I’m proud to be part of this, because it’s the first suspense-drama that they have.” She has done fantaseryes, teenybopper roles, and heavy dramas, but what does she consider the toughest among the lot? “I’d have to say my role in Magpakailanman,” she answers. “I played Bobby Mercado. The role is so different from me -- I haven’t tried drugs, [and] I’m not the type of person that goes around and rebels against my parents. So when they gave me that role, I really had a hard time getting into it. So I had to prepare for that. And I really had to ask help from my directors, because it’s so hard to portray somebody like that!” Chynna refuses to cite a dream role, saying that as long as it’s challenging and it’s new, she’s game for it. She adds, “I don’t really care if they give me bida or support – it doesn’t matter. Just as long as I know there is something I can do with the character; it’s the challenge na I can portray different people.” An actress since 2001, Chynna acknowledges her growth in her craft and remains quite thankful for all the opportunities given to her. “It’s also because of all the projects that they have given me – parang, they listen to me when I say I want to be versatile. And they say, ‘Sige, sige, we’re gonna support you with that decision.’ So I’m very, very happy. I have a long way to go – I still have dreams of becoming an award-winning actress, but it will come when the time is right.” Share your views about GMA’s newest primetime show! Talk about La Vendetta at the iGMA Forum! Text CHYNNA to 4627 to Feel the Fun with Fanatxt! (Each SMS costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK N TEXT, while it costs P2.00 for SUN subscribers) Click here to view the La Vendetta gallery!