Chynna can do more

MANILA, Philippines - It no longer came as a surprise upon learning that Chynna Ortaleza is once again cast as a contravida in the latest GMA 7 telefantasya Kakambal ni Eliana. You see, the viewers have gotten used to seeing her “mean bone” in many a protagonist role she has done before. But for Chynna, there’s nothing to be alarmed about.   

“It doesn’t really bother me because for me it’s actually getting into the character actor kind of place in the industry,” says Chynna. “It doesn’t mean naman na all I could do is contravida or what. Perhaps, at this point, they like how I portray my bad role and in the network, there’s a lack of it pag-dating sa babae. There are only a few of us who can do it — Glaiza (de Castro), myself and then Katrina (Halili) pa got pregnant so kumbaga umiikot-ikot lang, that’s why, feeling ng tao puro pang-contravida  lang ako.”

In fact, Chynna says, it excites her to know how people would react once she starts appearing in the show as Minerva with a different approach. She now has more freedom to act out the part without getting too many instructions from the director. “They’re giving me more room to exercise or stretch whatever it is that I can. Minerva is manipulative and mysterious. It’s hard to predict her next move and there are scenes without me saying any single word or she will just suddenly appear in the frame, may weirdness factor.”

What remains the same are preparations she does every time a new project comes along. She prioritizes on her look — from the hair down to her outfit. Then, she attends some brainstorming with the writers for better understanding of the role. What she deems more beneficial are the on-the-set acting coaches who guide them before the cameras start to grind.

“Acting is a continuous learning process. You can learn from everyone — from the director, co-actors and ordinary people even just by observing. Oftentimes, I try to process in my mind people’s reactions and their opinions then from there, I’ll work on the things that I think will serve me best.”

And she’s not afraid to fail “because we can learn from the challenges.” With that kind of attitude towards her craft, Chynna is certainly not bound to doing the same thing over again in her lifetime. It was last year when GMA Artist Center people noticed that she could do more by sharing that “can do spirit” with other talents. Result: She was offered to facilitate the network’s acting workshops.

“Sometimes, we reach the point of asking, ‘What else can I do?’ and that moment came to me so I prayed, then the offer came. They called and said, ‘Since we’re doing some workshops, why not try facilitating one?’ According to them, they saw in me that mother hen ability, ‘yun bang tipo na they gravitate towards me and I give daw good pieces of advice. It was the answer to my prayer so I accepted but sometimes I can’t help thinking if I’m really fit (to be a mentor).

“But I guess there’s a reason behind it and I have truly embraced it because the experience of mentoring talents also helped boost my confidence. It’s a big plus to me as an actor. And I’m proud that they trust me (to do) something like that.”

It was November of last year when she started mentoring about 50 talents that lasted until January. “We are on a break now and, about to do the third batch when all schedules have been finalized.”

Asked who among the talents she handled could become bankable future stars, Chynna replies, “It would be Enzo Pineda and Kristoffer Martin (the leading men of Kim Rodriguez who plays Eliana), my classmates in the first batch, because they are both super passionate and serious in improving their talent. Nakikita ko ina-apply talaga nila dito sa Eliana yung natutunan nila.”

How about Kim? “Si Kim medyo raw pa so you can’t expect na ‘yung wow, ang galing but she’s very eager because the show is her big break.”

Although she gives new talents her two cents worth, Chynna is aware of her own flaws and weaknesses. “I still have to work on my voice napansin ko bumababa at pumipiyok talaga ako pag sumisigaw. I also need to improve my body language and there are times that I find it tough to be sensual.”

She recalls how director Joel Lamangan would always ask her to show some passion while doing a scene in one drama series which was topbilled by Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado. “I don’t know why I can’t deliver ‘pag ganun, manang yata ako, hahaha.”

Just because of that, it doesn’t mean GMA will forever confine her to contravida roles. Last Saturday, she played the role of a young Chinese woman opposite Kean Cipriano in the episode of Wagas, GMA News TV’s once-a-week inspirational drama series. Chynna was touched when the production team commented, “Sayang, pwede ka naman bida lagi ka na lang contravida.”

“Of course who wouldn’t want that?,” says Chynna about being bida in a soap. “Kasi di ba it feels good to hear na pwede din pala (maging bida).”

So far, Chynna is happy with the projects her mother network is giving her. Is there anything she is eyeing in the future?

“I hope to produce something that’s very relevant if not on TV maybe in the movies. I can also direct or write, I think I can do that but I’d like to see myself more producing a show. I hope and pray that it will happen.”

(Kakambal ni Eliana, directed by Roderick Lindayag, airs weekdays on the Afternoon Prime slot beginning today.)