Chynna Ortaleza

Kapuso actress Chynna Ortaleza dispelled speculations that Sunshine Dizon’s rumored “unprofessionalism” caused the latter to be pulled out from the afternoon soap opera, “Tinik sa Dibdib.”

“During all the times we worked together (‘La Vendetta,’ ‘Dear Friend,’ and ‘Bahay Mo Ba ‘To?’), I didn’t feel at all that she was unprofessional. She was there on the set, she knows her lines...everything. She does her job,” Chynna told Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online and other members of the press in a recent interview.

The actress revealed that she initially did not believe that Sunshine had exited “Tinik sa Dibdib.”

“Nagulat ako kasi nung nag-guesting ako sa ‘The Sweet Life’, tinanong ako nung taga-‘Showbiz Central’ sa nangyari kay Shine (Sunshine’s nickname). Nung sinabi niya (interviewer) sa’kin ‘yung nangyari, hindi ako naniwala agad hanggang sa naglabas na nga ng statement ‘yung GMA,” said she.

She theorizes that “burnout” may have caused Sunshine’s health problems.

“(Pero) kung anuman ‘yung nararamdaman niya (ngayon), sa lahat ng times na nag-work kami together, never ko na-encounter ('yon) so it’s probably burnout.”

A self-confessed Sunshine fan, Chynna feels sad over Sunshine’s sudden departure from her soap opera.

"Sayang naman (kasi) super galing (niya e). Isa siya sa mga actresses na tinitingala ko. Alam niya yun,” she said.

Meanwhile, Chynna revealed that her supposed first indie film with Baron Geisler, “Ukay-Hukay,” will not push through.

“Actually, hindi ko na alam ‘yong nangyari sa indie (film) na ‘yun. Ang mga naririnig ko (ay galing) sa ibang tao (at) hindi sa line producer namin so, hindi ko sure kung gaano ka-totoo. Pero, yun na nga, hindi na raw natuloy ‘yun,” said Chynna who was offered to play the role of a ghost in the film.

In future indie films she hopes to make, Chynna hopes to play a mentally challenged character or a vampire. The second is due to her childhood fascination of the blood-sucking creatures.

“Noong nine years old ako, naalala ko ‘yung mommy ko nagagalit sa’kin, kasi ‘yung pinapabili kong libro ‘yung kay Anne Rice (author of the so-called ‘The Vampire Chronicles’) kaysa sa mga (librong) pambata,” she recounted.

As of the moment, Chynna is a regular on the Sunday variety show, “SOP Rules.” A new project for her, targeted for primetime, is also in the works.

“They (GMA Artist Center) don’t wanna tell me the details yet but I know I’m waiting for something already. In the meantime, (there’s) ‘SOP,’ tapos rumaraket ako at saka nagpapahinga,” she shared.

Chynna added that said she “appreciates the down time” she has nowadays, after juggling three shows---“Dear Friend,” “SRO: The Eva Castillo Story,” and “Adik Sa’Yo”---a few months ago.

The Kapuso star has no qualms with whatever role she will portray in forthcoming projects, as long as these are challenging ones.

“Hindi naman ako nag-iisip na nandito ako sa showbiz (and) therefore kailangan [kong] magka-lead. Ang laging nagpapasaya sa’kin (ay) ‘yung ma-challenge ako. Whether it’s a small role or a big role, lead (or) kontrabida, it doesn’t really matter,” said she.

Chynna, along with Aileen Go of Megasoft Corp., makers of Sisters Feminine Napkin, enjoined select members of the entertainment press to travel to Calamba, Laguna on Oct. 16.

At the Sioland Supermarket Calamba, Chynna helped distribute special Sisters Feminine Napkin gift packs to high school students from the area to motivate them to keep up their good work in school.

The actress also headed a dance contest to the tune of Wonder Girls’ song, “Nobody,” in which some of the students gamely participated.

Chynna’s Calamba stop is part of Sisters Feminine Napkins’ nationwide tour which includes Baguio, Dagupan, Mindoro, Cavite, Pampanga, Bicol and Batangas.