When Chynna Ortaleza reinvents herself

To achieve staying power in the entertainment world is an everyday challenge; most actors and actresses have to go great lengths to retain that so-called "it" factor. Today, owing to the growing array of top-of-the-line beauty and body enhancement programs offered in the market, or more specifically, in the entertainment world, "imperfections" such as blemishes, uneven complexion, flabby and out-of-shape bodies have come to near extinction. As they say in showbiz, apart from acting prowess, physical looks contribute to an actor/actress' career stability.

It's a known fact that one looks 10 times bigger than her original physique on television, but some actresses are just fortunate for being naturally lean, posh and beautiful.

Twenty-three-year-old Chynna Ortaleza has beautifully reinvented herself today. But who would have thought that, for a time, her being naturally skinny was considered more of a bane than a boon?

Chynna has already graduated from the stage of teenybopper roles like the character she once played in the now defunct youth-oriented program, "Click." It was in this program that she played the role of Mimi, who's the kikay ka-loveteam of Richard Gutierrez.

It was also around this time that everybody who has been glued to the show noticed that she was also underweight. "I know that I was really thin that time, because I was so stressed that I never had enough time to rest," Chynna recalled in an exclusive interview with The FREEMAN.

For a while, Chynna took the time out from the limelight of showbiz. And when she resurfaced, everybody saw the beautiful transformation that she has been through-minus the cosmetic surgeries. What used to be a skinny girl has now become a vivacious and fleshy actress. A reinvention that prompted the men's magazine Pump to choose her to be its cover girl for its maiden issue.

"I know that I'm now ready to face new challenges in my roles. I have already moved on to the next stage of proving one's worth in this industry," she shared.

A Transformation

While majority of our actors and actresses try to lose and maintain their weight to look stunning on TV, Chynna was doing otherwise. "I came from a family who are all thin, that's why I said to myself that I have to do something to gain some weight," she said.



Starting off with weighing only 85 lbs., she busied herself in the gym everyday for two months to sculpt her body. Along with this, she would also eat anything that she would want-a privilege that most figure-conscious people would crave for. All the hard work paid off after she started gaining weight. And eventually, at age 22, her metabolism slowed down.

On a Personal Note

Chynna is currently a student of the University of the Philippines, Diliman, taking up Film. "I want to take up a course that is related to the work that I am in right now," she said, "film is ok but aside from this, I want to hone my hosting skills because I always see myself in the broadcasting industry."

Although she has to juggle her work commitments and studies, she manages to maintain a healthy and loving relationship with her boyfriend of more than two years, Railey Valeroso.

If there's one thing that separates Railey from the rest, "he perfectly understands my work," Chynna said. This could be attributed to the many years that Railey spent in the entertainment industry as well.

While Chynna sees herself concentrating in the field that she has grown up with, Railey is good in doing business, which, according to Chynna, "all the more complements the relationship."