"So, I’m saying goodbye to teeny-bopper roles and saying hello to mature roles," says Chynna who joined showbiz when she was sweet 16.
For a starter, the co-host (of Iza Calzado and Bettinna Carlos) of the GMA lifestyle show 3R (Sunday morning) has decided to move out of the loveteam stage by proving herself capable in a solo flight. In the GMA all-star-cast "world-class adventure love story" titled Sugo, which premieres on Monday, July 4, Chynna doesn’t, for a change, play one of the leading ladies (aside from newcomer Isabel Oli and Taiwanese actress Joe Chen) of lead star Richard Gutierrez who was Chynna’s love interest in previous GMA soaps and five Regal movies (Bakit Papa, Kuya, Mano Po 2, etc.).
"Just the same," adds Chynna, "I’m proud to be in Sugo which is gigantic in budget, scope and casting."
Directed by Dominic Zapata and Lore Reyes (who also megged the megahit GMA fantaserye Mulawin, also with Richard in the title role), Sugo is the epic story of two warring tribes, with Richard playing the dual role of twin brothers leading the tribes (the good forces of the Karag-ayan and the dark forces of the Binhi-lan).
The other members of the cast are Amy Austria, Ariel Rivera, Gardo Versoza, Leo Martinez, Boots Anson-Roa, Luz Valdez, Paolo Contis, Emilio Garcia, Ramon Christopher, Yayo Aguila, John Arcilla, Gabby Eigenmann, Richard Quan, Stella Ruiz, JC de Vera, Julianne Lee, Dion Ignacio, Mike Tan, LJ Reyes and Lorna Tolentino as Amelia of the Karag-ayan tribe.
GMA has availed of the expertise of international choreographer Hong Kong national Wong Wai Fai, for the fantaserye’s choreographed action scenes. Wong was the martial arts instructor and director of such hit movies as Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Anna and the King and Bulletproof Monk. He also brought in his group of Hong Kong stuntmen to create the realistic fight sequences.
The "virgin issue" (July 2005) of PUMP, described by its publisher and editor-in-chief Eric Ramos (former founding editor of FHM magazine) as "the magazine for men who know better and deserve the best," flaunts Chynna as cover girl in a sexy pose that will shock people used to seeing Chynna sweet and wholesome.
"This is the right time for me to pose for a men’s magazine," explains Chynna who asked the permission of her parents and her boyfriend, actor Railey Valeroso, before shedding part of her clothes and all of her goody-goody image. "I’m not a kid anymore and I’m proud to show people how I’ve grown up to be."
PUMP will conduct an autograph-signing tour for Chynna on Thursday, July 7, at Binondo Media Publications stores in Shoppesville Greenhills, MRT Ayala Station and Glorietta 1. On July 12 (Tuesday), PUMP will hold a grand launch party at the NBC Tent. (PUMP is the flagship publication of Big Ticket Publishing Corporation.)
Chynna stands 5’3", weighs 105 lbs., measures 34-25-35 and wears small-size shirt and size 6.5 shoes.
What sort of diet do you follow?
"I don’t diet. I have to eat everything and anything because I am a bit underweight."
What’s your favorite food?
"Kare-kare. Pasta."
What kind of workout do you do?
"I lift weights. I do cardio exercises. Nothing heavy. I work out everytime I have time."
What vitamins (or minerals) do you take?
"Only vitamin C."
How much liquid do you take every day?
"Oh, that’s my problem. I don’t take enough water; only about five glasses a day. My mom keeps on reminding me to take more. I’d rather take juices."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"If I’m lucky, I get about four hours. Busy, eh! But I try to get as much sleep as I can when there’s no shooting/taping. I’m happy when I get eight hours."
What’s the last thing you do before you go to sleep?
"I pray."
And what’s the first thing you do as soon as you wake up?
"I check my cell phone."
How do you cope with stress?
"I try as hard as I can not to be affected by stress."
Do you meditate?
"No, I don’t. I take power naps. Or I read."
What books do you read?
"My textbooks."
How do you pamper yourself?
"Simple: I watch a movie. Or I go to the salon."
What kind of movies do you watch?
"All kinds. I love movies."
Are you vain like most good-looking girls?
"No, I’m not."
How long does it take you to fix yourself (from showering to dressing up)?
"Ten minutes. Yes, that fast! That’s on a normal day when I have no social functions to attend. Otherwise, it takes me not less than an hour."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My butt. People have been telling me I have a nice butt since I was a kid. Also, my legs. I’ve firmed them up only lately."
What part of your body do you think needs some improvement?
"My arms. They lack muscles."
And what part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My tummy."
Are you acidic?
"I am, sometimes."
What part of a man’s body do you look at first?
"The eyes. They can tell if a person is sincere or not."
Are you an optimist or worrier?
"When I was a kid, I was a pessimist. Now, I try to look at the bright side of life. I try not to be affected by the negative. Right now, I am happy."
How’s your love life?
"Super okay."
How long have you been going steady with Railey?
"Two years."
What about Richard (Gutierrez)...Didn’t he court you?
"No, he did not. There’s absolutely no attraction between the two of us. We’re better off as friends."
What do you like about Railey?
"He’s a very strong person. Very dependable."
How do you divide your time between love, career and your studies?
"It’s easy. As they say, if there’s a will there’s a way. Railey is also in showbiz so he understands the irregular schedule. I don’t have problems with school because I go there only once a month for my exams."
What kind of family do you come from?
"Middle-class...Not so big...I’m the youngest among three children; I have two brothers. Our parents brought us up to be aware of what’s happening around us, kung ano ang nangyayari sa buhay namin. At home, we are encouraged to speak up; we’re open with one another. There’s democracy in our house."
Do you have any role model?
"None. I have my own idea of what I want to be. But I have an idol – si Madonna."
Name three guys you think have nice bodies.
"Railey, of course! Jay-R. And Brandon Boyd (of Incubus)."
And three women...
"Nicole Kidman. Angelina Jolie. And Britney Spears."
Using only body language, how do you make a guy know that you like/admire him?
"Through eye contact."