GMA Artists Celebrate Birthdays at East Avenue Medical Center

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza

We went to the function hall of East Avenue Medical Center to celebrate the birthday of Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza together with the children and adult cancer patients of the hospital a couple of weeks ago in Quezon City. We've been covering worthwhile events from them lately and this isn't any different. Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza wanted to celebrate their birthdays in a very meaningful way and giving joy, a few things might just do that for the patients in EAMC.

Starting the celebrations, we didn't know what would happen with such a big crowd. Together with the people from East Avenue, they started telling us stories of hope. Like this guy in the photo for instance, he's not just a very spirited professional violinist. Just like the patients in the venue, he too was a cancer patient. He went to the same things that these guys were also going through, the medicines, the confinement, the chemotherapy, he did all that and survived. It was inspiring how I've seen him so enthusiastic to perform for the patients who needed some image of hope, to see him do this was a statement that they too would be able to become someone soon. After they get better, they still have a ton of things to look forward to in life. I felt it that afternoon.

Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza also took time taking photos, playing games and giving away gifts from their sponsors so they could share what they have, no matter how big or small it is to these guys who are going through hardships now. Chynna Ortaleza and I share the same birthday and I was touched to hear from her how she advised them to never lose hope. I felt her sincerity, how she genuinely cared and how she wanted to spend time with them all that afternoon. Ryza Cenon too together with her fans packed gifts the day before so they could get each one of the patients something to take home after the event. Ina Feleo might have been scaring a lot of people on TV shows but I could feel she was happy to spend time with them too. Bettina Carlos' birthday was on the day we did this and she felt it was the perfect way to celebrate it, as much as doing it with her family. They are all going to have projects and more on GMA and movies this coming 2015, so make sure you do not miss the afternoon primetime shows on the Kapuso channel.

 

They didn't miss giving the kids some toys too. GMA Artist Center also supplied pasta, drinks, ice cream and snacks to the crowd so they didn't go hungry.

They also played with the kids via Trip to Jerusalem, Ina, Bettina and Ryza joined in while Chynna served as host.

During the games, Ina Feleo really let loose. She enjoyed playing with the kids and her co stars.

Chynna is seen here taking photos with some of the kids

Bettina Carlos and Ina Feleo helped in giving away the gifts and food to the patients and their guardians

It was a good way to spend their birthdays, actually it was my birthday month too. Thank you so much to GMA Artist Center for having us tag along this charity event with Ina Feleo, Bettina Carlos, Ryza Cenon and Chynna Ortaleza. Thank you also to their sponsors for chipping in to help a very worthy cause. These kids had fun, they'll have a full life because of the things these good people are doing in their own little way. Til the next one!

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Chynna Ortaleza for Dementia

Just like you, I've been watching her on TV for the longest time. She's now doing serious acting both on TV and movies. Speaking of which, she's also starring on an independently produced film called DIMENSIA with no less than the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor. It's a tall order for everyone to say the least to be working with Nora, let alone be in scene with her. Chynna would have been very nervous, we got that vibe from her but she feels very blessed to have been able to do it.

Chynna tells us about the Director Perci Intalan's style and says "If we are on a take or if he's explaining something, it's like you were talking to your brother and he doesn't stop himself from telling you what needs to be done. He also tells it nicely and he never got angry on the set. He kept it happy so all of us felt that way all throughout the filming. We also felt like he was a friend and not just a Director. His system on how he get things done was unbelievable. We did if fast and I guess that's where his experience in production goes as we get the job done without getting tired at all. That's why Ms. Nora also loves him, you would not get the same intensity if he didn't care about his actors and he knows that. He didn't even show us the film and I was so surprised when I saw the final product because I couldn't even recognize myself. For a director who had just done his film debut, this is really excellent. It's even better than some of the films done by masters of Philippine cinema. He's also going to get better at this so just imagine. We also got this to be an entry in Portugal for this genre. I hope I find time to go there too and experience that to get feedback from other nationalities."

"Dimensia as accorded by Director Perci Intalan's vision is to really try to reshape horror in the Philippines. The progression for that genre in Japan and Thailand is really good and we're kinda stuck with our own monsters and there's really nothing new. It's not super original but it's well made. It's not a sell out horror flick and we want to show them the workings of the mind. Sometimes fear comes from you. That's why it's called Dimentia. At first you might get scared but there's drama, there's a story. That's going to be your takeaway, you think about what happens in your life after the movie. That's the great thing about Perci Intalan's film. The cinematography and sound is clean and I'm so proud of it. That's why I always ask people to watch it. Batanes is so amazing. It's so sad sometimes that we make really good movies but we don't see people watching it that much. Then people from other countries notice it faster than we do. So if you like the film, please see it and tell other people about it. I hope they get to make more films because they've done a great job, hopefully to revamp Philippine cinema."

"It is horror but it's not really to scare people, we don't want this to bother you but rather think. That's the intention. We want you to enjoy the film but take away what happens when a person has Dimensia. We want you to think about your own reality. I really like the first few reactions we got from the people watching the film. They have really mixed opinions. Working with Nora was in my bucketlist, I had this audition last February 14. Even if I didn't have a date, I was glad because the gift was mind boggling that it was Nora Aunor that I was going to work with. I couldn't really believe it. It took me two weeks to finally realize I was really going to work with her. Perci was always telling jokes about it. I hope every actor gets to work with her. They will really learn a lot. We were in Batanes for two weeks, I was still star struck. Even if she didn't treat me like I was, after a scene, she told her manager to pull me and said to me "You were great in that scene!"...after she said that, I just broke down. I just said, because that complement came from you. I was really overwhelmed. She was laughing at me, but I felt like I won an Oscar."

"Initially, they were having a hard time finding the young Olivia to play the younger me on the film because they couldn't find one that would be able to look like my eyes on the film. The stares I do, they had a hard time. Christine Joy arrived, and they casted her. She's believable like me so it was like perfect for the casting. Dimentia is a little chaotic for Mara Fabre. Things will unravel in the middle of the film, everything is inserted and you wouldn't be bored like putting the pieces of the puzzle they had to put together. Like the Monet painting she was trying to solve. The doll was Olivia's by the way, it's not Maria Leonora Teresa."

We then watched the film the day after. I must say they did do it differently. I don't want to spoil the story for you but in a nutshell, the performance highlights were when Chynna was in shackles. You should watch out also for Nora Aunor's tight facial shots because you will be moved by her eyes much like her other films have always shown. It's in the eyes.

The magnificent landscape views in Batanes is like a dream, you'll see it as a perfect backdraft for the story and make the people see a part of the Philippines that's less traveled. You'll really be creeped out on parts of the film wherein they did intend to scare you. I didn't find Jasmine Curtis' performance too good on some scenes but we can laud her on those where she got possessed which comes a little later on the film. Overall, it would come to a point where it'll make you think. This is exactly the reason why Perci Intalan made this film, he has achieved his story telling even on a very limited budget. That's massively important, to just get your point across. I can imagine this would have been better with more computer graphics especially on perceiving a more contemporary ghost like appearance on the ghost that's in the film. It's already being shown on theaters (since the 24th!) so I suggest you take the trip to the mall and watch it especially because these are probably one of the few films that Nora Aunor will make in this decade.

Good job Chynna! You did good.

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Ending "Dading" Part 2: Interview with Chynna Ortaleza and Glaiza De Castro

Chynna Ortaleza and Glaiza De Castro

Chynna's character on the show is Celine Enriquez. She's a bit villain, a bit understanding and a bit more flawed too. She's the fiance of Joemer and try as much as she can to understand him. Met with the fact that she couldn't bear a child nor keep her soon to be husband on a leash seems to be like a nightmare for this control freak. Joemer is the only one who can break her down, and she let's him do it countless times. When he leaves, a last ditch effort to forgive him and forget what happened turned mighty sour in the end. She starts taking claim to Joemer's kid Precious, and we have to think about where that goes.

Chynna was still as bubbly as the first time I've seen her on TV. All the quirky things she does, she's still at it... it was even amplified when she got to work with Glaiza De Castro. She mentioned when she initially saw Glaiza on TV, she says she was weird... and she'll absolutely get along with her... like glue. When asked about what project she thinks they'll be doing next (since she wants to work with them again) she joked about it and said "adult films" (to say that nicely) then everyone laughed while we were there. Maming or anything that would be just with their current artists. Glaiza said just as long as they are together, they can do it (then they laughed it off again!). 

Glaiza says this is the first time that she had a friendship this deep with a cast on any show she's done in the past. They're all connected on iMessage groups, and the stuff that they send to each other no matter how weird it is, somehow makes sense... even if it doesn't make sense. It's not even normal for them to be serious, or to be too sensitive to jokes or any issues. It's like an extremely random room but they completely understand each other.

Glaiza also says that Benj is really someone she could talk to, even in terms of physical training. He taught her how to eat healthy and even started eating cereals regularly, small things, small things that actually make you remember them. That's exactly what she'll miss about him. 

Chynna is one person that gets how weird Glaiza is. Her dark side, she understands it all. She's not the absurd type, they always understand each other and you can't see that with most people. This is the same reason why she appreciates their friendship. Glaiza says that Gabby is like the bestfriend and husband all in one. The genuine concern, she really felt it with Gabby. The consistency and their connection on and off screen is what she'll miss most. Chynna says they are so blessed to have a show, but more blessed with the people she's working with. It's her first time to to have people from one show be like this and she knows they'll progress more even outside the set. Even after Dading, she hopes they will be more close than what they are right now.

Chynna mentions that Benjamin is the kind of person that is so sensitive. He knows when Chynna is down, when she feel frustrated at times. She doesn't even have to tell him. He's the person who will go to you and hug you if he sees that you need it. He's going to make you feel like he's gonna be there for you. That helps a lot when they're in a scene or just work because they're like husband and wife too in this project. Plus the fact that she knows now that somebody is passionate about words, and literature and things like that. I can talk to him about these things. Glaiza and Chynna gets always checked when they need anything and genuinely asks them for it. It's not often to experience that from co-actors.

Chynna is happy that Glaiza and her worked together. She admires her work. She's surprised that it's not only work but everything that they jive together. She's always so true, it's rare to find that nowadays in showbiz. She will really miss how genuine she is. 

Chynna couldn't find the words to say who Gabby is for her during this whole stint. She says he's like the anchor. He also taught her a lot of things to become a better person and not just being an actor. His love, they didn't doubt it at all on any time they did this series. He's always there for them. The immense amount of love he gives to the cast, is unquestionable. Sometimes Chynna feels she could never even give back as much, and adds that he's that kind of person that can do that... then she asks for a hug with him during the interview.

Gabby Eigenmann says "Honestly, there are only a few words that I can say, but so many words in my heart. What I want to say is, the best thing for me is that.. I've worked with many people, many other stars, but this is where I only became myself. Usually in showbiz, you only put your best foot forward. They allowed me to take care of them, they allowed me to be me. With Ben, I never just found a friend, I found a brother. When you say friend, you can label that but what I want is something that would be there for you. Everyone in my family can describe him as "cool". If they keep on saying that I'm an anchor, Ben is like the Captain. They think I'm the leader but Ben does the strategy, in this industry, issues in life, he can handle that.

Glaiza, never in my life have I seen anyone like a good actress. She's also the first person that I found connection with, as individuals on and off cam. It's so light to work with her. Her passions in music, in arts, she pushes for that. I love Ben, I love Glaiza, I love them both.

Chynna, I couldn't understand our relationship anymore because we know each other since we were little. Same school, same crowd, she would talk to the right people, like us if she gets frustrated, and I like that part. She's so passionate about work. Even if she was barred to do a love scene in this project, she still did it because she knew it was part of the story. She's a lot of things, and I love her for that. 

Up until the last scenes and last taping days we had, I told them to make the most out of it. It's one of the rare casted shows where we were handpicked, experimented, even if we're from different shows, who knew that if they combined us... that it'll be this big. It's not because Carding is the lead star, it was never that, it's because of everyone here. I needed that, knowing that they needed me too."   

The show is about to end in a few weeks. It'll be an emotional roller coaster just like what it is everyday in that show. I'm not ashamed to have been a fan of this show and dedicate this two part post to this well loved program from GMA. I hope they would get to work in another project like they wished to in the interview. They deserve it after getting the rave reactions they got from the viewing public.

For more information about their artists:

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