Exciting change of pace for Charee Pineda

PINEDA. The young actress is also a public servant.

With her alabaster skin, soft-spoken nature, imposing 5’6” frame, and luminous beauty, Charee Pineda looks like a Disney princess more than a TV actress tasked with a contravida role on GMA 7’s “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas.” When she isn’t in front of cameras, however, Charee is busy trying to save damsels in distress and out-of-school youths—as one of Valenzuela City’s elected councilors!

She says being in public service keeps her grounded: “During the campaign, na-enjoy ko talaga ang pagha-house-to-house. Now, I’m thrilled that my Alternative Learning project is giving undergraduate elementary and high school students a new lease on life. If they pass the 10-month course, they get a diploma!”

Pineda is no slouch at acting. She was declared Best Actress at the 2008 Cinema One Originals indie fest when she was barely 18 for her performance in Ron Bryant’s “Alon.” And she was one of the saving graces of the CineFilipino entry, “Bingoleras,” also directed by Bryant.

How challenging is it to portray “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas’” resident baddie, Agatha Morales? Charee beams, “It was a big challenge, albeit a welcome one—because I’m used to playing characters that are closer to who I am. It’s my first ‘kontrabida’ role, so I had to change the way I deliver lines—I had to speak faster and be more aggressive!”

Getting intimate     

Some scenes in her drama series require her to get intimate with her costars. How does Charee avoid falling for her coactors? She replies, laughing, “We were friends even before we began taping—so, getting intimate wasn’t an issue at all.”

The first time we laid eyes on her, Charee reminded us of a younger Francine Prieto—she was certainly a sight for sore eyes! Would she consider joining a beauty contest and follow in the footsteps of Miss World 2013 Megan Young? Charee shakes her head: “That’s not part of my plan—I don’t think I’m cut out for it (laughs).” —Never say never, Charee!