Chynna Ortaleza earned Cherie Gil’s praise for a monologue she performed while taking the latter’s online acting classes.
Ortaleza carried out two versions of a scene from the play “That Which Isn’t” by Matthew Freeman. She uploaded both of her performances on her Instagram page last Tuesday, July 28.
The actress acted out a part in which the main character, Helen, describes the home of her aging mother. In Ortaleza’s first interpretation of the monologue, she noted that it came from a “very present state of being.”
On the other hand, her second portrayal of the scene “was done with added character requirements [and] circumstances from Cherie [Gil].”
While Ortaleza appeared to film the first version herself, she later enlisted the help of her husband, musician Kean Cipriano, for the second rendition. Cipriano served as the director of photography for Ortaleza’s newer interpretation of the monologue.
She then explained that she had chosen to enroll in Gil’s online acting classes to “invest in herself.” Ortaleza also made the decision on her father’s birthday last June 29.
“I hope your Happy Gryk! Your girl is growing some balls,” she said. “FINALLY!”
Ortaleza expressed her admiration for Gil as an artist as well, recalling how she messed up while working with the latter in a previous project. Ortaleza was starting out as an actress at the time and only had one line, but “buckled in the scene” because she was overwhelmed by Gil’s presence.
Following her first time working with Gil, they later reunited in the 2011 TV comedy-drama “Magic Palayok,” where they played the Kookoo sisters. Ortaleza mentioned that she learned a lot from Gil during their time on the show.
“So when I saw that she would be teaching a Masterclass.. I knew I had to join,” Ortaleza said.
She then thanked Gil, saying, “All I can say is she reminded me how powerful an [a]ctor is. One just needs to be brave enough to use their imagination.”
Gil also shared Ortaleza’s performances on her own Facebook page while describing them as “effortless and fluid.” The seasoned actress said Ortaleza’s first version felt like they were simply sharing stories until Gil realized that Ortaleza was acting out a monologue.
As for Ortaleza’s second performance, Gil said she was “amazed and shocked” after watching it.
“Though having worked with her before, I’ve never seen this fantastic ‘hidden’ side of her! (Must NOT be kept hidden anymore),” Gil added.
Gil launched the online classes last month and designed all of the lessons herself. A portion of their proceeds will benefit the Save Our Schools network. /ra
RELATED STORIES:
Chynna Ortaleza, Barbie Forteza take Cherie Gil’s online acting class
’90s show ‘5 and Up’ is the kind of program ‘children deserve,’ says Chynna Ortaleza