|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CONVERSING WITH CHARLENE - Part 2
TWP: What do you usually do -- surf the Web, send and read e-mail, or chat? CBG: Send and receive e-mail, sometimes chat. Most of my time on the Net is spent on responding to my e-mails and my guestbook entries. TWP: What kind of sites interest you? CBG: I like sites where I learn and discover new and different things. And I usually use it also to help me do my research work for school. TWP: Since you have a chat area in your home page, I would assume you love to chat. Did it ever happen that you introduce yourself as Charlene Gonzalez in a Filipino channel and no one believed you? CBG: Yes that's true. I tried it once and they didn't believe me. They responded by telling me "Yeah right! and I'm the brother of Charlene Gonzalez." TWP: Do you disguise your personality when you chat? CBG: In my own chat room, I don't. But sometimes I get to use 'Marilen' which is my character in my sitcom "1 For 3". TWP: People who chat a lot have this stereotype of being social misfits who can't interact with people in the "real world". What can you say about this? CBG: No, I wouldn't agree because the people who are computer addicts now have a step forward in the future. Because of the Internet, your list of friends become global and not just on the national level. TWP: How is the Internet of use to you in your career or personal life? CBG: It helps me interact with people and meet new friends.
CBG: In some ways yes, because some people have a certain connotation with regards to title holders. It can be quite frustrating for me to be able to tell, reach out, and prove to people that I'm just a normal person and we're all the same. One thing I always believe is that I was born into this world as Charlene and I will also exit this world as Charlene also. And everything in between are just transition periods throughout my life. So it is always important to remember who you are, where you came from and to keep your feet well-rooted to the ground at all times. TWP: Perhaps the second thing that comes to mind when your name is mentioned, maybe unfairly, is your TV show, "EZ Dancing". Were you always into social dance? CBG: No. Actually when I first started EZ Dancing, it was like jumping into a big massive ocean and not knowing how to swim. But with perseverance and patience eventually I was able to get the hang of things for the show. TWP: Which is most fun -- being an actress, a model, a beauty queen, or a dancer? CBG: I would say that I enjoy the totallity of everything because each experience opens my doors and my eyes to new and different experiences. TWP: Charlene, you strike me, and a lot of people, as an actress with a strong AB class appeal. Is this image a disadvantage in your career, or was it never a problem? CBG: I never really thought about that when I started in the entertainment business. I was not really trying to target any sort of image. I was trying to be myself but have fun at the same time. It can be a disadvantage sometimes because it makes some people apprehensive to talk to you or approach you because they might have some stereotyped image in their mind. TWP: Is showbiz a long-term career for you; what are your other plans in the near future? CBG: As long as I'm enjoying and having a good time and making other people happy I will remain in this field but there will come a time where I will have to take the next step in my life and move on. For instance now, it has always been my dream to finish my studies and take up higher education. Now I'm trying to get the best of both worlds by having a showbiz career and pursuing my studies at the same time. |
TWP: I hope you don't mind being asked about
your showbiz career for an Internet magazine. Netizens are suckers
for showbiz just like everyone else. Anyway, when one mentions "Charlene
Gonzales", the Ms. Universe pageant is always the first thing
that comes to mind. Do you feel stereotyped?