ABOUT VINA MORALES

Even as a child growing up in Bogo, Cebu, Sharon Garcia Magdayao a.k.a.Vina Morales knew that she wanted to be a singer. It was nine-year-old Sharon's singing with her church choir that would lead to her big break. The local parish priest, Fr. Fritz Malinao, was also a songwriter. He recognized Sharon's talent and asked her to sing one of his compositions as an entry in the Cebu Pop Music Festival. The song, "Paglaum," ("hope" in Visayan), not only won the Grand Prize but also earned the "Best Interpreter" award for its young singer.

Sharon and her family were surprised to learn that representatives from Viva Films had seen her performance. They were so impressed with her talents that they immediately offered her a singing and acting contract.

The Magdayao family was very supportive of their gifted daughter. They sold everything they had in Cebu and moved to Manila. The family entrusted ten-year-old Sharon's career to Mina del Rosario of Viva Films, who became like a second mother to Sharon. It was Mina who gave Sharon the name Vina, taken from her daughter's name Vina Vanesa.

The only problem standing in the way of Vina's acting career was that she only spoke English and Bisaya. But now that she was living in Manila, her Tagalog improved rapidly and she soon made her first movie, Nakagapos na Puso, in which she played the niece of Tonton Gutierrez. The film also starred Vina's idol and namesake, Sharon Cuneta.

In her late teens Vina began taking on more mature roles. She appeared with Robin Padilla in Utol Kong Hoodlum. She starred with Ariel Rivera in Anghel Na Walang Langit. This was a dual role in which Vina played two lookalike young women with very different personalities.

One of Vina's most challenging and controversial roles was that of Sarah Balabagan, the young Muslim domestic helper from Mindanao who killed her employer in United Arab Emirates after he raped her. For a while it seemed like The Sarah Balabagan Story might never be shown publicly, after the UAR government objected to the way Muslim life was depicted in some scenes. It was finally allowed to be shown and earned Vina three Best Actress nominations.

While Vina's acting career flourished, she also kept up with her singing, continuing to record albums and perform in live concerts. One recent album is a collection of love songs entitled Mamahalin Ka Niya. Vina co-wrote the lyrics of one song, "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo?", with good friend Piolo Pascual. Their busy schedules did not allow them to meet in person, so they wrote the lyrics through texting! The music was then composed by Arnel de Pano. Later Vina and Piolo recorded the song as a duet. Other songs on the album include "Yakapin Mo Ako," "Pangako" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga." Vina had first sung "Yakapin Mo Ako" when portraying singer Joey Albert on the biographical TV series Maalaala Mo Kaya.

For the past several years Vina's career as an international concert artist has really taken off big-time. In 2002 she had a series of shows with Martin Nievera in the US and Canada. She had her own successful mult-city US tour, "Vina Revealed," in the summer of 2003, followed in 2004 by her "Vina's Hot!" tour. In 2005 she did a series of shows with Erik Santos.  Vina doesn't just sing, she also does several high-energy dance numbers at each show, and makes sure to keep physically fit so she can keep up with the demands of such an exhausting schedule.

A special honor for Vina was being the first Filipino chosen to sing at the New York International Music Festival, which was held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2003. She performed five songs and got a long standing ovation.

Vina has one career ambition that she has not yet realized: “I’d like to do theater," she said in a recent interview. "I’ve always wanted to act on stage.” There can be little doubt that Vina will be just as successful in this new venture as she has been in all her other artistic achievements!

MANILA, October 14, 2005 (STAR) FUNFARE By Ricardo F. Lo - The last time Funfare asked Vina Morales about her lovelife was a few years ago after she broke up with her politician-boyfriend. At the time, Vina was shattered, choked with emotion and in tears.

A few days ago during a body talk with Funfare, Vina was all smiles, bright like the morning sun and feeling like she was in tune with the universe – even if she claimed to be loveless (but not lonesome).

"I’m done with men," she said, jokingly of course.

After the politician – okay, okay, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri – Vina was linked to a few other guys (one of them a foreigner now married to a sexy starlet, based in California) but she said she’s now careful about getting seriously involved, not wanting to be hurt, to be "burned" again.

"I’ve had enough," she said, seriously. "When in love, I am very gullible. Well, used to be. I’ve been hurt so many times that I seem to be calloused already. Manhid na ako. Before, when I was in love, buhos na buhos. All or nothing at all ang drama ko. I’ve learned my lesson," she added, joking again, "Next time, sila naman ang paiiyakin ko, sige!"

Next time may not come so soon. These days, Vina, as she put it, "is going steady" with her career. She just came back from a successful concert tour in Europe (Spain, Vienna, Switzerland, etc.).

On Oct. 28 (a Friday), she’ll topbill the concert An Evening with the Ultimate Performer at the Grand Ballroom of the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City. (Dinner at 7:30 and show at 9.) Produced by Royale Era Entertainment, the concert will have as special guests Ogie Alcasid, Jerome John Hughes and Gladys Guevarra. Direction is by Al Quinn. (Note: The concert is for the benefit of Asilo Medalla Milagrosa in Cebu City, sponsored by GMA, Calayan, Play & Display, Bench, One Card, Don Henrico’s and Crestline. For ticket inquiries, call 727-2534, 727-2536 or 0920-7206964.)

Vina stands 5’3", weighs 115 lbs. (with a 24.5 waistline) and wears size 7.5 shoes.

Are you vain like most good-looking girls?

"Oh yes, I am. I should be. I would linger in front of the mirror not really to admire myself but to check my face and my whole body...to see which part needs improvement. But I’m easy to please. I don’t need to apply all sorts of creams and oils to pamper myself."

What part of your body do you think needs some improvement?

"None. Oh, my legs pala. If I could only make them grow longer."

What part of your body is your favorite?

"My eyes. They are really the windows of my soul. My eyes don’t tell a lie."

What part of your body is most vulnerable?

"My nape. When I’m tense or stressed, sumasakit ang batok ko. And then the pain goes down to my back."

And what part of a guy’s body do you look at first?

"His whole face and then I concentrate on his eyes. If a guy can’t look at me straight in the eye, either he’s just shy or he’s hiding something. You can tell by a guy’s eyes if he likes you. You can also tell if a person is sincere by simply looking at his eyes."

What kind of workout do you do?

"Mostly cardio-vascular exercises. Dancing is a good exercise."

And what kind of diet do you follow?

"Sa totoo lang, matakaw ako! I eat a lot. I eat anything but in moderation. But I avoid carbo. My favorite dish is danggit fried very crispy and monggo."

What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?

"Vitamins C and E. Centrum. I also take the Chinese medicine peh pak kwa for my vocal cords."

Do you apply anything on your face?

"Only moisturizer. I get regular facials at Ystilo. And body scrub, too." (Note: Vina is co-owner of Ystilo which has outlets in Fairview, Quezon City, and at the ground floor of Imperial Palace Suites on Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City.)

Are you afraid of the sun like some women?

"On the contrary, I love the sun. I want a tan."

How often do you go to the gym?

"I work out at the gym in the condo building where I stay. I do the treadmill for lung power. If I don’t do that, hinihingal ako (gasp for breath) during a concert. I want some muscles, so I lift weights."

How do you cope with stress?

"I get a massage at Ystilo. I used to practise yoga. I listen to chill-out music."

What’s your favorite hideaway?

"My room. It has everything: A huge TV set, a video player and a laptop. When I’m free, I stay in my room and listen to music or watch TV."

What’s your favorite city?

"San Francisco. Very soothing ang ambiance. I stayed there for three weeks by myself, doing nothing but explore the city. After visiting it recently during my European concert tour (with Janno Gibbs, etc.), I started to love Malaga (Spain). What an ideal vacation place! The people are so beautiful."

How’s your nightlife?

"When I’m free from work, I go to the bar, usually in Makati, with Joji (Dingcong, her manager), Ogie (Alcasid) and some other friends."

Your lovelife?

"None. Walang boyfriend, eh!"

And your sex life?

"Ano ba ‘yon?" (What is that?)

How often do you see your doctor?

"Only when I’m sick. My usual complaint has something to do with my throat which is overworked from doing concerts."

How much sleep do you get per night?

"When there’s no work, I sleep for more than eight hours. Otherwise, walang tulugan!" (no sleeping)

How much liquid do you take?

"Lots of water. More than eight glasses if I’m working out. But less than that when I’m doing nothing. Soda? No, I don’t take soda. A little coffee, yes." (Note: Vina might soon do a commercial for an energy drink.)

What’s your outlook in life?

"Optimistic. I used to be a worrier – I worried about my life, about my family, about my career. Until I realized that worrying is counter-productive. So, why worry?"

What’s your favorite perfume?

"Dolce & Gabbana, red and light blue."

What do you do when you’re feeling low?

"I stay in my room, listen to music, read The Bible or cry alone."

What’s your favorite sleep wear?

"Skimpy shorts and an old loose T-shirt."

What’s the last thing that you do before you sleep?

"I pray. I thank God for all the blessings and I ask for more."

And what’s the first thing that you do when you wake up?

"Have a hot drink (coffee, milk or chocolate)."

Name three guys with nice bodies.

"Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise. Enrique Iglesias."

And three women...

"Madonna. Beyoncé. Jennifer Lopez."

Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?

"I look at him and when he looks back at me, I look away."