Sharon Garcia Magdayao (Tagalog: [ˈʃaɾɔn gaɾˈsɪa maɡˈdɐjaʊ]; born October 17, 1975), professionally known as Vina Morales (Tagalog: [ˈbɪnɐ mɔˈɾalɛs]), is a Filipino actress, singer, entrepreneur and model. Dubbed as the "Ultimate Performer" by various media outlets,[2][3] she has won 2 Awit Awards including the prestigious 'Album of the Year', the country's equivalent of Grammys.

Vina Morales
Morales in 2021
Born
Sharon Garcia Magdayao

(1975-10-17) October 17, 1975 (age 49)
Occupations
  • Singer
  • actress
  • model
  • businesswoman
Years active1986–present
AgentStar Magic (2007–present)
Children1
RelativesShaina Magdayao (sister)
Luis Gabriel Moreno (nephew)
Maricel Morales (cousin)
Musical career
Genres
Instrument
  • Vocals
Years active1987–present
Labels

Morales is a 2-time Best Actress nominee at the FAMAS Awards. She is the first ever champion at the IKON Asean music competition.[4] She has already starred in 45 films, 21 TV shows and has released 14 studio albums throughout her 35-year career.[4] In 2003, Morales became the first Filipino artist to perform at the New York International Music Festival held at the Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.[5] In 2022, Morales teamed up with American singer-songwriter Jim Brickman for her US concert tour, Your Love.[6]

In her late teen years, Morales appeared in several classic films such as Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum, Anghel na Walang Langit and The Sarah Balabagan Story.[7]

Biography

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Early life

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Vina Morales was born Sharon Garcia Magdayao in Bogo, Cebu on October 17, 1975, to parents Enrique Magdayao of Cebu and Deanna Rose Garcia-Magdayao of Padada, Davao del Sur. She has 3 sisters, including actress Shaina Magdayao. She attended Bogo Central School 2 from grades 1-3 and Immaculate Concepcion Parish School in Quezon City for the remainder of her elementary education. She also attended the same school for her first two years of high school until she decided to be homeschooled for the remainder of her high school due to her showbiz career. She never attended college due to the same reason.[8]

Career

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At age nine, Magdayao started singing with the choir of Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Bogo. Father Fritz T. Malinao, a priest and a songwriter in his church community, discovered Magdayao's talent and asked her to sing one of his compositions as an entry in the Cebu Pop Music Festival.[9] The song, "Paglaum", which means "hope" or "pag-asa" in the Cebuano language, won the Grand Prize and earned the Best Interpreter Award for young talents in the Philippines.

Representatives from Viva Films, headed by Jesus "Boy" Bosque, saw her performance and offered her a singing and acting contract. Magdayao and her family moved to Manila where she auditioned for a film career in the Philippine film industry. Vic del Rosario Jr. and the late Mina Aragon gave her the screen name Vina Morales, named after their late daughter, Vina Vanessa.

Morales made her film debut with Nakagapos na Puso where she co-starred with Sharon Cuneta. During her teen years, she starred in various teen comedy films such as Estuudyante Blues and Teacher's Enemy No. 1. In 1991, Morales bagged leading lady roles in films such as Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum, where she starred alongside Robin Padilla. In 1994, she starred in her first solo film Anghel na Walang Langit.

In 1996, Morales left Viva and signed a non-exclusive contract with OctoArts Films, where she starred in Lab en Kisses and 'Wag Na 'Wag Kang Lalayo. She also starred in The Sarah Balabagan Story, where she played the titular character.[10]

In 2000, Morales signed an exclusive contract with Millennium Cinema, where she starred in Eto Na Naman Ako and Sagot Kita Mula Ulo Hanggang Paa.[11]

During the early to mid-2000s, Morales focused more in her music career and performed in live concerts in the Philippines, including 2004's Mamahalin Ka Niya. She co-wrote the lyrics of a song titled "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo?", along with Filipino model, actor and singer Piolo Pascual. The music was composed by Arnel de Pano. Morales and Pascual recorded the song as a duet. Other songs on the album include "Yakapin Mo Ako", "Pangako" and "Saan Darating ang Umaga". In 2003, she held a multi-city United States tour titled 'Vina Revealed' and 'Vina's Hot'.

Morales performed the song "Yakapin Mo Ako" while portraying singer Joey Albert in the drama anthology Maalaala Mo Kaya. In 2002, she co-hosted a series of Philippine shows with Martin Nievera in the United States and Canada. She was the first Filipino to sing at the New York International Music Festival held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas in 2003. In 2006, she also did a tour in the United States.[12]

 
Morales at the Ikon Asean competition in 2007, holding her IKON Philippines trophy.

In 2007, she starred in ABS-CBN's soap opera Maria Flordeluna. She also represented the Philippines at the 2007 Ikon Asean singing contest and won the competition.

In 2010, Morales was cast as Mercedes Cristi in another ABS-CBN soap opera Agua Bendita, starring Andi Eigenmann.[13][14][15][16]

In 2011, she marked her very first antagonist role in the ABS-CBN late night drama Nasaan Ka, Elisa?, a remake of the 2010 Telemundo telenovela ¿Dónde está Elisa? which is an adaptation of the original 2009 Chilean telenovela of the same name. She played the role of Cecile Altamira, sister of Mariano Altamira (Albert Martinez) and wife of Bruno de Silva (Eric Fructuoso).

In 2013, she was cast as Magnolia Alegre in the primetime drama Maria Mercedes, a remake of the 1992 Mexican telenovela of the same name that starred Thalía. She later made a film comeback with Robin Padilla in the 2014 MMFF film Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo.

In 2015, she starred in the afternoon drama Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita in the role of Cecilia Macaraeg. The following year, Morales played the role of Janella Salvador's mother in the 2016 romantic drama Born for You.

In 2018, she played her second antagonist role in Precious Hearts Romances presents Araw Gabi. She portrayed Celestina de Alegre, the mortal enemy of Adrian Olvidar (JM de Guzman).

In 2023, she made her Broadway debut as Aurora Aquino in Here Lies Love. [17]

Personal life

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In May, 2018, the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court, Presiding Judge Anthony Fama convicted Morales' ex-boyfriend Cedric Lee of kidnapping their daughter Ceana based on a 2016 kidnapping Information. She accused Lee of keeping their then 7-year-old daughter for 9 days without her permission. Lee was ordered to pay a fine of P300, including nominal and moral damages of P50,000 to Morales.[18]

Morales is the sister of actress and dancer Shaina Magdayao.[19] She has a daughter named Ceana born in April 25, 2009.[20] She was in a relationship with an American national, Andrew Kovalcin from 2022[21] to 2024.[22]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Title Role
1986 Nakagapos na Puso Mitzi Delfino
Captain Barbell Kidnap Victim
1987 Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat sa Akin Young Maureen
1988 Kumander Bawang: Kalaban ng Mga Aswang Vinia
1989 Ang Lahat ng Ito Pati Na ang Langit Gene Rose
Bondying: The Little Big Boy Bingbing
Bakit Iisa Lamang ang Puso Ging
Abot Hanggang Sukdulan Carmi
Estudyante Blues Bebs
Wooly Booly: Ang Classmate Kong Alien Susie
1990 Tootsie Wootsie: Ang Bandang Walang Atrasan
Love at First Sight Roselle
Petrang Kabayo 2: Anong Ganda Mo! Mukha Kang Kabayo Pinky
Teacher's Enemy No. 1 Trixie
Wooly Booly 2: Ang Titser Kong Alien Girlie
1991 Maging Sino Ka Man Loleng
Alyas Batman en Robin Vina
Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum Bing
Darna
1992 Miss Na Miss Kita (Utol Kong Hoodlum II) Bing
1993 Sana'y Ikaw Na Nga Jessica
Hanggang Saan, Hanggang Kailan Jocelyn Ilustre
Sala sa Init, Sala sa Lamig Trina
1994 Pinagbiyak na Bunga: Lookalayk Kathy
Kadenang Bulaklak Jasmin Abolencia
The Untold Story: Vizconde Massacre II – May the Lord Be with Us! Carmela Vizconde
Anghel na Walang Langit Angela Pelayo / Anita Cornejo
Ang Pagbabalik ni Pedro Penduko Anna
1995 The Grepor Butch Belgica Story Meth - Girlfriend No. 4
Campus Girls Vangie
Love Notes Tricia
The Flor Contemplacion Story Russel Contemplacion
Huwag Mong Isuko ang Laban Cecilia
1996 April Boys: Sana'y Mahalin Mo Rin Ako Letty
Lab en Kisses Kisses
Wag na Wag Kang Lalayo Raquel Garcia
1997 The Sarah Balabagan Story Sarah Balabagan
1999 'Di Puwedeng Hindi Puwede! Kristine
Ako'y Ibigin Mo... Lalaking Matapang Violy
Ang Boyfriend Kong Pari Reggie Santos
2000 Eto Na Naman Ako Ana María Ledesma
Sagot Kita Mula Ulo Hanggang Paa Ma. Cecilia
2014 Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo Gregoria de Jesús / Oriang
2019 Damaso Sisa
2024 Sunny Annie

Television

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Year Title Role Notes Network
1987–96 That's Entertainment Herself / co-host GMA Network
1990 Buddy en Sol Lolit RPN
1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Rubber Shoes" ABS-CBN
1993-94 Vina GMA Network
1996-97 Lyra Edene
1997–99 SOP
1997 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Puting panyo" ABS-CBN
1998 Binhi Film broadcast on television Vintage Television
1999 Maalaala Mo Kaya Marissa Episode: Lollipop ABS-CBN
2000 Episode: Boses
Codename: Verano Carmela Bernardo GMA Network
2001–present ASAP ABS-CBN
2002 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: Litrato
2003 Joey Albert Episode: Ice Cream
Darating ang Umaga Arriana B. Cordero / Anya Main Cast / Protagonist
2006 Maalaala Mo Kaya Diana del Mundo Episode: "Bahay"
2007 Maria Flordeluna Maria Elvira Aragoncillo-Alicante
IKON Philippines Herself
Maalaala Mo Kaya Elsa Episode: Telebisyon
2009 Wowowee Herself / Performer
2010 May Bukas Pa Choir Member
Rod Santiago's Agua Bendita Mercedes Montenegro-Cristi Main Cast / Protagonist
2011 Star Circle Quest: The Search for the Next Kiddie Superstar Judge
Wansapanataym Mia Gonzales Episode: "Ulo"
2011–12 Nasaan Ka, Elisa? Cecilia "Cecile" Altamira-de Silva Main Cast / Antagonist
2012 Maalaala Mo Kaya Jane Episode: "Belo"
Wansapanataym Susan Episode: "Maya Aksaya"
Olivia Episode: "Yaya Yaya Puto Maya"
2013 May Isang Pangarap Karina "Kare" Rodriguez
Wansapanataym Flory del Rosario Episode: "Mommy On Duty"
2013–14 Maria Mercedes Magnolia Alegre
2014 Maalaala Mo Kaya Bambi Episode: "Cellphone"
Ipaglaban Mo! Dra. Karen Villaruel Episode: "Ako Ang Iyong Ina"
2015 Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita Cecilia Macaraeg-Natividad Main Cast / Protagonist
Maalaala Mo Kaya Charito Tiquia Episode: "Rosas"
2016 Ipaglaban Mo! Mylene Episode: "Pagkakamali"
Born for You Catherine "Cathy" Pelayo-Reyes Main Cast / Protagonist
2018 Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Araw Gabi Celestina De Alegre Main Cast / Antagonist
2019 Maalaala Mo Kaya Raquel Episode: "White Ribbon"
Cecil Episode: "Flyers"
2019–2020 Sandugo Cordelia Nolasco-Balthazar Main Cast / Anti-Hero
2020 Maalaala Mo Kaya Elvira Episode: "Ilog"
Tagisan Ng Galing Judge Net 25
Kesayasaya Ms. K
2021 It's Showtime : Hide and Sing TagoKanta no. 1 Celebrity Singer ABS-CBN
2021–2022 Marry Me, Marry You Marvi Jacinto Main Cast / Protagonist Kapamilya Channel

Discography

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  • Vina (1990), Viva
  • Forbidden (1992), Viva
  • Best of Vina (1993), Viva
  • Pag Katabi Kita (1994), Viva
  • Easy to Love (1995), PolyEast
  • Look at Me Now (1996), PolyEast
  • All That I Want (1998), PolyEast
  • No Limits (1999), PolyEast
  • Total Control (2001), PolyEast
  • Reflections (2002), PolyEast
  • Mamahalin Ka Niya (2004), Star
  • Vina: Silver Series (2006), Viva
  • Awit ng Ating Buhay (2010), Star
  • Vina Morales (30th Anniversary Album) (2016), Star

Compilation albums

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  • The Best of Love Duets (Viva Collection Forever) (1998), Viva

Awards

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Year Award Giving Body Category Nominated Work Results
1996 Awit Awards Best Female Recording Artist "Easy To Love" Won[23]
2000 Awit Awards Album of the Year "No Limits" Won[24]

References

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  1. ^ "Vina Morales". TV Guide. Birth Place: Bogo City, Cebu, Philippines
  2. ^ "Internet sensation na si 'Kwak Kwak Diva,' muling ginaya sina Regine Velasquez, Jaya at Vina Morales! | GMA Entertainment". www.gmanetwork.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  3. ^ Samio, Veronica R. "Vina Morales: The Ultimate Performer". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  4. ^ a b "Vina Morales: From Cebu's little chorist to Asia's winning soloist". PEP.ph. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Rule, Karla. "Top 100 Cebunao Personalities: Vina Morales". Philstar.com. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  6. ^ "Vina gears up for US concert tour with Jim Brickman". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  7. ^ "Vina Morales". IMDb. Retrieved July 17, 2022.
  8. ^ "Vina Morales: From Cebu's little chorist to Asia's winning soloist". PEP.ph. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  9. ^ Vanessa A. Balbuena (The Freeman). "Vina Morales: "I'm happy with or without lovelife"". The Philippine Star. PhilStar.com (The Filipino Global Community). Retrieved February 13, 2010.
  10. ^ Red, Isah (September 16, 1996). "Sarah's Choice". Manila Standard. Philippine Manila Standard Publishing. p. 36. Retrieved December 17, 2023 – via Google News.
  11. ^ "Vina gets to sing, dance, and act in new starrer". The Philippine Star. May 17, 2000. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
  12. ^ "Viva Vina, The Other Concert Queen!". Carousel Pinoy Entertainment. Retrieved May 19, 2006.
  13. ^ Ricky Lo. "The Philippine Star Funfare Update: Vina not hiding pregnancy". ABS-CBN News. Retrieved September 26, 2008.
  14. ^ "Vina confirms pregnancy (2.52 pm)". SunStar. Retrieved September 25, 2008.
  15. ^ "Vina gives birth to a baby girl (4:17 pm)". SunStar. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  16. ^ Jocelyn Dimaculangan. "Vina Morales throws underwater-themed party for daughter's first birthday". Telebisyon.net. Retrieved April 25, 2010.
  17. ^ Andrew Gans. "Vina Morales Will Play Limited Run in Broadway's Here Lies Love". Playbill.com. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  18. ^ "Court finds Cedric Lee guilty of kidnapping daughter with Vina Morales". Rappler. May 28, 2018. Retrieved April 18, 2024.
  19. ^ Rodolph Ian Alama, Durian Jam. "Star power equals political power?". Sun Star. Retrieved May 9, 2010.
  20. ^ Marinel Cruz. "Vina Morales delivers healthy baby girl". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 25, 2009.
  21. ^ Policarpio, Allan (April 15, 2024). "Why Vina Morales feels 'complete'—with or without love life". Philippine Daily Inquirer. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
  22. ^ Felipe, MJ (October 15, 2024). "Vina Morales confirms breakup with Andrew Kovalcin". ABS-CBN. Retrieved October 15, 2024.
  23. ^ "9th Awit Awards Results". Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  24. ^ "13th Awit Awards Results". Archived from the original on March 2, 2006. Retrieved May 8, 2006.
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