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Saturday, September 27, 2003
Viva Vina
By Orlando J. Cajegas
The first time I saw Vina, I was star-struck. This was during a backstage interview for a Sun.Star Weekend cover assignment two years ago in no less than my hometown of Sibonga. Vina had just done what she does best: wow the audience.
Practically growing up with Vina (from her winning best interpreter of the song Kabataan: Paglaum at the Cebu Popular Music Festival in 1986, to her first movie Nakagapos na Puso, her portrayal of the little Sharon Cuneta in Kung Aagawin Mo ang Lahat Sa Akin, to her launching movie Utol Kong Hudlom opposite Robin Padilla), she was my icon before layshusness permeated into my consciousness (well, even up to now, I’m still wowed by her.)
But I never thought that she would be the level-headed person that she actually is: a few months after that fateful interview, I bumped into her at Café Havana in Malate. There I was, pretending not to know her; there she was, thrilled to see me. I never expected her to remember this sweaty writer who interviewed her at that sweltering backstage two years past.
So we struck a special friendship: we would be textmates in the years to come. Every time she was in Cebu, she would call me; and when I got the chance to be in Manila, I would try to hook up with her.
To say that Vina Morales loves to perform before the Cebuanos is an understatement. Recently, another feather was added to her cap: she scored a “first” for any Filipino artist when she performed at the New York International Music Festival last July 23, in Las Vegas, the venue of this year’s musicfest. Vina did a showcase of five songs at the Brenden Theater at the prestigious and ultra-trendy Palms Hotel. The audience was so taken with her performance that they gave her three standing ovations, with one lasting 15 minutes.
How was Vina chosen for this singular honor?
“The festival organizers were impressed by Vina’s show reel,” said Vina’s manager Joji Dingcong. “In fact, the organizers scheduled Vina’s performance on prime time, at 8:30 p.m. This is crucial because the show starts at 1 p.m. and ends at 12 midnight. According to one of the organizers, and I quote, ‘[It is] rare for us to see a new face that is really beautiful and whose looks can cross borders. She seems Latin... Asian... Spanish. She has a very international look and she sings very well. She can dance. She’s comfortable and confident with her body when she moves onstage.’ O, bongga, di ba?”
From Las Vegas, Vina went on for her Vina... Revealed (the US tour), starting with a show at the Gateway Theater in Chicago on July 26 with Aga Muhlach, Randy Santiago and Carlos Agassi as co-performers.
Vina’s itinerary also included Virginia Beach (Philippine Center), San Francisco (Nob Hill Masonic Center), Los Angeles (Orpheum Theater), Jacksonville (Florida Theater), Portland (New Hope Theater), San Diego (San Diego Convention Center) and Houston, Texas. But then, Vina had to rush home for the taping of her ABS-CBN soap, Darating ang Umaga, and the recording of her new album for Star Records which commissioned Ogie Alcasid as record producer.
Apart from her busy schedule, Vina is an entrepreneur, having established a flourishing beauty salon called Ystilo. Also, she has a warehouse for a softdrink that she distributes together with a business partner. And a blossoming love-life.
So what more can a star ask for?
“I just want to make my people happy with my kind of music,” Vina’s eyes just twinkle with sincerity. As for this writer, who happens to be her number one fan, I say one should never stop reaching for the stars.
(September 27, 2003 issue)
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