Vina uses gift of voice to help northern Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - The invitation to headline a fundraising concert to benefit super typhoon Yolanda victims of northern Cebu might have come on short notice, but Vina Morales trusted the noble intention would trump any challenge in logistics. Billed “Seasons of  Love,” the Nov. 24 event at SM City Cebu Cinema 1 was directed by Marlon Wafer.

“I had no second thoughts. They told me it was a combination of a concert and a fashion show with Cary Santiago and Philipp Tampus. Right away, I said ‘Sure, let’s do that!’ It was very short notice for everyone, but they wanted to do it in November so we can gather funds right away because a disaster like what happened in the Visayas needed urgent help,” the Cebuana singer-actress related.

Collections of Cebuano designers were paraded, while Vina enlivened the audience with her rendition of Jennifer Lopez hits, 70s to 80s music and her classic soap opera theme songs. The concert was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Metro Cebu, SM Cinema, Wafer Models Philippines, Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu, Cary Santiago, Philipp Tampus and The Freeman.

“We are thankful that a lot of sponsors and talents helped out in mounting the show. The dancers and models all did it for the love. We are glad with the outcome. We could have done more, but this was already our best effort, and we made sure the people who spent to watch and shared their blessings for Northern Cebu would really enjoy the concert and fashion show,” said Vina. 

If you’ve seen Vina in action, you know how she takes entertaining her audience seriously — she never fails to transform into a performing dynamo on stage. “My mindset has always been that when I’m performing, I want everyone to have a good time. At the same time, they are part of the show. So I make it a point to sing and dance with them if they want to. I like engaging and interacting with my audience.”

The fundraising effort was somehow Vina’s way of giving back and thanking the heavens for sparing her relatives living in her hometown of Bogo City, Cebu and in Tacloban, Leyte. “I have a family in Bogo — my grandmother and two uncles. I haven’t been there lately, but I was told their house was damaged.”

“My grandmother from my father’s side lived in Tacloban. She’s 92 years old and can hardly walk. Their house is eight kilometers from the Tacloban airport, and it was not badly damaged. They’re now living in Manila with us, since Tacloban was still a hard place to be in. We know people are trying to stand back up on their feet, but for now, we let them stay with us in Manila first. An uncle of mine, who is a doctor, will definitely go back to Tacloban so he can help out.”

Vina said the Visayas tragedies taught her to be “thankful for what we have now, for the time we have with family, with whatever career we are in – because in a snap of a finger, these could all be taken away from us. We have to appreciate everything in life. We should spend time with our loved ones while we still can, and love whatever it is that we are doing.”

Speaking of career, the television star currently appears on ABS-CBN’s adaptation of the Mexican hit “Maria Mercedes,” where she plays Magnolia, the mother to Jessy Mendiola’s titular role. Vina said she doesn’t mind being constantly relegated to mother roles. “As long as it’s one of  the main characters, because I know one can’t have everything. I’m blessed, in fact, that after all these years, I’m still given good roles one after the other. I have no complaints at all,” explained Vina, who also appears regularly on the Sunday musical variety show “ASAP 18.”

In real life, playing doting mom to her precocious tot is one role that Vina cherishes. Asked what family Christmas tradition she’ll make sure to pass on to her four-year-old daughter Ceana, Vina shared, “Of course, the Noche Buena. It’s a get-together among families. Other cultures don’t have that practice. They don’t even celebrate Christmas at all! There are countries where Christmas is not a big deal. So I will always remind her that the season is all about the birth of Jesus Christ, and it’s about spreading love to everyone.” (FREEMAN)