# Vina Morales

Sharon Garcia Magdayao (Tagalog:; born October 17, 1975), professionally known as Vina Morales (Tagalog:), is a Filipino singer and actress. Noted for her distinct sultry voice, she started singing in church as a child and first gained recognition after winning the 1986 Cebu Pop Music Festival. She began releasing studio albums and simultaneously appeared in numerous film and television productions. Dubbed as the "Ultimate Performer" by various media outlets, she is the recipient of an Ikon Asean and six Awit Awards, in addition to nominations for two FAMAS Awards, a Gawad Urian and a Metro Manila Film Festival Award.

## Biography
### Early life

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.

### Career

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. 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 APT Entertainment and 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. 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. 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. 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. 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.
In 2025, Morales rejoined GMA Network, having left the station in the 2000s.

## Personal life

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

## Filmography
### Film

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

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Network |
| 1987–1996 | That's Entertainment | Herself / Co-host | | GMA Network |
| 1990 | Buddy en Sol | Lolit | | RPN |
| 1991 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | | Episode: "Rubber Shoes" | ABS-CBN |
| 1993–1994 | Vina | | | GMA Network |
| 1996–1997 | Lyra | Edene | | GMA Network |
| 1997–1999 | SOP | | | GMA Network |
| 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 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | | Episode: Boses | ABS-CBN |
| 2000 | Codename: Verano | Carmela Bernardo | | GMA Network |
| 2001–present | ASAP | | | ABS-CBN |
| 2002 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | | Episode: Litrato | ABS-CBN |
| 2003 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Joey Albert | Episode: Ice Cream | ABS-CBN |
| 2003 | Darating ang Umaga | Arriana B. Cordero / Anya | Main Cast / Protagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2006 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Diana del Mundo | Episode: "Bahay" | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Maria Flordeluna | Maria Elvira Aragoncillo-Alicante | | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | IKON Philippines | Herself | | ABS-CBN |
| 2007 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Elsa | Episode: Telebisyon | ABS-CBN |
| 2009 | Wowowee | Herself / Performer | | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | May Bukas Pa | Choir Member | | ABS-CBN |
| 2010 | Rod Santiago's Agua Bendita | Mercedes Montenegro-Cristi | Main Cast / Protagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Star Circle Quest: The Search for the Next Kiddie Superstar | Judge | | ABS-CBN |
| 2011 | Wansapanataym | Mia Gonzales | Episode: "Ulo" | ABS-CBN |
| 2011–2012 | Nasaan Ka, Elisa? | Cecilia "Cecile" Altamira-de Silva | Main Cast / Antagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Jane | Episode: "Belo" | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Wansapanataym | Susan | Episode: "Maya Aksaya" | ABS-CBN |
| 2012 | Wansapanataym | Olivia | Episode: "Yaya Yaya Puto Maya" | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | May Isang Pangarap | Karina "Kare" Rodriguez | | ABS-CBN |
| 2013 | Wansapanataym | Flory del Rosario | Episode: "Mommy On Duty" | ABS-CBN |
| 2013–2014 | Maria Mercedes | Magnolia Alegre | | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Bambi | Episode: "Cellphone" | ABS-CBN |
| 2014 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Dra. Karen Villaruel | Episode: "Ako Ang Iyong Ina" | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita | Cecilia Macaraeg-Natividad | Main Cast / Protagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2015 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Charito Tiquia | Episode: "Rosas" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Ipaglaban Mo! | Mylene | Episode: "Pagkakamali" | ABS-CBN |
| 2016 | Born for You | Catherine "Cathy" Pelayo-Reyes | Main Cast / Protagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2018 | Precious Hearts Romances Presents: Araw Gabi | Celestina De Alegre | Main Cast / Antagonist | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Raquel | Episode: "White Ribbon" | ABS-CBN |
| 2019 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Cecil | Episode: "Flyers" | ABS-CBN |
| 2019–2020 | Sandugo | Cordelia Nolasco-Balthazar | Main Cast / Anti-Hero | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Elvira | Episode: "Ilog" | ABS-CBN |
| 2020 | Tagisan Ng Galing | Judge | | Net 25 |
| 2020 | Kesayasaya | Ms. K | | Net 25 |
| 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 |
| 2025 | Cruz vs. Cruz | TBA | | GMA Network |

## Discography

* Vina (1990), Viva
* Forbidden (1992), 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
* Awit ng Ating Buhay (2010), Star
* Vina Morales (30th Anniversary Album) (2016), Star

### Compilation albums

* Best of Vina (1993), Viva
* The Best of Love Duets (Viva Collection Forever) (1998), Viva
* Vina: Silver Series (2006), Viva

## Awards

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