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Vina Morales recalls parents’ sacrifices, struggles leaving Cebu for her breakthrough in Manila 

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Liezel dela Cruz

From her electrifying dance moves to her powerhouse vocals, Vina Morales has set a new standard for what it means to be a total performer. But her talents extend far beyond the stage—she also redefines what it means to be a mom. If you&#x27;re looking for a real-life wonder woman, Vina definitely fits the bill. She seamlessly balances a busy career, quality family time, and motherhood, all while radiating beauty, strength, and kindness. Her Bisaya roots, known for their fierce resilience, are clearly at the heart of who she is!In the latest episode of “Kuan On One,” hosted by Melai Cantiveros, get ready for an intimate look at Vina’s life, packed with insights and inspiring moments. And with Kuantie Melai’s trademark humor, you can definitely expect some good laughs too!Vina is thriving these days, juggling a busy career with her responsibilities as a daughter, a sister, and a mom. As she puts it, “Life is short,” so she chooses to focus on happiness.Born and raised in Bogo, Cebu—just a two-hour drive from Cebu City—she began her journey in her local community. Before she hit the global stage, she performed for her kababayans in Bogo under her real name, Sharon Magdayao, starting in school programs and as part of a church choir.Looking back, Vina credits Father Fritz Malinao, a priest who was one of the first to discover her singing talent. She recalls being just 8 years old when Father Fritz heard her sing in church. As a composer who regularly competed in the Cebu Pop Festival, Father Fritz wrote a song specifically for Vina. That song, titled “Paglaum” (which means &quot;hope&quot; in English), was submitted to the 6th Cebu Pop Festival the following year. Out of 300 Bisaya song entries, only 12 made it to the finals, and Vina&#x27;s piece was among them. Everyone was amazed to learn she was only 9 years old, with such a powerful voice. She won “Best Interpreter,” and the song “Paglaum” took the Grand Prize. This opened doors for her in mainstream showbiz.Vina’s parents owned a jeans factory, a mini-mart, and their own house in Bogo. But when her breakthrough came shortly after the 6th Cebu Pop Festival, they decided to leave everything behind and take a chance in Manila. She was only 9 years old, so her family–her parents and two elder sisters–had to come with her. At such a young age, she felt a mix of excitement and pressure, worried about not wanting to waste her parents&#x27; sacrifice for her dreams.“Ang prayers ko each day ay, you know, we will have a better life, na we will have no regrets sa paglipat namin dito sa Manila,” she reflects.“It was a little hard,” she chuckled. “‘Yung mga early years namin dito, mahirap talaga. Lalo na ang Tagalog ko. Sus! Bumubula talaga ang bibig ko sa school. Minsan tatawanan ka pa.” They moved frequently from one rented place to another, and the lifestyle in Manila was a stark contrast to their life in Cebu.Starting from scratch, she learned the value of hard work and perseverance at a young age. She faced challenges like performing without getting paid, but her patience and dedication eventually paid off. Her dreams began to come true as she joined “That’s Entertainment,” got her own shows, and gradually became known across the country.Looking back, she feels that aspiring artists today are luckier because they have easy access to platforms where they can build their names, gain recognition, and attract followers. It’s a far cry from her early days, when they had to work tirelessly and travel to every corner of provinces just to get noticed.“I brought everyone to Manila, so I have to be a successful singer or actress, at least meron akong ma-prove sa kanila na I tried my best,” she said about what kept her motivated in the beginning. Plus, her passion for performing was a huge driving force. It’s her love for what she does that really made her shine.They say that if you&#x27;re Bisaya, you’re a natural when it comes to singing, and Vina&#x27;s family background certainly proves this. With her parents being singers—her dad even played in a band—it’s no surprise that she inherited their musical talent. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. But Vina’s talents went even further—she was also a natural dancer from a young age.She was lucky to have the chance to develop her skills, like by taking dance classes when she was little. Not only does performing run in her blood, but she also started honing her skills early on, which keeps her in sync with the new wave of performers on “ASAP Clash Dance” until today.She also credits “That’s Entertainment” as one of her early training grounds. And it’s clear that the influence of big Hollywood performers like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Beyoncé played a role in shaping her career.In Vina’s story, she dedicates a whole narrative about the power of having a strong support system. She’s come a long way from that little girl in Cebu to becoming a global force in performing, but she never forgets how her parents’ support and love were instrumental in her success. She’s grateful to have a family that not only encouraged her dreams and helped her achieve them but also respected her as their child.“They never took advantage of what I’ve earned before, no, they’ve kept it. Ang parents ko ay mabuti at mabait sila sa akin. Hindi sila naging sugarol. Hindi sila umiinom. ‘Di ba? So, I’m really thankful to them. Inipon talaga nila para sa aming lahat,” Vina praised her parents’ integrity. In return, she isn’t stingy with her family, believing that blessings are meant to be shared to keep them flowing.Sharing more about their family dynamic, Vina revealed that her mom was the stricter one, proving the saying that Bisaya moms are tough. While her mom set the rules and provided guidance, her dad ensured she trained diligently. He would encourage little Vina to practice every day after school. “Iiyak na lang ako kasi gusto kong maglaro, pero hindi ako makalaro… I have to sing. I have to practice, like, two hours, three hours in one day,” she recalled. Looking back on it now, she appreciates how her dad&#x27;s discipline shaped her.“It was the whole family,” she said when asked about how she feels being part of changing and improving their lives. She doesn’t want to take all the credit; instead, she highlights the teamwork that made their success possible. “You can’t be successful on your own, hindi talaga,” she emphasized.The support cycle continued when the youngest in the brood, Shaina Magdayao, stepped into showbiz as a child star. Vina admits she had a part in influencing Shaina to join the industry, so little Shaina started with commercials before landing her first drama series as a lead role in “Lira.” As a big sister, Vina used to keep a close eye on Shaina’s acting in front of the camera. “Minsan, kung hindi siya iiyak, ang ginagawa ko, ‘Sige. Uuwi na lang si Ate.’ Iiyak agad siya,” she laughed.Just as her parents supported and protected her through her projects and life choices, Vina is the same way with Shaina. “Protective ako when naaagrabyado siya or when somebody steps down, you know, makes fun of her. Siyempre, susugod tayo, ‘di ba? I’m very protective but supportive,” Vina shared, showcasing that classic Bisaya spirit of being fiercely loyal.<div> </div><div>On Motherhood </div>“You have to be everything,” Vina smiled when talking about the challenges of being a single mother. Once again, she navigates the challenges of raising her 15-year-old daughter, Ceana, with the support of her family.She manages single parenting while working because she has a trustworthy family to help look after Ceana, especially during her international concert tours.When it comes to raising her daughter, Vina makes sure the right people are around them. “Kasi ‘pag hindi maganda ‘yung nakapaligid sa kanya, siyempre, hindi maganda ‘yung buhay niya. Mapupunta siya sa hindi magandnag buhay,” she explained. Of course, she also feels the usual fears that moms have, like worrying that her daughter might go astray. That’s why she makes sure to guide Ceana closely and, even when she’s not physically present, she has trustworthy people around her daughter.One thing Vina works hard to teach her child is to be frugal so she doesn’t grow up spoiled. She always reminds Ceana that the money they have comes from her hard work. While she does let Ceana buy what she wants from time to time, she makes sure not to overindulge. “I don’t want to spoil her kasi ‘pag rainy days, wala na,” she said.Vina is grateful that Ceana has grown into such a gentle, kind-hearted, and understanding daughter. It makes motherhood an even more fulfilling experience for her. She quipped that because of the joy she gets from being a mom, she’s even tempted to have another child.When it comes to handling suitors, Vina doesn’t have any strict rules for Ceana just yet. She trusts that Ceana understands her own timeline and knows that while it’s okay to have crushes at 15, it’s not quite time for a serious relationship. Their dynamic is all about trust and setting boundaries.Since talent in performing runs in their blood, Vina is often asked if she’d allow Ceana to join showbiz. Right now, Ceana is still a bit shy but is gradually coming out of her shell—she’s even in the process of auditioning for her campus cheerleading squad. Whatever choice Ceana makes, Vina won’t stand in her way. However, she hopes Ceana will focus on her studies and enjoy her teenage years, which would be hard to do if she were to work full-time in showbiz.<div> </div><div>Dakong Problema</div>Parenting a Gen Z daughter means Vina has had to brush up on what makes this generation tick. But Kuantie Melai made it fun with a little Gen Z Slang Challenge, where they tackled some of the latest Gen Z words and phrases and figured out what they really mean. It was funny watching them try to translate these words into Bisaya first!Be sure to catch this episode of “Kuan On One” for your daily dose of inspiration and good vibes!

Vina Morales celebrates her journey and Bisaya roots in this episode of Kuan On One with Melai Cantiveros! 