Vina Morales

Sharon Garcia Magdayao (; born October 17, 1975), known professionally as Vina Morales , is a Filipino singer and actress. She began performing at her local church as a child and first gained recognition after winning the Cebu Pop Music Festival in 1986. She began releasing studio albums while simultaneously appearing in numerous films and television productions. Magdayao has been the recipient of an Ikon Asean Award and six Awit Awards. She has also been nominated for two FAMAS Awards, a Gawad Urian, and a Metro Manila Film Festival Award.

Early life Sharon Garcia Magdayao was born 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 three siblings, including the actress Shaina Magdayao. Morales attended Bogo Central School for her first three years of elementary education before transferring to Immaculate Conception Parish School in Quezon City, where she completed her primary education. She continued her first two years in Quezon City for the remainder of high school at the same institution before shifting to homeschooling due to her show business commitments. She never attended college for the same reasons.

Career At the age of nine, Magdayao joined the choir of Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church in Bogo. Her father, Fritz T. Malinao, a songwriter and active member of the church community, recognized her vocal ability and selected her to perform one of his compositions at the Cebu Pop Music Festival. Her entry, "Paglaum" (Cebuano for "Hope"), won the Grand Prize and earned her the Best Interpreter Award for young performers in the Philippines.

Her performance drew the attention of Viva Films representatives, led by Jesus "Boy" Bosque, who offered her a singing and acting contract. Magdayao and her family subsequently relocated to Manila, where she auditioned for roles in the Philippine film industry. Vic del Rosario Jr. and Mina Aragon gave her the screen name Vina Morales in memory of their deceased daughter, Vina Vanessa.

Acting career Morales made her film debut in Nakagapos na Puso, appearing alongside Sharon Cuneta. As a teenager, she appeared in several youth-oriented comedy films, including Estudyante Blues and Teacher’s Enemy No. 1. By 1991, she had transitioned to leading roles, starring opposite Robin Padilla in Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum. In 1994, she headlined her first solo feature film, Anghel na Walang Langit.

In 1996, Morales left Viva Films and signed a non-exclusive agreement with APT Entertainment and OctoArts Films. During this period, she appeared in Lab n Kisses and 'Wag na 'Wag Kang Lalayo. She also portrayed the title role in The Sarah Balabagan Story. 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.

In 2007, she starred in ABS-CBN's soap opera Maria Flordeluna. In 2010, Morales was cast as Mercedes Cristi in the series Agua Bendita. The following year, she played her first antagonist role, Cecile Altamira, in Nasaan Ka, Elisa?, a remake of the Chilean telenovela ¿Dónde está Elisa?. She played the role of Cecile Altamira, sister of Mariano Altamira (Albert Martinez) and wife of Bruno de Silva (Eric Fructuoso).

In 2013, Morales was cast as Magnolia Alegre in the primetime drama Maria Mercedes. She later made returned to film with Robin Padilla in the 2014 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo. In 2015, she starred as Cecilia Macaraeg in the afternoon drama Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita, followed by a role in the 2016 romantic drama Born for You. In 2018, she played her second antagonist role, Celestina de Alegre, in Precious Hearts Romances presents Araw Gabi.

In 2023, she made her Broadway debut as Aurora Aquino in Here Lies Love. By 2025, she had rejoined GMA Network and appeared on the game show Rainbow Rumble, broadcast on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and All TV.

Music career During the early 2000s, Morales focused on her music career. She performed in live concerts in the Philippines, including 2004's Mamahalin Ka Niya. She co-wrote the lyrics to "Paano Kaya Magtatagpo?" with actor Piolo Pascual; the pair recorded the song as a duet composed by Arnel de Pano. In 2003, she embarked on a multi-city United States tour titled 'Vina Revealed' and 'Vina's Hot'. She became the first Filipina to sing at the New York International Music Festival held at the Palms Hotel in Las Vegas.

In 2006, she undertook a second tour of the United States. Morales represented the Philippines at the 2007 Ikon Asean singing contest, where she won the competition. Additionally, she co-hosted a series of Philippine shows with Martin Nievera in the United States and Canada.

Personal life Morales is the sister of actress and dancer Shaina Magdayao. She has a daughter named Ceana, who was born on April 25, 2009.

In May 2018, the Mandaluyong City Regional Trial Court, under Judge Anthony Fama, convicted Morales' former partner, Cedric Lee, for the 2016 kidnapping of their daughter. Morales had accused Lee of keeping their then seven-year-old child for nine days without her consent. The court ordered Lee to pay a ₱300 fine, along with ₱50,000 in nominal and moral damages to Morales.

Between 2022 and 2024, Morales was in a romantic relationship with an American national, Andrew Kovalcin.

Filmography Film Year Title Role1986 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 Year Title Role Notes 1987–1996 That's Entertainment Herself / Co-host 1990 Buddy en Sol Lolit 1991 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Rubber Shoes" 1993–1994 Vina 1996–1997 Lyra Edene 1997–1999 SOP 1997 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Puting panyo" 1998 Binhi Film broadcast on television 1999 Maalaala Mo Kaya Marissa Episode: Lollipop 2000 Episode: Boses Codename: Verano Carmela Bernardo 2001–2022 ASAP 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 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" 2011–2012 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" 2013–2014 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 Kesayasaya Ms. K 2021 It's Showtime : Hide and Sing TagoKanta no. 1 Celebrity Singer 2021–2022 Marry Me, Marry You Marvi Jacinto Main Cast / Protagonist 2025–2026Cruz vs CruzFelma Cruz 2025All-Out SundaysHerselfGuest performerRainbow RumbleContestant2026 Born to Shine Ysadara "Dara" Halari Supporting Cast / Primary Antagonist

Discography

Vina (1990), Viva Forbidden (1992), Viva Pag Katabi Kita (1994), Viva Easy to Love (1995), OctoArts-EMI Look at Me Now (1996), OctoArts-EMI All That I Want (1998), OctoArts-EMI No Limits (1999), OctoArts-EMI Total Control (2001), OctoArts-EMI Reflections (2002), OCtoArts-EMI Mamahalin Ka Niya (2004), Star Nobody Does It Better (2005), 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