Ultimate Performer Vina Morales is no stranger to performing at Winford Hotel and Casino. She earlier did a successful concert at the Hippodrome Bar and Lounge of the hotel last February.
That’s why when Vina was offered to perform at the 1,000-seater Winford Hotel and Casino Ballroom, she readily gave her nod.
On Nov. 16, Vina returns to the live concert stage. “I’m excited to perform for everybody,” Vina told The Philippine STAR. “There will be a lot of singing and dancing in my concert.”
Last year, Vina did an Australian tour and this year, she did a three-month concert tour in the US. “Those were ticketed shows,” Vina clarified. “Here in Manila, my forthcoming concert at the Winford Hotel will sell tickets.”
Vina admitted she is back home to stay for a long time. “Manila is my base. It just so happened that my work abroad came one after the other,” she said.
“I did ‘Here Lies Love’ in Broadway last year. Before that, I did a show with David Pomeranz. I was away for a long time.”
A major concert for Vina is always part of her work plan. “I always go with the flow,” she said. “Whatever that’s given to me, be it in a Big Dome or a ballroom, I just make sure that I give a good performance.
“Of course, who doesn’t want me to do a concert at Araneta (Coliseum) again, if there’s an opportunity or a chance. I did ‘Showgirl’ at Araneta and its repeat. But that has been a long time. Whatever I have now, I am just so grateful.
“I’m just happy that I still get the chance to entertain the audience all these years. It doesn’t have to be a huge venue.”
Vina recently did a three-month tour in the US. Some of the songs that will make it to her set list at Winford Hotel are her songs in the US tour.
Her director, Vergel Sto. Domingo, is also her concert producer. Backing her up is Rhythmic Circle, the band of Nyoy Volante. Guests are new artists Dindo Fernandez, Niña Campos, David Young and Nathan Randal.
“We are talking to finalize our repertoire,” Vina granted. “This is a high-energy performance. Walang matutulog.”
To bring back memories, Vina will render her classic hits and a medley of the teleserye theme songs that she recorded.
“I never thought that I already did a number of teleserye themes,” she humbly said. “More than 10 already. My goal is to make people sing and dance with me the whole night. The line-up is full of upbeat songs and heartbreaking numbers. Makabagbag-damdamin.”
She continued, “It will be a whole band with live dancers, power guests who will be singing their respective songs. We will also perform songs together and a few surprises for everyone to make the show fresh. Some songs that are new, songs from this generation and the past, I will get to render. So the audience can relate.”
She will have a lot of quick changes within the show, as her usual wont when she mounts the stage. “Like the concerts that I did in the US, I didn’t have guests for my entire show. I didn’t leave the stage. I would exit for five to 10 seconds then return right away.”
Vina is excited to be doing another ticketed show again. “Here (in Manila) or in the US, Filipinos are familiar with the songs that I sing in my concert,” she said. “They know my classic hits. Those are the songs they want to hear. Those tunes bring back memories.
“Before, almost every day, viewers would hear my voice because of the teleserye. Their excitement remains the same. I’m they are excited again to watch me. I will make sure to give a fun show, a great show.”
Viina loves doing concerts because she wants to entertain people. She is pleased that she gets opportunities to entertain her fans.
“I want to excel,” said Vina. “I get to train with my group of dancers. I do voice lessons. There are people who help me and guide me. When I want to excel, I put my heart into it. Practice makes almost perfect.”
“When I was younger, I planned things ahead and I set myself a goal to inspire me to reach it. But today, I don’t give myself a deadline anymore, says five years or 20 years. That’s so stressful,” she added.
“I started in showbiz when I was nine. I feel like I’ve already done so much. I’ve worked so hard and I’m thankful for everything that I’ve accomplished. When you get older, I just go with the flow and take it one day at a time. I don’t want to end my sentences with a period.”
Vina last did a film in 2023, but was shown early this year. Jalz Zarate directed Vina in the heartwarming film, “Sunny,” about a middle-aged woman who wants to fulfill a dying wish to reunite with her high school friends.
Meanwhile, Vina was last seen in a teleserye in “Marry Me, Marry You,” with Janine Gutierrez, Paulo Avelino, Cherry Pie Picache and Lotlot de Leon.
Two years ago, Vina started a relationship with Andrew Kovalcin, an American who runs an advocacy and public affairs firm in Washington, D.C. The initially met back in 2001 in Hawaii, while she was on a concert tour.
Vina found out about Andrew’s efforts to reconnect with her again in 2022 and they maintained a long-distance relationship. Last year, they got a chance to have a vacation in Seminyak, Bali in Indonesia.
When Vina returned recently after her three-month concert tour in the US, she divulged the relationship is over.
Although loveless at the moment, Vina admitted performing keeps her busy. She did Broadway last year with eight shows in a week. She is grateful to be part of “Here Lies Love” and the people in Broadway had been very supportive of her theater venture, especially Lea Salonga.
“Who would have thought that I would reach Broadway?,” said Vina. “Dati sa Broadway Centrum lang ako pumupunta, now I got to reach Broadway in in New York. Not New York, Cubao.
“My love for theater and respect to the actors, mas lalong tumaas pa,” she maintained. “The day before I went onstage, I panicked because I only had three days of rehearsals. That was a very short time for me, so I really felt the pressure. I was crying.”
“I did solo concerts before or even did ‘Rock of Ages’ (2012). I had a very short time to rehearse for ‘Here Lies Love’ and I took over from the role played by Lea. You cannot commit a mistake. I learned a lot being a theater actor when I worked in Broadway.”