A few days ago during a body talk with Funfare, Vina was all smiles, bright like the morning sun and feeling like she was in tune with the universe – even if she claimed to be loveless (but not lonesome).
"I’m done with men," she said, jokingly of course.
After the politician – okay, okay, Bukidnon Rep. Juan Miguel Zubiri – Vina was linked to a few other guys (one of them a foreigner now married to a sexy starlet, based in California) but she said she’s now careful about getting seriously involved, not wanting to be hurt, to be "burned" again.
"I’ve had enough," she said, seriously. "When in love, I am very gullible. Well, used to be. I’ve been hurt so many times that I seem to be calloused already. Manhid na ako. Before, when I was in love, buhos na buhos. All or nothing at all ang drama ko. I’ve learned my lesson," she added, joking again, "Next time, sila naman ang paiiyakin ko, sige!"
Next time may not come so soon. These days, Vina, as she put it, "is going steady" with her career. She just came back from a successful concert tour in Europe (Spain, Vienna, Switzerland, etc.).
On Oct. 28 (a Friday), she’ll topbill the concert An Evening with the Ultimate Performer at the Grand Ballroom of the Dusit Hotel Nikko in Makati City. (Dinner at 7:30 and show at 9.) Produced by Royale Era Entertainment, the concert will have as special guests Ogie Alcasid, Jerome John Hughes and Gladys Guevarra. Direction is by Al Quinn. (Note: The concert is for the benefit of Asilo Medalla Milagrosa in Cebu City, sponsored by GMA, Calayan, Play & Display, Bench, One Card, Don Henrico’s and Crestline. For ticket inquiries, call 727-2534, 727-2536 or 0920-7206964.)
Vina stands 5’3", weighs 115 lbs. (with a 24.5 waistline) and wears size 7.5 shoes.
Are you vain like most good-looking girls?
"Oh yes, I am. I should be. I would linger in front of the mirror not really to admire myself but to check my face and my whole body...to see which part needs improvement. But I’m easy to please. I don’t need to apply all sorts of creams and oils to pamper myself."
What part of your body do you think needs some improvement?
"None. Oh, my legs pala. If I could only make them grow longer."
What part of your body is your favorite?
"My eyes. They are really the windows of my soul. My eyes don’t tell a lie."
What part of your body is most vulnerable?
"My nape. When I’m tense or stressed, sumasakit ang batok ko. And then the pain goes down to my back."
And what part of a guy’s body do you look at first?
"His whole face and then I concentrate on his eyes. If a guy can’t look at me straight in the eye, either he’s just shy or he’s hiding something. You can tell by a guy’s eyes if he likes you. You can also tell if a person is sincere by simply looking at his eyes."
What kind of workout do you do?
"Mostly cardio-vascular exercises. Dancing is a good exercise."
And what kind of diet do you follow?
"Sa totoo lang, matakaw ako! I eat a lot. I eat anything but in moderation. But I avoid carbo. My favorite dish is danggit fried very crispy and monggo."
What vitamins and/or minerals do you take?
"Vitamins C and E. Centrum. I also take the Chinese medicine peh pak kwa for my vocal cords."
Do you apply anything on your face?
"Only moisturizer. I get regular facials at Ystilo. And body scrub, too." (Note: Vina is co-owner of Ystilo which has outlets in Fairview, Quezon City, and at the ground floor of Imperial Palace Suites on Timog-Morato Rotunda, Quezon City.)
Are you afraid of the sun like some women?
"On the contrary, I love the sun. I want a tan."
How often do you go to the gym?
"I work out at the gym in the condo building where I stay. I do the treadmill for lung power. If I don’t do that, hinihingal ako during a concert. I want some muscles, so I lift weights."
How do you cope with stress?
"I get a massage at Ystilo. I used to practise yoga. I listen to chill-out music."
What’s your favorite hideaway?
"My room. It has everything: A huge TV set, a video player and a laptop. When I’m free, I stay in my room and listen to music or watch TV."
What’s your favorite city?
"San Francisco. Very soothing ang ambiance. I stayed there for three weeks by myself, doing nothing but explore the city. After visiting it recently during my European concert tour (with Janno Gibbs, etc.), I started to love Malaga (Spain). What an ideal vacation place! The people are so beautiful."
How’s your nightlife?
"When I’m free from work, I go to the bar, usually in Makati, with Joji (Dingcong, her manager), Ogie (Alcasid) and some other friends."
Your lovelife?
"None. Walang boyfriend, eh!"
And your sex life?
"Ano ba ‘yon?"
How often do you see your doctor?
"Only when I’m sick. My usual complaint has something to do with my throat which is overworked from doing concerts."
How much sleep do you get per night?
"When there’s no work, I sleep for more than eight hours. Otherwise, walang tulugan!"
How much liquid do you take?
"Lots of water. More than eight glasses if I’m working out. But less than that when I’m doing nothing. Soda? No, I don’t take soda. A little coffee, yes." (Note: Vina might soon do a commercial for an energy drink.)
What’s your outlook in life?
"Optimistic. I used to be a worrier – I worried about my life, about my family, about my career. Until I realized that worrying is counter-productive. So, why worry?"
What’s your favorite perfume?
"Dolce & Gabbana, red and light blue."
What do you do when you’re feeling low?
"I stay in my room, listen to music, read The Bible or cry alone."
What’s your favorite sleep wear?
"Skimpy shorts and an old loose T-shirt."
What’s the last thing that you do before you sleep?
"I pray. I thank God for all the blessings and I ask for more."
And what’s the first thing that you do when you wake up?
"Have a hot drink (coffee, milk or chocolate)."
Name three guys with nice bodies.
"Brad Pitt. Tom Cruise. Enrique Iglesias."
And three women...
"Madonna. Beyoncé. Jennifer Lopez,"
Using only body language, how would you make a guy know that you admire/like him?
"I look at him and when he looks back at me, I look away."
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)