Vina Morales will always remember 2023 as the year she made her Broadway debut. The actress-singer played Aurora Aquino in the restaging of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim's musical on the life of Imelda Marcos, Here Lies Love, by an-all Filipino group of producers in what is considered the theater capital of the world.

"I always got a good response," she proudly said in a media conference that served as a homecoming of sorts. "They complimented me." She was referring not only the people she worked with in the production but also the people, particularly Filipinos, who lined up outside Broadway Theatre in New York City after a show. "Maghihintay sila, 'tapos magpapa-autograph sila (They would wait and then ask for an autograph)."

She had one solo number, Just Ask the Flowers, which served as the emotional highlight in the musical that's set in a disco and had a dancefloor available for the audience to participate in. Her character, Aurora, sings the haunting song after her son, Ninoy Aquino, was assassinated in 1983, thus inspiring the People Power EDSA Revolution three years later and the ouster of then President Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda.

Morales then shared how she bagged the role that Lea Salonga played when Here Lies Love opened on Broadway on 20 July 2023 and for just a few weeks. She said she was in the Australian capital city of Sydney when she got a call from Lea, whom she knew since their That's Entertainment days in the 1980s, and Bobby Garcia, who directed her in her first theater experience, Rock of Ages, in 2012. Both were co-producers of the musical and they encouraged Vina to audition for the part.

She recalled how her audition went: "It's a full circle moment kasi (because) I also auditioned ten years ago, for the West End production of Here Lies Love. Kaya familiar sila sa akin (that's why they're familiar with me) because I auditioned a few years back. Pina-audition 'yung (The audition piece was) Just Ask the Flowers. Two days after, tumawag sila (they called me). Nabanggit din sa akin ni (As mentioned to me by) Lea, 'Are you ready for your Broadway debut?'"

Rigid rehearses

Morales was signed on for a month-long stint of eight shows in a week, from 22 September to 22 October, totaling 32 performances. She remembered arriving in New York: "Sobrang lamig (So cold). I was very careful. I hardly go out because natatakot ako baka mawalan ako ng boses (I was afraid I might lose my voice.)"

While she was confident that she came prepared, she couldn't help getting overwhelmed by cramming rigid rehearsals, meeting high standards and being away from her daughter Ceana. One night, she just found herself walking around Broadway and all the way through the Manhattan borough "just to shake off the nerves." She then realized how far she'd traveled, so she walked back to her apartment.

"Doon na 'ko nag-break down," she said, adding that she called up her manager from Star Magic. "Parang naghahanap ako ng kakampi. Then after, na-uplift naman ako. For me kasi as an actor and a singer, pag complacent ako sa mga nangyayari sa buhay ko, hindi ako happy sa outcome kasi hindi ko nabibigay ang 100 percent (That's when I broke down. I was like looking for an ally. If I'm complacent with what's happening in my life, I tend to become unhappy with the outcome because I didn't give my 100 percent)."

On the other hand, she said, "Pag sobrang kaba ko (If I'm so nervous), it means I'm full focus. Kailangan kong gawin (I need to do with) 101 percent. Hindi ko man ma-perfect, gagawin ko ang lahat. (I may not be perfect, but I will do everything.) I will do my best."

If given another chance to work on Broadway again, Morales said she'd gladly take it as the door of opportunities had already opened for her. After Here Lies Love, which ended its Broadway run on 26 November, there may be other productions she could join. In the meantime, she has her work and life in the Philippines. She continues to perform in concerts and on TV, as well as run her salon business, Ystilo.

To top off her "almost perfect" 2023, Morales said she's dating a man she first met 22 years ago while doing a concert in Hawaii. His name is Andrew Kovalcin, who works as a lobbyist in Washington D.C. They recently reconnected and just spent the holidays together in El Nido, Palawan.

"He's my constant now," she said.