The latest star to sign with the burgeoning talent management group known as ALV Talent Circuit is Sunshine Cruz. Arnold Vegafria, who made headlines recently for his trendsetting and epic production of the 2017 Miss World Philippines pageant, welcomed Cruz to ALV’s fold at a contract signing recently.
Currently starring in ABS-CBN’s top-rating primetime series Wildflower, the flawless beauty is excited about her latest career move. She says, “I just feel and know that I will be in good hands with Arnold. I know that I have so much more to offer and ALV can bring that out in me.”
It’s no coincidence that the youthful-looking mom is actually being looked up to by her eldest daughter and upcoming singer Angelina Cruz, who also signed with ALV as well as Universal Records in December 2016.
The proud mom shares, “Angelina’s very happy and ALV knows Angelina’s priority, which is her studies. Singing comes after. Both Universal and Arnold are both understanding and patient, and I’m thankful for that. She’s really excited with her latest single with Iñigo Pascual titled ‘Paraiso’.”
Prior to landing her Wildflower role, Sunshine had already starred in several soap operas on ABS-CBN, including Dugong Buhay, Galema (Anak ni Zuma), Pure Love, Oh My G! and Dolce Amore. She also picked up two Best Actress recognitions (Star Awards for TV) for two of her Maalaala Mo Kaya guest appearances.
Despite her steady stream of ABS-CBN projects, she clarifies that she’s not an exclusive artist.
She points out, “I always get offers and opportunities. I’m not an exclusive artist of ABS-CBN, but they’ve been more than generous to me. Hindi ako nawawalan ng serye with them. Nag-o-overlap pa nga sometimes ang offers.”
Though closely identified with her dramatic portrayals, the mestiza actress still dreams of exploring more fertile acting turf, with villain, kontrabida or mistress roles ranking high in her bucket list. She admits, “I’ve been crying a lot in my series, but I’d really want to challenge myself given the chance. I want people to hate me naman, hindi yung lagi na lang kakaawaan.”
Though not as regular, Sunshine has also dabbled in movies recently.
She recounts, “I did one with Liza (Soberano) and Enrique Gil, Mang Kepweng with Vhong Navarro and one with APT a few years ago. I’ve been focusing more on seryes, then spending my free time with my kids.”
Would she be open to signing up with a movie outfit, such as Regal Films?
She stresses, “I was a Regal baby before. I hope Mother Lily still remembers me. I would love to work with them again soon.”
Given the chance, Sunshine would also love to go back to one of her first loves: singing.
It’s no secret that she hails from a prominent musical clan, and would love to do her share in upholding their legacy. She asserts, “Being a Cruz is a blessing and we Cruzes love to perform and we’re trained to give our best in everything we do.”
It’s amazing how Sunshine has maintained her svelte figure, vibrant charm and age-defying looks despite being a working mom, making her the perfect endorser for health and beauty products. What’s her secret?
She discloses, “Healthy food and I exercise when I have the chance. Three or four times a week of either zumba, spinning or boxing.”
And how does she describe herself as a mom?
“I can be strict, but I can also be a spoiler, Being a single mom is challenging but I’m proud of myself because I know I’m doing great. I reward my kids when they have high grades and I always find time to bond with them,” she beams proudly.
Asked to comment on the current state of her heart, her radiant smile says it all.
“Happy!” she affirms.
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“It is something interesting.” This is how Shaina Magdayao describes her new project with Lav Diaz in which she plays a singer.
“First time kong gagawin ‘yung ganoon and I think first time nilang makakapanood ng something like this. All I wanted is to work with Lav Diaz at ito nga ‘yun,” she said.
Shaina showed interest in singing when she was only four years old. Her father, Ike Magdayao, started training her because it was her dream to be with her sister Vina Morales in a concert. Now that she’s playing a singer in Daz’s film, someone asked if she went through voice lessons or had a vocal coach.
”Dasal lang ang ginawa ko. Kasi at that time, I was doing The Better Half, so Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Better Half ako and weekends, I fly to Malaysia kasi doon kami nag-shoot, so dasal lang talaga more than the voice lesson at paniniwala na baka naman may nakikita si direk Lav kaya ako ‘yung kinuha niya. Sobrang nahihiya talaga ako.
“And until now, hindi alam ng dad ko (kakanta ako sa movie) na it’s anti musical-musical. And the moment that he hears me sing, naku sobrang matutuwa ‘yun kasi siya talaga ‘yung singer sa amin (dating member ng banda si daddy Ike) and he knows how I hate singing, pero iyon it’s a different experience (for me), even the moviegoers next year,” Shaina said.
“That movie with direk Lav is an anti-musical-musical or a rock opera. It’s really something different and I hate singing, alam mo ‘yan, wala talaga akong confidence, ihagis n’yo na lang ako kasi dancer ako, i-lift-lift n’yo na lang ako, handang-handa ako riyan.
“Wala kasi talaga akong confidence when it comes to singing but doon lumabas ‘yung pagiging artista (singer) kasi noong nasa harapan na ako ng camera, kinakabahan man, nagawa ko naman (kumanta), so the whole film we will be singing pero walang melody,” Shaina added.