MANILA -- What does Vina Morales have in common with Ai Ai delas Alas, Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto and Sunshine Cruz? All five actresses have faced or are currently embroiled in their respective legal battles.
Speaking with ABS-CBN News' Mario Dumaual on Thursday, Morales was asked if she knows of a "group" dubbed the "9262 Club."
A beaming Morales quipped, "Naku, kasama ako diyan!"
"9262" refers to the Philippine Republic Act which bears the number, more commonly known as the Anti-Violence Against Women and their Children Act of 2004.
While the 37-year-old singer-actress refused to divulge details as to her "membership," or the nature of her situation, she did confirm that she is involved in a court case.
She did not say whether the case is related to RA 9262.
"For now, akin na lang 'yon," she said at the sidelines of the 15th anniversary celebration of her salon business Ystilo, which she manages along with her sisters.
Anything for Ceana
Asked how she feels about facing a court, Morales said, "Pagdating diyan, ang lahat gagawin mo para sa anak mo, what's best for her."
She added: "Syempre lahat naman ng tao nagkakaroon ng problema, 'no. Pero depende na rin siguro sa'yo 'yun kung paano mo iha-handle. Siguro para sa akin, hina-handle ko nang mas tahimik para sa anak ko."
Morales has a four-year-old daughter, Ceana, with her former partner, businessman Cedric Lee.
Unlike recent cases of local celebrities going public with their legal tiff, Morales explained her way of "attacking" her case is so she can prevent worsening the situation.
Noting her contrast to "fellow 9262 members," Morales said, "Sa atake ko siguro, sa buhay ko, dahil siguro sa suporta ng pamilya ko, hindi ko... Mas gustuhin ko mas tahimik, para walang gulo."
"Kung may gulo man, huwag nang palakihin 'yung gulo, para mas maayos. Para maayos nang mabuti, nang mas mabilis," she told ABS-CBN News.
She added: "So member din ako, pero tahimik na member. Pero happy naman, thankful and blessed maski may mga problema. Gano'n dapat ang outlook sa buhay."
Single mom
The "ASAP" star cited in particular her upcoming series, the local remake of "Maria Mercedes," as a source of joy. She admitted, however, that she still wants to improve some aspects of her personal life.
"Sabi ko, 'Nabibili na ba ang love life ngayon?' Hindi eh. In God's time, kung talagang ibibigay sa'yo 'yun. Siguro hindi pa rin," she said, laughing.
On the matter of her being a single mom to Ceana, Morales said she has learned to take it in stride and has even developed a positive mindset regarding it.
"Ako naman, as a single mom, I'm very open about that. Hindi naman ibig sabihin eh -- oo, sa paningin ng iba, failure 'yung pagiging single mom -- pero para sa akin, swerte 'yon dahil nagkaroon ako ng anak, isang buhay na binigay sa akin ng Diyos.
"Mas positive ko na natanggap 'yon. Maraming single moms kaya, atsaka proud ako! At saka kung separated, hindi ibig sabihin failure 'yon. Maybe there's somebody for you, hindi talaga kayo para sa isa't-isa. Nangyayari 'yon sa buhay-buhay natin," she said.
