It was on 24^th of June 1997, the beginning of the digital revolution and the “e-mail age” when Joyce Trinidad Varona was born — a new breed of Filipina raised in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, who undoubtedly possesses unique and vast talents in performing arts.

“My parents told me that when you put your mind to something and you have the will to do it, you can achieve anything… almost everything,” Joyce said during a recent interview with her.  So far, at 14, she has already achieved a number of artistic and academic feats such as:  2010  Manggagawang Kapit Bisig (MKB) Singing Grand Champion held at the Philippine Embassy in Saudi Arabia; 2011 Grand Finalist, PS Kampeon Laban sa Kampeon (KLK) held in Dammam KSA; 2009 2^nd Placer, Quiz Bee History Competition; 2009 Bb. Kalusugan at Elite International School; won the Star of the Day during the 2011 Filmmaking Graduation Rites of Pinoy Sining; 2008 Ms. Little Elite at Elite International School in Riyadh; Pinoy Sining Graduate of 2011 Summer Workshop in Creative Writing and Filmmaking Techniques.

As for their part, and as parents and real friends of Joyce, Mr. & Mrs. Jaime and Ernelita Trinidad Varona, who are both Overseas Filipinos in Riyadh for almost 30 years now, had transformed their quarters into a ‘home for art’ — the place where a number of Filipino artists and arts enthusiasts meet, hone and share their artistic abilities with each other.  Immersing Joyce with a group of Pinoy artists like her very own Pinoy Sining Family and other art and cultural groups had proven to be a coterie of schools for Joyce to progress and develop her innermost talents in singing, dancing, acting and writing.  According to the Varonas, they are indeed giving their 101% support to Joyce to discover her fullest artistic potentials to reach for her ‘star’, aside for her ambition to become a pediatrician someday.  They added, “It’s really best for Joyce to have a good start.  In search of stardom, or any career for that matter, it’s always difficult to have a second bite of the cherry in the event of one false start. We love our daughter very much and we are just here to guide and support her.”
 

Diplomat Sheila Hernandez-Solas,  PS Pres. Rodel J. Menda, PS VPs Edgar Felipe and Alladin ‘Aden’ Guinar, Mr. Mohammed Uni, Pres. Elvie of ABC and Ms. Edna Guerrero - File Photo)
 
Part of Joyce fresh impetus during the second half of this year to achieve her dreams is her entry to a number of talent search competitions in the Kingdom like the 2011 Central Region Pinoy Got Talent Search and her engagement to record a number of songs and act for an upcoming independent short films in the Philippines come April next year.    


 
And although the ‘dream stardom’ for Joyce Trinidad Varona may take its own time as it’s really not something she cannot expect today or tomorrow, albeit, with her firm determination and continuous artistic exploration and exposure, her luck for stardom might come sooner rather than later.  Perhaps, next month, who knows, next year.
 


 


 
As of this writing, Joyce is in 2^nd Year High School at Elite International School in Riyadh, a cute little girl who amazes people with her girlish glamour and very down-to-earth attitude. She is a very close friend and sister to her four siblings namely: JR, Jhamee, Aldrin and Liway.  Joyce Varona is an official talent of Pinoy Sining (Filipinos for Arts & Culture) headed by its incumbent President Rodel J. Menda. (J. Nava Cruz, an OFW, is a freelance writer/author/documentarist.  E-mail at bashamel007@yahoo.com) 

 

 

Munting Nayon News Magazine