Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

The above lyrics are from the hit song Shining by Becca Godinez, made popular in the ’80s. But the lines above aptly describe Becca’s very colorful life. From a hectic lifestyle in the fast lane of showbusiness, Becca – or, rather, God- has rearranged her life and her priorities. After many years on stage and onscreen as a multi-awarded actress, singer, dancer, songwriter and director, Becca ached for rest, anonymity and introspection, and decided to leave the limelight. She immigrated to California and led a simple life, away from the public eye. She worked as an executive in an office, and became a homemaker, content being a wife and mother. But, recently the Lord has slowly brought her back to the stage, but now, with a message of hope and love. And, Becca finds herself shining brighter than ever.

Becca Godinez is gifted with an unbelievably powerful voice. She began her professional career singing radio and television jingles in the late 1970’s. Some of the commercial jingles she sang were for Sprite, Hotpoint, Bank of Asia, and Broadway Centrum.

She then started performing in theatre, appearing in many theatre plays and musicals with Repertory Philippines. Becca played the lead roles in the following Repertory Philippines productions- Prisoner of 2nd Avenue, The Taming of the Shrew, Bed Before Yesterday, Shadowbox Agnes, My Fat Friend, Fiddler on the Roof, The King and I, Mame Agnes Gooch. Other musicals she has performed in include West Side Story, Cabaret, Hello Dolly, Mrs. Molloy, The Merry Widow, and A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum. In Los Angeles, she portrayed lead roles in Coins (by Mona Simpson), Novenas, and Fur is Back (by Eve Ensler).

Along with her success in theatre, Becca also captured the TV audience. She was the host of a couple of musical variety TV shows on Channel 2- Excuse Me Alas Dose Na and Together We Offer. She also hosted The Becca Godinez Christmas Special on Channel 13 and was a guest host of Penthouse on Channel 7.

Becca is a firm believer in education. To hone her talents even more, she studied constantly and took up lessons to get more training and skills to become an even better performer. She went to the US to study, getting an Associate in Arts degree, majoring in Theatre Arts, with minor in voice (classical and jazz). She also studied acting under Zenaida Amador, Repertory Philippines & under George Archambeault, in Fullerton, CA. She took up dance lessons (Jazz, Swing, Latin, Tap) under Pepper Clyde, Rose Borromeo, and Virginia Boucher (tap). She also learned Directing from George Stoughton in Fullerton.

Her voice coaches were Sara McFerrin from Fullerton, Aurelio Estanislao from the University of the Philippines, and Minda Azarcon from Manila. What’s also amazing is that she also studied languages and is very fluent in Spanish, Portuguese, English.

Becca is not only good performing in the limelight; she is also great working behind the scenes. Among the plays and concerts she directed were Am A Camera, You Know I Can’t Hear You When The Water’s Running, and The Telephone (all in Fullerton), The Ritz, and Anthony – The Days, The Nights and The Music (both in Manila), and Becca Godinez – Christmas at Universal; her concert in Universal Studios, CA and Becca – Loud and Clear, her concert at the James Armstrong Theatre in CA.

Becca’s records and albums were hits; some of them went gold. Among her singles and albums are One Way Road to Fame, Becca Album, Lalaking Makisig, Shining, Chains of Love, At This Moment and Back to Love (Morris Albert Album).