MANILA, Philippines - ?PAGOD NA PAGOD AKO (I?M EXHAUSTed),? Vina Morales told her first visitors a few hours after she delivered baby Ceana Saturday morning.

The singer-actress labored for 18 hours. Prior to this, she worked until she was six months pregnant. Now she is taking a well-deserved long break from show business, according to ABS-CBN?s Star Magic.

It was a normal delivery for Vina. The baby, at 6.9 lbs, was proclaimed healthy. Exact time of birth was recorded at 8:47 a.m.

Mother and daughter are expected to be discharged today or tomorrow from the Cardinal Santos Medical Center in San Juan.

Priorities
Her handler, Love Capulong, told Inquirer that Vina?s immediate plan is to ?personally care for the baby, then get back in shape.? Capulong said the singer has finished ?all pending show biz commitments.?

Vina was admitted to the hospital at 2 p.m. on Friday. ?She said labor took a while because the baby was shy,? said Capulong. Actually, her doctors were expecting Vina to give birth as early as April 10.

A few days before Ceana was born, Vina?s younger sister Shaina Magdayao said, ?Everything?s ready, including the baby?s room. Ate?s friends hosted several baby showers; she didn?t have to buy anything more.?

Vina earlier said ?Ceana? was a combination of her name and that of her boyfriend, businessman Cedric Lee (though her real name is Sharon Magdayao). ?Ceana also means God is gracious,? the singer said on the Sunday variety show ?ASAP ?09.?

Friends happy
Singer Gary Valenciano, Vina?s co-host in ?ASAP ?09,? had this to say: ?We rejoice with Vina and pray for her healing. [We also pray] God would shower her with the strength, love and wisdom that she will need to raise Ceana according to God?s word.?

Actress-TV host Gelli de Belen, who worked with Vina in five movies in the 1990s, was also happy to hear the news: ?I know she?s very excited. I hope she enjoys her baby and spends as much time with her as she can. And she should prepare for a lot of sleepless nights.?

Singer Rachel Alejandro said she was sure Ceana ?will grow up as beautiful as her mother.? Rachel added, ?The last time I saw her, she was simply glowing and looked really at peace.?

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph