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Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto turned emotional as she revealed that her mother has been battling Alzheimer’s disease in a speech during a ceremony to honor the province’s 21 centenarians and other senior citizens. The teary eyed actress-turned-politician made the revelation during the Elderly Week celebration held at the Batangas Capitol on Monday. The governor, however, declined to give details except to say that her mother, Mila Tuazon Santos, now 85, has been doing well despite her ailment. “What is important to me now is that she is strong and we’re together,” Recto said. Recto honored 21 centenarians during the celebration, who were each given a certificate of “Natatanging Pangunahing Mamamayan” in Batangas and P5,000 as financial assistance. – Maribojoc Bohol (READ MORE)

“Very thoughtful ‘yan (Younger sis, Vilma). She always visited me in my class and shared her sandwich or allowance or any little things to show that she cared. Sometimes it’s the other way around, pupunta siya sa classroom ko “Ma’am pwede pong makausap ang sister ko” yun pala hihingi lang ng baon…(about Vi entering politics) Let’s be frank, gusto mo pa bang tumakbo si Ate Vi sa politics? Kung ano man ang plano ni Vi doon ako. I will support her all the way. Pareho namang maganda ang magiging resulta kung tatakbo siya o hindi. Kung itutuloy niya ang politics maraming matutuwa lalo na yung mahihirap. Minsan nga paglabas ni Vi sa city hall, may nag-aabang na matatanda, yung iba humihingi ng tulong, ‘yung iba naman nagpapasalamat. Nakakataba ng puso na makitang maraming napaligaya si Vi…” – Emelyn Santos READ MORE

FIRST PRIORITY – But above all these priorities, Vilma admits that being a wife to Ralph and mother to her two sons Luis and Ryan are still her number one priority. Still a woman devoted to her husband, Vilma always acknowledge Ralph’s help and inspiration in her career as a public servant. “Public service is Ralph’s life and I learned to embrace it through him. Though we have differences in ideas, sometimes we clash, at hindi naman ako magpapatalo (I will not give in without a fight), I listen to Ralph. After all, whatever I achieve as a public servant, I owe it to my husband who has been my mentor up to now,” Vilma enthuses. With Luis, Vilma is a doting mother who just listens to his son’s escapades and love life. “I don’t want to meddle with my son’s life. I just advice him to enjoy life and to do what is right so that he will not commit mistakes that he might eventually regret.” She also finds time to help Ryan in his studies. “I help him in doing his projects especially when there are art works and proud ako na honor student ang anak ko,” Vilma says. READ MORE

Ryan Christian Santos Recto was born on 29 March 1996 at the Makati Medical Center. He was baptized on 29 June 1996 at the Sanctuario de San Jose in Greenhills, San Juan. The sponsors were: Sen. Robert Barbers, Mr. Eduardo Ermita, Mr. Aga Mulach, Mr. Roderick Paulate, Mr. Eric Quizon, Mr. Gabby Concepcion, Sen. Manny Villar, Mr. Lynch Cervantes, Mr. Boy Umali, Mr. Michael Tan, Mr. Danny Dolor, Mr. Ramon Ang, Mr. P. K. Asuncion, Jr., Sec. Mar Roxas, Ms. Coney Reyes Nubla, Ms. Tina Revilla-Valencia, Ms. Plinky Recto, Ms. Aida Fandalian, Dra. Connie Argonza, Dra. Marilou Martinez. – Eric Nadurata (READ MORE)

Luis Philippe Santos Manzano was born on 21 April 1981 at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital in San Juan, MM. He was baptized on 07 June 1981 at St. Alphonsus Maria de Liguori Church in Magallanes Village, Makati. The sponsors were: Ms. Marichu Perez-Maceda, Ms. Emelyn Santos, Ms. Gigi manzano, Atty. Esperidion Laxa, Dr. Edwin Argonza, Mr. Noel Benitez, Mr. Jose Escaler. – Eric Nadurata (READ MORE)