Yearly Archives: 2014

32nd Year Anniversary of Haplos (Photos)

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Released: December 25, 1982

Plot Description: Al (Christopher De Leon) is a balikbayan who returns to his former hometown where his mother is buried. There he meets his childhood friend Cristy (Vilma Santos) who works as a counselor for family planning. Eventually they develop a romantic relationship and end up as a couple. However, a mysterious lady appears one day while Al tends to his mother’s grave. Al falls in love with the stranger and is now torn between her and Cristy. Haplos is another cinematic masterpiece by famed screenwriter Ricardo Lee. It is the official entry to the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival. With Vilma Santos and Christopher De Leon in the lead roles and supported by Rio Locsin, Haplos is a brilliant movie with a mind-boggling twist in the story. It’s a must-see for all Pinoy film buffs. – neTVision

It’s now Doctor Vi

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Doctorate Honoris Causa – Lipa City College Batangas, Philippines November 10 2005

Yesterday, we attended the taping of Homeboy wherein si Ate Vi was the sole guest ni Mr. Boy Abunda. It was a fun Episode, with a band playing ate Vi’s songs like Sixteen, My Boy Lollipop and others, after each commercial gaps. May mga surprise guests din like the Big Brothers evictees and Luis Manzano. According to Mr. Boy the said episode will be aired on Monday, Nov. 21. So, please watch out for it. On Friday, Nov. 18, naka-sked ang last shooting day ni ate Vi for MMK.

When we asked her about it she jokingly said, “I have to squeeze that into my schedule, kung hindi baka sa 2008 pa ito maipalabas.” sabay tawa. Looks like may isa na namang big award na maibibigay kay ate Vi, hindi ko lang muna sabihin until everything is final. I already asked her about this, pero true to her humble self, hindi pa nagcomment si ate Vi. I will post it here as soon as I get the confirmation. Please continue voting sa Yes Magazine, last time i check wala na ang tally for the “others” category. We have to vote more for ate Vi. Thanks sa lahat for cooperating.

Honorary Doctorate – I know that you’ve read about this already, pero dahil request ng mahal kong kaibigan na si Franco, I will try to write about it. Yesterday, Nov. 10, Mayor Vi or ate Vi for most of us, was conferred with the Honorary Doctorate in Humanities by the Lipa City Colleges. Tama nga si kaibigang Mar, It’s really raining as far as awards and recognitions kay ate Vi! And mind you, hindi basta-basta recognitions! Hindi lahat ng tao na nabibigyan ng ganitong recognition. In fact, sa mundo ng showbiz, iilan ang nabigyan nito.

Recently, Ms. Rosa Rosal was confered a similar recognition by FEU. Aside from her, wala na yata akong matandaan na nabigyan rin. This recognition from the Lipa City Colleges, is just the beginning. Alam ko, marami pang ibang colleges and universities ang susunod, dahil talaga naman deserving si ate Vi. Pero what is an Honorary Doctorate or Doctor Honoris Causa? I’ve surf the net is this is what I got: read on.

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Doctorate Honoris Causa – Lipa City College Batangas, Philippines November 10 2005

Honorary Doctorate or doctor honoris causa – The rank of honorary doctorate or doctor honoris causa is an honorific title granted by an exceptional procedure. Originally a university would confer the dignity of doctor honoris causa in order to distinguish a learned person whose knowledge and wisdom were considered exemplary, but also, in return, to pride itself for having recognized and “recruited” among its faculty such an outstanding person. Formerly universities have given some more picturesque titles than doctor honoris causa, like doctor or professor angelicus, eximius, mirabilis, subtilis, illuminatus…

The conferring of an honorary doctorate or doctor honoris causa still follows, sometimes, an old protocol (formerly in Latin). Nowadays the attribution of an honorary title such as doctor honoris causa can mean recognizing and distinguishing an outstanding person who contributed notably to his or her field of expertise, higher education or a specific institution simultaneously honoring the recipient and the institution rewarding or encouraging past or future donations.

Most regulations insist on the moral qualities of the honorary doctorate recipient. Another significant criterion for the nomination of a doctor honoris causa is the recognition by his peers. Doctors honoris causa can be seen in all the fields of knowledge, such as arts and letters, exact sciences, social or human sciences, philosophy etc.

Honorary distinctions can be of varied levels, the most appreciated one being, of course, that of honorary doctor (doctor honoris causa), although the one of outstanding professor (professor emeritus) is not looked down upon by teachers whose own university would not dare to grant them an honorary doctorate, at least as long as they are active.

In agreement with the rules of the Université Multiculturelle Internationale, Epictetus College concedes an honorary master’s degree (magister honoris causa) or an honorary doctorate (doctor honoris causa) according to two essential criteria the personal merit of the nominee the recognition by his peers

The rank of doctor is recognized in the same way whether it has been obtained on a purely honorary basis or otherwise, it is designated by simply writing Dr. before the name, just as at one time a postgraduate doctorate, a university doctorate and a state doctorate coexisted in France with only one common designation for any of the three. Ang galing, ano? Hindi ba dapat tayo talagang maging happy dahil vilmanian tayo? 😉 So, from now on, will it be Dr. Vilma Santos-Recto na, instead of Ate Vi? Oh, well, life is beautiful. – Eric Nadurata, V Magazine, No. 5 2005 (READ MORE)

AWARDS - Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa

Honorary Doctorate Degree in Humanities University of North Eastern Philippines Iriga City, Camarines Sur – Nov 2009

Update – Dr. Vilma Santos-Recto received her second Doctorate degree on November of 2009, this time from the University of North Eastern Philippines in Iriga City, Camarines Sur. Then on April this year, Dr. Vi received her third honorary degree from Batangas State University. – RV

AWARDS - Doctorate in Humanities

Honorary Degree – Batangas State University April 2014

Vilma and Niño’s Comparative Point of View

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FILMS - Darna at Ding feat Nino Muhlach

Darna at Ding” starring Vilma Santos Niño Muhlach was shown in 1980. This is Vilma Santos’ 4th and last Darna movie. Vilma was in good company with the child superstar Nino Muhlach as her brother sidekick “Ding.” The super team zoomed in out of the screen with bravura. Humor is mixed with fantasy, magic and the duo’s thrilling encounter with ingenious villains who wants to rule the world adds excitement to this last Vilma’s Darna. Among their wicked adversaries was Marissa Delgado as the evil German scientist who summons cadavers from their graves to carry out her grisly plans. An impressive roster of big name stars in cameo roles completed the cast. The movie also stars Celia Rodriguez as Lei Ming the evil witch, Veronica Jones as the hawk woman and Max Alvarado as the giant. Niño Muhlach was the only “Ding” who shared title role and equal billing with the main bida – “Darna”, simply because he was the child wonder of the 70’s mid ’80’s. Most of the child superstars of local movies were girls like Tessie Agana, Snooky Serna, Aiza Seguerra and Onin broke that tradition.

FILMS - Niño Muhlach in Darna at DingThey were the child stars who made movie hits one after another, with the plots of their movies revolving around them. They were swamped with movie offers and became busy doing projects one after another. Ate Vi was also considered as a popular child star during the 60’s, she made hits like Trudis Liit, Ging etc and even received her first FAMAS award at a tender age. But as a child star, Ate Vi cannot be compared to Niño. Nino can carry a movie all by himself, while Ate Vi, though she made title role movies which also made good at the box-office, made and accepted a lot of supporting roles as a child star like the role as the young Imee Marcos in “Iginuhit ng Tadhana or the daughter of Eddie Rodriguez and Lolita Rodriguez in “Hindi Nahahati ang Langit.”

As one writer said: Nagrigodon si Vilma as daughter sa triangle nina Eddie Rodriguez, Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden. Their triangle was a big hit then and Ate Vi almost always acted as daughter to one of them. Niño, on the other hand, maintained his lead role character as a child wonder, if not bida it should be an equal role to the bida like a movie with FPJ or Dolphy and yes with Ate Vi as Ding in the title role. Unfortunately, Niño was not as blessed as Ate Vi, who was able to transcend from child star roles to teen lead roles with ease and success.

When Niño reached the awkward age, box-office receipts of his movies were not as good. He had no choice but to accept second or third lead roles like his movie with Aga Pops (Oks na Oks Pakner) in the 80’s, and worst, made an almost extra role in the Judy Ann-Mickey Arroyo movie “Mahal Kita Maging Sino Ka Pa”. Table turned and he became the supporting star of his cousin Aga who used to be his extra during the ’70s. In fairness, Niño became a business icon though he did not reach the stature of his cousin’s (Aga) success as an actor, the former is very much satisfied with his earnings right now, he was the youngest investor at the age of nine when he own a building in San Juan named after him, the El Niño Apartelle. He also owns and manages a bakery that makes delicious ensaymada that melts in the mouth. He is now enjoying the fruit of his labor.

ARTICLES - Vi feat Nino MuhlachThe famous child actress Vilma Santos grew up as a beautiful young star and was able to maintain popularity from the ’70’s up to the present. Her title “Star for all Seasons” fits her well because among her contemporaries, she is the only one who stays on top. She can choose the roles that she wants, and is still deluge with movie offers complete with top billing and huge talent fee, that even the likes of Claudine or Judy Ann can only hope for. And why not? She is the Queen! And she deserves nothing less! She is considered the Box Office Queen of all time. Blessings continued to pour for Vilma, from film awards to public service recognitions.

She is also the only actor to have crossed over from showbiz to politics and was graded satisfactorily. And like what Mar Garces, our famous house writed said, “you ain’t see nothing yet, the best is yet to come.” What do they have in common (Vilma and Niño)? They are both considered as among the richest celebrities in local industry. In wrapping up, we can say that Niño started as a child wonder ended up as a successful businessman; he is now accepting small roles. Vilma Santos on the other hand, continues to shine her star and is considered as the longest reigning Queenstar of all time. To you Darna at Ding. Fly high! – Franco Gabriel, V Magazine 2009 No. 5 (READ MORE)

It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Vilma!

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ARTICLES - Lipad Darna 2

Thanks to the Internet, I was able to do a cursory analysis of the real score between the Vilma Santos & Nora Aunor rivalry, based on the data base from their respective web sites. This piece zeroes in on their battle for the Horror/Fantasy Genre Queenship, which is the theme of the current Vilma! Newsletter.

Nora Aunor was an early ’70’s phenomenon. She broke the mestiza, statuesque screen diva mould and eclipsed the likes of Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Helen Gamboa, Pilita Corrales, Vilma Valera, Rosemary Sonora, Gina Pareno and Hilda Koronel. The gripo dramatic princess Vilma Santos who is as petite as Nora is really her nemesis.

The ’masa’ went gaga over Nora’s golden voice, records, magazines and movies. The competitor cum warrior in Vilma Santos did not stop her to join in the fray of juvenile escapist fare of inane musicals about boy meets girl under a mango tree. We saw other ’small’ musical stars in Esperanza Fabon, Eddie Peregrina and Co. ad infinitum. Tall is out, petite is in. The Nora-Vilma battle was a lopsided affair at least for a while. The serious acting era will come later. And that is another challenge for any serious Vilma-Nora watcher to do a thesis on.

The ’bomba’ craze put a damp on the Nora-Vilma rivalry. As fans grew tired of Nora overall, her dalliance with Tirso Cruz and those silly ’pito-pito’ movies directed by Artemio Marquez, Vilma Santos saw an opening. Enterprising and creative directors Joey Gosiengfiao and Elwood Perez saw a goldmine in Vilma Santos.

The middle class teeny bopper fans who had purchasing power and discretionary income to plunk on movies and fan mags were bored of the repetitive musical genre. They were looking for something new. It also helped that martial law was declared and the New Society put an end to the ’ef-ef’ mania. Goodbye, ’bomba’, hello Vilma! Vilma Santos filled the moviegoers’ void and after the release of Takbo, Vilma, Dali! and Hatinggabi Na, Vilma in 1972, Vilma was on her merry way to the box-office queenship. Nora’s handlers couldn’t believe that a non-singer rival with a thin voice but a gutsy performer stole the crown from the superstar while she wasn’t looking as she continued to sing under a mango tree. The emancipation from Nora Aunor was really made official when Lipad, Darna, Lipad shattered box-office records and gave Erap is My Guy and an FPJ flick stiff competition at the tills, in 1973.

1973 was really Vilma’s banner year. She won her first FAMAS for Dama De Noche and kept Nora edgy and on her toes with the successful box-office results of her fantasy flicks in succession: Dyesebel, Anak ng Asuwang, Maria Cinderella, Wonder Vi and Darna and the Giants.

In 1974, Vilma ruled the box-office with FPJ (Batya’t Palu-palo) and escapist flicks such as Phantom lady, Kampanerang Kuba and Kamay na Gumagapang. Mathematically speaking, no one contested when Vilma and FPJ were declared 1974’s Box office Queen and King. Actually, there was no turning back for Vilma as she holds the specter and crown as the longest reigning box-office and movie queen (refer to published data base at the Internet).

In 1973, Nora’s spin doctors concocted Super Gee as her ’answer’ to Vilma’s Darna but sadly, it did not ignite the boxoffice the way Darna and Erap Is My Guy did. Vilma Santos went on to make a total of four Darna movies (Lipad, Darna, Lipad!, Darna and the Giants, Darna and the Planetwomen and Darna at Ding), the most successful Darna franchise. Yes, there was Edna Luna as the original Dyesebel; Rosa Del Rosario as the first Darna; and Nida Blanca as Babaing Sputnik. And then there was Nora Aunor as Super Gee. But no other actress has been as popular as the fantasy characters she created than Vilma.

From Darna to Dyesebel, to Kampanerang Kuba. Vilma is the veritable Fantasy/Horror Movie Queen. Generation after generation, she is the Heroine for all Seasons and Reasons. As a bird, Vilma is like an eagle, who soars the skies with majestic flights and easy landings, like her brilliant career. As a plane, she is the supersonic jet whose trajectory is decisive, and travels at almost the speed of light, like her winning streak from all frontiers. Like Darna, she has a golden heart but a nerve of steel, like the competitor and warrior that she is. Don’t mess with Vilma Santos. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, it’s Darna! Zoom, zoom, Vilma Santos! – Mar O. Garces, V Magazine, 2009 No. 5 (READ MORE)

Ricky Lo’s 2004 VSR’s Birthday Article

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FILMS - Mano Po 3Vilma Santos, Star For All Seasons (and, if I may add, Reasons) is turning 51 today. She doesn’t look it, does she (although she’s “pure gold” any way you look at her)? She looks, hmmmmm, 25, doesn’t she? As a nod to Vilma (who will forever be Ate Vi to her fans no matter how old she may be) on this her red-letter day, Funfare is paying her a tribute with the following piece by Funfare’s Toronto-based “international correspondent” Ferdinand Lapuz who made a list of Ate Vi’s films in a span of four decades (beginning 1963):

  • Did you know that Ate Vi made around 197 films from 1963 to 2002? This includes cameo appearances in Dugo at Pagibig sa Kapirasong Lupa, Mga Mata ni Angelita, Huwag Hamakin Hostess (with Nora Aunor and Alma Moreno with Vilma getting Orestes Ojeda in the end), Candy, No Other Love, Charot, Rizal Alih and Engkanto.
  • Did you know that the only years Vilma did not make any film were in 1995, 1999 and 2003?
  • Did you know that she co-starred with her two favorite actresses in her two films? Lolita Rodriguez in Trudis Liit which opened on Feb. 21, 1963 and Gloria Romero in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina which opened on April 7, 1963 both at Life Theater?
  • Did you know that Eddie Garcia also appeared in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina? He later directed her in films like Sinasamba Kita (1982) and Imortal (1989) and will appear together in Mano Po 3.
  • Did you know that the late Rita Gomez was also in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina? She later appeared with Vilma in Takbo, Vilma, Dali in 1972 directed by Joey Gosiengfiao.
  • Did you know that her busiest year was 1970 when she made 25 films? That is having two Vilma Santos movies shown every month. These were Young Love, Mardy, I Do Love You, Song and Lovers, My Pledge of Love, Love is for the Two of Us, From the Bottom of My Heart, Bulaklak at Paru-Paro, Mother Song, The Young Idols, Sixteen, Because You’re Mine, Love Letters, Ding Dong, Sweethearts, Give Me Your Love, Mga Batang Bangketa, I Love You Honey, Edgar Loves Vilma, Sapagka’t Sila’y Aming Mga Anak, Vilma My Darling, Nobody’s Child, May Hangganan ang Pag-ibig, Baby Vi and Renee Rose.
  • Did you know that Vilma or Vi was used in some of her earlier films? Edgar Loves Vilma, Vilma, My Darling and Baby Vi in 1970; Takbo Vilma Dali , Hatinggabi na Vilma and Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma in 1972; Wonder Vi in 1973; Vilma and the Beep, Beep Minica in 1974 and Vilma Veinte Nueve in 1975.
  • Did you know that she is the only actress to portray Mars Ravelo’s Darna four times with different child actors as Ding? These were Angelito in Lipad Darna Lipad, a trilogy directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza; Joey Gosiengfiao and Elwood Perez, Dondon Nakar in Darna and the Giants (1973) directed by Borlaza; Bentot Jr. in Darna vs. the Planet Women (1975) directed by Armando Garces and Niño Muhlach in Darna at Ding (1980) directed by Erastheo Navoa Jr. and Cloyd Robinson.
  • Did you know that Vilma and arch rival Nora Aunor shared topbilling in four films? The first was Young Love in 1970 (with Tirso Cruz III and Edgar Mortiz) followed by Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig (Nora was paired with Tirso while Vilma with Romeo Vasquez), Ikaw Ay Akin (with Christopher de Leon) and T-Bird at Ako in 1982.
  • Did you know that after working together in Mga Tigre ng Sierra Cruz (1974) and Modelong Tanso (1979), Vilma and the late Charito Solis were co-stars in Ipagpatawad Mo (1991) and Dolzura Cortez Story (1993) both directed by Laurice Guillen?
  • Did you know that Vilma was only paired twice with ex-husband Edu Manzano as compared to Christopher de Leon’s 22 times? These were Romansa in 1980 and Palimos ng Pag-ibig in 1986?
  • Did you know that prior to co-starring with Snooky Serna in Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (1986) and Hahamakin Lahat (1990), Vilma and Snooky were in Sweethearts in 1970? Co-starring with them aside from Edgar Mortiz and former child actor Arnold Gamboa were Snooky’s parents Von Serna and Mila Ocampo.
  • Did you know that the late Ishmael Bernal’s first film with Vilma was Now and Forever (1973) with Edgar Mortiz?
  • Did you know that before he was Vilma’s leading man in Makahiya at Talahib, Rudy Fernandez played a supporting role in Ibong Lukaret? Both films were released in 1975.
  • Did you know that former movie queen Amalia Fuentes did not only co-star with Vilma in Mga Reynang Walang Trono (1976) but co-directed it as well with Fely Crisostomo? They were co-stars in Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin in 1986.
  • Did you know that before she shared equal billing with Vilma and Boyet in Magkaribal (1979), just like ex-boyfriend Rudy Fernandez, Alma Moreno played a supporting role in Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw (1975)?
  • Did you know that before she played the ghost role in Haplos (1982) with Vilma and Boyet, Rio Locsin had a below the title billing in Simula ng Walang Katapusan directed by Luis Enriquez (aka Eddie Rodriguez) and Disco Fever in 1978?
  • Did you know that Sheryl Cruz has appeared with Vilma before in Candy (Vilma in a cameo role) and Good Morning Sunshine (1980) directed by Ishmael Bernal? Mano Po 3 is their third film together.
  • Did you know that Vilma was directed by Lino Brocka in three movies but did not win any award? These were Rubia Servios (1978), Adultery: Aida Macaraeg (1984) and Hahamakin Lahat (1990). However, she won multiple Best Actress awards in three films directed by the late Ishmael Bernal considered as the rival of Brocka. These were Relasyon (1982), Broken Marriage (1983) and Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989).
  • Did you know that Vilma co-starred with Anthony Castelo in Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981) directed by Elwood Perez and Nonoy Zuñiga in Never Ever Say Goodbye (1982) directed by Gil M. Portes?
  • Did you know that director Emmanuel H. Borlaza, who used to direct Vilma in the ’70s, last worked with her in Ibigay Mo sa Akin ang Bukas in 1987?
  • Did you know that Vilma is the only actress who has worked with the following award-winning Filipino directors? Aside from Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, Vilma was directed by Celso Ad Castillo (Burlesk Queen, Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak), Gil M. Portes (Miss X, Never Ever Say Goodbye), Danny Zialcita (Langis at Tubig, Karma, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan, T-bird at Ako), Mike de Leon (Sister Stella L), Marilou Diaz Abaya (Alyas Baby Tsina, Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan), Laurice Guillen (Kapag Langit ang Humatol, Ipagpatawad Mo, Dolzura Cortez Story), Maryo J. de los Reyes (Tagos ng Dugo, Sinungaling Mong Puso), Chito Roño (Ikaw Lamang, Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?, Dekada 70), Jose Javier Reyes (Nagiisang Bituin), Rory Quintos (Anak) and now by Joel Lamangan in Mano Po 3.
  • Did you know that Vilma has won the following awards? Urian, eight; Famas, five; Star Awards, five; Film Academy, four; Movie Magazine Awards, four; Metro Manila Film Festival, three; Catholic Mass Media Awards, two; Young Critics Circle, two; Pasado Awards, two; Fame Magazine Awards, two; Cinema Rave, two and one each from Manila Film Festival, SIASI Jolo Critics Awards, Gawad Tanglaw, Let’s Talk Movies Awards, Cinemascoop Awards, Bacolod Film Festival and Channel 2 Viewers Choice. She has two international awards from the Brussels Independent Film Festival for Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? and Cinemanila International Film Festival for Dekada 70 both directed by Chito Roño. She is the youngest actress to be elevated to the Famas Hall of Fame in 1989 at the age of 36. She won for Dama de Noche (1972), Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981), Relasyon (1982), Tagos ng Dugo (1987) and Ibulong Mo sa Diyos (1988). She has two Famas Circle of Excellence awards (1992 and 1993), Film Academy (1997) and Famas (1998) Lifetime Achievement awards and two Urian Best Actress ng Dekada for the ’80s and the ’90s.

For more information on Ate Vi, check out the Vilma Santos website http://www.vilmasantos.net managed by Vilmanian Eric A. Nadurata. It contains her filmography with layouts (I love the layouts of Tagulan sa Tagaraw and 1979 Urian and Famas Best Picture Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak) and reviews of some of her films, her acting awards, old articles and magazine covers. This website is truly impressive! – Ricardo F. Lo, The Philippine Star 11/03/2004

Ricky Lo’s 57 VIPs in Vi’s Life (Repost)

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Fifty-seven looking Sweet Sixteen (to borrow the title of her hit song way back when she was, uhm, fresh as a daisy and thought that she could sing. Well, she could carry a tune but she eventually turned out to be not a singer but a great actress who has dozens of awards that have left no more space to display in. Name it, she has won it. Looking at her, it seems unthinkable that Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos, still called simply and fondly Vi for short, is seven years and half a century old on Wednesday, Nov. 3. How does she manage to look so young?“Positive attitude,” she said. And exercise and a healthy diet.

Did you know that Gov. Vi works out every day in one of the rooms of her houses (one in Corinthian Garden and another in Lipa City where she served as mayor for three terms)? She would close all the windows, turn the aircon off and sweat it out. Some detractors may refute it but Vi insists that every part of her body is original, untampered by needle and scalpel. A member of the household staff gives her a massage after a hard day’s work, whether at the Provincial Capitol or on a movie set. “I eat anything,” she said, “but in moderation.” Asked what her priority is, Vi replied, “Family, Batangas and showbiz.” She and her husband, Sen. Ralph Recto, are partners at home and at work. Her son Luis “Lucky” Manzano (from a previous relationship) is like a friend to her. Ryan Christian, her son by Ralph, is growing up to be the sum total of his parents’ best traits.

Successful as a woman and as an artist, what more can Vi ask for? “Maybe a good sleep,” laughed the former insomniac. The journey from Trudis Liit (which she did for Sampaguita Pictures when she was that little, recently adapted as a teledrama by GMA) to, uhm, Governor Liit was fraught with high drama both on the personal level and the professional level, and all sorts of tests and trials which she survived very beautifully. She’s her own glowing trophy.

To mark the 57th milestone in her life, Conversations asked Vi to do a list of the 57 VIPs in her life. Forever Vilmanian Alan Trambulo, who works at the front desk of Radisson Hotel in Manhattan, helped conceptualized this piece. (As of this writing, Vi and Ralph, with son Ryan Christian and close friends and relatives, are vacationing in Seoul. They came back Friday night.)

  • 1. Amado Constantino Santos (deceased), my father
  • 2. Milagros Tuazon Santos, my mother
  • 3. Luis Philippe S. Manzano, my son
  • 4. Ryan Christian S. Recto, my son
  • 5. Ralph Gonzalez Recto, my husband
  • 6. Emelyn Tuazon Santos, my sister
  • 7. Ma. Theresa Santos, my sister
  • 8. Conrad Lopez, my brother-in-law (Ma. Theresa’s husband)
  • 9. Ana Norwina “Winnie” Santos, my sister
  • 10. Willie Herber, my brother-in-law (Winnie’s husband)
  • 11. Joel Tuazon Santos, my only brother (the youngest)
  • 12. Rafael R. Recto (deceased), my father-in-law
  • 13. Carmen Gonzalez Recto, my mother-in-law
  • 14. Dr. Edwin Argonza (my cousin who assisted and attended to me when I gave birth to Luis and Ryan)
  • 15. Dr. Connie Argonza (same reason as above)
  • 16. Eduardo “Doods” Barrios Manzano
  • 17. Adrian Manzano (deceased), Dood’s father
  • 18. Rosario B. Manzano (deceased), Dood’s mother
  • 19. Amaury Agra (my uncle who introduced me to Starmaker Dr. Jose R. Perez of Sampaguita Pictures where he was a cameraman)
  • 20. Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez (deceased), my discoverer
  • 21. William Leary (deceased), my one and only business & appointments manager
  • 22. Cardinal Gaudencio M. Rosales (the first church personnel who gave me trust to be a public servant)
  • 23. Bishop Salvador Quizon (who officiated at my wedding to Ralph)
  • 24. Monsignor Alfredo Madlangbayan (who also officiated at my wedding to Ralph)
  • 25. Boss Vic del Rosario Jr. (producer of my Viva films…and thanks to his late better half, Ate Mina del Rosario)
  • 26. Fr. Lito Malibiran (my adviser, critic and friend)
  • 27. Atty. Espiridion D. Laxa (deceased), my legal adviser and one of my producers.
  • 28. (Regal Matriarch) Mother Lily Monteverde (who produced most of my acclaimed films including Relasyon, Broken Marriage and Sister Stella L)
  • 29. Father Remy Monteverde (Mother Lily’s husband who has also been supportive)
  • 30. Ishmael Bernal (deceased), who was responsible for my winning my first Best Actress grand slam (for Relasyon)
  • 31. Lino Brocka (deceased), who directed me in some of my most memorable films including Rubia Servios, Adultery and Hahamakin ang Lahat
  • 32. Douglas Quijano (deceased), whose well-meaning pieces of advice have paid off
  • 33. Mina Aragon del Rosario (deceased), my dear Ate Mina who carefully and lovingly chose the scripts and stories for the films that I did for Viva Films
  • 34. Helen Vela (deceased), my gangmate
  • 35. Coney Reyes, my gangmate
  • 36. Tina Revilla, my gangmate
  • 37. Roderick Paulate, my BFF (Best Friend Forever)
  • 38. Marichu Vera Perez Maceda, my ever-loving and ever-thoughtful Manay Ichu
  • 39. Marie Babacui, my companion during my younger years, in my escapades, disappearances and rebellious days
  • 40. Viring Morada (deceased), another kasama sa lahat ng lakad starting from my younger years
  • 41. Federico M. Garcia (FMG), who negotiated for my contract with Channel 7 for my TV show VIP right before he transferred to Channel 2
  • 42. Chit A. Guerrero, my EP (Executive Producer) for 15 years in VIP of Channel 7 and 2
  • 43. Cory Valenzuela Vidanes, the PA (Production Assistant) at that time who almost caused my rift with Ricky Lo (Note: During her show, Vi made a joke about the sartorial taste of Cory V who was a Valenzuela and not yet a Vidanes at that time; she’s married to TV director Bobit Vidanes. That was in 1986 when Cory Aquino was only a few months into her presidency. I mistook Cory Vidanes for Cory Aquino because Vi didn’t mention Cory V’s surname. Vi lashed back at me on camera, very angry and very hurt. Hehehehe!)
  • 44. Maribeth Bichara, who honed my dancing prowess
  • 45. Super Morales, who patiently guarded my diction and my grammar in reading spiels for my variety shows
  • 46. Christopher de Leon, my perennial leading man with whom I made more than two dozen movies; he’s now OIC governor of Batangas while I am in Korea and Vice Gov. Mark Leviste is in UK
  • 47. Edgar Mortiz, my first love interest on and off the screen
  • 48. Jose Mari Chan, one person and gentleman whom I truly admire
  • 49. Ricardo F. Lo, the very first movie writer who interviewed me when I was 12 pa lang yata and who even paid the fare for the taxi that he, my mom and I took to the Manila Times building on Florentino Torres St. in Sta. Cruz, Manila, where we did the cover pictorial for Variety, one of the paper’s Sunday magazines
  • 50. Malou N. Santos, whom I thank for believing so much in me
  • 51. The Star Cinema Team
  • 52. The Regal Family
  • 53. Batangueños, my constituents
  • 54. Movie/Showbiz world — the producers, directors, leading men, co-stars, production staff and crew
  • 55. The media guys who helped package my career
  • 56. The Vilmanians whom I thank for their unwavering faithfulness and admiration
  • 57. And all my friends whose names slip my mind at the moment I’m doing this list and from whom I ask forgiveness even as I thank them because they, too, played a very important part in my life. – Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, Oct 31, 2010 (READ MORE)