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It’s a Bird! It’s a Plane! It’s a Vilma!
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
Vilma 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)
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)
With her Success & Happiness All –Aglow!
The line is lifted from a Christmas song with a little alteration. But the message and the spirit of the season is still there. Intact. And that is Vilma Santos these days: glowing and with high spirits radiating. Who wouldn’t be, anyway? At thirty, she has still maintained that youthful look every woman is trying to hold on to as she goes celebrating from one birthday to the next. The actress is at peak of her career, and no matter what others say about the phenomenal legend and her unmatchable niche in local cinema, Vilma is slowly creating a legend all her own. At ito ang magiging pagkakaiba niya sa lahat. Kadalasan, ang mga movie queen ng local movies ay unti-unting nawawala sa eksena the moment they get to near thirty or that. Maging si Nora Aunor ay hindi nakaligtas sa “aging syndrome” na ito sa ating pelikula. Ilang taon na ba nang magsimulang manghina ang movie career ng brown phenomenon? Ganito rin halos ang mga nangyari sa ating past movie queens like Gloria Romero, Amalia Fuentes and Susan Roces: by the time they got to be thirty, unti-unti nang nawala ang kanilang charisma sa publiko, at hindi na kagaya ng dati.
Happiness All Aglow
Pero hindi ito nangyari kay Vilma. It is a fact na kung kailan pa siya nagkakaedad ay saka pa siya lalong tumatatag, lumalakas. And by almost all indications, it seems like magtatagal pa ito. Take a look at her harvest this year: “Ayak Kong Maging Querida,” “Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?,” “Broken Marriage,” “Obsession (Separasyon Legal),” “Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan” and “Sor Stella L.” Although it appears na tila dalawang pelikula ang maaaring hindi na maipalabas sa taong ito (Obsession and Sor Stella L), hindi na rin maikakaila from the list above that Vilma Santos is still the biggest star of the season and the busiest among her contemporaries. At mayroon pa siyang mga nakatakdang gagawin sa pagpasok ng bagong taon. At the time when most stars are already collecting memoirs and reminiscing fond memories of past glories, Vilma is still soaring into newer heights as she goes from one competent film director to another and manages to become the highest paid actress in the country today. From Ishmael Bernal (Broken Marriage) to Lino Brocka (Obsession) to Marilou Diaz-Abaya (Misan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan) to Mike de Leon (Sor Stella L), the reigning movie queen is getting most of the choicest assignment these days and with the accompanying royal treatment.
Sabi pa niya: “Wala na yata akong mahihiling pa at this stage in my life. Maligaya ako sa aking pamilya, lumalaking listo si Lucky at nalutas ko na rin ang mga problema ko. I think it would be too much kung maghahanap pa ako ng kung anu-ano pa. Kuntento na ako sa buhay ko ngayon at siguro, ang dapat ko na lang gawin ay pagbutihin ang aking ginagawa.” With husband Edu around and some of her loved ones with her, Vilma can’t help but be contended with all the things coming her way. That glow in her eyes is unmistakable kahit na madalas siyang magpuyat and at one time or some other ay nagkakasakit. Katulad na lang nang matapos ang kanyang VIP birthday celebration sa Celebrity Sports Plaza noong November 5. Nagkasakit kinabukasan ang aktress at may dalawang araw ring naratay sa higaan. Maybe because of fatigue. Pero maligaya pa rin siya dahil nasa piling niya si Edu at si Lucky. In fact, she even made some effort to set an appointment the moment she gets well. But she didn’t have to, I thought. The next time I called up, nasa set na naman siya ng Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan… at kailangan niya itong matapos bago mag-November 15 dahil sisimulan na nila ang Sor Stella L sa Regal with Mike de Leon.
Happiness All Aglow
Halos mapang-abot na ang dalawang pelikula dahil the day na natapos ang dubbing niya sa Minsan…, kinabukasan, nag-umpisa na kaagad siya sa Sor Stell L. It was a good thing na hindi nagtuloy-tuloy ang shooting ng pelikula ni Mike de Leon. Ang yet, maligaya pa rin si Vilma. Iba na nga naman ang nagagawa ng pag-ibig. Sana wala ng tanong kung hanggang kailna ang lahat. Pero, dapat pa rin nating harapin ang katotohanan. As she has always said time and again, “Parang natatakot pa rin ako kung ano nga ang magiging kasunod nito. With all the good things happening to me now, there’s always that fear at the back of my mind na baka kung ano nga ang sumusonod nito. Sana wala naman.” Most people can’t really help thingking about it. And it’s good thing Vilma isa aware of that. But why worry of things that are based on unfounded fears? Right now, the world of Vilma Santos is all aglow and it is what should matter. So why spoil the good times and think otherewise? The world will not stop because one day you’ll be sad, Vilma. Keep going. Life is made of such stuff. – Julio Cinko N., Movie Flash Magazine, December 8 1983 (READ MORE)
Vilma Santos: The Star For All Seasons
Eric Nadurata’s SFAS
On November 3, 1953 in Trozo, Magdalena, Tondo Manila, a little girl was born, She was a lovely baby with rosy pink cheeks, full ever smiling lips, and a fair skin that nearly bordered on the whiteness of snow. Her name is Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos. Vilma’s father, Amado Santos, is a native of Bamban, Tarlac while her mother, Milagros Tuazon is from San Isidro, Nueva Ecija. She has four siblings namely: Ma. Michaela (Emelyn), Ma. Theresa (Marites), Ma. Norwina (Winnie) and Joel (Sonny Boy). When she was already of age, Vilma was sent to St. Mary’s Academy for her early schooling. She earned a high school diploma later on through the private tutorial system. At a tender age of nine, Vilma became a title role in VP Pictures’ (sister company of Sampaguita Pictures) “Trudis Liit” which was shown at Life Theater from February 21 to March 2, 1963. She won the First Famas Best Child Actress as a maltreated child in the said film. Vilma became a teen icon in the late 60’s until the early 70’s with box-office hits like “Lipad, Darna, Lipad”, “Dyesebal at ang Mahiwagang Kabibe”, “Kampanerang Kuba”, “Wonder Vi” among others. She won her First FAMAS Best Actress at the age of 19 for “Dama De Noche”.
On July 19, 1980, Vilma married Eduardo Luis Barrios Manzano in Las Vegas Nevada, USA. She gave birth to a bouncy bundle of joy named Luis Philippe Manzano on April 21, 1981 at the Cardinal Santos Memorial Hospital. Unfortunately, her marriage to Edu did not last long and was eventually annulled.
It was on December 11, 1992 when Vilma married Ralph Gonzales Recto (now a senator) in a fairytale-like wedding in San Sebastian Cathedral in Lipa City, Batangas. They now have a precocious six-year old son named Ryan Christian Recto who was born on March 29, 1996 at Makati Medical Center.
Eric Nadurata’s SFAS
At present, Vilma is the highly respected and much-revered Mayor of Lipa City, Batangas on her second term (As of 2012, She is the Governor of the Province of Batangas and on her third and final term). She became the First female mayor on the said premier city of Batangas. The actress-politician immersed herself not only with her numerous movie commitments but also with her work on TV as a multi-awarded host/performer via her weekly top-rating musical-variety show VILMA on GMA-7. In the past, she also starred in a soap opera (Larawan ng Pag-ibig), drama anthology (Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma) and other musical-variety shows (Ayan eh, VS-Vilma Santos, Very Special).
Vilma Santos most significant films include “Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag Itim ng Tagak” ( Vilma produced this outstanding film directed by the celebrated director Celso Ad Castillo which won the Gawad Urian Best Picture Award), “Relasyon” (she scored the very FIRST GRANDSLAM win for BEST ACTRESS AWARD in the history of Philippine Cinema in this intelligent film directed by National Artist Ismael Bernal for her spellbinding performance in her memorable role as a mistress; she won the Best Actress Award from the Gawad Urian, the First Film Academy of the Philippines, the Catholic Mass Media Awards, and the FAMAS Award), “Burlesk Queen” (her stunning performance as a stripteaser in this Celso Ad Castillo film is considered a turning point in her legendary film career), “Sister Stella L.” (her remarkable portrayal of a radical nun in this acclaimed film directed by film genius Mike De Leon solidifies her status as the country’s premier actress winning her a Gawad Urian Best Actress Award), “Dahil Mahal Kita, The Dolzura Cortez Story” (directed by ace director Laurice Guillen, she scored her 2nd Grand Slam Best Actress win in this unforgettable film about persons with AIDS), “Bata, Bata, Paano ka Ginawa?” (based on the Palanca award-winning Novel by noted writer Lualhati Bautista, this landmark film by acclaimed director Chito Rono gave the legendary actress her 3rd Grandslam win for Best Actress Award and to top it all, an International Best Actress Award (21st INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL OF INDEPENDENT FILMS, BRUSSELS, BELGIUM), “Anak” (this film by Rory B. Quintos became the highest grossing Filipino Film of all time), her soon-to-be released political film “Dekada ’70” (based on the Palanca award-winning novel of Lualhati Bautista set during the Martial Law era) is destined to be another critically-acclaimed and blockbuster hit film and is bound to be another modern Filipino film classic.
Eric Nadurata’s SFAS
The acclaimed actress is also the country’s perennial Box-office Queen. No one can question her mass box-office charisma. Her string of record-breaking, blockbuster hit films through the years can attest to this fact. She’s the lead star of Star Cinema’s “Anak”, now considered as the highest grossing film in the history of Philippine Cinema. It can be noted that Vilma Santos is the first and only actress to win the prestigious Gawad Urian Best Actress Award for 3 consecutive years (1982-” Relasyon”, 1983-“Broken Marriage”, 1984-“Sister Stella L.”) she is also the first and only actress to score an unprecedented 3-time Grand slam win for Best Actress Award (1982″ Relasyon”, 1993-“The Dolzura Cortez Story”, 1998-“Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?”). Through her God-given, innate talent, sheer hard work, unwavering dedication to her craft, extreme professionalism, and most importantly, her excellent discipline, Vilma was able to reap all her extraordinary achievements for which she has been praised, idolized, and emulated by her many friends and colleagues in the movie industry, by her ever-loyal and supportive Vilmanians, and most of all by the adoring general movie going public who put her to pedestal as their one and only “Star For All Seasons.”
Truly, Vilma Santos, the film icon, is the epitome of a real great film star. Her phenomenal career which spans four decades is certainly awe-inspiring and exceptional. Thus, her legendary supremacy as the LONGEST REIGNING MOVIE QUEEN will be immortally etched in the archives of Philippine Cinema History. So, a toast to Miss Vilma Santos brilliant past and more good fortune to the future… – Eric Nadurata (READ MORE)
1984 Birthday Celebration of Vilma Santos
November 3, 1984, it was red letter day for Vilma Santos. She was turning 31 years old. “Gurang na, ano?” she laughingly told us earlier. “Di bale, hindi naman halata, di ba? O, i-deny mo, i-deny mo.” At nagtawa siya ng malakas of the press got an invitation for her birthday celebration. It says “you’re invited! VIP – Special Birthday Edition, November 3, Saturday, A Birthday Celebration, Televised Live at the Celebrity Sports Plaza, VIP Time – 8P.M.” The whole place was jam-packed as early as 4:30PM. The televised program started on time, with a taped production number showing Vilma singing Irene Cara’s Out Here on MY Own. She was pensively looking at the serene Taal Lake and Volcano, which she used as background for her song. In between, she inserted some introspective musing about her past life and career. It was indeed a very fruitful one. Vi had several costumed changes during the show. She was very regal in a silk calf-length gown, so at ease in snazzy pantsuit, so with-it in a simple blouse and slacks which she wore after the show proper. But the guests stayed on long after the show. Among those who rendered special numbers for Vi were Christopher de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Ace Vergel, Maricel Soriano, Roderick “Charot” Paulate, Kristina Paner with mom Daisy Romualdez, Tina Revilla with hubby Serge Valencia, “Sister Stell L.” director Mike de Leon and producer Lily Monteverde (who had to rush back to Valencia for the preview of Virgin Forest), Rico J. Puno, Tirso Cruz III, the entire cast of Bagets 2 and a host of other luminaries. Vi was looking radiant as she posed in front of her giant birthday cake specially baked for the occasion. She was really happy and vibrant that evening, with husband Edu Manzano by her side and everything looking all’s well with the world. A few days later, she would be sporting another face. Alas, such is the twist of fate in our lives. Papa Santos passed away and we see another face of Vilma, this time, in grief. – Tony Tantay, Jr., Movie Flash Magazine, 22 November 1984 (READ MORE)
The Untold Story of Vilma Santos
Anim na taong gulang lamang si Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos nang ipasiya ng mga madre sa St. Mary’s College sa Magdalena na karapat-dapat siyang gawing madre superiora! Kaya wala silang atubiling isinagawa ang pagbibihis kay Vi bilang madre superiora. Tumayo si Vilma sa tanghalan ng graduation at siya ang naging taga-abot ng certificate sa mga nagtapos. And she was the cutest version of a mother superiora ever, as she stood there ang munting mestiza nina Ginoo at Ginang Amado Santos ng Bambang mistulang madre ngunit halos sing-laki lamang ng manyika. Ito ay isang practice na naging kaugalian sa mga ara sa Catholic schools maging para sa lalaki lamang o para sa mga babae lamang. Ang mga batang nagtatapos ng kindergarten ay karaniwang may graduation rites na wika nga, na ang mga selected at outstanding students na grade school ang pinagaganap sa papel ng mga outstanding officials ng eskuwela. Kung mga lalaki ay may arsobispo pa ets. samantalang sa mga babae ay mga characters or madre superiora ang pinakakatawan nila sa mga outstanding student. At laging ganito si Vi nang magsilmulang mag-aral. Kabilang siya sa mga masipag at masinop na pupils ng St. Mary’s. Marahil pinangarap pa ng mga madre na nasa paaralang yaon na baka sakaling magkaroon ng “vocation” si Vi for the call of Christ.
Mabait na bata, mabutihin, she had always been imaginative enough to be an asset to the school. Laging matulungin, usualy, umuuwing umiiyak ang nakatatandang kapatid na si Emily probably older by a year or so at dumarating ng gutom kasi ang Vi ay nauubos ang baon sa pagbibigay doon sa mga estudyantedng walang baon at pagkatapos nakikihalo na lamang sa kapatid na di naman siya mapahindian sapagkat very close sila sa kanilang family. Sa kabilang dako, halata na “for the arts” si Vi bagama’t wala pang nagaakala noon na magiging artista siya. Kasi bistado sa buong eskuwelahan ang hilig ni Vilma. Siya ang malimit na sumusulat ng mga scripts ng bolada para sa grade school. Simpple nga lang para nakababatid siya kaya siya ang naaatasan lagi sa ganitong chore. And this is not surprising. May hilig talaga si Vi noong bata pa siya. Maaaring di siya nagkahilig na malilimayon sa kalye ngunit laging nasa kanilang bahay ang mga kalaro niya at lagi siyang nagmamaestro-maestrohan. Kaya nga ba inakala ng yaya nilang magkakapatid na si Mamay na magiging teacher si Vi o propesora. Kung wala ang mga kalaro galing sa mga kapitbahay ang mga kapatid ang siyang tinitipon at ginagawang mga students niya. At ang katakataka, kahit noon pa, acccepted na ang leadership niya.
Somehow their world revolved around her, and enjoy naman sila sa kanyang company. Talaga nga yatang isinilang si Vi to be an object of admiration ang affection. If her family history is to be traced November 3 nang Vi made her appearance in the happy home of Amado Santos and the former Milagros Tuason some 19 years ago, sa Galang’s Clinic at noon pa man ay panay na ang hanga sa pagka-cute at sa kagandahan ng “mestisa” nila. At palibhasa’y doll-like, enjoy si Gng. Santos sa pagbibihis sa dalawang anak niyang babae sa magkasunod isinilang. Di tio mahirap gawin sapagkat woman executive si Mrs. Santos at this time, sa Aguinaldo department store noon sa Echague branch. Natatawa pa nga siya sa kanyang sarili sapagkat siya ay isang Pharmacy graduate ng MCU at sa nais na makapag-start noon napasok sa clinic helper at clerk ngunit dahil sa sipag at pagsisikap she rose from the ranks into the sales department hanggang sa maging supervisor. That is how systematic and how tiyaga the Santos family are. This was the happy home that Vilma Santos grew up in. Bagaman at working wife ang mother niya samantalang ang papa niya na isa ring pre med student bago nag-asawa ay nagtatrabaho sa isang movie company, the children na binubuo noon ng listong babae, sina Emelyn, Vilma at Maritess ay never felt neglected.
The Untold Story of Vilma Santos
Isinasaayos ni Mrs Santos ang mga pagkain sa bahay baog pumapasok ng opisina at tuwing tanghali ay umuwi upang ma-check up ang mga girls with their Mamay. Tuwing linggo napapasiyal sila kung hindi sa luneta ay sa Lola pagkagaling nila sa lolo nila na si Dr. Patricio Santos ng Bamban. Capas of the sugar rice big estatea doon. Ngunit nang mag-asawa ang mga magulang ni Vil, ipinasya nang galawa to stand on their own two feet, tumigil ng pag-aaral si papa ni Vi at hinarap ang pagha-hanap-buhay. Palibhasa’y true love, lahat ng hirap ay ni-weather nila. As Mr and Mrs Amado Santos (they got married when Vi’s mother was 23) maaaring mahirap lamang sila ngunit at that stage sinikap nang mag-asawa na maidulot sa mga ank lahat ng pangangailangn. Maaaring nakatira sila sa isang paupahan ngunit silang lahat ay maligaya. Ngunit kahit na noong bata pa si Vi, she had that serious energy that keeps on going, endeavoring at dahil ke minsan nakapanggaling siya sa paglalaro na di mapapansin nang kanyang Mamay na basang basa siya nang pawis. She was then about four years old. Nakaligtaan ni Vi na magpalit at natuyuan ng pawis sa likod. Nang gabing yaon ay inapoy ng lagnat at nang di makuha sa mga aspirin at iba-iba pa, itinakbo siya sa ospital. That was the first time na ibinalik si Vi sa ospital buhat nang ipanganak ito because she had always been a healthy baby since birth. That was the time when the doctor shook his head! Napulmonya si Vilma at kailangan ang mariing pangangalaga. At ang mag-asawang Amado at Milagros ay mahigit na isang linggong hali-halili sa pagaalaga sa kanilang pangalawang anak. – Sixteen Magazine, No. 125, 23 June 1973
The New Vilma Santos is an Actress
Dumating ang mahigit na pagsubok. At nagpasalamat ako sa diyos at sa aking mga dalangin at pagsisikap ay ipinagkaloob sa akin ang magandang kapalarang ito.” Pormal na pormal si Vilma habang nagsasalita siya. Sa paksang ito’y nabanggit niya ang ilang mga bagay na nakasusugat ng damdamin niya. Ang pagtatanong ng ilan at pag-uukol sa kanya ng mga salitang nakakasakit ng loob ay nabanggit sa amin ni Vi. Bakit daw siya ang naging Best Actress? Ito ang tanong ng ilang naghahangad na sirain ang loob niya at gumawa ng isang bagay na hindi maganda. Ang totoo ay marami ang nanalig at nagtitiwala sa pagkakamit noon ng FAMAS award ni Vilma. She do her best and she deserve it, kahit ano pa nga ang sabihin at isipin ngayon ng ilang tao lamang. You’re an actress. Ito ang narinig naming sinasabi ng mga bumisita kay Vilma sa kanyang tahanan. Naluha sa malaking kagalakan si Vilma. “Hindi ako magbabago sa inyong lahat. Hindi.” maikling wika niya. Natapos ang paksang iyan. Then the week ng huli naming makada-upang palad si Vilma ay maganda naman ang aming naging paksa dito. Maraming dapat napuna sa kasalukuyang tungkol kay Vilma Santos. Noon at ngayon ay masasabing malaking-malaki ang ipinagbago ni Vilma sa anyo at sa kilos.
Dalagang-dalaga na siya and she looks like a woman of twenty bagama’t walang-wala pa siya sa line of two. Natawa nga siya ng sabihin namin na pakiramdam daw niya ay matured na siya ngayon. At her age hindi nga ba naktutuwang isipin na isa siyang awardee ng FAMAS? And she’s the only first young star na nagkamit ng ganitong uri ng karangalan. Best Actess. Sa acting siya nakakuha ng malaking bagay sa kanyang movie career. Nagpormal si Vilma. Alam naming handang handa na siya ngayon na maging isang babaing sirena na ginagawa niyang pelikulang “Dyesebel at Ang Mahiwagang Kabibe.” “Marami na namang pagsubok ang darating sa akin. At tiyak alam ko na ito.” Sabi ni Vilma. “Alam n’yo ba? Lalo akong acting na acting ngayon.” Nakatawa siya. “Dito sa Dyesebel alam kong hindi lamang pagiging sirena ang mahalaga. All I need here is acting din, hindi ba?” Gagawin kong lahat ang aking makakaya. Pero pagkatapos ng pelikulang ito’y gustong gusto kong makaganap ng isang uri ng role na mas higit kaysa mga napagdaanan ko na. And more acting s’yempre.” The way she talks, the movies and act sa harap ng camero o pakikipag-usap sa kanyang mga kaharap, halatang may isang bagong Vilma Santos.
Lady look na lady look na talaga ngayon si Vilma. Para bang ang nakaharap mo ngayon ay isang dalagang nasa hustong gulang at kagalanggalang. Pagpipitagan mo siya talaga. Iingatan mo ang pagsasalita sa harap niya bagama’t sa katotohanan ay ibig na ibig niyang makakaharap ang mga taong palagay na palagay sa kanya ang kalooban. Sa ngayon nga sa pagkakaroon ng bagong anyo ni Vilma sa lahat ng bagay ay kanyang sarili’y unang mabubuksan sa isip at paningin ng kanyang kaharap na ito. Ito ang bagong Vilma Santos. Matured look na siyang talaga ngayon. ‘Yong bang handang handa na sa lahat ng mahahalagang bagay sa kanyang paligid. “Salamat sa paguukol ninyo sa akin ng panahon. At kahit nga sa maikling sandali lamang ay nakakapalitan ko kayong lahat ng mga kuru-kuro. Bagong Vilma Santos ng nga ba ako ngayon? Salamat. Pero alam ko na walang nababago sa aking pakikisama at pakikutungo sa lahat. Kung may nabago man sa akin. Kung tinawag man ninyo ako ngayon na the new Vilma Santos, ang toto niyan ay nasa puso ko pa rin ang dating ugali.” sabi ni Vilma. Naniniwala kami. Nagbago man si Vilma Santos sa anyo at mga kilos ay hindi pa rin nawawala sa kanya ang pagiging magiliw at mabait sa lahat.
Siya pa rin ang dating Vilma Santos na kagigiliwan mo. Mabait makitungo, mahusay makisama at marunong tumugon sa kanyang mga tungkulin. Being an actress, very professional na talaga si Vilma. Well, tinawag namin siyang actess sapagka’t may panghahawakan ang sino mang sabihin aktres na talaga si Vilma. FAMAS award yan. Pero nagpormal siya. Ayaw na ayaw niyang mabubuksan ang paksang ito na halata ang pagpuri sa kanya. Ayaw niyang isipin ng sino man na nagkaroon na siya noong tinatawag na aire o paglaki ng ulo. Basta siya pa rin si Vilma. Huwag isipin ang award. Natawa kami. “Ayokong isipin nilang porke FAMAS awardee na ako ngayon eh, merong nabago sa aking kilos at isipan? Walang-wala iyan sa akin. Kaya nga ayaw kong mapag-usapan eh. Baka isiping ipinagmamalaki ko it. Hindi natawa ko. Nagpapasalamat. Pero ang pakikisama at pakikitungo sa lahat iyang ang hinding-hindi magbabago kahit ilang award pa ang makamit ko.” Aniya. Iyan si Vilma Santos. Ang bagong Vilma sa tunay na kahulugan ng salitang ito. Maganda kapita-pitagan. At aktres na talaga. Sa pelikulang Dyesebel, masusubok si Vilma at ang mga bago niyang katangian sa sining ng pag-arte. Ngunit tulad nga ng mga nauna niyang pahayag dito, more acting and more good films ang kailangan pa niya. At ito ay buong kakayahang gagawin at magagaw pa ni Vilma sa hinaharap. – Ric S. Aquino, Movie Queen Magazine, No. 60, 18 Jun 1973
DAMA DE NOCHE
Ric S. Aquino is a Filipino movie reporter, writer, columnist, who originally a freelance writer but became part of pro-Vilma Santos circle of movie writers in the early part of her illustrious film career. He regularly reported the latest news about Vilma and her several suitors including her much publicized relationships with Edgar Mortiz. Aquino’s articles, usually written in Tagalog were mostly published by Movie Queen, a magazine identified with Vilma Santos. – RV
Para sa nalalapit na kaarawan ni Vi
Noong later part ng 1962, nagkaroon sila ng family reunion sa nilipatan nilang apartment sa La Loma at ang isa sa mga naging bisita nila ay si Amaury Agra na isang cameraman sa Sampaguita Pictures. Si Amaury ay isang malayong tiyuhin ni Rosa Vilma, na ang asawa ay pinsan ni Papa Amado. Noong makita ni Amaury si Rosa Vilma ay agad niya itong tinanong kung gusto niyang mag-artista dahil ang Sampaguita Pictures ay naghahanap ng isang batang lalabas sa kanilang susunod na pelikula, ang Trudis Liit na sinulat ni Mars Ravelo at natutunghayan sa Liwayway Magazine. Noong una ay ayaw ng mag-asawang Amado at Milagros na pumasok sa pag-aartista ang batang si Rosa Vilma dahil pareho silang abala sa trabaho, bukod pa sa gusto nila na pag-aaral muna ang asikasuhin ng batang si Rosa Vilma, subali’t isang araw ay nakatanggap sila ng sulat mula kay Amaury at sinabing ipinalista niya ang pangalan ni Rosa Vilma para mag-audition sa Sampaguita Pictures kung saan si Dr. Jose R. Perez ang isa sa mga screening committees. Dahil hindi nila mapahindian si Amaury kaya’t nag-day off muna si Mama Milagros sa Aguinaldo’s para samahan si Rosa Vilma sa Sampaguita studio. “Diyos ko po,” ang nasambit ni Mama Milagros dahil mahigit yata sa tatlong daan ang mga batang nag-a-apply, lima lamang ang magiging finalists at sa limang finalists ay dalawa lamang ang kukunin, isang batang babae at isang batang lalaki na gaganap na kapatid ni Trudis Liit. Ang suwerte naman, dahil ni-reveal ni Dr. Perez na bago pa sila nagpa-audition nang araw na yun ay meron na silang napiling limang finalists noong previous screening at inisip ni Mama Milagros na lahat ng nag-audition nang araw na yun ay wala ng pag-asa pero sinabi ni Amaury na gusto lang niyang mag-try out si Rosa Vilma para sa susunod nilang pelikulang pang-mahal na araw ng 1963 na pinamagatang Anak Ang Iyong Ina.
Si Amaury ay nasa location shooting noong araw na yun. Samantala, nang si Rosa Vilma na ang nag-audition, sa harap ni Dr. Perez at ni Direktor Jose de Villa at nang ipinagyugyugan na si Rosa Vilma ni Bella Flores ay parang gripong tumutulo ang kanyang mga luha. Nakita ni Mama Milagros sina Dr. Perez at Direktor de Villa na nagtitinginan at pagkatapos ng screening ay sinamahan ni Direk De Villa ang mag-ina sa opisina ni Dr. Perez na nag-extend ng congratulations kay Rosa Vilma na siyang gaganap na Trudis Liit at yung limang finalists ay gagawin na lang supporting sa mga forthcoming na pelikula ng Sampaguita Pictures. Suot ng isang magarang damit, pumunta na ang mag-ina para sa isang screen test subali’t ang magandang damit ay pinalitan ng gula-gulanit, parang basahan. Inumpisahan nang lagyan ng make-up ni Jesse Lopez, ang make-up artist ng studio sapol pa noong era nina Carmen Rosales hanggang sa era ni Amalia Fuentes si Rosa Vilma. Nagtanong pa ang batang si Rosa Vilma kung bakit pa siya kailangang lagyan ng make-up at ang gusto lang daw niya ay huwag masyadong makapal at kung pwede ay pulbos lang. Gumiling ang camera, sumigaw ang direktor ng” Action!” Nag-umpisang mandilat ang mata ni Bella at cry to death naman ang Rosa Vilma. “Cut!” sabi ng direktor. “Very good!”. Si Bella ay niyakap ang batang si Rosa Vilma at sinabing…Aba, first take lang nakuha mo kaagad. Ang galing. Congratulations, Trudis Liit. The whole set was no screen test, but an actual take. Si Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos ay isa ng ganap na bituin sa edad na siyam na taon. May mga tanong noon kung ano ang itatawag nila kay Rosa Vilma onscreen. Ang mag-asawang Amado at Milagros ay gustong i-retain na lang ang pangalang Rosa Vilma subali’t si Dr. Perez ay nag-object dahil marami na daw Rosa sa pelikulang Tagalog, merong Rosa Mia, Rosa Rosal, Rosa Aguirre. Nag-suggest na lang si Dr. Perez na alisin ang Rosa at tawagin na lang na Vilma Santos.
Sa Trudis Liit, ang batang si Vilma ay binayaran ng Php 1,000 sa isang kondisyon na sa susunod na pelikula ay lalabas ulit siya at ito nga ay yung Anak Ang Iyong Ina. Dito sa Anak Ang Iyong Ina ay Php 700 ang kanyang take-home pay. Bukod kay Bella Flores, kasama rin ni Vilma sina Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales at Connie Angeles sa Trudis Liit, “The Motion Picture That Will Tear Your Heart To Pieces” (as proclaimed by the film’s ad). Ito ay sa screenpaly ni Chito Tapawan. Nagkamit ng FAMAS Best Child Actress si Vilma dito sa Trudis Liit. Impressed na impressed si Direk De Villa sa batang si Vilma dahil sa isang explanation lang eh nakukuha na kaagad nito ang mga instructions. Sabi ng mga co-workers ni Vilma, si Vilma ay merong fantastic memory and can easily dish out even a kilometric dialogue. Pagkatapos ng Trudis Liit at Anak Ang Iyong Ina, sunod sunod na ang ginawa niyang pelikula katulad ng King and Queen For A Day, Aninong Bakal, Morena Martir, Iginuhit Ng Tadhana at Pinagbuklod Ng Langit. Samantala, gumawa rin ang batang si Vilma ng isang weekly tv series sa ABS (the former KBS in Roxas Boulevard) sa direksiyon ni Jose Miranda Cruz na may pamagat na Larawan Ng Pag-ibig kasama sina Willie Sotelo at Zeny Zabala at tumagal ito ng dalawang taon sa ere. In between tapings of Larawan Ng Pag-ibig and schoolwork, siya ay gumawa rin ng mga pelikula sa iba’t ibang outfits katulad ng Ging, Naligaw Na Anghel at Sa Bawa’t Pintig Ng Puso. Later on, ginawa ring pelikula ang Larawan Ng Pag-ibig. Gumawa rin siya sa Larry Santiago Productions ng mga pelikulang Maria Cecilia, Kay Tagal Ng Umaga at Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit. Sa mga sumunod na taon ay ginawa rin niya ang mga pelikulang Ito Ang Dahilan, De Colores, Kasalanan Kaya?, Sino Ang May Karapatan? at Sa Baril Magtuos. Dito sa Sa Baril Magtuos ay kasama niya sina Ronald Remy at Romeo Vasquez.
Noong 1967 ay ginawa ni Vilma ang The Longest Hundred Miles, isang war movie for international release sa pangunguna ng Hollywood actor na si Ricardo Montalban, Doug McLure at Katherine Ross. Noong nagsisimula pa lang si Vilma sa Sampaguita Pictures, isa sa mga pelikulang pinanood niya kasama ang buong pamilya ay ang award-winning na The Miracle Worker. Ang role ni Patty Duke as the young Helen Keller ang kanyang pinakapaborito at ninais niya hanggang sa ngayon na makagawa siya ng pelikulang katulad nito. Sabi ni Papa Amado, si Vilma ay hindi “spoiled” dahil kahit artista na siya, pinapalo pa rin daw niya ito kung sa palagay niya ay may nagawang kasalanan. Sabi naman ni Mama Milagros si Vilma pag may isang bagay ng gustong gawin, ito ay kanyang itinutuloy. Sabi naman ng movie scribe na si Ched Gonzales, si Vilma daw ay katulad din ng isang ordinaryong tao na mahilig sa manggang hilaw na may bagoong at sa sitsirya katulad ng popcorn, pretzel, chicharon at butong pakwan. Gustong gusto daw nito na may kinukukut-kukut. Noong 1968, si Vilma ay nominado ng FAMAS para sa best supporting actress category, kasama sina Lolita Rodriguez at Eddie Rodriguez sa pelikulang Kasalanan Kaya? Siya ang pinakabatang aktres an nominado sa kategoryang ito. Hindi man siya pinalad na manalo sa FAMAS subali’t ang San Beda College ay binigyan siya ng Best Supporting Actress award. Sa pagsasara ng dekada 60, si Vilma ay naging popular sa mga television shows kagaya ng Tinno Lapus’ Eskwelahang Munti sa Channel 7. Dito ay itinambal siya sa undefeated Tawag Ng Tanghalan champion for twelve weeks na si Edgar Mortiz.
Ang unang pelikulang pinagtambalan ni Vilma at Edgar ay ang JBC Productions’ My Darling Eddie topbilled by the late Eddie Peregrina. Noong 1970, ginawa in Vilma at Edgar ang pelikulang Love Is For The Two Of Us kasama sina Helen Gamboa at Ricky Belmonte. Sa telebisyon, si Vilma at Edgar ay may regular shows na Oh My Love at The Sensations sa Channel 2. Ang kanilang tambalan ay tinawag na “subok na matibay, subok na matatag.” Noong Enero 1, 1970, ipinalabas ang superhit na pelikula ng VP Pictures na Young Love kasama ang loveteam nina Nora Aunor at Tirso Cruz III. Dito na nagsimula ang rivalry ng Vilma-Edgar loveteam at Nora-Tirso loveteam. Noong 1971, ang tv show na The Sensations ay ginawa ring pelikula ng Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions sa direksiyon ni Tony Santos, Sr. Noong Nobyembre 1971, ang popular lovebirds ay pumunta ng Hawaii at Estados Unidos para gawin ang mga pelikulang Aloha My Love at Don’t Ever Say Goodbye. Marami pa ding mga pelikulang ginawa sina Vilma at Edgar at kabilang na dito ay ang mga pelikulang I Do Love You, From The Bottom of My Heart, Because You’re Mine, Eternally, Edgar Loves Vilma, Vilma My Darling, My Love At First Sight, The Wonderful World of Music, Remembrance, Renee Rose, Angelica, I Love You Honey, Our Love Affair, Mga Batang Bangketa, Baby Vi, Dulce Corazon, Anak Ng Aswang at ang inilahok sa 1972 Quezon City Film Festival na Dama de Noche kung saan hindi man siya ang naging best actress dito subali’t sa FAMAS nang sumunod na taon ay siya ang naging Best Actress ka-tie si Boots Anson Roa. Samantala, Abril 28, 1974 nang maghiwalay ng landas sina Vilma at Edgar.
Maraming Vilma-Edgar Fans ang nalungkot at inisip nila na magkakabalikan din ang dalawa subali’t hindi na ito nangyari hanggang sa si Vilma ay itinambal sa iba’t ibang leading men. Pero bago pa sila naghiwalay ay itinambal na din si Vilma kina Paolo Romero sa pelikula ng Virgo Productions na Ikaw Lamang kung saan nagkamit ito ng Best Picture sa 1973 Quezon City Film Festival, Manny de Leon sa mga pelikulang Teen-age Señorita at Cariñosa, Walter Navarro sa Sweet Sweet Love at Dalagang Nayon, Jay Ilagan sa Tsismosang Tindera, Ang Konduktora at Inspiration, Tirso Cruz III sa Ding Dong, Nobody’s Child at Give Me Your Love, Victor Wood sa My Little Darling, Victor Laurel sa Ophelia At Paris, Prinsipe Paris Walang Kaparis, Jojit Paredes sa Tok Tok Palatok, Ronnie Henares sa Let’s Do The Salsa at nitong huli ay kay Christopher de Leon sa Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw. Talagang poor second lang noon si Vilma kay Nora Aunor, subali’t nang gawin niya ang trilogy film ng Sine Pilipino na Lipad Darna Lipad ay talagang lumipad ng husto ang kanyang box office appeal. Sinundan pa ito ng mga pelikulang Takbo Vilma Dali at Hatinggabi Na Vilma. Anupa’t itinambal din si Vilma sa mga matured leading man na katulad nina Eddie Rodriguez sa mga pelikulang Nakakahiya, Hindi Nakakahiya Part 2 kung saan nagkamit siya ng Best Actress Award sa 1st Bacolod City Film Festival at Simula Ng Walang Katapusan, Dante Rivero sa Susan Kelly Edad 20, Chiquito sa Teribol Dobol, Dolphy sa Buhay Artista Ngayon, Joseph Estrada sa King Khayan & I, Fernando Poe Jr. sa Batya’t Palu Palo at Bato Sa Buhangin, Jun Aristorenas sa Mapagbigay Ang Mister Ko, Dindo Fernando sa Langis at Tubig at Muling Buksan Ang Puso at Romeo Vasquez sa Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon, Pulot Gata Pwede Kaya at Pag-ibig Ko Sa ‘Yo Lang Ibibigay.
Nagkasunod sunod na ang kanyang box office hit movie, hanggang sa inoperan siya ng Ian Films ng pelikulang Burlesk Queen kasama si Rollie Quizon kung saan hinakot nito ang halos lahat ng award including the Best Actress Award sa 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival. Hindi lang awards ang nakopo ng pelikulang ito dahil ang Burlesk Queen pa rin ang itinanghal na Top Grosser sa nasabing pestibal. Gumawa rin siya ng mga pelikulang siya mismo ang prodyuser katulad ng 1978 FAMAS and Urian Best Picture na Pagputi ng Uwak Pag-itim ng Tagak katambal si Bembol Roco, Halik Sa Paa Halik Sa Kamay kasama si Ronald Corveau at Eddie Rodriguez, Coed kasama si Jay Ilagan at iba pa. Noong taong 1978, ginawa ni Vilma ang isang pelikula kung saan lumabas siyang isang rape victim kasama sina Philip Salvador at Matt Ranillo III ng Sampaguita VP Pictures na pinamagatang Rubia Servios. Hindi siya pinalad na maging Best Actress sa pelikulang ito, si Nora Aunor ang nanalo sa pelikulang Atsay, bagama’t marami ang humuhula na siya ang tatanghaling Best Actress dahil kahit ang direktor ng pelikulang Atsay na si Eddie Garcia ay si Vilma ang hinalikan at binati subali’t kinabukasan ay lalong lumakas sa takilya ang Rubia Servios at tinalo nito ang Atsay. Talagang iniyakan ni Vilma ang kanyang pagkatalo. Taong 1978 din nang lumabas ang iskandalo sa kanila ni Romeo Vasquez subali’t sa halip na kumulimlim ang kanyang pagkabituin ay lalo pa siyang pumaimbulog paitaas at sa bandang huli ay hindi naman napatunayan ang balitang ito.
Noong July 19, 1980 ay nagpakasal si Vilma kay Edu Manzano sa Las Vegas, Nevada habang ginagawa nila ang pelikulang Romansa at April 21, 1981 nang isilang ni Vilma si Luis Manzano. Gusto ni Edu na maging plain housewife lang si Vilma subali’t hindi ito nangyari dahil sa natuklasan ni Vilma na baon na pala siya sa utang kaya gumawa siya ng mga pelikula. Talagang puro good karma ang dumating sa buhay ni Vilma dahil after niyang makapanganak ay gumawa siya ng sunod-sunod na mga box-office hit na pelikula katulad ng Ex-Wife, Hiwalay, Sinasamba Kita, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?, Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?, Relasyon, Tagos Ng Dugo, Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig?, Yesterday Today & Tomorrow at iba pa. Sunod-sunod rin ang kanyang Best Actress award katulad ng kanyang grand slam sa mga pelikulang Relasyon, Dahil Mahal Kita: Dolzura Cortez Story, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? at Dekada ’70. Naging best actress din siya sa mga pelikulang Broken Marriage, Mano Po 3: My Love, Sister Stella L, Tagos Ng Dugo, Pakawalan Mo Ako, Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos, Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Sinungaling Mong Puso at Anak. Sunod-sunod rin naman ang kanyang Box Office Queen award. Hindi lang best actress at box office queen award ana kanyang natanggap kundi nagwagi din siya ng 2005 Gawad Plaridel. Samantala, sa pagsasara ng ABS CBN dahil sa martial law, ay nagsara din ang tv show ni Vilma na The Sensations datapwa’t may mga humalili din dito katulad ng Santos, Mortiz & Associates, Ayan Eh, Vilma Santos Very Special at Vilma In Person (VIP) sa BBC 2. Ang VIP ay lumipat sa GMA 7 at ito ay ginawa nilang “Vilma!”. Ang Vilma! ay nagtagal ng labinglimang taon at sa loob ng mga taong ito ay consistent top rater ito kaya naman siya ang highest paid tv star nang panahong iyon.
Noong December 12, 1992 ay ikinasal naman si Vilma sa noo’y congressman ng 2nd District ng Batangas na si Ralph Recto. Bumaha ang taong dumalo at nanood ng kanilang kasal sa San Sebastian Church sa Lungsod ng Lipa at noong March 29, 1996 ay ipinanganak si Ryan Christian Recto. Noong 1998, hinikayat siya ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan para kumandidatong punong-bayan ng Lungsod na Lipa at matapos niyang gawin ang pelikulang Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? ay miniting niya ang mga Vilmanians at sinabing humihingi lang siya ng isang “sign” para matuloy siyang kamandidatong mayor ng Lipa at ito ay nangyari. Naging punong-lungsod siya ng Lipa at sa loob ng siyam na taong panunungkulan ay masasabing ang Lungsod ng Lipa ang isa sa mga pinakaprogresibong lungsod sa Pilipinas. Noong May 14, 2007, siya ay nahilingan naman na kumandidato bilang gobernador ng Batangas at dahil sa kanyang magandang nagawa sa Lungsod ng Lipa, siya ay pinalad na manalo sa posisyong ito. Katatapos lang iselebreyt ni Governor Vi ang kanyang 100 araw na panunungkulan bilang gobernador ng lalawigan ng Batangas at nagkaroon siya ng State of Provincial Address nitong nakaraang October 8, 2007. Sabi nga ni Governor Vi, sa nagayon ay prioridad niya ang kanyang pamilya, pangalawa ay ang pagiging gobernador ng Batangas at pangatlo na lamang ay ang kanyang pagiging artista. Maraming movie offers ang kanyang natatanggap katulad ng pagsasamahan nila ni John Lloyd Cruz, meron pang digital film na La Independencia ni Raya Martin na automatic na ilalahok sa Cannes Film Festival kung magagawa niya (sana lang!). Meron ding offer na stage play (pero malabo na ito dahil maraming oras ang kakainin nito lalo na sa rehearsals). Meron ding mga commercials at marami pang iba. Ano pa kaya ang naghihintay sa isang Vilma Santos-Recto? Marami pa, marami pa, di ba Governor Vi? Happy 38th Birthday Governor Vi! – Alfonso Valencia, Oct 31, 2007 (READ MORE)
Star For All Seasons 
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