Fan Club Rivalries – “…Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, giants of the Philippine movie industry, are both just about five feet tall. But height is their only common denominator physically. As far as their other physical features go, the two petite award-winning actresses are as different as night and day. The Superstar was the little brown girl of androgynous build who broke the mold of the typical movie star, back in the time when stardom was equated with strikingly fine mestiza features. The Star For All Seasons, on the other hand, while she was not the willowy type, had fair skin and curves in the right places, which she would later show to great advantage in movies such as Burlesque Queen and Darna. Back in the days when they were young stars, Guy and Vi were also the reigning monarchs of two empires that were perpetually at war- the empires of their fanatical followers. So intense was the fanaticism of those fans that it spawned two new words in the Pinoy vocabulary: Noranians and Vilmanians. “Pati mga reporter noon talagang polarised,” veteran talent manager Lolit Solis recalls. “Talagang may distinction. Pag Nora ka, Nora. Pag Vilma ka, Vilma e, di ba, gaga-gaga ako? Noong una, maka-Nora, so write ko siya lagi. Nakakatanggap ako ng tawag sa telepono mula sa Vilmanians: “Alam namin kung saan nag-aarawl ang anak mo! Mag-ingat ka!” later, naging kay Vilma na ako. Nagalit sa ‘kin ang mga Noranians! “Balimbing ka! Ang bait-bait sa iyo ni Ate Guy! Wala kang utang na loob” Grabe, maloloka ka talaga!…” – 100 Most Beautiful Issue, YES! Magazine 2007
Faces Immortalized on Screen – “…Though she has become a successful politician, recently moving up from city mayor to provincial governor, Vilma Santos remains one of the country’s best actresses. In Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L, she portrays a nun who experiences a political awakening. This is one of Vilma’s most important, says indi filmmaker Seymour Barros Sanchez: “Nag-transform kasi siya from a bold star sa Burlesk Queen, Alyas Baby Tsina, et cetera, to a serious actress sa pelikulang me political na tema, gaya ng Sister Stella L.” Vilma would later tell screenwriter Pete Lacaba that she was already in politica when she really understood some of the dialogue she delivered in the film. Yet, consummate actress that she is, she made her words ring with utmost conviction on screen, and the line she utters at a climatic moment in Sister Stella L. continue to reverberate to this day: “Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?…” – 100 Most Beautiful Issue, YES! Magazine 2007
1981 MMFF Parade – “…Hindi talaga mapapantayan sa kasayahan at kaguluhan ang tradisyunal na parada ng mga artista na ginaganap tuwing ilulunsad ang Metro Manila Film Festival. Tulad na lamang noong December 24, nasaksihan muli ng publiko ang karangyaan ng mga karosa na pumarada sa kahabaan ng Roxas Blvd. bilang hudyat sa pagsisimula ng 1981 Metro Manila Filmfest. Sampung makukulay na karosa na simbulo ng kani-kanilang kinatawanang pelikula, and ipinagbunyi ng libu-libong movie fans mula sa lahat ng antas ng buhay; ang iba ay nanggaling pa sa malalayong lalawigan na nagsadya sa Roxas blvd upang saksihan ang kani-kanilang paboritong artista…” – Exclusive Photos by Min Rosales and Mar Salabit
Best Filipino Actress of All Time – “…Celso Ad. Castillo transformed this former child star and box-office teen star into his Burlesk Queen, and Vilma Santos never looked back. Emotionally open, physical, and articulate, she has an acting style that is diametrically opposed to that of Aunor, her contemporary and competitor. Memorable in Bernalès Relasyon, Broken Marriage, and Ikaw ay Akin; Gil Portes’ Miss X; and Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L., she was underrated but spectacular as the small-town mayor (actually, the wife of small town mayor, played by Eric Quizon) in Brocka’s Hahamakin ang Lahat, as the Aids victim in Laurice Guillen’s Dolzura Cortez Story, and as a conflicted mother in two Chito Roño films, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa and Dekada ’70…” – Yes! Magazine, September 2004
Golden Screen Nominee – “…Pahuhuli ba naman ang nag-iisang Star For All Seasons na si Vilma Santos sa kanyang pagganap bilang Lilia Chiong Yang sa “Mano Po 3: My Love?” Wala na ngang dapat pagtalunan kung husay din lang sa pag-arte ang pag-uusapan. Inaasahan na natin ang di rin mapapantayang galing ni Vilma. Sa Mano Po3…, kinain nang buuong buo ni Vilma ang kanyang kaeksena. Wala ngang maitatapon sa mga ipinakita niyang pagganap. Lalo ang eksena niya kasama sina Boots Anson-Roa sa loob ng kanyang opisina, napakahusay niya dito. Ganun din ang eksenang mamimili kung kanino siya sasakay; kay Michael (Christopher de Leon) o sa asawa niyang si Paul (Jay Manalo). Tulad ng karibal niyang si Nora, palaging may kakaibang ipinakikita si Vilma sa bawat pelikula niya. Kaya naman talagang kaabang-abang ang bawat character na kanyang ipo-portray. Kahit na maraming mga mahuhusay na aktres pa ang magsidatingan, mahihirapan pa rin silang pantayan ang kahusayan ni Vilma, na patuloy na nagniningning sa anumang panahon…” – Golden Screen 2005 Awards Night Souvenir
RP’s Ten Best Dressed Actresses! – “…After that controversial survey of La Solis regarding the ten most beautiful actresses and the ten sexiest actors in local flickerville, now comes another hard-earned survey of our very own Erlinda Rapadas T. The RP’s Ten Best Dressed Actresses! Whaddayaknow? Poor Lindy, she had gher sympathy of her day running and persuading these beautiful people in haute couture! Kuwento nga niya: “D’yos ko, mahigit na dalawang linggo kong pinaghahabol ang mga ‘yan. Naranasan ko pang maisnab-isnab d’yan!” Poor Lindy, (sigh) roses for you for a job well done! -that’s all we could utter. Oh before we give you the survey, here’s an end note of a bitchy scribe who refused (dahling, refused with capital R) and sent a noe in an accent the Germans would be scandalized to read. Say ng dallink namin: “…my requirement for a best dressed person is he or she must have a natural flair. Also, elan, imagination, style, someone with a built-in glamour. And who (she’s howing now) among our so-called stars have these attributes?” The question remain unaswered. German-nuts or not, here’s an exciting venture to see through the lenses of the chosen people who scribbled their choices. Comments n’yo na lang ang hihintayin namin sa Letters to the editor. Happy scrutinizing! (-editor)…” – Erlinda Rapadas T., Modern Romances and True Confessions 18 Aug 1980 – Erlinda Rapadas T., Modern Romances and True Confessions 18 Aug 1980
Pictorial: Once Upon a Time…Noong Silaý Bata Pa! – “Maaaring hindi nínyo paniwalaan, nguni’t ang mga larawang matutunghayan ninyo sa pahinang ito ay tunay na kaanyuan ng inyong ilang paboritong bituin noong silaý bata pa. Sa katunayan kund hindi namin ilalathala rito ang kani-kanilang pangalan at pababayaan namin kayong hulaang isa-isa kung sinu-sino ang mga ito, natitiyak namin na mga isa o dalawa lamang ang inyong mahuhulaan sa dahilang silaý pawang mga bata pa noon. Katunayan pa rin ang karamihan sa mga itoý mga isang taong gulang lamang nang sila’y kunan ng mga ganitong larawan. Ang pinaka-dahilan ng paglalathala namin ng Special Feature na ito na aming itinuturing ay madulutan kayo ng kasiyahan at kalugurang mamalas ang inyong ilang paboritong bituin upand pagkatapos ay mawika ninyo sa inyong sarili na “Ganito pala ang paborito kong bituin noong maliit pa” kung sinuman ang bituing inyong paborito nalalathatla rito. Ngayon pa lamang, sa pagtunghay ninyong isa-isa sa mga paborito ninyong bituing ito, inaasahan namin na nakapagdulot kami sa inyo ng ganap na kasiyahan. Narito ang mga sumusunod…” – Julio F. Silverio, Kislap Magazine April 20 1978
Most Awarded Actresses – “…These icons and their incomparable contributions to cinema continue to inspire and endure as the benchmarks for the ultimate achievement in the craft of acting…The “Star for All Seasons” has defined generations and has consistently come out on top. When tasked to come up with a number of the most awarded actresses, Vilma Santos’ name is sure to be on it. With nearly a hundred acting awards for both TV and film, she is not only the star for all seasons but all generations. Her most iconic films include Sister Stell L, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? and Relasyon for which she won the grand slam for Best Actress in 1982…” – The Pulse, October 2014
Tirso Jump to First Place! Vilma Retains Second Lead! Nora Slumps Down to Third! – “…Speaking of Vilma’s fans, they also deserve a pat on the shoulder. Imagine to maintain the second lead is quite a record kaya we wont be surprised if in the coming bilangan kayo naman ang manalo…that is kung hindi gaganti ang maka-Nora at kung hindi dodoblihin ng maka-Pip ang efforts nila…” – Baby K. Jimenez, TSS Magazine, June 19, 1970
Those Uncertain Years – “…Vilma Santos, Everyone passes through a phase in life where one is neither a grow-up, yet not a child, any longer and it is usually during these uncertain years that parents have their difficult moments bringing up children to adulthood. Fortunately, however, Vilma Santos has not given her parents this problem at all. Even as a child, she seemed far so advanced for her age, her capacity for understanding people and situations often astounded movie folks. She was first discovered as a child actress in a dramatic series on television, Larawan Ng Buhay, and has eversince appeared in almost all the movie-making outfits in the country. Her latest dramatic portrayal in De Colores garnered for her the most coveted nomination as a finalist in the Best Supporting Actress category. It is predicted that the lovely teener will emerge a dramatic star along the caliber of a Lolita Rodriguez or a Marlene Dauden. She appears as Imee (President and Mrs. Marcos eldest daughter in the films Pinagbuklod ng Langit…” – Movielife Magazine, July1969
Alin Ang Mauuna? Nora-Edgar Pictorial o Vilma-Tirso Pictorial? – “…War ngayon sina Guy & Pip. Kaya marami ang nagsasabi, tiyak daw na gagawa ng paraan ang dalawa ngayon para mai-pictorial sila na iba ang kapareha. Pasakitan, ang sabi nga. At mas magaling daw kung si Pip ay mai-pictorial kay Vilma Santos. At si Nora naman kay Edgar Mortiz. At dahil nga dito, according to some realible sources, naguunahan daw ngayon sina Guy & Pip sa kung sino sa kanila ang mauuna na mai-pictorial na kasama nga si Vi at Edgar. Balitang ang mas gumagawa raw bng paraan ngayon ay ang kampo ng mga Tirsonians. Lagi raw pumupunta ngayon ang ilang Tirsonians sa bahay nina Vil sa may Project 6 para himukin daw si Vilma na makipag-pictorial kay Pip. Sang-ayon naman sa ilang source na maka-Vilma-Edgar, hindi raw kumporme ang kanilang mga idolo sa bagay na ito. Kung nagkakagalit man daw sina Tirso at Nora, bakit daw kailangang isali pa sila sa gulo nila? Sa tinuran nilang ito, naisip namin…ito kaya ang dahilan kung bakit parang nilayuan nina Vilma at Edgar si Nora nang minsang magkita-kita sila sa FLAME? Sumama raw ng husto ang loob ni Nora dahil dito. Ini-snob daw siya ng dalawa gayong siya na nga ang lumapit. Ito ang sumbong niya sa ilang taong close sa kanya. Pero ayon naman sa panig nina Vilma, hindi naman daw nila ini-snob si Nora nang gabing iyon. Binati naman daw nila si Nora. Hindi nga lang daw sila nakipag-usap dito nang matagal dahil may kasama itong reporter nuon at may daw raw si Norang dalawang kamera. Kaya para raw hindi sila makunan ng larawan naglaro na lang daw ang dalawa ng slot machine. Dahil daw kasi, may usapan sina Vilma at Edgar na kung papayag si Edgar na mai-pictorial kay Nora ay papayag na rin daw si Vilma na mai-pictorial kay Tirso. Ang question nga lang ay kung sino sa kanila ang mauuna. Tsk-tsk-tsk, ang labo!…” – Mercy Lejarde
Faces Immortalized on Screen – “…Though she has become a successful politician, recently moving up from city mayor to provincial governor, Vilma Santos remains one of the country’s best actresses. In Mike de Leon’s Sister Stella L, she portrays a nun who experiences a political awakening. This is one of Vilma’s most important, says indi filmmaker Seymour Barros Sanchez: “Nag-transform kasi siya from a bold star sa Burlesk Queen, Alyas Baby Tsina, et cetera, to a serious actress sa pelikulang me political na tema, gaya ng Sister Stella L.” Vilma would later tell screenwriter Pete Lacaba that she was already in politica when she really understood some of the dialogue she delivered in the film. Yet, consummate actress that she is, she made her words ring with utmost conviction on screen, and the line she utters at a climatic moment in Sister Stella L. continue to reverberate to this day: “Kung hindi tayo kikilos, sino ang kikilos? Kung hindi ngayon, kailan pa?…” – YES! 100 Most Beautiful 2007
One on One for Number 1 – “…Mahalagang Balita: Tinatawagang pansin ng Kislap Magasin ang lahat ng Noranian at Vilmanians!!! Ito na ang inyong pagkakataon upang patunayan kung sino ang no. 1 – si Nora o si Vilma? Ang lahat ng ito ay sasagutin ng “One on One for No. 1 (Round One).” Isang malaking hamon sa bawat panig ang patimpalak na ito. Itaguyod ang inyong bituin at manalo ng mga sorpresang gamtimpala na ipinagkakaloob sa mapapalad ng fans na magtataguyod ng kanilang kandidata!!! Ang patimpalak ay sinimulan noong Mayo 5 at tatagal hanggang Hulyo 15, 1980. Para sa karagdagang impormasyon, basahin ang Kislap Magasin!!!…” – Pilipino Reporter
Young Superstars & Money Makers – “…Never in the history of RP Movies is there so many young superstars and money makers than in the late sixties and early seventies. Superstar Nora Aunor, the reigning movie queen started her showbiz career at the age of 14 wayback in 1967 and has since then hold on the crown. Another superstar Vilma Santos was a child actress and begun her big time movies at the age of 16 in 1969 along with her screen sweetheart Edgar Mortiz, a fifteener in 1969. Their loveteam blossomed into the most durable loveteam of RP movies. Another child actor, Jay Ilagan hit the big time in 1969 while he was only 14. Still, another would-be superstar and a box-office draw is beauteous Hilda Koronel who entered the movies in 1969 at the tender age of 13. And of course, there is Tirso Cruz III or simply TC III or Pip who crashed into the showbiz world in 1967 when he was just 17. Today, these yound superstars are raking in money not only in the box-office but also in their recordings, TV-Radio shows and personal shows, which is unheard off sa kanilang older counterparts kahit noong heydays ng mga ito…” – Pilipino Movie Alamanac, Showbiz Reporter Magazine
Ang Favorite Christmas Date ni Tirso – Hindi mapapasubalian sa ngayon, ang pinakatanyag sa ating mga kabataang bituin ay si Tirso Cruz III. Halos kabi-kabila ang kanyang mga pelikula. Hindi pa niya natatapos ang Fiesta Extravaganza ’71, New Year’s at Anniversary offering ng Sampaguita Pictures, ay nakatakda na siyang gumanap uli sa Valentine offering ng nasabing kompanya, ang My Heart Belongs to Daddy. Katulad ng alam na ninyo, makakapareha niya dito ang pinakabata sa ating mga superstars. Ang ibig naming sabihin, si Snooky. Pip, besides has also contacted by Lea Productions to do a movie with their favorite protege, Hilda Koronel. Indeed, what more can a guy like him ask for? Surprisingly, maraming baga na minimithi si Pip na hindi niya naisasakatuparan sa dahilang isa siyang tanyag na bituin. Mga simpleng bagay. Katulad, halimbawa ng pakikipag-date. Ibigin man niyang makasama ang isang babae na kanyang nagugustuhan sa mga pagtitipon ay hindi maaari. At ang dahilan, tiyak na saan man siya pumunta ay tiyak na magkakaroon ng commotion. At hindi ba, kung ikaw ay nakikipag-date, ibig mong magkaroon ng privacy? Ang mangyayari ay magiging quire embarassing sa kanyang date. Isang bagay na ayaw na ayaw niyang mangyari. Sa paskong ito, ibig ni Pip na magkaroon ng date. “Its high time na I go out with a girl in a public place, hindi ba?” sabi niyang pakindat-kindat pa. “Binata yata ako. Puwedeng puwede nang manligaw.”
This early, mayroon siyang alam na lugar na disente na pupuntahan. Dalhin man niya doon ang kanyang date, maging ito man ang kanyang nilalangit, ay tiyak na walang makikialam sa kanila. Kasi ba naman, exclusive and place. And they come out with real fun music something which Pipp really likes. Tiyak na puwede siyang makipagsayaw sa kanyang date without anyone bothering them. Nguni’t may problema siya. Hinsi niya alam kung sino sa kanyang mga kakilalang babae and kanyang aanyayahang lumabas sa Pasko…Si Hilda kaya…Si Sahlee Quizon…how about Aurora Salve…Eh, si Vilma Santos? “Gusto mo bang magkagalit kami ni Bobot. Ang Ibig kong sabihin si Edgar Mortiz. Alam naman ninyo ang dalawang iyang. Sparing partner.” saad ni Pip. Sino? Tiyak na hindi si Nora. Nasa Hollywood siya hindi ba? “Si Nora sana, kung nandito siya,” sagot niya. “On second thought, hindi na lang yata ako lalabas. Sa bahay na lang ako magce-celebrate ng Pasko. This way, I’ll make my family happy. I’ll invite na lang girls in my life na makipamasko sa amin. Kung ibig nila. Isa pa, this way, I’ll be able to celebrate Christmas with my family. At sila ang talagang mahal ko.” – Movielife, December 1970
Darna and Super Gee – “…The first of the legendary comic characters created by Mars Ravelo na binigyan buhay ng iba’t ibang glamorous stars in the late ’50s up to the ’60s Rosa Del Rosario, Liza Moreno, Eva Montes to name a few. The Darna series, Darna at ang Babaing Lawin, Darna at ang Impakto, Darna at ang Babaing Tuod, at iba pa, were all box office hits. The series catapulted the stars towards stardom. Then, in mid 1973, Vilma Santos, staged a Darna comeback in Lipad, Darna, Lipad na naging biggest box office draw, now her home studio Tagalog ilang-ilang Productions is planning a series of Darna flick beginning with their Christmas offering Darna and the Giants. On the heels of the fantastic success at the box offcie of Lipad Darna Lipad, the reigning queen of R.P. Movies, Nora Aunor, The Superstar decided on breathing life to Super Gee, another comic character created by Zoila in the celluloid. At the beginning of the productions, there were skeptics and critics that the superstar was hitching on a wrond bandwagon…yet, Guy proved to all that she could very well carry the character to box-office success when Super Gee with the second offering tentatively titled Super Gee is Back and hopes to continue the sequel not only for the country’s cinema houses but also for television…” – Pilipino Movie Alamanac, Showbiz Reporter Magazine
Tulad ng mga pakpak ng Babaeng Lawing. Gusto nila’y lumitaw itong animo mga tutuong pakpak na tumubo sa likod ng gumaganap na babaeng lawin. Pinag-aralan din nilang mabuti kung paano magagawang natural ang pagkampay nito. Sa ganang costumes ng Babaing Impakta at ni Valentina, hindi rin sila titigil haggang maging realistic ang mga ito. Na pag nakita ng manonood, tutoo silang hahanga and at the same time horribly fascinated. Ang higit nilang pinagtuunan ng pansin ay ang Darna costume ni Vi. Ang alam na naman natin ang screen image ni Vi. Maging sa tunay na buhay ay very sweet siya t unthinkable na magsusuot siya ng anumang daring suit. Ang precisely, hindi ba’t ang original Darna costume ay delightfully daring? Pero, this will run contrast nga sa image ni Vi. Sabagay, nagawan na nila ng konting innovations ang original design ng costume. Gayon man, pilit pa rin silang naghahanap ng remedyo para huwag naman masira ang image ni Darna. Na kung mamasda’y reservoir ng superhuman strength.
De kolor ang Lipad, Darna, Lipad upang lalong lumitaw ang color nito bilang colorful story. Isipin na lang kung ano ang makikita natin sa Lipad, Darna, Lipad: isang naka-crime fighter costume na Vilma Santos fitting her strength at wisdom sa masasamang elements na pawang mga naka-costumes din na naglalarawang ng kanilang evil personalities. Wow! Tungkol sa hindi pakakatuloy ng shooting ng Lipad, Darna Lipad sa scheduled, ani ni Vi: – Tama lang naman iyon, although, honestly, sabik na sabik na akong masimulan ito. Pero, sabi nga’y “haste makes waste.” Ang “Lipad, Darna, Lipad” ay hindi pangkaraniwang pelikula. Special kind ito kaya’t kailangang ding bigyan ng special attention. Thanks to Sine Pilipino as aking ipaganap ang Darna pagka’t isa na naman itong naiibang role. Unique, challenging, and simply beautiful. Salamat din kay Uncle Mars at nag-create siya ng heroine na tulad ni Darna. Vilma a flying Darna?…Wow-Wow-Wowee!…” – Cleo Cruz, Bulaklak Magazine No. 66, 5 February 1973, reposted by Pelikula Atbp (
Then there is Mannette, ang Nora-Manny doll na nasa pag-iingat ni Manny at inaalagaang mabuti ng matapat na fan ni Manny na may palayaw na “Baby” (Kaya siguro siya ang pinili ni Nora na mag-alaga kay Manette, ay dahil kapaayaw o tokaya niya). Ngayong wala pa si Nora Aunor, siya ang tumatayong proxy ni Nora bilang honorary member ng Blue Ladies led by “kumander” Pedring Villasan. – Movie Talk ni Virgie Ramos Lugo (From the pages of an unknown magazine, Circa 1970s)
Star For All Seasons 
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