Author Archives: @ffv

Da King and Ate Vi

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MANILA, Philippines – On the set of “Alay kay Da King,” a new TV special on the life and times of Action King Fernando Poe Jr., segment host and “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos reminisces about her favorite leading man.  But, in the middle of a heartfelt spiel, she’s interrupted by a passing ambulance, an airplane … and a tricycle.  Since the production is using live sound, such incidental noises can grate on some people’s nerves.  Not Ate Vi’s.  The Batangas governor jests: “Maybe Ron (FPJ’s nickname) is toying with us.”

That’s a seldom-seen side of Da King, she later tells Inquirer Entertainment in an exclusive interview. “He’s a jester.”  Paired in three movies (1974’s “Batya’t Palo-Palo,” 1976’s “Bato sa Buhangin” and 1996’s “Ikaw ang Mahal Ko”), they shared an uncommon friendship that withstood the test of time … and, she recalls candidly, political intrigues.

Although she’s recovering from an illness, she turned up at the studio in Parañaque, a day after the Manila Peninsula debacle, to tape the TV special, to be aired Dec. 9 on ABS-CBN.  The TV special was put together by the Kapamilya network, Asian Eye Productions and the Poe family to premiere a 38-minute music video that was edited by Da King shortly before his passing three years ago.  The music video is composed of choice scenes from his 200 or so movies—including those with favorite leading ladies, from Charito Solis to Sharon Cuneta, and favorite co-actors, from Van de Leon to Lito Anzures.  Da King’s pet cause, Mowelfund, is the project’s main beneficiary.  Highlight of the music video is a scene from “Batya’t Palo-Palo”—which Ate Vi considers “unforgettable.”

What’s it like shooting this TV special? I miss Ron. I really miss Ron. When I saw his pictures on the set, I told everyone: It’s as if he never left us. He’s still here; we just don’t see him.

How did it feel when you saw the wedding scene from your first movie together?  Memories! I started reminiscing instantly.  I want to ask Ate Susan (Roces, FPJ’s wife) nga for DVD copies of our three movies.  I was only 21 when we made “Batya.”  Ninety percent of the movie was shot in Hacienda Luisita (Tarlac) where we stayed for two months.  He taught me how to swim in the hacienda’s swimming pool.  We were with (co-star) Lorna Tolentino then.  I admit that I didn’t know how to swim when I did “Dyesebel.”  But the most memorable scene [from “Batya”] was the ending, where I ran after him, while he was aboard a train.

What did you call him again? Ron.

What did he call you? Vi!  But I call Ate Susan, Ate Susan.

What was the real Ronnie Poe like? Oh my God! It’s true what [the special’s] script says: He was the quiet type. Very sensitive and the most generous man I ever met in the entire industry.  Please allow me to generalize. Among all my leading men, no one’s like him.  It’s true that if you were his leading lady, he’d treat you like a queen. He’d give you everything you needed and wanted, just to make you feel comfortable. However, he extended the same respect and care to the staff.  One time, I craved balut. He bought balut not only for me, but for the entire crew. The mambabalut ran out of balut so Ron asked him to call his vendor friends.  Ron treated everyone on the set equally.  That’s why he’s the most respected actor in the industry, along with Dolphy. It’s a well-earned respect. You cannot buy that respect. You have to work for it. He was not an overnight success. He started as a stuntman, as an extra. He started from scratch.

That was something you shared? Yah! And we both joined politics. When I first ran as mayor [of Lipa in 1998], Ron was among the few people I sought, for advice.  He told me one thing: “You can do it. You have the character for politics. But can you give up your earnings as an actress?” (Laughs.)  The next time we saw each other was at the wedding of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzalez in Baguio two years later. I was then running for a second term, so he teased me: “I thought you didn’t want to run?”  Then, two years later, we saw each other again at the Metro Manila Film Fest parade, we both had entries then (hers, “Dekada ‘70;” his, “Ang Alamat ng Lawin”). It was my turn to tease him: “I heard you’re running?”  I asked if he was really considering it and he told me that he’d rather not, but that he couldn’t ignore the public clamor.  Unfortunately, we ended up in different political parties when he ran for president in 2004 (she’s with the administration; he was an oppositionist).  We were even pitted against each other. There was a rumor that I didn’t allow him to campaign in Lipa.  But our friendship went beyond politics.

Did you get to talk to him after that?  Yah. But we only talked about our friendship. The only time politics was mentioned was when he congratulated me on my work as mayor.  He never mentioned the controversies. But that’s Ron. He was a class act. That’s why I have such high respect for him.

What’s the secret of the FPJ charm?  It was in his character. He was very malambing (affectionate). When in the mood, he was also a comedian. Very caring.

Why does the masa love him so?  That’s the magic of Ronnie Poe.  I’m also an actor; my life is the masa, but that’s something I can’t explain.

Was it because he was makatao (pro-people), matulungin (helpful) and mapagkumbaba (humble)?  Was it because he made movies that told the stories of the masses?  He also gave importance to the principles and struggles of our Muslim brothers. That’s why he’s still well-loved in Mindanao.  There’s this famous story. His movie (“Eseng ng Tondo”) was playing in a [Quiapo] moviehouse. In the scene, he was about to be shot by his enemy (played by Chuck Perez). An audience member shouted: “Duck!” Then, someone shot at his enemy on the movie screen!

What were the lessons you picked up from him?  That, in spite of your fame and achievements, you should keep your feet on the ground and continue to help those who have less in life.

After doing this special, how did your perception of FPJ change?  It just confirmed what I already knew. I really meant every word I said in the spiels.  Even if the world turned upside down, no one can replace him.  Like I said at the end of my spiel “Long live Ron!”  – Bayani San Diego Jr., Inquirer, 12 02 2007

People Asia article: Brings Together Old Friends, New Foes

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It was a megawatt affair that brought together old friends and new foes, and stars from every firmament.  The annual “People of the Year” awards Thursday night at the InterContinental in Makati City honored the best and the brightest of 2007, and those whose achievements inspired excellence in others.  It was also a gathering of presidentiables and their running mates, with both likely and unlikely tandems being conceived as they rubbed elbows with each other.  Aside from the awardees, also present were former President Joseph Estrada, Vice President Noli de Castro, Sen. Manuel “Mar” Roxas II, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada and Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim.

The awardees were led by Sen. Loren Legarda, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, self-made billionaire Andrew Tan, Taguig City Mayor Freddie Tinga, Dolphy, Fr. James Reuter S.J., consumer advocate Pinky Pe Tobiano, entrepreneur Vivienne Tan, businessman Ted Haresco, civic leader Gina de Venecia and the Mt. Everest Women’s Team composed of Janet Belarmino, Carina Dayondon and Noelle Wenceslao – the first Filipino women to scale Mt. Everest and the first Southeast Asian women to reach the summit.

Former colleagues Estrada and Dolphy embraced, and De Castro kissed Legarda, perhaps the first-time ever that the political foes greeted each other warmly in public.  “I was happy to be there. It was good to see everybody, including Noli,” said Legarda, a two-time Senate topnotcher who lost to De Castro in the 2004 polls. “But my Supreme Court protest stays and speaks for itself.”

Estrada, who is said to be ready to run for president anew in 2010 if the opposition is unable to field a single bet, sought out Fr. James Reuter S.J. and was overheard telling him, “Father, I am a free man now.”The former president spent some years at the Ateneo de Manila.

The evening was also a reunion of sorts for Estrada and “the King of Comedy,” as Dolphy is more popularly known. The two embraced warmly. Dolphy has been wooed in the past to run for public office, and made popular the quote, “Madaling tumakbo, pero paano kung manalo (It is easy to run for office, but what if I win?)”   “Concert King” Martin Nievera, balladeer Christian Bautista, the Angelos and jazz artist Olivia dazzled the A-List audience that filled the ballroom of the InterContinental during the awards program, which was emceed by Johnny Litton and Phoemela Baranda.

People Asia was founded in 2000 by the late STAR publisher Max Soliven. It is published by the Stargate Media Corp with Babe Romualdez as publisher, Kevin Belmonte as president and Ramon Cojuangco Jr. as chairman of the board.  STAR editor-in-chief Isaac Belmonte, Soliven’s daughter Sara de Guzman, HSBC’s Suresh Nanoo and Chris Rourke, Universal Motor Corp.’s Elizabeth Lee, Qatar Airways’ Rohan Seneviratne, Dockers’ Bobbet Romualdo and the STAR’s Entertainment editor Ricky Lo also presented the awards to the winners.

The “People of the Year” awards night was co-presented by HSBC, Dockers San Francisco, Nissan Patrol Super Safari, Air 21, Qatar Airways, the Aboitiz Group of Companies, ICTSI and Chaikofi in cooperation with The Philippine STAR and philstar.com.  Except for Gina de Venecia, who was abroad, all the awardees were present to personally accept their glass trophies, bringing together a stellar group under one roof.  People Asia magazine’s “People of the Year” awards cuts across class, gender, age, race and affiliation – a memorable event that celebrates life and honors extraordinary people whose lives make a positive difference in the lives of others. – Joanne Rae Ramirez, Philippine Star on line, 01  13 2008

ANG ATE NI ATE VI

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While in New York & everybody were so busy talking to Ate Vi, I had a chance to chat with Ate Emelyn, ang Ate ni Ate Vi.

How’s Vilma Santos as a sister? Mabait siya. Wala na akong hahanapin pa kay Vi bilang kapatid.  Sabi nga sa commercial niya noong araw “perfect.”

How do you (Santoses) celebrate holidays? We have a family reunion during Christmas.

Can you please tell us more about your experience with Ate Vi as a kid? Very thoughtful ‘yan.  She always visited me in my class and shared her sandwich or allowance or any little things to show that she cared. Sometimes it’s the other way around, pupunta siya sa classroom ko “Ma’am pwede pong makausap ang sister ko” yun pala hihingi lang ng baon.

Kelan mo nasabing proud na proud ka as a sister of Vilma? Maraming beses na. Isa na doon yung Gawad Plaridel.  Pero syempre mas proud ako sa pagiging mabuting tao niya, yung pagmamahal niya sa pamilya, yung pag-aalaga niya sa mga taga-Lipa.

What is your favorite Vilma movie?  Pahiram ng isang umaga. Siguro dahil mother din ako, kaya alam ko ang feeling ng isang ina na ayaw iwanan ang anak.

Nag-react ka ba nung tanggapin niya ang Burlesk Queen at nag-change siya ng image? Alam mo napakatagal na discussion yan sa pamilya.  Pero to make a long story short naayos din. Sabi ko nga career move naman yon eh at saka 23 na si Vi noon.  Maganda ang project, matino ang story.

Let’s be frank, gusto mo pa bang tumakbo si Ate Vi sa politics?  Kung ano man ang plano ni Vi doon ako.  I will support her all the way.  Pareho namang maganda ang magiging resulta kung tatakbo siya o hindi.  Kung itutuloy niya ang politics maraming matutuwa lalo na yung mahihirap.  Minsan nga paglabas ni Vi sa city hall, may nag-aabang na matatanda, yung iba humihingi ng tulong,  ‘yung iba naman nagpapasalamat.  Nakakataba ng puso na makitang maraming napaligaya si Vi.

Paano kung hindi na siya tumakbo sa politika? Marami pa ring matutuwa. Ang mga Vilmanians, ang mga producers.  Alam mo may offer kay Vi ang Unitel, Violet at pati si Margie Moran ay balak ding mag-produce na si Vi ang bida.  Pero sobrang busy niya, uunahin muna niya ang sa Star Cinema.

How’s Luis (Lucky) as pamangkin? Mabait na bata. Hindi niya kami binigyan ng problema kaylan man. Everytime I see him, I realized that time flies so fast.  Parang kelan lang ay kalong-kalong ko siya, ngayon ay malaki pa sa akin.

And finally, your message for Ate Vi? Alam kong alam mo na pero uulitin ko pa rin na mahal na mahal kita. At kagaya ng nasabi ko sa iyo kanina Franco, kung ipapanganak ulit ako at papapiliin kung sino ang gusto kong maging kapatid….paulit-ulit kong sasabihin na si Vilma ang gusto ko. – Sinulat ni Franco Gabriel, nilathala sa V Magazine, Issue No. 4 2005

trendsetter’s top 9

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1. Vilma’s Top 9 – Noong 70’s ay merong grupo ng mga tagahanga si Vi na tinawag nilang Top 9. Ayon kay Zeny Gelacio(aka Pitimini na Sec. ni Ike Lozada), lahat silang 9 ay mga babae. Kasama niya sina Manila, Mrs.Untalan na Canada base na, Chayong, Rita, Mrs.Panganiban, Linda na nasa U.S. na, Flor, and Nadia.

Ayon kay Zeny na member din ngayon ng VSSI, Inc., madalas ay kasama ang Top 9 ni Vi sa mga showbiz happenings nito at sila ang nagaasikaso kay Vi. Naalala nya na kasama sila noon sa pagiikot nila Vi & Bot sa mga key cities ng Pilipinas sa pagpapaunlak sa iba’t ibang chapters ng Vi & Bot Fans clubs. Lagi na ay dinudumog sila saan man mapunta, dahil na rin sa kasikatan ng T.V. musical program na The Sensations.

Ang The Sensations ay produce ng ABS CBN at dinerek ni Tony Santos Sr. Consistent No. 1 Top rater ang show at kasama ni Vi & Bot sina Perla Adea, Romy Mallari, Rhodora Silva, Darius Razon, Baby de Jesus, Tony Santos Jr., Janine Frias, atbpa. Dahil sa kasikatan nila Vi & Bot ginawang movie ang The Sensations noong April, 1971, big boxoffice hit ito kaya sinundan agad ni direk tony ng ” Young Lovers ” noong August, 1971, big hit din ito. Ginawan din ng L.P. Album nila Vi & Bot ang The Sensations at muling tinangkilik ng masang pilipino.

Pagkagaling nila Vi & Bot sa Amerika para sa shooting ng “Don’t Ever Say Goodbye”, ay sinayaw ni Vi sa The Sensations ang The Shaft na usong sayaw noon sa U.S., agad nagustuhan ng mga tao ang dancing skills ni Vi  at nauso lagi ang mga sayaw ni Vi at mula noon ay kinilala ang charisma, grace, at natural dancing prowess ni Vi na later on ay pinakita niya at tampok lagi at inaabangan ng mga tao sa kanyang top rated musical variety shows na ang pinakahuli ay ang “Vilma !”.

Sa kasikatan ng loveteam nila Vi & Bot ay tinagurian silang “Subok na Matibay Subok na Matatag” at dahil dito ay ginawang slogan noon ng Banco Pilipino ang Bancong Subok na Matibay Subok na Matatag ! Mga 20 plus hit movies ang nagawa nila Vi & Bot bilang loveteam.

Ayon pa kay Zeny ng Top 9 sa bahay noon nila Vi and Bobot sa Arfel Homes sa project 6 quezon city, kung saan magkapitbahay sina Vi & Bot, ay parang Fiesta araw araw sa Arfel, buses, jeepneys, na puno ng fans ang walang sawang nagaabang upang makita at makausap sila Vi & Bot. Sumusunod sila sa syuting at kahit saan sila pumunta.

Kahit hindi singer si Vi ay naenganyo siya nila Bobot at William Leary ng Wilears record na gumawa ng Sweet Sixteen Album, ito ay naging Gold Record, at Ang Kantang Sweet Sixteen ang naging signature song ni Vi, ito ay nirevive ni Jolina Magdangal. Nakagawa si Vi ng 11 na albums, 3 dito ang Mini L.P.’s, 3 dito solo ni Vi at ang iba ay kasama si Edgar ‘bobot’ Mortiz at ibang artists, ang mga ito ay Sixteen, Sweet Sweet Vilma, Aloha My Love, All I see is You, Sweethearts, The Sensations, Christmas Tidings, Baby Vi, Mabuhay, Christmas Carols, and Sing Vilma Sing.

2) Vilma Always a Trendsetter! – Sa Kasaysayan ng Pelikulang Pilipino Tanging si Vilma Santos lang ang siyang Trendsetter. Lagi na siyang nagseset ng trend ng pelikulang kumikita at ginagaya tuloy ng iba. Kaya naman sa dami ng mga Pelikulang kumita ni Vilma at taon taon ay siya ang boxoffice queen ay ginawaran na siya ng Guillermo Mendoza Foundation ng Hall of Fame as The Perrenial Box Office Queen ! Consider the following :

Fantasy Movies – Simula sa Lipad Darna Lipad ni Vilma na pinalabas noong March 23, 1973, ay nauso na ang mga fantasy movies. Nagtala ang Lipad Darna Lipad bilang biggest Boxoffice hit ng 1973. Ilang buwan pinalabas ito sa mga sinehan na kahit ang movie ni FPJ  ay napataob. Ito ay produced ng Sine pilipino ng grupo nila Douglas Quijano at ang 3 episodes ay dinirek nila Emmanuel Borlaza, Elwood Perez, and Joey Gosiengfiao. Pangunahing kontrabida ni Vi sina Gloria Romero, Liza Lorena, and Celia Rodriguez.

Kinonsulta ni Vi ang RVM Sisters of St. Mary’s Academy Manila kung saan siya nagtapos ng elementary and high school, kung tatangapin nya ang Lipad Darna Lipad dahil that time medyo daring na ang costume na two piece ni Darna. Pumayag ang RVM Sisters provided na magbody stockings si Vi. Sa presscon ng movie ay nagDarna costume si Vi with body stockings, hindi nagustuhan ng press and producers at kinausap at pinaliwanagan si Vi nila Douglas Quijano na tanggalin na ang body stockings. Sa kalaunan ay napapayag din si Vi ganundin ang mama at papa nito.

At present ay wala na ang original  negatives kahit copy ng Lipad Darna Lipad, sabi ni douglas ay nabili ito ng isang Indonesian producer at matagumpay na pinalabas doon.  Naka 4 na Darna movies si Vi : Lipad Darna Lipad, Darna and the Giants, Darna Vs. the Planetwomen, and Darna and Ding.  Vilma holds the distinction as the only Actress in Philippine Cinema na gumanap bilang Darna and Dyesebel.  Ginawa din ni Vi ang Kampanerang Kuba na niremake sa T.V. ni Anne Curtis at ang Vivian Volta na niremake ni Ai Ai De Las Alas sa movie and sa T.V.

 Horror / Suspense Movies – Sinimulan ni Vi ang Horror / suspense Movie na Anak ng Aswang na nauso at naging trend noon., Nasundan ito ng Takbo Vilma Dali !, Kamay na Gumagapang, Hatinggabi na Vilma, atbpa.
 
Musical Movies – Naunang ginawa ni Vi ang Let’s Do the Salsa na pinalabas noong March 5, 1976, sinundan ito ng mga boxoffice hits na Disco Fever with boyet de leon na nagopen sa mga sinehan na may bagyong signal no.3 subali’t pinilahan pa rin talaga, Swing it Baby, Good Morning Sunshine, and Rock Baby Rock with Junior na nagbreak ng boxoffice record.
 
Movies based on Komiks Nobelas – Binigay ng Viva Films ni Mina Aragon kay Vi ang mga Komiks Nobelas at ginawang pelikula, nauna ang Sinasamba Kita na sinulat ni gilda olvidado, co stars ni Vi sina boyet, philip salvador, and lorna tolentino. Si Sharon Cuneta ang isa sa kumanta ng theme song nito. Blocbuster Hit ito, kaya nasundan pa ng Paano ba ang Mangarap na mula sa Pilipino Komiks at sinulat ni Nerissa Cabral at Saan Nagtatago ang Pagibig ni Gilda Olvidado na parehong dinirek ni Eddie Garcia.

Mula sa Aliwan Komiks ang Palimos ng Pag ibig nila ni Edu Manzano, Muling Buksan ang Puso na dinirek ni Leroy Salvador kapareha ni Vi si Dindo Fernando.Asawa ko wag mong Agawin mula sa Kislap magazine na sinulat ni Pablo gomez.

Pawang mga blockbuster Hits ang mga movies ni Vilma, at noong 1982 ginawaran silang dalawa ni FPJ of the first and only CINEHAN Awards bilang All Time Boxoffice King ang Queen of Philippine Movies. Mula ito sa mga Theater owners, Bookers, and Checkers. Ginanap ito sa Manila Hotel at parehong dumalo sina Vi and FPJ, isang engrandeng show ang inihandog para sa Hari at Reyna ng Takilya.

Dahil laging wagi sa takilya ang mga movies ni Vi na mula sa Komiks, ay pinagawa ni Mina Aragon ng Viva Films si Sharon Cuneta nito gaya ng Dapat ka bang Mahalin, Sanay wala ng wakas, atbpa. na siyang nagtaas kay Sharon para maging boxoffice star.

Si Sharon ay self avowed Vilmanian at consistent naman siya sa pagpapatunay nito hanggang ngayon. Sabi nga ng mama Milagros ni Vi, dalaginding pa lang si Sharon noon at kapitbahay nila sa Dasmarinas village ay laging kumakatok sa gate nila at panay tanong kay Vi, minsan naman ay naguusap sila Vi and Sharon habang nasa swimmming pool sila.

Ang iba pang mga umiidolo, humahanga, at rumerespeto kay Vilma ay sina Kris Aquino, Claudine Baretto, Dawn Zulueta, Ai Ai de las Alas, Maricel Soriano, Eddie Garcia, Boots Anson Roa, Rosa Rosal, Toni Rose Gayda, Gabby Concepcion, Albert and Liezel Martinez, Amalia Fuentes, Gina Alajar, Jacklyn Jose, Piolo Pascual, Marvin Agustin, John LLoyd Cruz, Tirso and Lyn Cruz, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Anna Capri, Armida Sigeon Reyna, Coney Reyes, Tina Revilla, Imelda Papin, elizabeth Oropesa, Philip Salvador, Maja Salvador, Sandy Andolong, Directors Rory Quintos, Jerry Sineneng, Emmanuel Borlaza, Danny Zialcita, Jeffrey Jeturian, atbpa.

Ang first movie ni Vilma taong 1963 na Trudis Liit sa edad na 9 years old kung saan nagwagi siya ng unang Famas Best Child Actress nya ay serialized mula sa Liwayway magazine at ganon din ang second film nya na Ging taong 1964 with carol varga, ito ay mula sa panulat ni Mars Ravelo na siya ring lumikha ng Darna at Dyesebel.

Ang kaunaunahang Teleserye o Telenobela sa Television ng ABS CBN Channel 3 ay pinagbidahan ni Vilma, ito ay ang Larawan ng Pagibig. Dinirek ni Jose Miranda Cruz at mga artista din dito sina Eva Darren, Willie Sotelo, at Rosita Noble. Si Vilma ay 11 years old pa lang dito.

Pagkatapos ng taping ng Larawan ng Pagibig, lagare naman si Vi sa kanyang Radio Drama program sa DZRH ang Naligaw na Anghel, kasama nya sina Maggie de la Riva at si Anita Linda na gumanap na ina ni Vilma. Ang T.V. show at Radio drama program ni Vi ay tumagal sa ere ng 3 years. – Written by Jojo V. Lim

***

Jojo Lim is the president of VSSI Inc (Vilma Santos Solid International Inc. )
Websites:  Eric Naduarata’s Vilma Santos web site
E Groups: vilmasantos-recto@yahoogroups.com starforallseasons@yahoogroups.com vseurope@yahoogroups.com vilmasantosvisiongroup@yahoogroups.com vsr_vilma@yahoogroups.com

Close Up and Jealousy

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Ready For His Next Close Up – John Lloyd Cruz is happy that he can now focus on his next big silver screen assignment under Star Cinema called A Mother’s Story where he shares stellar billing with Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos and fellow Kapamilya Luis Manzano. The Olive Lamasan movie is a good follow-up project to You Changed My Life opposite Sarah Geronimo. “I’m really excited to do this movie. It’s simply a big honor to be working with Vilma Santos. Everybody knows how an excellent actress is she. It’s also my first full-length film with Luis. The thought just thrills me. I’ll just tape my remaining scenes for I Love Betty La Fea then I’ll fly to New York to shoot for A Mother’s Story,” he says.

The plot of the film is definitely one of its strong come-ons. “I think this is the first time that there’s a local movie that will tackle about the relationship between a mother and her gay son plus his lover. And what’s good is that it’s not a straight drama. As far as I know, we’ll have lots of light moments which make it more realistic and the characters more human.” This early, many are already curious how he and Luis will pull off their “kissing scene.” “I know! Truth is I’m already preparing for it. It’s not that easy to kiss a fellow guy in front of the camera. Luis and I trust our director that she will take care of us and that the scene will turn out fine. We will execute it based on how she visualizes the scene.”

It’s the first time ever that he’s playing a gay character on screen. “Yes, and I’m challenged. Ever since, I consider every new role that comes my way a fresh journey. This one is no exception. I want to know more about the complex, intriguing but colorful world of gays.” As part of his preparations, Lloydie watched the critically acclaimed Hollywood flick Brokeback Mountain which also tells the story of two men falling in love with each other. “I can say it’s one moving film. It made me cry in the end. But definitely, Luis and I will not do the same kissing scenes as what Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger did in the movie. Theirs were torrid. I think ours will be tame,” he states. – By Joseph Peter R. Gonzales, Manila Standard Today, March 3, 2009

Luis Manzano says team-up of Angel Locsin and Sam Milby is nothing to be jealous about – Sa pagtatambal nina Angel Locsin at Sam Milby sa Pinoy adaptation ng ABS-CBN ng Koreanovela na Only You, hindi siyempre maiiwasang lumabas ang mga balita na magli-link sa kanilang dalawa. Sa katunayan, may balita na nga na madalas daw dumalaw si Sam kay Angel nang ma-confine ang aktres dahil sa sakit na dengue. May lumalabas din na nahuhulog na raw ang loob ni Sam kay Angel, lalo’t noong nasa loob pa lang siya ng Bahay ni Kuya sa unang season ng Pinoy Big Brother ay inamin nitong “ultimate crush” na niya si Angel. Sa pakikipag-usap ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa boyfriend ni Angel na si Luis Manzano, tinanong namin siya kung nagseselos siya kay Sam at kung totoo ngang dumadalaw ang Fil-Am actor sa kanyang girlfriend. “Really, bakit ako magseselos?” balik-tanong ni Luis. “Walang akong narinig na ganung interview and I highly doubt na mangyayari ‘yan, imposible. Buo ang tiwala ko kina Angel and Sam. “Nung dumalaw si Sam kay Angel, ako yung unang tinawagan niya. Weird kung bakit may lumabas na ganung issue. Nung makarating nga ‘yan kay Angel, tumawa siya at nagtanong kung paano raw nangyari yun. Everybody knows the truth. It’s funny kung sinuman ang source ng issue na ‘yan at kung bakit niya ‘yan naisip,” saad ni Luis.

Ayon kay Luis, kung mayroon mang consistent visitor si Angel noong nasa hospital ito, ito ay walang iba kundi siya lamang. “Ako talaga ang nagbabantay sa kanya,” diin ni Luis. “After work, nandun ako sa tabi niya. Nakakatawa lang ang balitang ‘yan because si Sam was there only one night. And just like what I said, tinawagan pa niya ako na pupunta siya. “Okay lang ba kay Luis kung sakaling may kissing scene o may kaunting love scene sina Angel at Sam sa Only You? “Nagawa na ni Angel yun with Piolo [Pascual], nagawa na rin niya yun with Richard [Gutierrez], I don’t see any probem if it is a requirement sa istorya. Ang gagawa ay si Direk Rory Quintos, I’m sure maganda ‘yan and definitely, hindi sila gagawa ng love scenes for TV. “Alam ko na maganda ang following ng tao sa Sam-Angel, sa MMK [Maalaala Mo Kaya], which is their first project together, maganda yung response and chemistry nila. Of course, kailangan singitan ng kissing scene or love scenes, which is perfectly all right with me,” sabi ni Luis.

KISSING SCENE WITH JOHN LLOYD –  Humingi rin kami ng update kay Luis tungkol sa pelikulang pagsasamahan nila ng inang si Gov. Vilma Santos at John Lloyd Cruz, kung saan may torrid kissing scene daw sila ni John Lloyd. “Hindi pa kami nag-i-start,” sabi niya. “Si Mommy pa lang ang nakaka-two days of shooting. Kami ni John Lloyd, mag-i-start kami ng shooting on April 23 sa New York. “Regarding the torrid kissing scene, kung kinakailangan, and the way na na-explain sa amin ni Direk Olive [Lamasan], I’m not saying it’s really torrid, I’m not saying that… Pero kung anuman ang kinakailangan sa eksena, I’m sure na yung execution ni Direk Olive, nandun yung respect niya sa amin bilang artists at nandun ang respeto namin sa kanya, na alam niya ang ginagawa niya at maganda ang kakalabasan. “I assure you it’s something really, really different. Gaya nga ng napanood ng mga tao, nakikita nila na ako kasama ko si Anne [Curtis], si John Lloyd kasama si Sarah [Geronimo] na nagpapakilig. But we promise to offer you something different. “Let’s not focus on the kissing scene. I promise that the story itself is something na dapat abangan. Whether it be yung interaction namin sa Mommy ko, or yung interaction namin ni John Lloyd,” sabi ni Luis. – Melba Llanera, PEP, March 3, 2009

Outrage Magazine article: “VSR Gay Icon”

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Forget that after separating from hubby fellow actor Edu Manzano (who fathered Lucky) she’s now married to former Senator Ralph Recto, Vilma Santos (born Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos on November 3, 1953) is, sans her men, a star in her own right through and through – and that’s not just in the entertainment industry (where she made over 190 films from 1963 to 2002, alone), as she was also the first female mayor of Lipa City, and now first female governor of the Province of Batangas (where Lipa city is).

No wonder she is also called the Queen Star.

Everything started for Santos when she was nine years old, after she bagged the title role for Trudis Liit (she won her first acting trophy, FAMAS Best Child Performer for the same).  But even after the child start Santos even starred in the 1967 Holywood produced The Longest Hundred Miles (starring, among others, Doug McClure, Katharine Ross, Ricardo Montalban, Vic Silayan, and Berting Labra), even early on, she was groomed as a lead actress.

First teaming up with Edgar Mortiz, they, especially initially, rivalled the Nora Aunor/Tirso Cruz III partnership, producing the likes of Edgar Loves Vilma and My Darling and Baby Vi (these happen to be films that carried her real name, too, aside from Takbo Vilma Dali, Vilma and Beep Beep Minica, Vilma Veinte Nueve, and Wonder Vi, among others).  Interestingly, Santos shared top billing with Aunor in four films – Young Love, Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig, Ikaw Ay Akin, and T-Bird at Ako.

It was during the earlier part of her career that Santos started becoming an icon, playing other icons as Mars Ravelo’s Darna and Dyesebel.

A big change came in Santos’ career when – and this is even if Vilmanians, as her fans call themselves, disagree – Aunor beat her in popularity (based on box office response to their films competitively released).  Santos started making films with social relevance (the earlier ones also classified as burlesque), e.g. Burlesk Queen, Rubia Servious, Relasyon, and Sister Stella L (and later, Dolzura Cortez, Dekada ’70, Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?, and Anak).

For films, Santos remains the only actress who worked with the following award-winning Filipino directors: Lino Brocka, Ishmael Bernal, Celso Ad Castillo, Gil M. Portes, Danny Zialcita, Mike de Leon, Marilou Diaz Abaya, Laurice Guillen, Maryo J. de los Reyes, Chito Roño, Jose Javier Reyes, Rory Quintos, and Joel Lamangan.

Throughout her career, her awards received include eight URIANs, five FAMASs, five Star Awards, four FAPs, three MMFFs, two CMMAs, and two Pasado Awards, among others.  International awards include the Brussels Independent Film Festival for Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?, and Cinemanila International Film Festival for Dekada ’70.

Santos’ career isn’t limited in films, however.  Aside from earning gold record awards for singing (Sixteen given by Willears Records in 1970, and Palong-Palo given by Vicor Records in 1974), she also once hosted the top rating The Sensations, and then VIP, and Vilma.

An even bigger change in Santos’ career came when she ran, and won, as mayor of Lipa City, winning three consecutive elections by landslides.  Fortunately – especially for the people of Lipa City – Santos was no politician wannabe who relied only on her fame to get elected, but failed to deliver her promises.  In fact, she was given the 2000 Outstanding Mayor in Region IV by the Asosasyon ng Komentarista at Anaunser sa Pilipinas, 2000 Outstanding City Mayor given by the Civil Service Commission, 2001 Sandugo Outstanding Local Executive Award given by the Department of Health, and 2006 Outstanding City Mayor Award from the Department of Social Welfare and Development, among others.

Under her leadership, Lipa City received the 2002 Presidential Award as the Cleanest and Greenest Local Government Unit in Region IV, and the 2005 IAPD (International Association of Pediatric Dentistry) Bright Smiles Bright Futures Award (her handling of the Philippines’ dental health program Mga Munting Ngiti in Lipa City bested other finalists from Scotland in the UK, Australia, Rumania, China, and Mexico), also among others.

In 2007, Santos ran – and again won – as the first female governor of the Province of Batangas.The 2005 Lifetime Centennial Feminist Award winner is, without a doubt, living to her moniker not just as a star for all seasons, but one that glimmers wherever she goes. – Source: Outrage Magazine

Vilma Santos: “continues to shine”

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“I did not politicize my position.  Even the barangay captains who did not support my candidacy were not deprived of the services their constituencies needed.  I will give them what they need because it is the people who will benefit.”

The people of Batangas knew exactly who they wanted for governor – and they made this perfectly clear when they gave VILMA SANTOS-RECTO a landslide victory at the polls last May, giving her 130,000 margin over her closest rival, then incumbent governor Arman Sanchez.  Nothing really phenomenal about that in this day and age, women leaders are no longer an “aberration” or “anomaly.”

But unlike other women whose educational credentials could make to her men squirm in embarrassment and insecurity, the new Batangas governor has no college degree to speak of.  And what makes her victory even more special is the fact that Santos-Recto, a female, won in a province known as “barako country” – where men are expected to dominate.  Two, she is an actress.  And like it or not, other showbiz denizens who have thrown their hat into the political arena did not exactly give stellar performances as public servants.  In fact, majority of showbiz celebrities  who ran for office last May were clobbered at the polls, with some people even snickering at the news of these actors’ defeat.

But not VILMA SANTOS-RECTO.  –  But then again, Santos-Recto, or “Gov. Vi” to her constituents, did not exactly get the position of governor empty handed.  On the contrary, she had already set a record of sorts when she became the first female mayor of Lipa City in 1998. “I must admit that initially, my being an actress was a plus factor, and it was a definite edge when I first ran for mayor of Lipa,” she admits.  “But during my first term, some people also underestimated me especially since I was not from Lipa (she is from Pampanga and Nueva Ecija), I was from show business and I was a small woman.  Of course it’s different if you have the height”, she laughs, recalling those days when the men would merely give a slight nod of acknowlegement, at times grudgingly, in response to her greetings.

But the multi-awarded actress soon proved that she was not just acting out a role as local chief executive; rather, she meant business, and she was in it for real.  During her watch, the economy of Lipa City boomed, with infrastructure improvements that put the city on the radar of the big time developers and investors that steadily increased government revenues year after year.  “I eventually earned their respect because they discovered that lalaki akong kausap (I am also a man to talk to) and second, I am straight.  If there’s an immediate solution at hand, then let’s not wait for tomorrow or next week to do it.  People are tired of waiting and of lip service, so let’s get them what they need if we already can.  But if there’s nothing I can do about something at this time, then I tell the people so they will not also keep on hoping,” she discloses.

“If there’s one thing that people appreciated from my administration, it’s the fact that I did not politicize my position.  Even the barangay captains who did not support my candidacy were not deprived of the services their constituencies needed.  Whether these leaders were political allies or not does not matter – I will give them what they need because it is the people who will benefit.

“Perhaps it’s because I am a woman and a mother.  A mother’s heart is different; a woman’s pulse is different,” she adds.  Which is probably the reason why one of her priorities is to uplift the quality of education in her province.  She recalls a time when, during her tenure as mayor, she was “frustrated when grade school students took this exam and 70 percent did not pass.  You know what I did?  I give a big allocation to have the day-care centers upgraded to Montessori level.  We cooperated with the school of Mrs. (Precious) Soliven of OB Montessori and had the day-care teachers trained by them.  Even the educational materials, we upgraded.

“I know how important education is because I am also a mother.  I have an 11-year old son (Ryan Christian) and he is number two in class (at De La Salle Zobel in Alabang) so I know if you don’t start early by giving children the right foundation during their formative years, they will have a difficult time coping and competing later.”

“I get my adrenaline, my energy, my inspiration from my family.”  Livelihood and other income-generating opportunities are also at the top of her agenda, putting up cooperatives and micro-financing institutions that would give loans at minimal interest to get people started with small business enterprises.  “We started with very small amounts like P50,000 to these cooperatives, and before my (third) term as mayor ended, we were giving as much as P500,000.  You know why?  Because the people paid their loans religiously.  I told them that if they did not, then they would be depriving the next person of the opportunity to get a loan as well.  Pag ibinitin ninyo ang bayad, ibinibitin niyo rin ang iba.  Which is not good.”

She is a “hands-on” type of executive, she admits, and some people even call her makulit (pushy).  “That’s because I take note of everything they tell me.  I write these down during meetings.  If they tell me they can finish a project in two weeks, then I expect them to deliver within that time.  I follow up on their commitments because I also base my commitments on what they tell me.”

Before she decided to throw her hat into the political arena, it was her husband former Sen. Ralph Recto who gave it to her straight:  Her showbiz career would be affected one way or another, there would be danger not only from political rivals but from drug pushers and all sorts of people who will resent efforts to rid Lipa (and now Batangas) of criminality.  In fact, during her first term as mayor, Vilma almost gave up, unnerved by the threats she got.  But Ralph reminded her:  I told you this was all a part of being a public servant.”

The neophyte politician could not understand why she would become a target.  “I was not doing anything wrong, I was just serving the people.  I wasn’t part of the syndicate.  So Ralph made me go on a two-week leave and I prayed and prayed.  Of course I was afraid, I have children, I am a mother and I felt that it was not even worth it to sacrifice my family.  But then I also realized that the people who voted for me – I also won by landslide – gave me their trust.  They believed in me and were counting on me, so it would not be right to disappoint them, so I went back to work albeit with enhanced security, ” says the governor, who admits that yes, she knows how to use a gun and in fact practices at the shooting range in her Lipa home.

Asked if she misses making movies, the 53-year-old actress gives a big smile.  ” I miss acting, I miss my showbiz career.  In fact, I already have an offer, but I will have to ask the people of Batangas first like what I used to do in Lipa.  Lipeños used to asked me ‘Mayor, why aren’t you making any more movies?  We miss seeing you act!”  And I would tell them, “You want me to make movies and then you will hit me with rumors that i wasn’t going to work?’  But then during flag ceremonies I would asked them, “Please allow me to make a movie, that’s my racket.  I earn a lot there.  if you don’t, then I’d steal from you’!”  she says in jest.

“Definitely it’s not easy,” she says, admitting that she was rather alarmed that “Luis (Manzano, her son by Optical Media Board chairman Edu Manzano) now pays more taxes than me.  I told myself, this is not a good sign anymore,  I have no more income!  I had so many offers in the past that I could not accept because my priority was my work as mayor since it was already my last term and I wanted to do everything to get a passing grade, so I made sure that all my projects were finished by the time my term ended.”

For someone who started working at the age of nine and has been a virtual public property since her teenage years, the life of VILMA SANTOS-RECTO is an open book.  She is a “survivor for all seasons,” as STAR entertainment editor Ricky Lo called her.  She was at the height of her career in the ’80s when she found herself bankrupt and facing a possible lawsuit from the Bureau of Internal Revenue, her properties mortgaged.  “I was so trusting.  I would just sign checks and anything they put before me.  So there I was, pregnant with Lucky and I owed Php 9 million without knowing why!”  Edu, who was then a budding actor, was very supportive and wanted to get out of her predicament.  It took her four years to pay off her obligations (“When I saw the last billing statement of P50,000, you could not imagine the joy and relief I felt!”) – but it cost her marriage to Edu Manzano.  But the sad experience taught the actress to be smart with her finances.  “Ngayon wala akong utang (I don’t have any debts to this day),” she proudly declares.  And it naturally helped that she had her beloved Ralph by her side.  While it pains her that her husband lost in his re-election bid as senator, she takes it as a blessing in disguise.  “Perhaps the purpose was for him to help me, since this is already the whole Batangas we are talking about.  Hindi na biro ito (This is no joke).  They say politics and showbiz are the same, but no way, malayo.  Show business is more manageable even with all the intrigues.  Politics is more tough.  If you are not strong, you would buckle under the pressure.  The attacks here are more personal, and the system is really different,” she reflects.

Despite the frustrations that go with the job – the governor says she derives her strength from her family.  “I get my adrenaline, my energy, my inspiration from my family because I know they are proud of me.  They support me and they believe in me, that’s why I always strive to do my best.  I know nothing is perfect, but if we can make it almost perfect, then why not?” – written by BING PAREL-SALUD

EDITOR’S NOTE: VI IS FOR VICTORY – “Style is knowing who you are, what you want to say and not giving a damn” – Gore Vidal

She rushed eagerly down the steps of her ranch-style house to greet us at the driveway, like we were long-lost classmates and not intruders into her busy schedule.  She was in blue jeans, a white pullover and sunglasses, one of her two material passions (the other being cologne).  The “Star for all Seasons” is still in her spring.

It took a lot of convincing to pry newly-elected Gov. VILMA SANTOS-RECTO from her desk at the kapitolyo to our waiting flashbulbs and tape recorders.  But oblige us she did in what is probably her first and last glossy magazine cover for the year, Vilma is a winner because she sought out to be someone greater than what she was originally – and succeeded.  A child star and teenybooper with a voice that could not rival her archrival’s (Nora Aunor’s), she focused instead on being a dramatic star – and succeeded.Once drawning in debt she clutched at a lifeline of hard work and fiscal discipline to keep her afloat and swimming merrily back to the bank – and succeeded.  Having reached her peak as an actress, with virtually every trophy on her shelf except that of best actor, Vilma sought out to be a public servant.  What?  Vi at City Hall?  It was an effort that met some public ridicule – how could an actor, much more an actor without a college degree and administrative experience, run a city?

Vilma says she succeeded because she had an ace up her sleeve, her husband Ralph, a politician from an illustrous clan who not only gave her a pedigreed surname but also the desire to learn more.  Encouraged by her mentor Ralph, who is younger than she is, Vilma enrolled in local government management courses at the UP.  The tutorials extended to home, during which Ralph would tell her, “No matter how good your intentions, if you are not careful, you will end up with a case at the Ombudsman.”

She also succeeded because she had the passion.  “You must have the passion for what you are doing.  You must not only be working for the money,”  she believes, although there was a time when, mired in debt, she worked hard only for the money.  She gets satisfaction from “Seeing the difference I have made in the lives of others.”

“Our people are tired of promises,” she says, twirling some pancit langlang (a Lipa delicacy from her sister Emilyn’s Golden Coco restaurant) around her fork.  “If I can get a request moving in a day, like an artesian well, I don’t wait for the end of the week to get it started.”  Inspired by his friend Vilma’s passion – even for a shoot she gives her best – and a couple of cups of kapeng Barako (Batangas coffee), a phtographer Raymund Isaac brings out the sunshiny glow in Vilma’s eyes even on a rainy day.  We knew immediately that the shoot was a winner.   Signed JOAN RAE RAMIREZ.

Source: PEOPLE ASIA SEPTEMBER 2007 issue  (Text transcribed and posted by Alfonso Valencia to the five Vilma Santos Yahoo Egroups.)

SING VILMA SING

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Christmas special at discography ang tema ng V Magazine No. 13.  Yaman din lamang at discography ang isa sa mga tema kaya eto ang aking munting contribution para sa ALAM NYO BA?  Pamagatan natin itong SING VILMA SING.

Aminado naman si Vi na hindi siya isang singer na katulad ng mga kasabayan niyang mga young stars noon na sina Nora Aunor, Tirso Cruz III, Edgar Mortiz, Perla Adea, Esperanza Fabon, Eddie Peregrina, Victor Wood, Eva Vivar, Rene Ordoñez, Darius Razon, Rhodora Silva, Geraldine, Neddie Decena, Sonny Cortez at marami pang iba subali’t hindi lang boses nuon ang binabayaran.

Noong Dekada ’70, ang mga young stars ay kailangang marunong kumanta dahil yun ang uso kaya naman nagtayo ng sariling recording company ang nasirang manager ni Vi na si William Leary dahil ayaw niyang pahuhuli sa uso ang kanyang alaga.  Ilan sa mga naging recording artists ng WILEARS RECORDS bukod kay Vi ay sina Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan, Sahlee Quizon, Hilda Koronel at Esperanza Fabon.  According to Vi, kapag nagrerecord siya ng kanta ay nakatalikod siya sa dingding ng recording company at si Bobot ang umaalalay sa kanya.  Ang SIXTEEN, na sinulat ni Danny Subido ang unang recording na ginawa ni Vi at ito ay flipsided by It’s So Wonderful To Be In Love.  Ang SIXTEEN ay agad naging gold record at dahil dito ay gumawa ng pelikula ang Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions, ang home studio ni Vi at ito ay ginawa nilang pamagat katambal si Edgar Mortiz.  Hindi nyo naitatanong, muntik nang manalo si Vi bilang most promising singer sa AWIT AWARDS noong early ’70s.

Dahil sa naging matagumpay ang awiting SIXTEEN kung kaya’t si Vi ay iginawa ng isang long playing album.  SIXTEEN din ang title ng unang long playing album ni Vi na tinatampukan ng mga awiting (bukod sa Sixteen at It’s So Wonderful To Be In Love) Dry Your Eyes, Bring Back Your Love, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, When The Clock Strikes One, So With Me, Sometimes, Baby Baby Baby, Sealed With A Kiss, Then Along Came You Edgar at Love Love.  Ang Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head ang ginamit na awitin sa kanyang commercial na GLAD raincoat.  Ang awiting Then Along Came You Edgar naman ay tinapatan ni Edgar ng awiting VILMA.

Samantala, nasundan ng isa pang long playing album ang SIXTEEN ni Vi at ito ay pinamagatang SWEET, SWEET VILMA.  Ito naman ay naglalaman ng mga awiting katulad ng Don’t You Break My Heart, May The Good Lord Bless & Keep You, Mama, Our Day Will Come, Oh Lonesome Me, I’m The One For You, Sad Movies, Among My Souvenir, My Promise To You, Mama Don’t Cry At My Wedding, Drop A Line at A Wonderful Day.  Natatandaan ko pa na sa morning program, from 6am to 7am, ni Eddie ‘Lat’ Ilagan sa D’WOW radio ay palaging kasama sa Top Ten Song Of The Day ang mga awiting Sad Movies at Oh Lonesome Me.

Dahil sa tambalang subok na matibay at subok na matatag nina Vilma at Edgar kung kaya’t nagkaroon din sila ng long playing album na may pamagat na SWEETHEARTS (pamagat din ito ng kanilang pelikula sa Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions) na ini-release noong April 22, 1970.  Ito naman ay naglalaman ng mga awiting I Love You Honey, I Believe, Green Green Grass of Home, Always With You, My Rosary, From The Bottom Of My Heart, You Don’t Love Me Anymore, How I Wish I Were A Model, Do Re Mi Fa Sol I Love You, Better Than All, Your Kisses Are Losing Their Sweetness at My First Kiss.  Ang I LOVE YOU HONEY at FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART ay isinapelikula din ng Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions na pinagtambalan din nina Vi at Bot.

Ang pangalawang long playing album nina Vilma at Edgar na ini-release noong January 21, 1971 ay pinamagatang THE SENSATION na hinango sa kanilang top rated tv show sa ABS CBN na later on ay isinapelikula din ng Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions.  Ito naman ay naglalaman ng mga awiting Good Morning Starshine, Spinning Wheel, To Love Again, A Love Unspoken, Anywhere I Wonder, I Wonder Why, Have A Goodtime, Yeahoo, I Have Dream, My Boy Lollipop, Dream at Always.  Sa radio program ni Tony Santos, Jr. at ng  nasirang Vic Pacia ay pulos duet nina Vi at Bot ang pinatutugtog.  Si German Moreno ay meron ding Vi at Bot Portion sa kanyang radio program sa DZTR.  Ang Have A Goodtime naman ay pinapatugtog sa Wowowee sa kanilang portion sa Pera o Bayong everytime na nabobokya ang mga kalahok sa game na ito.

Hindi lang long playing album ang ginawa nina Vi at Bot, dahil nagkaroon din sila ng mga mini long playing albums entitled CHRISTMAS TIDINGS AT SOMETHING STUPID.  Ang CHRISTMAS TIDINGS ay naglalaman ng mga awiting Silver Bells, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town at Mary’s Boy Child at ang SOMETHING STUPID naman ay ang mga awiting Something Stupid, I Wonder Why, I Have Dream at Goodnight My Love.  Ang SOMETHING STUPID ang naging theme song ng Vi & Bot loveteam.  Ang titulo ng isa pang mini long playing album ni Vi ay hango sa kanyang pelikulang tinampukan din nina Bobot at Ed Finlan na BABY VI na nagtatampok ng mga awiting Baby Cakes, Sad Movies, Bobby Bobby Bobby at Seven Lonely Days.

Ang pangatlong long playing album nina Vi at Bot ay ang ALL I SEE IS YOU na ini-release noong August 30, 1971 (kaarawan ni Edgar Mortiz) na binubuo ng medley of songs na Atin Cu Pung Singsing at Leron Leron  Sinta, Baby Cakes, Little Brown Gal, Grown Up Like Me, Nine Little Teardrops, Jealous Heart, The Wonderful World Of Music, El Condor Pasa, Hawaiian Wedding Song, I Understand, My Special Angel at Just Say You’ll Be Mine.  Ang awiting Butsiki ni Yoyoy Villame ay hinango sa awiting Baby Cakes.  Ang THE WONDERFUL WORLD OF MUSIC ay ginawang titulo ng pelikula  nina Vi at Bot na inilahok sa 1971 Manila Film Festival kung saan ito ang nakakuha ng Best Musical Film.  Kasama nina Vi at Bot sa pelikulang ito ang noo’y batang bata pang si Snooky (Serna).

Ang pang-apat na long playing album nina Vi at Bot ay pinamagatang ALOHA MY LOVE na ini-release noong February 1972 at naglalaman ng mga awiting Hawaiian Medley, Beyond The Reef, All Alone Am I, Why Don’t You Believe Me, Eternally, My World Is My World, Aloha Oe, Seven Lonely Days, Mandolins In The Moonlight, Daddy, Seventeen at Two People In Love.  Ang ALOHA MY LOVE ay titulo din ng pelikulang ginawa nina Vi at Bot sa Hawaii.  Ang ETERNALLY ay isinapelikula din ng Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions na tinampukan pa rin nina Vi at Bot.

Napakasuwerte ni Vi dahil nagkaroon ulit siya ng pangatlong solo long playing album na may pamagat na SING VILMA SING.  Ito ay binubuo ng mga awiting Da Doo Run Run, Abadaba Honeymoon, Tweedle Dee, Bo Weebel, A Kookie Little Paradise, Bobby Bobby Bobby, A Rick-Tick Song, It’s Been A Long Long Time, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, You Made Me Love You, The Birds & The Bees at He’s So Near (Yet So Far Away).  Ang A Rick-Tick Song ang ginawang theme song ng radio program ni Ric Radam sa DZRH noong early ’70s.  Pag pinapatugtog naman ni Ike Lozada  sa kanyang radio program na Dambuhalang DJ sa D’WOW radio ang awiting Bobby Bobby Bobby, sinasabi niyang ang title nito ay Bobot Bobot Bobot.  Precious pa nga ang tawag ni Ike kay Vi.

Nagkaroon din si Vilma ng mga Tagalog singles na awitin katulad ng Palung Palo Ako flipsided by Walang Umiibig, Isipin Mong Basta’t Mahal Kita flipsided by Mamang Kutsero at Tok Tok Palatok flipsided by Batya’t Palupalo.  Ginawa ni Vilma at ng Chess Grandmaster champion na si Eugene Torre kasama si Coney Reyes ang isang pelikulang hango sa awitin ni Vi na ISIPIN MONG BASTA’T MAHAL KITA.  Ang awiting TOK TOK PALATOK ay ginawa ring pelikula ng Baby K. Jimenez Productions starring Vilma at Jojit Paredes.  Ang PALUNG-PALO AKO ang pangalawang gold record ni Vilma at noong early ’70s sa TOP 20 SONGS OF THE WEEK sa DZRM, ito ay ilang linggo ring namayagpag at nangunguna sa airlanes.  Ang awiting PALUNG-PALO pa rin ang tugtog na isinayaw ng mga Vilmanians noong 2006 sa birthday celebration ni Vi sa Lipa City.

Isang long playing album na puro christmas songs ang ginawa ng mga recording artists ng WILEARS RECORDS na may pamagat na CHRISTMAS CAROLS.  Ito ay binubuo ng mga awiting Silver Bells, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus, You’re All I Want For Christmas, Silent Night, Jingle Bell Rock, Rudolf The Red Nose Reindeer, O Holy Night, Jingle Bells, White Christmas, Donde Esta Santa Claus, Santa Claus Is Coming To Town at Mary’s Boy Child.  Ang mga umawit naman bukod kay Vi ay sina Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan, Hilda Koronel, Sahlee Quizon at Esperanza Fabon.

Ang VICOR RECORDS ay gumawa ng isang long playing album na pulos Tagalog ang mga awitin na may pamagat na MABUHAY at tinatampukan nina Perla Adea (Baka Lumimot Ka), Florence Aguilar (Tanging Ikaw Pa Rin), Zenaida Alcaraz (Pandanggo Sa Kabukiran), D’ Amarillo (Pamulinawen), The Ambivalent Crowd (Ako Ay May Singsing), Ato ang bulag na piyanista (Kapantay Ay Langit), Babsie Chit & Louie (Minamahal Kita), Pilita Corrales (Landas Sa Pag-ibig), Tirso Cruz III (Sinungaling Ka), Neddie Decena (Bibilang Ako Ng Tatlo), Romeo Miranda (Pandora), Edgar Mortiz (Ang Kuwintas Mo Giliw), Carmen Pateña (Bagong Umaga), Victor Wood (Birheng Walang Dambana) at Vilma Santos (Palung-Palo Ako).

Naging cover si Vi ng mga long playing soundtrucks na DISCO FEVER at ROCK BABY ROCK.  Ang DISCO FEVER at ROCK BABY ROCK ay mga pelikula ni Vi, kung saan kasama ni Vi sa Disco Fever sina Christopher de Leon at Victor ‘Cocoy’ Laurel at sa Rock Baby Rock sina Junior at Leah Navarro.  Ang mga pelikulang ito ay pawang mga certified box office hits.

Ang DISCO FEVER soundtruck ay binubuo ng mga awiting Disco Fever (VST & Company), Hanggang Magdamag (Soul Jugglers), Suplado Ka (Halik), Let’s Boggie Now (Hang Men), Sumayaw, Makinig (Advisors), Sayawan (Sampaguita), Walang Sigla (Solid Band), Ngayon Lang Ako Umibig Ng Ganito (Soul Jugglers), Sexy Baby (Hang Men) at Awitin Mo (VST & Company).

Ang ROCK BABY ROCK soundtruck ay binubuo ng mga awiting  Rock Baby Rock (VST & Company), Sexy Lady (Marvic), Huwag Mong Pigilan (Leah Navarro), Ikaw (Nailclippers), Yakap (Junior), May I Have This Dance (Marvic), I-swing Mo Ako (Sharon Cuneta), Kiss Kiss (VST & Company), Excuse Me (Junior) at Halik Lang (Smack).

Sa 40th anniversary ng VICOR RECORDS ay gumawa sila ng CDs ni Vi na pinamagatang VILMA.  ito ay naglalaman ng 23 songs ni Vi katulad ng Sixteen, Da Doo Ron Ron, The Birds & The Bees, Tweedle Dee, The Rick-Tick Song, When The Clock Strikes One, Sealed With A Kiss, Sometimes, It’s Wonderful To Be In Love, Then Along Came You Edgar, It’s Been A Long Long Time, You Made Me Love You, Oh Lonesome Me, He’s So Near (Yet So Far Away), Mama Don’t Cry At My Wedding, Don’t You Break My Heart, Mama, Sad Movies Make Me Cry, Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, Have A Goodtime, Breaking Up Is Hard To Do, My Boy Lollipop at Bobby Bobby Bobby.  Naging mabiling mabili ang nasabing CDs.

Hindi nga maituturing na singer si Vi subali’t nakapag-record siya ng mahigit sa limampung awitin.  Maraming salamat nga pala kina Eric Nadurata at Nar Santander. – Alfonso Valencia Yahoo Egroup 2007

The Mysterious Hanky

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In 1963, a nine-year-old girl from Trozo, Manila, went to Sampaguita Studios for a movie assignment that her cameraman uncle got her. She was supposed to star in a movie with then big-name actresses Gloria Romero and Rita Gomez. But along the way to the set, she and her mother stopped by an ongoing audition for kid actresses for a new movie. Star-maker and Sampaguita Studios owner Dr. Jose “Doc” Perez saw her and asked her to join the audition. Hesitant at first because she had already committed herself to another movie, she later gave in to Doc Perez’s request. He was the movie company’s owner, after all.

When her turn to act with veteran character actress Bella Flores came, everyone was impressed, including Doc Perez himself. She did not only pass the audition, she also got the lead role.

The movie was titled Trudis Liit (the first of her 196 movies), and the little girl who got the lead role and later got an acting award (the first of her 75 awards) for her performance was Vilma Santos.

Fittingly dubbed as “The Star for All Seasons,” she has maintained her luster despite the years and changes in show business; despite the challenges brought about by the coming of younger stars; despite the intrigues, challenges and personal problems that threatened to rid her of her throne as a queen in Philippine movies.

Vilma Santos maintained her status as a bankable movie star and as a critically-acclaimed actress over the four decades (and still counting) that she has been in show business. Vilma won not only numerous top acting awards, but also the love and loyalty of movie fans who call themselves “Vilmanians.”

This five-foot-flat Scorpio-born also gave a new meaning to the term “versatility.” Adding to her roster of abilities and talents—acting, singing, dancing, producing and hosting—she entered politics and governed first, Lipa City, and eventually the whole province of Batangas, famous for its machismo or “pagiging barako.”

Victorious Vi transformed from an award-winning box-office actress to a well-loved, highly respected public servant—Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto.

URBAN LEGEND: THE “MYSTERIOUS HANKY.” But a legendary star like her is not without naughty rumors, tall tales, or urban legends. Vilma had her share of stories bordering on exaggeration and fallacy.

One such story is the urban legend of Vilma Santos’s “mysterious hanky.”

One tale has it that she always carries a hanky to hide the bulging veins on her left hand. Mischievous rumormongers have another version that says Vilma has very sweaty hands, that’s why she always has this handy hanky—to wipe her hands first before shaking a person’s hand or touching another person.

THE HANKY EXPLAINED. PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sought the help of no other than Jojo Lim, the president of Vilma Santos Solid International, Inc. (VSSI, Inc.), to shed light on this urban legend.

Jojo Lim a Vilmanian since 1978, gave PEP what he knows about the “mysterious hanky” of Ate Vi.

“Ang alam ko, simula pa ‘yan nung bata pa siya. Si Papa [Amado] Santos, lagi siyang pinagbabaon ng lampin para pamunas ng pawis niya,” Jojo narrated.

Jojo continued that Vilma later gave up the “lampin” for soft, signature hankies that matched the color of her clothes in the ‘80s. Clothes that were made by popular designers Danilo Franco, Chiqui Hollman, Steve de Leon, Danny Acuna and Rajo Laurel.

“Since trademark na noon ni Vi yung panyo, kaya yung mga designers niya, kapag iginagawa siya ng damit, lagi nang may katerno yung panyo,” Jojo added.

VSSI auditor Al Valencia, a Vilmanian who fell in love with the Star for All Seasons the moment he first watched her in Lipad Darna Lipad, gave PEP another story about the hanky.

“Nung ‘80s, barkada kasi ni Vi si Coney Reyes. Siya yung nag-suggest kay Vi na lagi na lang magdala ng panyo sa kamay,” began the Vilmanian “Trivia Guy.”

“Si Vi kasi noon, kapag pinupunasan niya ang pawis niya, tissue ang ginagamit. Nag-iiwan tuloy ng himulmol o piraso ng tissue sa mukha niya. So, sinabihan nga siya ni Coney na panyo na lang. So, from then on, lagi nang may dalang panyo si Vilma.”

But the most legit explanation to the “hanky mystery” comes directly from Governor Vilma Santos-Recto herself, when PEP caught up with her in a presscon sponsored by Bear Brand, the milk brand she endorses.

PEP asked her for the story behind her now trademark hanky-on-hand.

“Protection,” the legendary star answered simply. “Protection ko sa pawis, sa alikabok, sa dumi.”

Gov. Vi said she started to always carry a hanky on her left hand during her Vilma! (Vilma on Seven or V.O.S.) days. She now needs to carry it more often than before, now that she’s always on the move, visiting barangays in Batangas in the sun’s heat and the blowing dust to see what the Batangueños need and what she can do to meet their needs. – Rommel R. Llanes, PEP, Sep 9, 2008

FILM REVIEW: IN MY LIFE

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The Plot: “…In My Life offers you a different Vilma Santos, a different John Lloyd Cruz and a different Luis Manzano,” said the film’s director, Olivia Lamasan, the woman behind the blockbusters Milan, Sana Maulit Muli, Got 2 Believe and Madrasta. “You have to see the genuine chemistry among these three actors who are together for the first time in a movie. This is also a unique film because it presents a mother in her 50s, thinking that she’s been through all and seen it all, when in actuality, a new chapter in her life is just beginning.” Santos plays Shirley, a public school librarian who wants to be in control of everything. Her unwarranted intervention in the lives of her children and their families leads to their emotional detachment from each other. Feeling she has lost her command over her children, she flies to New York to reunite with his estranged son, Mark (Manzano) only to find out that her son is gay and she has to live with him and his lover, illegal immigrant Noel (Cruz). As Shirley struggles to deal with the situation and with living in the Big Apple, she discovers that being gay is not the only huge secret that Mark is keeping. Discovering what this is will change Shirley’s life forever…” – Manny the Movie Guy (READ MORE)

The Reviews: “…The woman who plays the mother tries hard to be young, which might be the pattern of her recent films. It is not a bad path after all, for one has to graduate from doing the same things for a long time. She has comedic timing, and she has dramatic prowess. When she complains, “Ginagawa niya akong turista! Ikaw ang pinunta ko rito, hindi ‘yung tour!” we laugh because she is witty. When she throws a tantrum after getting lost in the subway, we hate her. Apart from knowing that it was her fault, we can’t stand the charming partner being blamed despite his niceness by an ingrate. It crossed my mind to call her character one of the weakest roles ever written for her, but that’s just because Shirley Templo isn’t too likable. She is repulsive most of the time. Reflecting, the actor has portrayed “unlikable” characters before, even taboo roles for that matter, yet we still like her. But in In My Life, her role tends to go beyond understanding; you just need to be her to understand her. Yet the actor delivers; she deceives us. But the blood of the film flows from the actor who plays the son’s partner. Amid the histrionics and uneven noise of the film in general, he shows his restraint without fuss. Apparently the writers intend to make his character subdued. He exists in the periphery without losing his grip. When he cries at his partner’s back as he hugs him on the bridge, he is the equivalent of sacrifice. Never show the pain, never show the loneliness. That’s us, on the screen. The brief exposure of his family’s life is enough for us to connect with him. Contrary to the emphasis given to the mother’s family, we would like to know him more, know if the lump in his mother’s breast is just a false alarm, know if he’s just fine after crying overnight. We learn about his troubles in staying in the States, how he juggles work and hobby, how he struggles to earn for his marriage. God forbid, we don’t want him to fall into the arms of Pamela. His issues are more interesting, yet what makes him special is that like most people around us, we only get to know him up to a certain extent. He comes and goes. We miss him. We want to see if he’s fine. His distance unsettles us, in a good way…” – Richard Bolisay, Lilok Pelikula (READ MORE)

“…For its exceptional casting alone, In My Life is amazing. Vilma aside, my heart goes out to John Lloyd, that rare dramatic actor who can make you cry just by seeing his eyes well up with tears. He portrays a lover quietly suffering Shirley’s tantrums with restraint and grace, but at the same time, he makes it heartfelt and sincere. I was surprised by John Lloyd and Luis’ screen dynamic as a gay couple. They call each other as Babe, display very romantic photos in their apartment and as the movie ends, they share a tender kiss on Brooklyn Bridge. Onscreen, their love is sweet, hushed and terribly romantic; even more effective and memorable than most hetero screen pairings. As for JLC and Luis being typecast in gay roles or catching social stigma, I have serious doubts about that, for onscreen, they are still as masculine and virile. As for Vilma, she portrayed a multi-dimensional mother who learns to get off her high horse and deal with displaced motherly pride. Later in the movie, Shirley realizes that that even if she’s done everything for her children, she failed to know them as persons. Unlike other mother roles she has done in the past, the Star for All Seasons depicts a flawed mother who eventually finds peace with herself and her past mistakes. Not to be missed is Shirley and Noel’s confrontation wherein the traditional sampalan was reinvented and Noel throws in the lines: “Anak mo lang siya, hindi mo siya pag-aari. Kung ano ang naging siya, dahil ‘yon sa mga taong pumaligid sa kanya, at isa ka lang doon…” – Czeriza Valencia (READ MORE)

“…In “Direk Olive’s ‘In My Life’ is bold and fresh,” by Walden Sadiri (Manila Bulletin, 2009), its director Olive Lamasan is quoted as saying that she helped Santos “rehearse how a librarian walks and looks ‘losyang.’” If this were an article for a scholarly journal, I suppose some questions that could be asked are: Is there such a thing as a “librarian walk”? Are all librarians losyang (Tagalog slang for unglamorous)? But it probably isn’t fair to ask such questions of an article that only seeks to promote the release of a soon-to-be shown film. I think it’s important to remember that Lamasan is talking about a specific character in a particular film. And that it would be a mistake to focus only on this one phrase in the 20-paragraph article or judge the entire movie based on how the librarian is portrayed. I don’t think there was any intention to characterize ALL librarians as losyang. But we also cannot deny that this stereotypical librarian exists. I look at the photo above and remember that more than a few librarians I’ve met dress exactly that way. Should the director perhaps have made sure that all kinds of librarians were represented in her film? It’s not her responsibility to do so and that’s not really how movies are made….” – Filipino Librarian (READ MORE)

“…John Lloyd Cruz as Noel is the archetypal leading man of Star Cinema: a man who loves unconditionally, who suffers for his love, who also happens to be devoted to his parents. He’s predictably given moments to bare his heart out. But Manzano as Mark is the more interesting creation. He’d rather go to the gym than spend time with his Mom, and he makes that strange proposal to her (I won’t give away the surprise), tapping into a son who’s both practical and caring, tough and sweet. Plus, with all that missing sex in the movie, Manzano manages to hint at someone who’s comfortable with it, next to Cruz’s somewhat frozen take on man-to-man touching. But what little gay moments that are permitted to slip through are strong. In one scene, Shirley (Santos) complains that her son never even “came out” to her. In defense, Mark points out the double standard: If his straight siblings were never obligated to declare their straightness, why should he announce his gayness? Lamasan’s co-writers, Raymond Lee and Senedy Que, are minds behind two of the most progressive queer films of our time. (Lee produced Ang Pagdadalaga Ni Maximo Oliveros; Que wrote and directed Dose.) Like those films, In My Life belies a fierce intelligence, wisdom that comes from a place of experience, at least whenever it’s allowed. The film’s most special move is that it roots Mark’s anxiety — He’s never good enough for Mom — to that moment in adolescence when he felt his homosexuality was a disappointment. Like that scene, the best moments in the film are those which meld specific personal experience to the anyone-can-relate universal — which is really the aim of the genre of melodrama. Santos may be a mother to a gay son, but she’s really just any parent who wants to say sorry for her mistakes. Dimples Romana, in a great supporting performance, is any daughter (or son) who felt like a failure. But the makers don’t know when to ease up on the melodramatic conventions, which stall the movie here and there. Shirley’s journey is marked with obvious, rigid plotpoints. She spends the first part whining about America with a capital A, then finds mini-success as a career woman, complete with feel-good montage. There’s an old-fashioned, weary mannerism to Lamasan’s approach, not helped by her visual team. New York is a flat, gray city in the eyes of cinematographer Charlie Peralta, and lifeless and generic according to production designer Elfren Vibar…” – Franc, The Bakla Review (READ MORE)

“…So in the movie, Vilma is “Shirley Templo” (methinks the joke in the character name will be wasted on many of the audience), a separated lady being convinced to sell an old house officially bequeathed to her by her late father-in-law. Knowing this, she buys herself a plane ticket (on a librarian’s salary) to see her gay son in New York, and forces herself upon his life. The writers do their hardest to show that Luis, who plays Vilma’s son, Mark is the busiest man on their side of the planet. But for the most part, Mark (a.k.a. “Lucky”) just succeeds in looking constipated most of the time. Speaking of constipated, Vilma Santos seems to have over-acted in this movie… there’s grit and nails all over the scene whenever she’s there. Even if grit and nails aren’t necessary for the supposed scene. The forced comedy of some parts were obviously…forced…” – Jasper Greek Lao Golangco (READ MORE)

“…We really wanted “In My Life” to be one of the few films that we will always look back on and cherish as a film that brings a glimmer in our eyes. Unfortunately, that dream won’t happen. So what made “In My Life” bad? First, it was definitely not the acting. We all have praises for the three main protagonists. Vilma was just at her best here and John Lloyd showed how much drama he can show out. Luis needs more improvement but he actually performed well being a homosexual so still, props to him. Second, it also wasn’t the lack of drama thereof. There were oodles upon oodles of scenes where tears will fall and we also liked the occasional break from all the heaviness with light comedic scenes scattered all over the film. Unfortunately, even with all the topnotch acting and drama, the simple truth is that “In My Life” left out one big aspect in a film and that is the story/plot. The story of “In My Life” was just too much for us too digest as there are a lot of unnecessary subplots happening all over the place (especially by the end of the film). As a viewer, we just wanted it to end but the film just gave more, more and more. We think the writers just forced it to have lots of dramatic avenues just for the sake that people will cry. As the saying goes, too much of anything is bad and this holds true here as they do not mesh well. Cry you will but you will might also wonder why. Even though it had unusual twists, it will make you think if it was really necessary to have them happen that way as an effective means to move the story forward. For us, they were not…” – Jed and Vit (READ MORE)

“…A mainstream Filipino film “In My Life” that stars the Philippines’ multi-awarded veteran actress Vilma Santos will premiere on September 27 at the Fox Theater in Redwood City at 2pm. The film also stars Santos’ real life son Luis Manzano and Manila’s matinee idol John Lloyd Cruz. The gay-themed movie was filmed both in Manila and in New York City. The setting, which has the backdrop of the Big Apple and the outskirts of Manila revolves around a doting mother and her gay son, who is not out to her yet. She visits the gay son and finds out he lives with a “Best Friend.” The mother cloys and clings with the son until finally the son gives in with a blow of his ailment. A powerful scene between the mother and her son’s partner will surely wrench the viewers’ hearts when they see the movie…” – Marconi Calindas (READ MORE)

“…Vilma Santos has become the poster girl for these cinematic suffering mothers, having played the progressive mother of children from different fathers in Chito Roño’s Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (Lea’s Story, 1998), the maltreated maid from Hong Kong who returns to Manila to ungrateful children in Anak, and the indefatigable mother in Roño’s 2003 adaptation of Lualhati Bautista’s famous novel Dekada ’70, where a middle class family wades through the turbulent decade and evolves from convenient apathy to activism and awareness. In Olivia Lamasan’s In My Life, she plays Shirley Templo, an effective yet stubborn mother to openly gay Mark (Luis Manzano, Santos’ son in real life). Shirley Templo is the culmination of all the mothers that Santos has played: assured because she can pinpoint every little comfort and pleasure that she dutifully has given up for her children and because of that, feels entitled to her children’s undivided loyalty and attention. Thus, when Shirley decides to move to New York City with Mark after learning that her daughter (Dimples Romana, who does wonders in the little role she has; that scene where she laments of her dissolved dream of becoming a doctor is precious) has decided to migrate elsewhere, Noel (John Lloyd Cruz), Mark’s overly loyal boyfriend who is staying illegally in the United States, suddenly becomes the third wheel in Shirley’s belated attempt to reconnect with her son. There is no denying that Santos is a terrific actress. Recently however, she has limited herself to roles that are quite unvaried, to the point of Santos becoming a predictable if not mechanical performer. Her Shirley Templo, while an always entertaining presence because of her amusing quirks (Santos has exquisite comedic timing) and the skill and experience that Santos gives her during the many emotional highlights in the film, feels more like a derivative of everything the actress has done in the last decade. Fortunately, Cruz, who has graduated from playing charming yet soulless boys next door in the many romantic comedies he starred in, gives formidable support to Santos. The methodical manner Cruz gives life to Noel (the extra split seconds that he has his mouth open after every word that is shouted with subtle inflection; the slight gestures that hint of the femininity underneath the masculine exterior) is complemented by the sensitivity and charisma that the actor naturally exudes. Manzano, although largely inconsistent, does quite well, even alongside more talented and more experienced actors like Santos and Cruz…” – Oggs Cruz (READ MORE)

“…Hindi ko rin talaga alam ito sa pagkakaalam ko kasi magsi-celebrate lang ako ng simple lang. Monday kasi is a working day nagkataon lang na exact date ito ng mismong birthday ko ang dami pala nilang preparation na ginawa. So I’m very, very thankful mga Mayors na andito, department heads at halos lahat ng mga empelyado ay narito at nakiisa sa akin,” masayang panimula iyon ni Ate Vi habang pawisan dahil noong mga sandaling kausapin namin siya ay abala ito sa paglilibot sa mga mesa na kung saan naroon ang kanyang mga kaibigan at kasama sa pulitika. “Now that I’m turning 38 I’m so happy,” biro pa ni Ate Vi. Ayon kay Ate Vi walang pagsidlan ang kanyang kaligayahan dahil hindi daw niya talaga alam na bibigyan siya nang bonggang party ng mga taong nagmamahal sa kanya. At dahil dito ay ipinangako niya na kung paano siyang minamahal ng mga taga Batangas ay higit pa run ang pagmamahal at pagsiserbisyong ibibigay niya sa kanyang mga kababayan. “Nakakahiya naman siguro kung alam mong mahal ka ng mga tao at sinusuportahan tapos wala kang gagawin sa kanila, ‘ay hindi naman siguro puwede ang ganun., Bilang Gobernadora ng bayang ito nais kong ipakita sa kanila at ipadama na rin na ako ay karapat-dapat sa pagtitiwalang ibinigay nila sa akin kung kayat marami pa rin akong magagandang plano sa Batangas, At hindi ko ito basta magagawang mag-isa kung hindi nila ako tutulungan.” Maraming wish si Ate Vi pero hindi para sa pansarili kundi para sa bayan at isa dito ay ang kasaganahan at katahimikan hindi lang ng buong lalawigan ng Batangas kundi nang buong bansa…” – Morly Alinio (READ MORE)

“…This begs the question: should we expect this kind of progressive view on homosexuality from the mainstream in general and In My Life in particular? Perhaps not. In an industry dominated by conservative values—rooted in the ideal economic feasibility of a G-rated film—In My Life’s gay publicity is simply a ruse, the film’s bid to package itself as daring and sensitive, as is fitting for the Star of All Seasons. Vilma Santos’s comeback cannot be centered on anything but her. The film must project Vilma as a daring actress (and liberal-minded politician) willing to tackle controversial roles, while maintaining her palatable sensitivity as the ordinary matriarch of Anak and Dekada ’70 fame. In My Life, then, is ultimately a film about mothers. Though packaged as a queer film, it is actually a family movie, the much-publicized homosexual angle between Cruz and Manzano just one of the many issues mothers like Shirley have to deal with in these times…” – Edgar Allan Paule, Viewer Discretion, 14 Oct 2009 (READ MORE)