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Remembering Aruray

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Aruray ni Dolphy – “…Aruray pala ang binansag ni Mang Dolphy kay Pokwang. Ito ay ikinuwento ni Pokwang sa preskon ng The Healing kung saan si Governor Vilma Santos ang bida. Aru kung tawagin ni Mang Dolphy si Pokwang. Sino nga ba si Aruray? Siya po ang komedyante noong araw na matagal na ring namayapa. Kahawig nga ni Pokwang si Aruray pero siyempre mas maganda si Pokwang, in all fairness. Bumunghalit ng tawa si Governor Vi nang marinig ang kuwento ni Pokwang na binansagan siyang Aru ni Mang Dolphy. Hindi naman makapag-react si Kim Chiu dahil hindi niya kilala si Aruray. Hindi pa yata siya ipinanganak nang mamatay si Aruray…” – Joe Barrameda (READ MORE)

“…In 1998 while she was working in Abu Dhabi, Pokwang received the sad news that her son died of a congenital brain ailment. “Of course, I felt guilty na wala man lang ako sa tabi ng anak ko nang kailangang-kailangan niya ako,” admitted Pokwang, the wacky comedienne (suspected to be the “reincarnation” of Aruray) who in real life is a serious mother. She changed moods from sadly reflective to hilariously comedic. “Shin was made in the Philippines, pero assembled by a Japanese. I met his father here before I went to Japan. Magulo ang relasyon namin. Away kami nang away, nagbabatuhan kami ng kung anu-ano, nagsasakitan kami talaga, that’s why the baby inside me was badly affected. Kawawa naman siya. When the baby was born, kami ng ama niya nagbabatuhan kami ng crib.” Ria Mae was also sired by a Japanese whom Pokwang met in Japan where she worked as a dancer. “I never lived with my children’s fathers,” Pokwang said. “Nabuntis lang nila ako…” – Ricardo F. Lo (READ MORE)

Sa Kabukiran – “…I did several shows before I was given my first regular show on ABS-CBN in 1961, Sa Kabukiran, produced by Atty. Narciso Pimentel,” Luz continues. “It was one of the top 10 shows in the ratings during the ’60s. It was a musical comedy where I was paired with Luis Gonzales and we had Bentot, Cachupoy and Aruray with us. We were dressed in Filipiniana costumes singing Tagalog songs, doing comedy skits, and dancing local folk dances. It ran for 12 years until martial law was declared and ABS-CBN was closed, so we moved to GMA 7, which was allowed to continue airing. The show became Basta Ikaw Mahal which ran for seven years. At the same time, I had a noontime show, Kuwentong Kutsero, also on GMA, that ran for four years. For a while, I also co-hosted another noontime variety show, Darigold Jamboree. I had the chance to work with the late Ading Fernando in the sitcom, Apartment 153-A, which ran for four years at ABS-CBN. I am really so blessed because I was never ran out of TV shows. For a while, I retired and went to the US. But then, I got another call from GMA 7, asking me to come back to play the role of Bong Revilla’s mother in the sitcom, Idol Ko Si Kap, which is now going on for three years and rating very well…” – Mario E. Bautista (READ MORE)

Pamosong Komedyante – “…Samantala sa entablado naman ng mga eskuwelahan at sa mga syudad, ipinalabas din ang dulang New Yorker in Tondo, isang komedya tungkol sa isang balikbayan na mas Amerikano pa kaysa Amerikano pero kayumanggi naman. Nauso rin sa radyo ang komedya tulad ng Sebya Mahal Kita na pinalabasan nina Sylvia Guerrero at Eddie San Jose. Ang iba pang pamosong mga komedyante ay sina Oscar Obligacion, Chichay at Aruray atbp…Sa larangan ng pelikula, si Ai-Ai pa rin ang bida sa mga komedya, na marahil ay namana ang kanyang pagiging komedyante sa mga “greats” tulad ni Chichay at Aruray na sumikat noong mga 50’s at hanggang 60’s. Bandang 70’s o 80’s ginawang katatawanan ang isang artista na sobra ang dunong daw…” – Wilhelmina S. Orozco (READ MORE)

Faux Ballet Dances – “…The field of comedy is basically dominated by men. To my surprise, however, I had difficulty paring down my list of best comediennes to just 10. Maybe woman empowerment encouraged female comic talents to shine starting in the ’80s and this continues to the present day. But who gets on the list? Below is the first installment…Thin like a stick, I don’t know where she got all that energy performing on stage (I never got to see that though), on TV and in the movies. But her faux ballet dances (she had classical ballet training if I’m not mistaken) were very funny. Always cast as the impertinent atsay (she was supposed to have played Virgin Mary in a Lenten play once though), my favorite among her films was when she played aspiring movie star in Sampaguita Pictures’ mega production of The Big Broadcast. In the story, Aruray and Chichay are sisters and they have a stage mother in Patsy who believes her two daughters are the loveliest in the world and that they should be cast in a picture in lieu of Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes. Although everyone turned in a hilarious performance, I liked Aruray best and I will always put her on my best comediennes list. Unfortunately, after she died in the early ’90s, who remembers Aruray now?…” – Butch Francisco (READ MORE)

Aruray was a famous Filipina comedian of the Philippines. She made many movies produced by her home studio Sampaguita Pictures. Born in 1920, she is one of the most successful comedians of the 1950s and 1960s. She was once nominated as Best Supporting Actress in the movie Torkwata. – Wikipilipinas (READ MORE)

Aruray and Vilma Santos

Aruray and Vilma Santos’ first movie together was King and Queen for A Day (which was also Vilma’s first film with Dolphy and Chichay) in 1963. This was Vi’s first year in show business and as a child star. She followed this up with Ging the following year. Then after almost six year, now a teen star, Vilma joined Aruray and another comedian, Dely Atay-atayan in Mga Batang Bangketa. After this film, the two did three films as guest star. There is no detail Information about Aruray’s exact date and cause of death, only the year – 1988.

Candy (1980) – “…Sheryl Cruz has appeared with Vilma before in Candy (Vilma in a cameo role) and Good Morning Sunshine (1980) directed by Ishmael Bernal. Mano Po 3 is their third film together…” – The 28th (READ MORE)

Mga Mata ni Angelita (1978) – “…Julie Vega was only 10 years old when she was launched to full stardom in the 1978 movie, “Mga mata ni Angelita.” She appeared in previous movie outings as Darling Postigo. The young Vega was ably supported by an all super star cast headed by the King of Philippine Movies, Fernando Poe, Jr. (in the role of Conrado, the ex-convict) and Comedy King Dolphy (as Tacio, the taho vendor). Also appearing in cameo roles were Joseph Estrada (as himself as Mayor); Nora Aunor (a metro-aide sweeper); Vilma Santos ( as a worried wife); Ramon Revilla (as barrio captain); Alma Moreno (as a jealous sweetheart); Christopher de Leon (as the lover) and many more…” – Simon Santos (READ MORE)

Big Ike’s Happening (1976) – “…Enrique “Big Ike” Lozada (August 13, 1940-March 8, 1995) was a Filipino comedian, actor and TV host. He was born on August 13, 1940 in Iloilo City. He started acting at the age of 11 on the movie Mga Bituin ng Kinabukasan with the younger Susan Roces. He died on March 10, 1995 in Manila, of heart attack. He was 54. His had lain at Manila Memorial Park in Parañaque City…” – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Mga Batang Bangketa (1970) – “…By late 1969, movie producers had been tapping a Vilma Santos-Edgar Mortiz love team. Edgar was a Tawag ng Tanghalan winner. They started to be together in the movies, My Darling Eddie (1969) and The Jukebox King (1969)…In 1970, the love team of Vilma Santos and Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz was officially launched in the movie Young Love, together with the another popular love team during that time, Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. The Vi and Bot love team went on to do 14 more movies in 1970—The Young Idols, Songs and Lovers, Sweethearts, Sixteen, Love Letters, Love is for the Two of Us, Mga Batang Bangketa, My Pledge of Love, Renee Rose, Baby Vi, Because You Are Mine, Edgar Loves Vilma, From the Bottom of My Heart, and I Love You Honey. All did well at the box-office…” – Rommel R. Llanes (READ MORE)

Ging (1964) – “…Listang-lista at ang husay ni Vilma rito. Naroong kumanta siya (the voice over seemed like her singing voice), sumayaw at nagdrama. Luma si Madonna doon sa isang parang La Isla Bonita number niya. One memorable scene was when she was singing her signature song to the audience of her longing to see her mother and her father – the camera captures her pain and agony and the deep wound she suffers from her abusers – a poignant scene, complete with tears and and a well-internalized acting…” – Mario Garces (READ MORE)

King and Queen For A Day (1963) – “…Batangas Governor Vilma Santos, who’s now identified with ABS-CBN, told the Inquirer: “The whole country is saddened by the news. He was simple but someone with a big heart for Filipinos. He entertained us for over 60 years.” The actress-politician recalled that she first shared the screen with Dolphy when she was a child star. “I worked with him and the late comedians Panchito and Chichay when I was 11 years old in the Sampaguita movie ‘King and Queen for a Day.’ That was 1963…” – Bayani San Diego Jr (READ MORE)

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FAMAS’ Circle of Excellence

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After Hall of Fame – “…Relegated to hall of famer status, both Nora and Vilma were not allowed to compete for the acting awards in the coming years, a problem for FAMAS. Both actress were still active in making movies that deserve acting accolades. Two years after Vilma was acclaimed to the hall of fame status, she came up with performances that deserve praises, Kapag Langit Ang Humatol in 1990 and Ipagpatawad Mo in 1991. FAMAS can’t resist giving citation to Vilma anymore so they created a special award with a status higher than the Hall of Fame, hence the Circle of Excellence was born in 1993…”

“…The 41st FAMAS Awards honoring films made in 1992 was held again at the Fiesta Pavillion of the Manila Hotel on May 8, 1993. Vilma, now 40 years old earned her first of two Circle of Excellence awards. She was cited for Regal films’ Sinungaling Mong Puso. Sinungaling earned acting honours for Aga Muhlach, lead actor, Gabby Concepcion, supporting actor and best story for Jose Javier Reyes. It also earned nominations for its director, Maryo J. de los Reyes, best picture for Regal, supporting actress for Aiko Melendez. The next year, FAMAS deservingly gave Vilma her second Circle of Excellence award citing her performance in her social relevant film about HIV/AIDS, Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story. Dahil Mahal Kita was nominated for best picture and best director for Laurice Guillen. …” – RV (READ MORE)

Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992)

“…Vilma Santos did not expect that her first experience at the Lower House could be so pleasant. “They were very nice. I was expecting that they’ll just tolerate me kasi artista ako, but they even posed with me,” she shared. Gina de Venecia, wife of the Speaker, asked her to join the Congressional Ladies Group. Ate Vi said that as soon as “Things settle down after the December 11 wedding to be held at the Lipa Cathedral, she will organize a foundation for street children. First, in Lipa and later here in Metro Manila. Vi said that her latest movie, Sinungaling Mong Puso, slated to open today, is inspired by her tele-movie, Once There Was A Love which also starred Aga Muhlach. I really wanted Aga to be my leading man in this movie since we started our tele-movie.” The movie also reminded her of the time when she and Ralph met for the first time. He was then only 21, or 11 years her junior. Vi does not plan to stop making movies, “I’ll be bored with just being a housewife,” she averred. “Sinungaling…, she said, “is teh story of three women and how they relate to the men in their lives. This is more intense compared to Ipagpatawad Mo. She is set to do two more movies this year – – one for Moviestars with Cesar Montano and Ronnie Rickets to be directed by Chito Rono; and another for OctoArts with perennial screen partner, Christopher de Leon with Mike de Leon as director…” – Nena Villanueva, Manila Standard, Aug 27 1992 (READ MORE)

Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)

“…The 1990s saw Charito Solis graduate to mother and grandmother roles, which she had done with frequency in the 1980s. In another nod to her age, she finally allowed herself to be billed above Vilma Santos, then acknowledged as the Longest-Reigning Box Office Queen of Philippine Movies, albeit above-the-title in films such as Ipagpatawad Mo (1992) and Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)…” – Gypsy Baldovino and Yolly Tiangco (READ MORE)

FAMAS’ Circle of Excellence Awarded Films of Vilma Santos

  • 1993 Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story – Directed by Laurice Guillen; written by Ricardo Lee; produced by Orly Ilacad; musically scored by Nonong Buencamino; photographed by Eduardo Jacinto; and edited by Efren Jarlego; featured Vilma Santos, Christopher De Leon, Charito Solis, Jackie Aquino, Christine Bersola, Noni Buencamino, Maila Gumila, Mia Gutierrez, Gigette Reyes, Gilleth Sandico, Eula Valdez, Mikee Villanueva, Nonie Buecamino, Jaime Blanch, John Caddi, Tess Dumpit, Chris Michelena, Sharme Centenera, Ernie Zarate, Pocholo Montes and Gil Portes. (READ MORE)
  • 1992 Sinungaling Mong Puso – Directed by Maryo J. De Los Reyes; written by Jose Javier D. Reyes, Jake Tordesillas; produced by Lily Monteverde; musically scored by Lutgardo Labad; photographed by Charlie Peralta, Jun Pereira, Caloy Jacinto; edited by George Jarlego; featured Vilma Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Alice Dixon, Aga Muhlach, Aiko Melendez, Ricardo Cepeda, Dennis Baltazar, Charlie Davao, Philip Gamboa, Melinda Mendez, Mila Ocampo, Luz Valdez, Orestes Ojeda, Michelle Bautista, Lora Luna, Aris Bautista, Daniel Roa, Dax Rivera, Allan Laceda, Aida Carmona, Estrella Antonio, Alex Toledo, Nonoy Gates, Tato Malay, Lemuel Sales, Francis Ignacio, Chynthia Carriedo, Marvin Bellosillo, Veronica Medel, and Jeff Long. (READ MORE)

The Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences bestows the Circle of Excellence Award to Hall of Fame inductees who have used their skills and craftsmanship to the best of their abilities for the development and creation of a Filipino motion picture. The Circle of Excellence Award is the highest award the FAMAS can bestow on an individual. The Circle of Excellence was the brain child of then FAMAS member Jimmy Tiu to honor Hall of Fame inductees whose work deserves the recognition of the Academy. Since Hall of Fame inductees cannot be given another competitive FAMAS Award for the same category, the award was born.

The Circle of Excellence Award was modeled from great screen legend and FAMAS Award-winner Rosa Rosal by master sculptor Manuel Barreiro. The varnished gold-painted wood statuette boasts of a Balintawak-clad woman whose raised hands holds a four-spoke film reel. She stands on a circular pedestal, which is encircled with a thin sheet of gold that bears the initials and full name of FAMAS, the awards ceremony in which it was won, the words “Circle of Excellence” name and the name of the winner. The first Circle of Excellence Award was given out in the 41st FAMAS Awards (1992) in 1993 to honor Best Actress Hall of Fame inductee Vilma Santos for her performance in Sinungaling Mong Puso. At that time, the Circle of Excellence Award was a glass plaque. The current statuette was given the next year, also to Ms. Santos, at the 42nd FAMAS Awards (1993).

Circle of Excellence Recipients:  Vilma Santos – 1992, 1993; Nora Aunor – 1995; Christopher de Leon – 2004  (READ MORE)

Related Reading: * 1972 Best Actress  * FAMAS Recognitions * Who cares about movie awards? * FAMAS Hall of Fame Best Actress

Remembering Eddie Peregrina 2/2 (Videos)

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Eddie Villavicencio Peregrina (11 November 1944 – 30 April 1977), better known as Eddie Peregrina, was a singer and leading matinee idol of the 1970s. Dubbed as “the Original Jukebox King,” he was most famous for hit songs such as What Am I Living For, Together Again, Two Lovely Flowers and Mardy, among others. He died at the age of 32 after a freak car accident in EDSA…eregrina’s popularity was high, particularly among masses. Jukebox, the coin-operated machine which plays selected music, was said to have attained much popularity as well because of continuous requests of Peregrina’s songs. His fame surge even more among the Filipino masses when he became movie star, cast with the leading ladies of the 1970s, including Esperanza Fabon and Nora Aunor, with whom he had a TV show entitled The Eddie-Nora Show on Channel 9 in the 1960s. Among his movies included Mardy, Memories of Our Dreams with Esperanza Fabon. He co-starred with his wife Lyn Salazarin in Batul of Mactan in 1974. He was also the leading man in Dito sa Aking Puso (1970) with Nora Aunor and with Vilma Santos in Mardy. Most of his films were produced by JBC Productions, which invariably paired him with Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, and directed by Bebong Osorio. When not busy attending show business commitments, he managed his own business, including Edviper Records and the Pervil Photo Studio…Eddie’s Mustang car collided with a trailer truck in EDSA Shaw underpass in 1977. He died a month and a week later (April 30, 1977) at the age of 32 at Polymedic Hospital due to internal hemorrhage. His early and tragic death shocked his millions of fans nationwide. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

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Remembering Eddie Peregrina 1/2

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Coin-operated Machine – “…During the early 60’s, a singer’s popularity was practically determined by the jukebox, a coin-operated machine that can play specially selected songs from self-contained media. It was a period when fans dropped 20 centavos in a jukebox to listen to Timi Yuro’s “Crazy” or Matt Monro’s “Walk Away” and “Before You Go.” Of course, Eddie’s songs like “Together Again,” “Two Lovely Flowers,” “Mardy” and “I Do Love You” were such national anthems and outdid their foreign counterparts not only in the jukebox market but also on the airwaves, in restaurants and well…the local cabarets…” – Gypsy Baldovino (READ MORE)

Car Accident – “…Eddie Peregrina was another OPM (Original Pilipino Music) legend. While he sang with The Blinkers in Japan, he also became the first jukebox king in his homeland where Filipinos thronged around the coin-operated machines to drop 20 centavos to listen to their favorite singing idol. With the band, Eddie Peregrina gave us memorable hits like Blue Eyes and Together Again. During his prime, Eddie Pergrina was also doing TV (like the popular The Eddie-Nora Show) and acted in movies with leading ladies (like Vilma Santos, Espie Fabon, Nora Aunor). Eddie died from a car accident at the age of 32 in 1977. He was survived by his wife, Lyn, and two daughters, Edlyn and Michelle. He left a legacy of evergreen songs like Alaala ay ikaw and Nabubuhay ako dahil sa’yo…” – Questing Bandstand (READ MORE)

True Connoisseur of “Bakya” – “…If you don’t even get one answer right, you are, if not a foreigner, either a hopeless bourgeois or an incurable egghead. But if you guess that (a) “Mardy” is an Eddie Peregrina top tune and the title of one of his movies; (b) Orasyon na naman is the standard opening line of Johnny de Leon’s afternoon radio program, Lundagin Mo, Baby; (c) Nora Cabaltera Villamayor is the real name of Nora Aunor; (d) Pilyo, nguni’t clean fun is the slogan of Pogi; Ricky Na, Tirso Pa is the movie that brings together for the first time those real-life first cousins, Ricky Belmonte and Tirso Cruz III, congratulations: you are true connoisseur of bakya…” – Pete Lacaba (READ MORE)

Eddie Peregrina and Vilma Santos’ Films

  • May hangganan ang pag-ibig (1970) – Directed by Fely Crisostomo, written by Joey Luna and Eddie Perigrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Romy Mallari, and Millie Mercado (READ MORE)
  • Mother Song (1970) – Directed by Jose De Villa, written by Ernesto ‘Baby’ Nauda, Eddie Peregrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Rosa Mia, Patria Plata, and Joseph de Cordova. (READ MORE)
  • Songs and Lovers (1970) – Directed: A. Gregorio; Story: Felipe Baron, Henry Cuino; Screenplay: Felipe Baron, Henry Cuino; Cast: Eddie Perigrina, Alona Alegre, Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, Fred Panopio, Thelma Kennedy, Romy Mallari, The Blinkers, and Pauline Sevilla. (READ MORE)
  • I Do Love You (1970) – Directed and written by Consuelo P. Rosario, Eddie Perigrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Esperanza Fabon, Bebong Osorio, Perla Adea, Rebecca Rocha, Ben David, Mary Walter, Betty Mendez, Tommy Angeles, Jose Padilla Jr., Joey Alvarez, Dolly Favorito, Nick Aladdin, Armando De Guzman, Edgar Orda, Romy Mallari, and the Bunkers. (READ MORE)
  • My Darling Eddie (1969) – Directed and written by Consuelo P. Osorio, Eddie Peregrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, Bebong Osorio, Mildred Ortega, Joe Alvarez, Dolly Favorito, Nick Aladdin, Mary Walter, Ben David, Patria Plata, and Priscilla Ramirez. (READ MORE)
  • Mardy (1969) – Directed and written by Consuelo P. Osorio, Eddie Peregrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Esperanza Fabon, Bebong Osorio, Perla Adea, Joe Alvarez, Dolly Favorito, Nick Aladdin, Ben David, Betty Mendez, Tommy Angeles, Danilo Jurado, Danny Boy (READ MORE)
  • The Jukebox King (1969) – Directed and written by Consuelo P. Osorio, Eddie Peregrina co-starred with Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, Bebong Osorio, Mildred Ortega, Joe Alvarez, Nick Aladdin, Dolly Favorito, Ben David, Tommy Angeles, Metring David, Dely Villanueva, Perla Adea, Armando De Guzman Jr., and Eduardo Padilla. (READ MORE)

Eddie Villavicencio Peregrina (11 November 1944 – 30 April 1977), better known as Eddie Peregrina, was a singer and leading matinee idol of the 1970s. Dubbed as “the Original Jukebox King,” he was most famous for hit songs such as What Am I Living For, Together Again, Two Lovely Flowers and Mardy, among others. He died at the age of 32 after a freak car accident in EDSA…eregrina’s popularity was high, particularly among masses. Jukebox, the coin-operated machine which plays selected music, was said to have attained much popularity as well because of continuous requests of Peregrina’s songs. His fame surge even more among the Filipino masses when he became movie star, cast with the leading ladies of the 1970s, including Esperanza Fabon and Nora Aunor, with whom he had a TV show entitled The Eddie-Nora Show on Channel 9 in the 1960s. Among his movies included Mardy, Memories of Our Dreams with Esperanza Fabon. He co-starred with his wife Lyn Salazarin in Batul of Mactan in 1974. He was also the leading man in Dito sa Aking Puso (1970) with Nora Aunor and with Vilma Santos in Mardy. Most of his films were produced by JBC Productions, which invariably paired him with Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, and directed by Bebong Osorio. When not busy attending show business commitments, he managed his own business, including Edviper Records and the Pervil Photo Studio…Eddie’s Mustang car collided with a trailer truck in EDSA Shaw underpass in 1977. He died a month and a week later (April 30, 1977) at the age of 32 at Polymedic Hospital due to internal hemorrhage. His early and tragic death shocked his millions of fans nationwide. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

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The Making of Happy Days Are Here Again

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“…The idea is to assemble short sequences from the best muscal films produced by the Big 3 – Premiere, Sampaguita and LVN. It’s Digna Santiago on the phone giving it straight to tme like an IBM machine: “Sampaguita, LVN and Premiere are reproducing a full-lenght movie for the first time. It’s going to be a collection of film clips from their best movies since the 40s. The two studios hired their own researchers already. Can you research for us? Your associate will be Bernardo C. Bernardo.” Will I? Deal, I said with a school-boy enthusiasm. Cirio told us that the idea was to assemble a sizeable collection of short sequences from the three studios’ biggest hits. Bernie and I would work in the film library of Premiere. The co-production vernture was actually Cirio’s baby. His enthusiasm was so infectious that he was able to convince Mike de Leon of LVN and Bobby Vera Perez of Sampaguita to finance this unique production with him. The original plan was to produce, firstly, a straight documentary on the film trends in the local cinema from the 40’s up to the present and the superstars who glittered and captivated the audience for more than three decades. This was to be titled Remember When. It would be followed immediately by Happy Days Are Here Again!, which will showcase a compilation of the musical comedies produced by the three studios.

Cirio said that he had already contacted Lamberto Avellana to direct the movie. We were mesmerized by the imposing personality of Avellana whose anecdotes and witticism thrilled us like starry-eyed schoolchildren. Avellana said that documentary films are too stiff and not appealing enought to lure theater-goers. “We can’t spend more than two hundred fifty thousands grand for this film!” he emphasized. The hazy vision on the crystal ball finally became clear. The producer were making the movie on a shoe-string budget! During the pre-production talks, they couldn’t decide whether to cut the original budget – or splurge the four hundred fifty thousand bucks that Avellana wanted for the movie. They were frankly shocked by the “staggering” cost of the movie. Avellana wanted it spectacular in size. The producers were nervous. Meanwhile, the researchers began working at LVN. Socrates Jose and Eman Lacaba started reviewing old films inside the studio projection room and so did the Sampaguita group of Medy Tarnate and Joel Apuyan. Bernie and I were deep in research work at the studio editing room. To our dismay, the films we wanted were not available either because they were lost or the negatives had been destroyed. For instance, when Bernie and I wanted a copy of Bakya Mo Neneng which starred Rosa del Rosario, we were informed by the studio property master Ben Llenado that they didn’t have the negatives of the film anymore.

Not even Cirio’s repeated orders of “Find it!” could help locate the film. The LVN researchers wre on the same boat with us. Three of their musical comedy classics – Ikaw Kasi, Bahala Na (the first local film photographed in cinemascope type of lens called “MagnaScope”) and Tingnan Natin had been lost foreever. The studio didn’t have the copies of these three films! The same thing with Sampaguita’s Madaling Araw and Paru-Parong Bukid. Only the Big Broadcast had survived. While Cirio was preparing for abroad, Medy and Tiny worked on the second script. The verdict of Mike and Bobby was the same as on the first: Weak! When the third script was okayed, for the first time in more than a month of constant changes and editing, we were jubilant for a change, until Rosa Rosal, the leading character on the revised and okayed script dropped the bomb: She wanted P15,000 for three days of shooting! “Too much!” the producers’ blood temperatures rose, and we saw the third script slide down to oblivion. Earlier, they were even considering Dolphy for the musical finale of the movie – sort of a take-off from his El Pinoy Matador entry from Premiere. “Just imagine Dolphy with 50 toreadorabelles all in red,” enthused Avellana. But when they learned that the comedian’s asking price now is P300,000 per picture we said goodbye to Dolphy and his 50 dancing toreadorabelles all in red!

We were back again to zero. We were getting nervous as we sensed that the producers were contemplating on giving up their joint venture. In fact, Mike was all for abandoning the project. He was preparing for his trip to Germany to purchase new color processing equipments. Even the researchers were quarelling. When Peping Tarnate, our film editor, submitted his report on the running time of the film clips of each studio we found out that Sampaguita has 18 minutes, Premiere, 22 and LVN, 48 minutes! When the producers asked for the complete and final presentation of a new screen treatment for Happy Days Are Here Again!, we knew taht it was an ultimatum to produce something – or else! Suddenly, the dreaded specter oozed its frightening apparition before us. The bouncing baby had become an uncontrollable muti-headed monster! Bernie and I started arguing. One time we scandalized the LVN canteen with our “shoutings” and Soc joined in, banging the chair on the table that an outsider rushed inside our office. “What’s happening here?” he asked worried. “Nothing. Just discussing the script.” we answered like innocent school boys. The “Five Fingers,” too were on each other’s nerves. I couldn’t stant it anymore. Finally, we agreed to be clear headed about it. The project was in danger of collapsing, we couldn’t afford to be petty with our feelings anymore.

Avellana gave us encouragement. “Fight, boys, fight!” he enthused again like a cheer leader. With that, we worked on our individual scripts. It was Lina Santiago (who was representing Premiere on behalf of Cirio and her husband, Danilo) who read the script first. “Its much better this time and so many ideas to choose from,” Mike read the scripts in his office. Bobby was down with the flue but sent word that he’d go along with the decision of Lina and Mike regarding their final choice of the script. Premiere wanted to start the production rolling and offered to buy LVN’s share on the venture. But Mike refused. He knew that without the LVN films clips, the entire film would collapse like a pile of tarot cards! And besides, Mike himself was aware of the fact that LVN had the best entries. And he was right! Amidst the producer’s vaccilation and the production’s somnalent state, I gave the whole affair a shrug. I have other responsibilities to attend to. Two weeks later, a call from Premiere office asked me to be present at the HDAHA staff meeting. News was Ciriio just arrived and he was re-organizing the project – or what was left of it. I was glad to come. After two weeks, I’d see my friend again. In the movie, despite internal dissent, affection prevails. This I found out. The sight of Soc, Bernie, Tiny, Medy and Eman restored that warm glow of enthusiasm and concern I had for the project.

The next day, we wre once again in a panting flurry of actions. Once in his orbit, Cirio’s powerful motivating force seems to pull us in dizzying spins. Also, his volatile temper sent us coming and going like comfused rabbits! He asked the researchers of LVN, Sampaguita and Premiere to add more entries to the previewed and edited later. he gave his basic story line for Medy and Tiny to work on. What do you know – it was the original idea we had before! Talk about going in circles! “What happened to our best musicales? Hawaiian Boy? Basta Pinoy? I didn’t like our Eddie Mesa entry. Too simple. We have plenty of Eddie Mesas. Rolling Rockers, Singing Idols…” Cirio rattled on. The next morning, I sent a report on our research work the whole day to Cirio: Hawaiian Boy and Basta Pinoy are beyond salvage. Also, no prints or copies are available at the studio, Eddie Mesa’s big scene in Singing Idol is what you want it to be: Spectacular. But sorry, we can’t find the sound reel. We await your instructions. When our energetic “general” scheduled our first shooting day at the Sampaguita studiio, we were excited and bewildered. One question nagged us: What happened to Avellana? We asked Cirio if he had already informed him of the changes in the project including the script and that he (Avellana) was no longer to direct the HDAHA movie for the Big three.

“I tried twice, in fact. But I didn’t have the nerve to tell him that he’s out of project,” Cirio said. (Avellana ended up as consultant of the movie.) First shooting day dawned on the HDAHa company at the Sampaguita studio, Gloria Romero and Leopoldo Salcedo were scheduled to shoot that day for their brief narrations. The other stars like Nida Blanca, Jaime de la Rosa, Ike Lozada, German Moreno, Eddie Gutierrez, Pugo, Tirso Cruz III and Susan Roces were to shoot their scene within the week. There was a slight confusion and excitement when we found out that we had not submitted our script to the Board of Censors for their approval – before we could shoot or start shooting the film! Medy and Tiny immediately worked double time to type the censor’s copy. Bernie did the required sypnosis. “What do you think? Will we make it at the box office with our movie?” Cirio kept repeating, asking everyone, while pacing nervously all over the set. When he alerted us – “O, ready na, Gloria (Romero) is here!” – I was convinced that finally and most definitely the much delayed, plagued and battered project would see realization at last and this time no more hassles! – Cris D. Almario (READ MORE)

Karugtong Ng Kahapon

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Originally released in 1961, Karugtong ng Kahapon was re-used as the title of the Vilma Santos 1975 film. Literally translated as the “continuation of yesterday,” the original film casted the major stars of this period, Rita Gomez, Mario Montenegro, Marlene Dauden and even its director, Eddie Garcia will all have films with Vilma. It was written by Clodualdo Del Mundo for Tagalog Klasiks, a comics magazine. Meanwhile, the 1975 film starring Vilma Santos was also written for comics magazine by Nerissa Cabral and Eddie Garcia was also involved, this time not the director but part of the ensemble cast that includes major stars like Gloria Romero and Celia Rodriguez.

Karugtong ng Kahapon (1961) – Directed by Eddie Garcia; Original story: Clodualdo Del Mundo; Screenplay: Medy Tarnate; Cast: Mario Montenegro, Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo, Marlene Dauden, Carlos Salazar, Rosa Mia, Zeny Zabala, Totoy Torrente, Aring Bautista, Marcela Garcia; Music: Nestor Robles; Production Co: Sampaguita Pictures

The Director – “…The same breadth and variety in his performances characterize Eddie Garcia’s other career in the movies as a director. Either acting or directing, he seems to have the same temper and outlook; one characterized by a nearly total lack of self-consciousness and self-absorption. But the artistry and innovation are unmistakable. It would appear in fact that Eddie Garcia used acting as a vehicle in order to become a filmmaker. He told the Manunuri that when he joined the movies in 1949, he made a promise to himself, “In 15 years, I will be director.” He made it as director in just 12 years when he was given an assignment in 1961 by “Doc” Jose Perez, studio boss of Sampaguita, the dramatic movie, “Karugtong ng Kahapon,” starring Rita Gomez, Ric Rodrigo and Marlene Dauden. Before that, he was assistant director to Mai’ Torrres, Octavio Silos and other Sampaguita directors…” – Lito Zulueta (READ MORE)

“…The 1961 movie, “Karugtong ng Kahapon” is almost forgotten. Even Eddie Garcia, in most of his interviews never mention or cite this movie which played a big part in his illustrious career. This is Eddie’s first directorial assignment, and not “Historia de un Amor” (1963) as previously reported in other articles. Eddie is a Famas Hall of Fame awardee for Best Director, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor. What a feat!…” – Simon Santos (READ MORE)

Karugtong ng Kahapon (1975) – Directed by: Fely Crisostomo; Story: Nerissa Cabral; Screenplay: Mike Relon Makiling; Cast: Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Eddie Garcia, Jay Ilagan, Romy Mallari, Joseph Sytangco, Patria Plata, Ronald Ruiz; Original Music: Danny Subido; Cinematography: Ricardo Herrera; Editing: Gervacio Santos; Production Co.: Roma Films; An Entry to the 1975 Metro Manila Film Festival.

Festival Entry – “…Nora Aunor’s entry, NV Productions’ Batu-Bato sa Langit (directed by Luciano B. Carlos), was a hit and won as 3rd Best Picture. Vilma Santos, on the other hand, gave a notable performance in Roma Films’ Karugtong ang Kahapon. That time, Nora and Vilma were in their peak, their career and the movies they made were being followed closely, compared, watched, praised, scrutinized both by fans and critics. Their storied and fierce rivalry dominated our movie industry for years. In fact, one could argue that even to this day, a Filipino movie fan is either a Noranian or a Vilmanian…” – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

“…Starring Vilma, daughter of a “happy” couple Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero. Throw in the other woman of Eddie, Celia Rodriguez and as expected, another morality play was born. Shown at the first Metro Manila Film Festival…” – Mario O. Garces (READ MORE)

Buhay Artista

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Post-War – “…Ayon kay Mona Lisa, kasama siya sa tropa nina Fernando Poe, na siyang pangunahing aktor at direktor sa panahon ng giyera. Kasama nila sina Willie Chavez, Jaime dela Rosa at iba pa, nagpalipat-lipat sila sa Lyric, Capitol at Avenue Theaters. Ang artistang nakilala sa mga pelikulang, Ang Pagbabalik, Kolehiyala, Dilim at Liwanag, Bago Lumubog Ang Araw, Bahay Kubo at Magmamani ay napilitang kumanta, sumayaw at sumali sa mga iskit sa tanghalan. Bago pa lamang nagdadalaga si Virginia Montes sa gulang na katorse nang una niyang subukan ang stage shows sa mga huling taon ng WWII. Namatay sa giyera ang kaniyang ama at siya ang inaasahang tumulong sa kaniyang ina para sa buhayin silang magkakapatid. Kasama naman siya sa tropa ng mga nagsisipagtanghal sa Orient Theatre sa pamamahala ni Papang Salvador (Lou Salvador, Sr.) at ng kabiyak nitong si Aling Cora (ina nina Mina Aragon, Philip at Ramon Salvador). Sumasayaw sa stage si Virgie. Naalaala pa niya nang bago siya lumalabas ay naiiyak siya tuwing magsusuot siya ng maigsi. Pero wala naman siyang magawa, kasi iyon ang costume nila. Ang kanilang choreographer ay si Chuchi, sa supervision ni Don Jose Zarah na pagkatapos naman ng digmaan ay siyang namahala sa Clover Theatre. Kabilang sa mga artistang lumalabas sa mga stage shows noon sina Teroy de Guzman, Golay (kilala ngayon bilang Dolphy), Panchito Alba, Etang Discher, Rene Pangan, Chiquito, Balot, Metring David, Gregorio Ticman, Patsy, Lopito, Bayani Casimiro, Nieves at Ester Chavez…” – Irene Diaz-Castillo, Charlie V. Lozo and Liza Endaya, Ang Showbiz Ngayon, September 11, 1989 (READ MORE)

Television Show – “…The legendary comic duo of Dolphy and Panchito headlined Buhay Artista, one the top-rating TV shows in the 60s. A Sunday evening treat for the whole family telecast over Channel 3, from 7:30 t0 8:30 p.m….” – Simon Santos (READ MORE)

“…He is best remembered for the long-running TV show “Buhay Artista” (with Panchito) and “John en Marsha” with Nida Blanca as his with in an inspiring story about a poor yet happy family. The TV show was made into movies, just like “Home Along da Riles,” the show that followed it…” – Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, July 11, 2012 (READ MORE)

Susan and Dolphy in Buhay Artista (1967) – Susan played a movie fan who became a movie star, opposite Dolphy. The have done several films prior to Buhay Artista, some are: Lab na Lab Kita (1962); Pepe En Pilar (1966); Susanang Daldal (1962) and Sa Lingo ang Bola (1961).

“…”Malaki ang agwat ng edad namin ni Dolphy. Ang kabarkada ko talaga [noon], yung kapatid niya, si Georgie [Quizon],” banggit din ni Susan sa younger brother ni Dolphy na namatay sa isang aksidente [hit-and-run], ilang taon na ang nakakaraan. “Pero very supportive si Dolphy sa amin ni Georgie. “Pagka merong extra’ng trabaho, binibigyan niya kami, sa mga radio shows niya. Du’n naman ako na-train sa voice acting. “Marami din kaming pinagsamahan na radio programs, nung panahon na ‘yon, sa dzRH,” wika rin ni Susan na naging tampok sa Mga Reyna ng Vicks (1958), pelikulang base sa radio program na ang sponsor ay Vicks Vaporub. Ito rin ang pinagbasehan ng kuwento ng Sapagka’t Kami’y Mga Misis Lamang [1977], tampok pa rin si Susan, Nora Aunor, Celia Rodriguez at Chichay. “Nu’ng nag-produce na siya [Dolphy], pagkatapos ng kontrata niya sa Sampaguita Pictures, at nung ako naman ay freelancer na rin, muli kaming nagkasama sa marami ring proyekto ng RVQ Productions. “Kaming Mga Taga-Ilog [1968], Pepe En Pilar [1966]… hindi ko na halos mabilang,” ang sabi ni Susan…”Mabait si Dolphy. Although malayo ang agwat namin sa edad, hindi namin siya tinatawag na ‘Kuya’ o ‘Tito,’ dahil alam namin na hindi siya magiging masaya na tawagin namin siya nang gano’n. “Pero alam niya na iginagalang namin siya. Kagalang-galang na, katulad nga ng maraming sinabi, yung mga na-interview, sabi nila, ‘Pag nakikita mo si Dolphy, kakaiba siya. “Iilan lang sa mga public personalities natin na pagpasok nila [sa isang pagtitipon] parang mapapatigil ka sa kanya, [dahil sa] respeto. “Sa personal, hindi naman siya pala-kuwento. Ah, mas madalas tahimik siya at nakikinig siya sa mga kuwento. “Gusto niya, meron siyang nakaka-kuwentuhan, pero i-e-encourage ka niyang ikaw ang magkuwento. “Ang bonding moments namin [noon], siyempre… pagkain!” nangiti si Susan pagkabanggit nito. Then, she recalled, “Paborito niya yung huling pinaluto ko para sa kanya. “That was a few months ago, na nasa bahay lang siya at ang sabi ng doktor, kailangan kumain siya nang kumain… kare-kare, adobo. Yun ang mga gusto niya…” – William R. Reyes (READ MORE)

Vilma and Dolphy in Buhay Artista (1979) – Dolphy and Vilma Santos did four films together. The first one was in her first year in show biz and in a Dolphy-Chichay film. After six years, the two reunited in one of early films of Nida Blanca and Dolphy. The film was sort of about family planning and birth control. Vi was in minor role and one of the child actors featured in the film. They followed this up with minor roles in the Cirio Santiago’s all-star-cast film. By later part of 1970s, both Dolphy and Vilma became a regular staples in award shows receiving several trophies as box office king and queen. Finally, after almost a decade from their last outings and no longer his film daughter, Dolphy and Vilma did their last film (to this day), this time, Vilma played the leading lady, in a film, ironically, about show business. Also, that year, Doply became the only male actor who portrayed Darna, the female comic-super-heroine in Darna Kuno. Not to be undone, Vilma will reprise the role the following year in her fourth and final film as Darna in Darna at Ding. At present time, both superstars made headlines as contenders for Philippines’ National Artists honors. Vilma respectfully and publicly asked for Dolphy to confer the title ahead of her.

“…Nakapanayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at ilang entertainment press sina Vilma at Lani, at kanilang ikinuwento sa amin ang mga hindi nila malilimutang sandali kasama ang Comedy King. Malungkot si Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos-Recto sa pagpanaw ni Dolphy, at sa opinyon niya’y “napilay” ang industriya ng pelikula at telebisyon sa ating bansa. Gayunman, hindi niya kailanman malilimutan ang Hari ng Komedya dahil “legacy na siya ng movie industry.” Dagdag pa niya, “So, katawan lang ‘yan, pero ‘yong legacy na iniwan ni Tito Dolphs would, ah, will definitely stay in the movie industry. “Hindi mabubuo ang movie industry kung wala si Dolphy.” Nagkasama sina Vilma at Dolphy sa pelikulang Buhay Artista Ngayon (1979), at nang mapanood niya raw ulit ito’y naalala niya ang tawanan nila sa set noong ginagawa ang pelikula. Kuwento niya, “Grabe, na-miss ko si Tito Dolphy. Ang galing namin sumayaw! “‘Yong dance sequence namin nakaka-miss talaga. “Pero wala, kanya-kanyang kontribusyon ‘yon, and at the end of the day, what’s important is the legacy na iiwan mo sa mga taong nagmahal sa ’yo. “For sixty years nagsilbi si Tito Dolphs, so talagang he’s one of the pillars ng pelikulang Pilipino.” At kung ang National Artist Award naman ang pag-uusapan, ito lamang ang opinyon ni Ate Vi: “Deserving si Tito Dolphy. “Deserving sa contribution, sa ginawa niya, lahat, lahat ng ginagawa niya noon—deserving si Tito Dolphs…” – Joyce Jimenez (READ MORE)

MGA TITULO

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Tinaguriang King of Philippine Movies si Fernando Poe, Jr. samantalang si Susan Roces ang Queen of Philippine Movies. Si Amalia Fuentes ang Ms. Number One, si Juancho Gutierrez ang Mr. Number One. Si Dolphy ang Comedy King, si Ai Ai de las Alas naman ang Comedy Concert Queen. Ang dating mag-asawang sina Martin Nievera at Pops Fernandez ang tinaguriang Concert King and Queen. Si Regine Velasquez ang Asia’s Songbird, si Lani Misalucha ang Asia’s Nightingale at si Pilita Corrales ang Asia’s Queen of Songs. Si Boy Abunda ang King of Talk samantalang si Kris Aquino ang Queen of All Media. Si Inday Badiday ang Queen of Intrigues, si Ike Lozada ang Dambuhalang DJ at si German Moreno ang Master Showman. Tinawag na Mr. Pure Energy si Gary Valenciano, si Sarah Geronimo ang Pop Princess samantalang si Maricel Soriano ang Diamond Star. Si Sharon Cuneta ang Megastar at si Nora Aunor ang Superstar. Si Ms. Vilma Santos ay binigyan din ng titulong Star for All Seasons subali’t marami pa ding ibang bansag sa kanya. Nasa buwan na tayo ng Abril kaya’t sa ating ALAM NYO BA? Part 82 ay isa-isahin natin ang mga naging titulo o bansag kay Ms. Vilma Santos.

The Movie Queen – Sa mga artistang nagreyna, si Queen Vi lang yata ang nakagawa ng humigit kumulang na dalawang daang pelikula. ‘Yung mga artistang nagreyna noon ay halos tumagal lamang ng isang dekada at pagkatapos ay mga supporting roles na lang ang kanilang ginagampanan. Si Queen Vi, sa kabilang banda ay tumagal ng halos limang dekada pero hanggang sa kasalukuyan ay bida pa rin ang kanyang mga ginagampanang roles sa kanyang mga pelikula. Marami sa mga pelikula ni Queen Vi ay kumita sa takilya at kinilala ng mga award giving bodies katulad ng FAMAS, Star Awards for Movies, Gawad Urian, Catholic Mass Media Award, Film Academy of the Philippines at Metro Manila Film Festival. Hindi lang mga pelikula ni Queen Vi ang kinilala ng iba’t ibang award giving bodies kundi pati ang kanyang mga pagganap. Sa mga nagreyna, si Queen Vi lang ang may pinakamaraming best actress award.

Ilan sa mga naging awards ni Queen Vi bilang reyna ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 1970 – Most Popular Loveteam ang Vilma-Edgar (Liwayway Publications)
  • 1971 – Miss Philippine Movies
  • 1972 – Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino
  • 1973 – Queen of Philippine Movies (BAMCI Promotions)
  • 1974 – Queen of Movie Stars (Life Publishing)
  • 1974 – Miss RP Movies (BAMCI Promotions)
  • 1975 – Miss RP Movies
  • 1975 – Queen of Southern Luzon Movies
  • 1980 – Miss Philippine Movies (PD Productions)
  • 1981 – Miss Philippine Movies-USA
  • 1983 – RP Movies Queen of Queens (Prime International Promotions)
  • 1983 – Her Highness Queen of Philippine Movies (Catholic Women’s League)
  • 1988 – Queen of Philippine Movies (Star Publishing)

Ilan pa din sa mga awards ni Queen Vi ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 1973 – Most Cooperative Star (Philippine Movie Press Club)
  • 1974 – Best Dressed Actress
  • 1975 – Fiesta Filipina (FPBA Reyna Elena)
  • 1976 – Most Appealing Star
  • 1980 – Paborito Ng Press (Philippine Movie Press Club)
  • 1981 – One of the Ten Loveliest Actresses (BBC Channel 2)
  • 1983 – Most Popular Star (Philippine Movie Press Club)
  • 1990 – Darling of The Press (Star Awards for Movies)
  • 1994 – Achievement Award – Parangal Ng Bayan
  • 1997 – Grand Achievement Award – Parangal Ng Bayan
  • 1998 – Lifetime Achievement Award (GMMSF, FAMAS)
  • 1999 – Natatanging Artista ng Taon (PASADO)
  • 2000 – Special Recognition for Winning at Brusells Film Festival (NCCA, Pelikula at Lipunan)
  • 2000 – Lifetime Achievement Award (Cinemanila International Film Festival)
  • 2003 – Lifetime Achievement Award (Cinemanila International Film Festival)
  • 2005 – All Time Favorite Actress (GMMSF)
  • 2008 – Ulirang Artista (Star Awards for Movies)
  • 2010 – Lino Brocka Achievement Award (Enpress)

The Television Queen – Nagteleserye si Vi via Larawan ng Pag-ibig na napanood sa Channel 3 noong 1963. Ang teleserye ay isinapelikula ng Vitri Films at tinampukan din nina Eva Darren, Willie Sotelo, Ben David at Rosita Noble na sinulat, iniskripan at dinerek ni Jose Miranda Cruz. Ipinalabas ang nasabing pelikula noong Hulyo 19, 1964. Nagdrama anthology din si Vi sa pamamagitan ng Oh My Love! at Dulambuhay Ni Rosa Vilma. The Sensations sa ABS CBN 2 ang unang musical variety show ni Vi kasama sina Edgar Mortiz, Perla Adea, Romy Mallari, Baby de Jesus, Tony Santos Jr., Ike Lozada, Rhodora Silva, Darius Razon at Angge. Katulad ng Larawan Ng Pag-ibig, isinapelikula din ito ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions na ipinalabas noong Abril 10, 1971 sa panulat nina Rose Reynaldo at Tony Dantes, iskrip at direksiyon ni Tony Santos Sr. Kasama din sa pelikula sina Vic Pacia, Ben David at Beth Manlongat. Nang ideklara ang martial law, napilitang magsara ang ABS CBN 2, kung kaya’t lumipat ang grupo ng The Sensations sa ibang tv station at ang naging titulo ng programa nila ay Santos, Mortiz & Associates. Hindi rin nagtagal ang Santos, Mortiz & Associates at nagsolo na lang sina Vi at Bobot. Ayan Eh! ang sumunod na programa ni Vi. Sumunod na programa ni Vi ay isang taped musical variety show na may pamagat na Vilma Santos Very Special kung saan si Mitos Villareal ang kanyang direktor.

Huminto sa telebisyon si Vi nang mapangasawa si Edu Manzano subali’t nang madiskubre niya na baon pala siya sa utang dahil sa mismanagement ng kanyang VS Films kung kaya’t napilitan siyang tumanggap ng tv show via Vilma In Person sa BBC 2 kung saan si Bert de Leon ang kanyang naging direktor. Nang magkaroon ng Edsa 1, lumipat ang VIP sa GMA 7 via Vilma! Ang initial telecast ng Vilma! ay ginanap sa Araneta Coliseum kung saan punung-puno ng tao ang loob ng coliseum. Hindi naman kataka-taka na maging number one ito sa rating. Since then, wala ng ibang musical variety show na umabante sa Vilma! Talbog silang lahat at tinawag pang Central Bank ng GMA 7 ang Vilma Show dahil sa dami ng commercial loads nito na sila na mismo ang tumatanggi sa ibang nais magpasok ng kanilang mga commercial. Hindi lang sa commercial nangunguna ang Vilma! dahil kahit sa concept, guests, awards at production numbers eh talagang number one ang nasabing show. Higit sa lahat, si Vi ang highest paid tv star nang mga panahong ‘yun. Taong 1995 nang magpaalam si Vi sa Vilma! show dahil gusto niyang magkaanak kay Sen. Ralph Recto subali’t matapos maipanganak si Ryan Christian ay nagbalik telebisyon si Vi sa pamamagitan ng Vilma Tonite!. Isang season lang ang itinagal ng nasabing show. Kabilang naman sa ginawang telemovie ni Vi ay ang Lamat Sa Kristal, Katuparan, Once There Was A Love, Correctional, Bugso at Maalaala Mo Kaya: Regalo episode. Tele-Vi ang pamagat ng show sa Channel 4 kung saan ay linggu-linggong inilalabas ang mga pelikula ni Vi. Si Mario Hernando ang nagre-review ng mga nasabing pelikula. Si Vi ay naging host ng Star Awards for Movies, Star Awards for TV at Gawad Urian Award.

Speaking of TV awards, ang mga awards na nakamit ni Vi at ng Vilma! ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 1974 – Most Effective TV Actress (EMEE Award)
  • 1987 – Best Musical Variety Show Host (Star Awards for TV)
  • 1987 – Best Musical Variety Show (CMMA)
  • 1988 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV, CMMA)
  • 1989 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV, CMMA)
  • 1990 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV)
  • 1990 – Hall of Fame in Musical Variety Show (CMMA)
  • 1990 – New York International Awards for TV (Finalist)
  • 1991 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV, Golden Dove)
  • 1992 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV)
  • 1994 – Best Musical Variety Show (Star Awards for TV)
  • 1998 – Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2005 – Best Single Performance By An Actress – MMK: Regalo episode (Star Awards for TV)

The Dancing Queen – Sabi ni Vi, ang kanyang pagkanta ay para lang sa mga Vilmanians subali’t pagdating sa sayawan ay lalaban siya ng sabayan. Di nga ba’t sa kanyang tv show na The Sensations ay nagkaroon ng Vilma’s penguin dance? Hindi kumpleto ang Friday night ng mga televiewers kapag hindi nila napanood ang opening dance number ni Vi sa kanyang musical variety show na Vilma! Halos lahat na yata ng sayaw ay naisayaw na ni Vi sa Vilma! May singkil, African dance, lambada, dirty dancing, twist, elephant walk, limbo rock, rock, ballroom dancing, jerk at marami pang iba dahilan para manguna ang nasabing show sa mga rating. Sa mga TV guestings niya ay palaging sayaw ang kanyang panlaban katulad na lang nung mag-guest siya sa initial telecast ng tv show ni Randy Santiago na Shades kung saan sumayaw siya sa tugtog ng Dancing Queen. Nagpaligsahan naman sila ni Alma Moreno sa pagsasayaw noong unang Star Awards for TV. Kontodo may mga sulo pang dala ang mga back-up dancers ni Alma subali’t hindi nagpatalbog si Vi at ang VIP dancers. Ang simple lang ng kanyang ginawang dance number subali’t pinalakpakan ito ng husto. Napaka-graceful at magaang kasayaw ni Vi. Dahil sa husay sa pagsayaw kung kaya’t ilang beses ding naimbitahan si Vi ng PMPC para mag-perform ng isang dance number sa Star Awards for TV. Dahil ang Vilma! ay ginaganap sa Metropolitan Theater kung kaya’t nang magkaroon ng benefit show ang MET ay pinaunlakan ni Vi ang kanilang imbitasyon na magkaroon siya ng isang dance number. Bata pa lang si Vi ay may pelikula na siyang ipinapakita ang kanyang kagalingan sa pagsasayaw katulad ng Ging (1964). Gumawa din si Vi ng mga musical films katulad ng Let’s Do The Salsa (1976), Disco Fever (1978), Swing It Baby (1979), Rock Baby Rock (1979) at Good Morning Sunshine (1980). May mga pelikula din si Vi na sumasayaw siya kagaya ng King Khayam & I (1974), Nakakahiya? (1975), Hindi Nakakahiya Part II (1976), T Bird At Ako (1982), Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988) at In My Life (2009). Sina Lito Calzado, Geleen Eugenio, Aldeguer Sisters at Maribeth Bichara ang kanyang mga naging choreographer.

The Drama Queen – Si Vi ay itinuring din na isang drama queen dahil sa kanyang mga naging pagganap sa pelikula na pulos iyakan katulad ng Trudis Liit (1963), Anak Ang Iyong Ina (1963), Ging (1964), Naligaw Na Anghel (1964), Kay Tagal Ng Umaga (1965), Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit (1966), Kasalanan Kaya? (1968), Sino Ang May Karapatan (1968), Dama de Noche (1972), Tag-ulan Sa Tag-araw (1975), Mga Rosas Sa Putikan (1976), Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon (1977), Masarap, Masakit Ang Umibig (1977), Burlesk Queen (1977), Nakawin Natin Ang Bawa’t Sandali (1978), Rubia Servios (1978), Halik Sa Paa, Halik Sa Kamay (1979), Langis At Tubig (1980), Ex-Wife (1981), Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981), Hiwalay (1981), Karma (1981), Relasyon (1982), Sinasamba Kita (1982), Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? (1982), Paano Ba Ang Mangarap? (1983), Broken Marriage (1983), Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan (1983), Adultery: Aida Macaraeg Case No. 7892 (1984), Alyas Baby Tsina (1984), Muling Buksan Ang Puso (1985), Tagos Ng Dugo (1987), Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig? (1987), Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988), Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989), Hahamakin Lahat (1990), Kapag Langit Ang Humatol (1990), Ipagpatawad Mo (1991), Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Lipa; Arandia Massacre (1994), Hanggang Ngayon Ika’y Minamahal (1997), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998), Anak (2000), Dekada ’70 (2002), Mano Po 3: My Love (2004) at In My Life (2009).

Ang mga sumusunod ang kanyang mga best actress awards:

  • FAMAS – Dama de Noche (1972), Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981), Relasyon (1982), Tagos Ng Dugo (1987) at Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988)
  • Gawad URIAN – Relasyon (1982), Broken Marriage (1983), Sister Stella L (1984), Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989), Ipagpatawad Mo (1991), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998) at Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • FAP – Relasyon (1982), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998) at Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • STAR Awards for Movies – Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998), Dekada ’70 (2002), Mano Po 3: My Love (2004) at In My Life (2009)
  • CMMA – Relasyon (1982) at Tagos Ng Dugo (1987)
  • MMFF – Burlesk Queen (1977), Karma (1981), Imortal (1989) at Mano Po 3: My Love (2004)
  • MMF – Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)
  • YCC – Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998) at Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • PASADO – Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998), Anak (2000) at Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • Gawad TANGLAW – Dekada ’70 (2002), Mano Po 3: My Love (2004) at In My Life (2009)
  • Gawad SURI – Mano Po 3: My Love (2004) at In My Life (2009)
  • Gawad Genio – In My Life (2009)
  • MTRCB Awards for Movies – In My Life (2009)
  • GMMSF – In My Life (2009)
  • BACOLOD City Film Festival – Nakakahiya? (1975)
  • CEBU City Film Fesival – Karma (1981)
  • SIASI, JOLO Critics Award – Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998)
  • MOVIE MAGAZINE – Tagos Ng Dugo (1987), Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989), Ipagpatawad Mo (1991) at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)
  • CINEMASCOOP Award – Tagos Ng Dugo (1987)
  • CHANNEL 2 Viewers Choice Award – Imortal (1989)
  • INTRIGUE MAGAZINE Readers Choice – Ipagpatawad Mo (1991) at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)
  • NEW FAME MAGAZINE Readers Choice – Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)
  • CINEMA ONE’S Rave Award (Critics) – Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • CINEMA ONE’S Rave Award (Readers) – Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • Brussels International Film Festival – Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1999)
  • CINEMANILA Film Festival – Dekada ’70 (2002)
  • Aktres Ng Dekada – Gawad Urian (80’s at 90’s)
  • Aktres Ng Dekada – Star Awards for Movies – (90’s)
  • Circle of Excellence – FAMAS (Sinungaling Mong Puso – 1992 at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story – 1993)

Naging FAMAS best child actress si Vi para sa kanyang unang pelikulang Trudis Liit (1963) at San Beda best supporting actress para sa pelikulang Kasalanan Kaya? (1968).

The Grand Slam Queen – Si Vi ang kauna-unahang grand slam best actress dahil winalis niya lahat ng best actress award sa lahat ng award giving bodies noong 1983 sa pamamagitan ng pelikula ni Ishmael Bernal na Relasyon. Nanalo siyang best actress sa FAMAS, Gawad Urian, FAP, CMMA at Let’s Talk Movies. Noong taong 1992, si Lorna Tolentino ay naka-grand slam best actress din para sa pelikulang Narito Ang Puso Ko mula sa FAMAS, Gawad Urian, FAP at Star Awards for Movies subali’t sa New Fame Magazine Reader’s Choice, si Vi ang nanalo ng best actress para sa pelikulang Sinungaling Mong Puso. Nabawi agad ni Vi ang grand slam best actress kay Lorna noong taong 1993 para sa pelikula ni Laurice Guillen na Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story mula sa Gawad Urian, FAP, Star Awards for Movies, MFF, Movie Magazine, Intrigue Magazine Reader’s Choice at New Fame Magazine Reader’s Choice. Noong taong 1995, si Nora Aunor ay naka-grand slam best actress din para sa pelikulang The Flor Contemplacion Story mula Gawad Urian (ka-tie si Helen Gamboa para sa pelikulang Bagong Bayani), FAP at Star Awards for Movies.

Noong taong 1996, si Sharon Cuneta ang naka-grand slam best actress para sa pelikulang Madrasta mula sa FAMAS, Gawad Urian (ka-tie si Nora Aunor para sa pelikulang Bakit May Kahapon Pa?), FAP at Star Awards for Movies. Grand slam best actress muli si Vi para sa pelikula ni Chito Roño na Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? noong taong 1998 mula sa Brussels International Film Festival, Gawad Urian, FAP, Star Awards for Movies (ka-tie si Nida Blanca para sa pelikulang Sana Pag-ibig Na), YCC, Pasado at Siasi, Jolo Critics Award. Ang ika-apat na grand slam best actress award ni Vi ay sa pelikula ulit ni Chito Roño na Dekada ’70 noong taong 2002 mula sa Cinemanila International Film Festival, Gawad Urian, FAP, Star Awards for Movies, YCC, Pasado, Gawad Tanglaw, Cinema One’s Rave Award – Critic’s & People’s Choice. Sa kabuuan, apat pa lang ang naging grand slam best actress subali’t si Vi lang ang tanging nakaapat na grand slam best actress.

The Gawad Urian Queen – Sa mga artista, si Vi ang may pinakamaraming Gawad Urian award. Walo ang kanyang best actress award sa Gawad Urian kabilang na ang mga pelikula nina Ishmael Bernal (Relasyon -1982, Broken Marriage – 1983 at Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga -1989), Mike de Leon (Sister Stella L -1984), Laurice Guillen (Ipagpatawad Mo -1991 at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story -1993), Chito Roño (Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? -1998) at Dekada ’70 – 2002). Dalawa ang kanyang Aktres ng Dekada Award (’80s at ’90s) mula sa Gawad Urian. Ang Pagputi Ng Uwak, Pag-itim Ng Tagak (1978) ay naging best picture ng Gawad Urian kung saan ang kanyang VS Films ang nag-produce. Sa mga artistang babae, si Vi lang ang nakakuha ng tatlong best actress sa loob ng tatlong sunud-sunod na taon (Relasyon – 1982, Broken Marriage – 1983 at Sister Stella L – 1984).

The Box Office Queen – Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1973), Darna & The Giants (1973), Batya’t Palu-Palo (1974), Nakakahiya? (1975), Hindi Nakakahiya Part II (1976), Let’s Do The Salsa (1976), Masarap, Masakit Ang Umibig (1977), Burlesk Queen (1977), Nakawin Natin Ang Bawa’t Sandali (1978), Disco Fever (1978), Rubia Servios (1978), Miss X (1980), Langis At. Tubig (1980), Ex-Wife (1981), Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981), Karma (1981), Relasyon (1982), Sinasamba Kita (1982), Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan? (1982), Paano Ba Ang Mangarap? (1983), Adultery: Aida Macaraeg Case No. 7892 (1984), Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow (1986), Tagos Ng Dugo (1987), Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig? (1987), Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988), Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (1989), Imortal (1989), Kapag Langit Ang Humatol (1990), Ipagpatawad Mo (1991), Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992), Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993), Relaks Ka Lang Sagot Kita (1994), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998), Anak (2002) at In My Life (2009) ang ilan sa mga box-office hits na mga pelikula ni Vi.

Ilan sa mga awards na natanggap ni Vi bilang box-office champion ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 1974 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (Manila Overseas Press Club)
  • 1978 – Philippine Movie Box Office Queen (PD Promotions)
  • 1978 – Box-Office Champion (Grand Total Productions)
  • 1978 – Box-Office Champion (Big Ike’s Happening)
  • 1979 – Box-Office Champion (Gand Total Productions)
  • 1979 – Box-Office Champion (Big Ike’s Happening)
  • 1979 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (Mecca Productions)
  • 1980 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (PD Productions)
  • 1981 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (Geebees Productions)
  • 1982 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (GMMSF)
  • 1982 – Cinehan Award’s Box-Office Queen (Metro Manila Theaters Association)
  • 1982 – Top Female Star-Takilya Award (KASIPIL)
  • 1984 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (GMMSF)
  • 1996 – Longest Reigning Box-Office Queen (City of Manila)
  • 2001 – Box-Office Queen of Philippine Movies (GMMSF)
  • 2006 – Longest Box Office Reign (Gawad Suri)

The Hall of Fame Queen – Limang best actress awards ang nakamit ni Vi kung kaya’t nabigyan siya ng FAMAS ng Hall of Fame. Naging FAMAS best actress si Vi sa mga pelikula nina Emmanuel H. Borlaza (Dama de Noche -1972), Elwood Perez (Pakawalan Mo Ako -1981 at Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988), Ishmael Bernal (Relasyon -1982) at Maryo J. de los Reyes (Tagos Ng Dugo -1987). Si Vi ang pangalawang best actress Hall of Famer ng FAMAS…..si Charito Solis ang una. Hindi lang FAMAS Hall of Famer si Vi dahil siya din ang unang recipient ng FAMAS Circle of Excellence para sa mga pelikulang Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992) at Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993). Dahil sa dami ng kanyang box-office queen award kung kaya’t binigyan din si Vi ng Hall of Fame Box-Office Queen ng Guillermo Mendoza Memorial Scholarship Foundation noong 1986. Nakatanggap din ang kanyang Vilma! show ng Hall of Fame in Musical Variety Show mula sa Catholic Mass Media Awards noong 1990. Samantala, binigyan din si Vi ng Outstanding Mayor Hall of Fame ng Regional Sandugo noong taong 2005.

The Mayor – Sa last shooting day ng Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? kinausap niya ang mga Vilmanians na present sa nasabing shooting kung gusto ba nila na kumandidato siyang mayor ng Lipa City dahil marami ang may gustong kumandidato siya kabilang na ang mga pari, madre at iba’t ibang sektor ng nasabing lungsod. Sinabi niya na tutuloy siya sa pagkandidato kung magbibigay ng “sign” ang nasa Itaas. Hindi naman niya sinabi kung anong “sign” ‘yun. Sa last day of filing ng candidacy ay ibinigay ng nasa Itaas ang hinihiling niyang “sign.” Tumakbo siyang punung-lungsod ng Lipa at tinalo niya ng “landslide” ang kanyang kalaban na ninong niya sa kasal na si Mayor Ruben Umali. Nag-aral siya ng public administration sa Unibersidad ng Pilipinas para sa paghahanda sa kanyang pag-upo bilang punung-lungsod. Bilang first woman city mayor of Lipa City, napaunlad niya ang ekonomiya at nagkaroon ng mga infrastructure development ang nasabing lungsod. Upang hindi malulong sa masasamang bisyo ang mga kabataan ay nagkaroon sila ng VSR (Voices, Songs & Rhytms), isang timpalak sa awitan. Sa pangalawang termino niya bilang punung-lungsod ng Lipa ay tinalo naman niya ng landslide din ang anak ni Mayor Umali na si King Umali hanggang sa matapos niya ang tatlong termino noong 2007.

Ang ilan sa mga awards ni Mayor Vi bilang punung-lungsod ng Lipa ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 2000 – Best Overall Local Council Performance (Boy Scout of the Philippines)
  • 2000 – Outstanding Mayor in Region IV (Asosasyon ng mga Komentarista at Anaunser sa Pilipinas)
  • 2000 – Outstanding City Mayor (Civil Service Commission)
  • 2001 – Regional Sandugo Outstanding Local Executive (Department of Health)
  • 2002 – Presidential Award as the cleanest & greenest local government unit in Region IV
  • 2002 – Ten Outstanding Achievers
  • 2005 – Gawad Suri Award for Exemplary Public Servant
  • 2005 – Honorary Key to Jersey City (New Jersey, USA)
  • 2005 – Bright Smiles, Bright Future Award, Mga Munting Ngiti (Intl. Association of Pediatric Dentistry at Sydney, Australia)
  • 2005 – Honorary Member of the UP College of Public Health Alumni Society & keynote speaker to their 26th annual convention in Manila
  • 2005 – Huwarang Pilipino Award (Parangal sa Pamilyang Pilipino Organization & office of the President)
  • 2005 – Regional Sandugo Outstanding Mayor Hall of Fame
  • 2005 – Doctor of Humanities, Honoris Causa (Lipa City Public College)
  • 2006 – Unlad Pilipinas Award (Mga Munting Ngiti)
  • 2006 – Positive Role Model (Survey among students)
  • 2006 – Oustanding City Mayor Award (DSWD)
  • 2006 – Gawad Munting Ngiti Awardee & keynote speaker to the 7th Annual Conference of National Association of Dental Trade
  • 2007 – People of the Year (People Asia Magazine)

The Governor – Nang matapos ang termino ni Mayor Vi bilang punung-lungsod ng Lipa, hinilingan na naman siya para kumandidatong gobernador ng lalawigan ng Batangas. Nagkaroon ng problema sa pamilya dahil ang kanyang bayaw na si Ricky Recto ay gusto ring kumandidatong gobernador subali’t naplantsa din ang problemang ito. Lumaban siya bilang gobernador ng lalawigan at tinalo niya ng “landslide” ang kanyang kalabang si Armand Sanchez. Si Governor Vi ang first woman governor ng Batangas. Sa pangalawang pagkakataon, lumabang muli si Gov. Vi at nakalabang muli si Armand Sanchez subali’t bago mag-eleksiyon ay inatake sa puso si Sanchez at ito ay sumakabilang buhay. Ang asawa nitong si Sto. Tomas City Mayor Edna Sanchez ang pumalit sa kanya para labanan si Gov. Vi subali’t tinalo pa rin ng “landslide” ni Gov. Vi ang biyuda ni Sanchez. Bilang ina ng lalawigan, ang prayoridad pa rin ni Gov. Vi ay ang kanyang HEARTS program (Health, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Tourism and Security). Hindi niya alintana ang mga taong bumabatikos sa kanya dahil siya ay may political will.

Ilan sa mga naging programa niya sa lalawigan ay ang mga sumusunod:

  • 1. Namahagi ng mga health cards.
  • 2. Nagkaroon ng mga medical at dental mission.
  • 3. Ipina-dismantle ang mga illegal cages sa Taal Lake.
  • 4. Nagkaroon ng clean-up drive sa buong lalawigan para sugpuin ang mga sakit katulad ng dengue, atbp.
  • 5. Itinatag ang Pusong May K ni Gov. Vi para sa mga taong may kapansanan.
  • 6. Ipinagpatuloy sa Batangas City ang VSR Timpalak Awitan
  • 7. At marami pang iba.

The Star For All Seasons – Si Julio Cinco Nigado ang nagbigay kay Vi ng titulong ito nang mag-initial telecast ang Vilma! show sa GMA 7 noong taong 1986. Bakit Star for All Seasons? Nang ipinalabas ang pelikulang Anak (2000) sa mga sinehan sa Metro Manila ay usung-uso noon ang mga bomb threats subali’t hindi ito inalintana ng mga taong nanood. Sa katunayan, nang pinanood ko ang pelikulang ito sa SM Megamall for the nth time eh may sumigaw na isang babae kung kaya’t naglabasan ang mga tao. Ang pelikulang ito ang nagbigay muli sa kanya ng titulong Box-Office Queen mula sa GMMSF kahit na Hall of Famer na siya. Samantala, bumabagyo nang magbukas sa mga sinehan ang mga pelikulang Sinungaling Mong Puso at Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? subali’t tinangkilik pa rin ng publiko quesehodang isampa nila ang kanilang mga paa sa silya ng mga sinehan ganundin ang In My Life na kumita ng mahigit na Php20 million pesos sa opening day. Ang In My Life ay ipinalabas sa iba’t ibang lugar ng mundo. Nagkabasag-basag naman ang mga salamin ng sinehan sa Gotesco Theater nang mag-premiere night ang mga pelikulang Pakawalan Mo Ako at Sinungaling Mong Puso. Naiwan naman ang mga tsinelas ng mga nanood sa New Frontier Theater nang mag-premiere night ang mga pelikulang Sinasamba Kita at Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?

Ang pelikulang Lipad, Darna, Lipad! (1973) ang nag-alis ng tawag kay Vi bilang poor second to Nora Aunor dahil inilampaso nito ang pelikula ni Nora Aunor at Joseph Estrada na Erap Is My Guy. Una na rito ay inilampaso din nito ang pelikula ni Fernando Poe, Jr. na Esteban. Winalis ng pelikulang Burlesk Queen (1977) ang halos lahat ng awards sa MMFF at ito pa rin ang itinanghal na Top Grosser sa nasabing film festival. Hindi man nanalong best performer si Vi para sa pelikulang handog ng Sampaguita Pictures sa 1978 MMFF na Rubia Servios subali’t tinalbugan nito sa takilya ang pelikula ng nanalong best actress na si Nora Aunor para sa pelikulang Atsay. Sa katunayan, sa Coronet Theater sa Cubao, Quezon ay palabas ang dalawang pelikula…ang haba-haba ng pila sa Rubia Servios samantalang sa Atsay ay walang pila kung kaya’t inaway ng mga pikong Noranians ang mga Vilmanians. Si Vi ay itinambal sa mga senior actors katulad nina George Estregan (Wonder Vi – 1973 at Amorseko Kumakabit, Kumakapit! – 1978), Fernando Poe, Jr. (Batya’t Palu-Palo – 1974, Bato Sa Buhangin – 1976 at Ikaw Ang Mahal Ko – 1996), Joseph Estrada (King Khayam & I – 1974), Eddie Rodriguez (Nakakahiya? – 1975, Hindi Nakakahiya Part II – 1976, Simula Ng Walang Katapusan – 1978, Halik Sa Paa, Halik Sa Kamay – 1979, Hiwalay – 1981)…

Chiquito (Teribol Dobol – 1975), Jun Aristorenas (Vilma Veinte Nueve – 1975, Mapagbigay Ang Mister Ko – 1976), Romeo Vasquez (Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin – 1976, Pulot-Gata Pwede Kaya? – 1977, Dalawang Pugad, Isang Ibon – 1977, Pinagbuklod Ng Pag-ibig – 1978, Bakit Kailangan Kita? – 1978, Pag-ibig Ko Sa Iyo Lang Ibibigay – 1978, Swing It Baby – 1979, Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya – 1980 at Ayaw Kong Maging Querida – 1983), Dante Rivero (Susan Kelly Edad 20 – 1977), Eddie Gutierrez (Promo Girl – 1978 at Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin – 1986), Dolphy (Buhay Artista Ngayon – 1979), Dindo Fernando (Langis At Tubig – 1980, Hiwalay – 1981, T-Bird At Ako – 1982, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan – 1982, Alyas Baby Tsina – 1984 at Muling Buksan Ang Puso – 1985), Ronaldo Valdez (Karma – 1981), Eddie Garcia (Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan Ang Nakaraan – 1983, Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow – 1986 at Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988), Mario Montenegro (Adultery: Aida Macaraeg Case No. 7892 – 1984) at Ramon Revilla (Arrest: Patrolman Risal Alih Zamboanga Massacre – 1989). Si Vi ay itinambal din sa mga aktor na mas bata sa kanya katulad nina Lloyd Samartino (Good Morning Sunshine – 1980), Niño Muhlach (Darna At Ding – 1980), Gabby Concepcion (Asawa Ko, Huwag Mong Agawin – 1986, Ibigay Mo Sa Akin Ang Bukas – 1987, Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga – 1989, Hahamakin Lahat – 1990 at Sinungaling Mong Puso – 1992)…

Miguel Rodriguez (Tagos Ng Dugo – 1987, Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988), Lito Pimentel (Tagos Ng Dugo – 1987), Richard Gomez (Tagos Ng Dugo – 1987 at Kapag Langit Ang Humatol – 1990), Joey Hipolito (Tagos Ng Dugo – 1987), Ricky Davao (Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig? – 1987 at Imortal – 1989), Tonton Gutierrez (Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig? – 1987), Gary Valenciano (Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988), Eric Quizon (Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988, Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga – 1989 at Hahamakin Lahat – 1990), Aga Muhlach (Sinungaling Mong Puso – 1992 at Nag-iisang Bituin – 1994), Cesar Montano (Ikaw Lang – 1993), Ronnie Ricketts (Ikaw Lang – 1993), Ramon Revilla, Jr. (Relaks Ka Lang Sagot Kita – 1994), Albert Martinez (Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? – 1998), Raymond Bagatsing (Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? – 1998), Ariel Rivera (Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? – 1998), Jay Manalo (Mano Po 3: My Love – 2004) at John Lloyd Cruz (In My Life – 2009). Hindi man professional singer si Vi subali’t nakagawa siya ng pitong long playing albums…tatlo dito ay solo album (SIXTEEN, SWEET SWEET VILMA at SING VILMA SING), tatlo ay duet nila ni Edgar Mortiz (SWEETHEARTS, THE SENSATION at ALL I SEE IS YOU) at isang christmas album ng mga recording artists ng Wilears Records (CHRISTMAS CAROLS). Meron ding siyang ginawang mini-long playing albums (SOMETHING STUPID at BABY VI).

Ilan sa mga naisaplakang awitin ni Vi ay ang Sixteen, 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, Love Love, Don’t You Break My Heart, May The Good Lord Bless And 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, A Wonderful Day, 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, He’s So Near (Yet So Far Away), I Love You Honey, Always With You, 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, My First Kiss, To Love Again, I Wonder Why, Have A Goodtime, Yeahoo, I Have Dream, My Boy Lollipop, Always, Atin Cu Pung Singsing, Baby Cakes, Little Brown Gal, Nine Little Teardrops, Jealous Heart, The Wonderful World of Music, I Understand, I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus at Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Something Stupid, Goodnight My Love, Hawaiian Medley, Seven Lonely Days, Mandolins In The Moonlight, Daddy, Seventeen, Palung-Palo Ako, Walang Umiibig, Basta’t Isipin Mong Mahal Kita, Mamang Kutsero, Tok Tok Palatok at Batya’t Palu-Palo.

Ang mga awiting Sixteen at Palung-Palo ako ay naging gold record award. Samantala, naging FAMAS best child actress (Trudis Liit – 1963), San Beda best supporting actress (Kasalanan Kaya? – 1968), best actress (FAMAS, Gawad Urian, FAP, CMMA, Star Awards for Movies, Gawad Tanglaw, PASADO, Gawad Suri at iba’t ibang film festivals – local and foreign) at producer of best film (Pagputi Ng Uwak, Pag-itim Ng Tagak – FAMAS at Gawad Urian). Sumulat ng isang kuwento (Biktima – 1974), naging direktor ng isang telemovie (Lazarito – GMA 7), naging tagapayo sa isang radio soap (From You To Me Vilma – DWWW). Naging idolo ng mga kilalang celebrities katulad nina Sharon Cuneta, Kris Aquino, Ai Ai de las Alas, Claudine Barretto, Amalia Fuentes, Liezl Sumilang, Boots Anson Roa, Imelda Ilanan at marami pang iba. Gusto ding maiderek ng mga direktor na sina Carlos Siguion Reyna, Jeffrey Jeturian, Armando Lao, Adolf Alix Jr., Jerry Lopez Sineneng, Peque Gallaga, Brillante Mendoza at marami pang iba. Nagampanan na halos ang lahat ng roles…kerida (Relasyon – 1982), OFW (Anak – 2000), madreng rebelde (Sister Sella L – 1984), cancer victim (Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga – 1989), dual role (Dama de Noche – 1972), burlesque dancer (Bulesk Queen – 1977), inang may anak na autistic (Ipagpatawad Mo – 1991), person with aids (Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story – 1993), abogada (Relaks Ka Lang, Sagot Kita – 1994), inang may dalawang anak sa magkaibang ama (Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? – 1998), inang tahimik (Dekada ’70 – 2002), babaeng nagbebenta ng aliw (Miss X – 1980), bulag (Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos – 1988), bilanggo (Alyas Baby Tsina – 1984), adulteresa (Adultery: Aida Macaraeg Case No. 7892 – 1984), kuba (Kampanerang Kuba – 1974), pipi (Hatinggabi Na Vilma – 1972), babaeng pumapatay pag may regla (Tagos Ng Dugo – 1987), beauty queen (Mga Reynang Walang Trono – 1976), rape victim (Rubia Servios – 1978), bida-kontrabida (Sinasamba Kita – 1982 at Hahamakin Lahat – 1990), katulong (Kapag Langit Ang Humatol – 1990), pilay (Little Darling – 1972), Darna (Lipad, Darna, Lipad – 1973, Darna & The Giants – 1973, Darna vs. The Planetwomen -1975 at Darna at Ding – 1980), sirena (Dyesebel At Ang Mahiwagang Kabibe – 1973), konduktora (Ang Konduktora – 1972), tindera (Tsismosang Tindera – 1973) at marami pang iba.

Ilan pa sa mga naging awards ni Vi ay ang mga sumusunod

  • 1975 – Most Outsanding Nueva Ecijana (Local Government of Nueva Ecija)
  • 1992 – Ten Outstanding Young Achievers Award (Quezon City Jaycees)
  • 1997 – Celebrity Mother of Gintong Ina Award (Dove Foundation)
  • 1998 – One of the Most Outstanding Manileño (City of Manila)
  • 2000 – Recognition Award in Government Service (GMMST)
  • 2003 – Women with a Heart Award (Mary Kay Philippines)
  • 2003 – Most Admired Filipino Men & Women (Rank No. 6 Pulse Asia, Inc.)
  • 2004 – Power 100: Most Admired Filipino Men & Women (Rank No. 86 BizNews Asia Magazine)
  • 2005 – UP Gawad Plaridel Award for Film (UP College of Mass Communication)
  • 2006 – Diwata Award (UP)
  • 2009 – Honoris Causi (Iriga City)
  • 2010 – 1st Lingkod TV Awards
  • 2011 – Starpreneur Go Negosyo Award (Philippine Center for Enterpreneurship)

Noong dekada ’70, ang labanan ay VilmaSantos-Nora Aunor, sa dekada ’80 naman ay Vilma Santos-Sharon Cuneta, sa dekada ’90 naman ay Vilma Santos-Claudine Barreto/Judy Ann Santos at ngayong dekada 2000 ay Vilma Santos-Sarah Geronimo. Bongga talaga si Vi dahil name-maintain niya ang kanyang drawing power sa takilya. Durable at bankable pa rin siya at lahat ng nagsisikatang artista dekada kada dekada kada dekada ay nakakatunggali niya. Truly, Vilma Santos is The Star For All Seasons. – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)