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Why Vilma succeeded, Nora failed in politics

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Imagine a question that still gives pause to Vilma Santos — mayor of Lipa City, candidate for governor of Batangas, and showbiz’s “Star for All Seasons,” among other callings. This one did on Monday, during merienda with a handful of women journalists: “What are your plans for Mother’s Day?” Santos glanced at her husband, reelectionist Sen. Ralph Recto, across the table. “Where will you be on Sunday?” One word to describe their days and nights of late — “hectic.” But, Mayor Vi hastened to add, “We manage.” She did not elaborate.

Asked when they were last together, not counting hours when they slept, she figured, “Day before Monday.” That was not a complaint. “We don’t expect too much of one another,” she explained. “He has a big campaign to run, and I am focused on my own. Not once have I gone with him this year, in fact.” Although the senator constantly asks about her political jaunts, he can’t join her, either. “Luis (her son by Edu Manzano) does when he can, though,” Santos said. On Tuesday, the young actor participates in his mother’s motorcade around the province. “Luis is very busy himself,” Santos added, sounding apologetic. “I try not to impose, but he says he doesn’t mind.

 Besides it’s so much more fun with him.” Luis Manzano is a music veejay and an upcoming comedian with a current hit movie. Still found time, believe it or not, to mind her husband’s wardrobe — “what he should wear, what he should bring on his trips” – his minimum requirement at the moment, she noted, along with one other thing: “That I listen to his speeches.” Which she does very willingly, she said, especially because it was one of the ways she learned from him. “Public speaking as a politician and talking to the people as an artista are two different things,” Santos pointed out. “I’ve also asked him to listen to all my speeches since I went into public service.” Well, all except one.

“Oh, yes, when I declared my candidacy, the words in that announcement were all mine,” she recalled, proudly. “When I asked Ralph later what he thought, he said, ‘It was good, but a little strong.’ Actually, it would have been stronger, had I not sat up the whole night before deleting this and that from all the things that I wrote down while I was still very emotional.” No better sign – Once she wrapped her mind around it, Santos believed her gubernatorial candidacy was meant to be. “Especially because Ricky (Recto, her husband’s brother, who originally opposed her) eventually gave way,” she said. “What better sign could I ask for?”

Speaking of signs, it’s true that her “yes, you should” moment came while she worked the treadmill. She recounted: “I had asked for a week, right? All I did was write down everything that I felt, exercise, pray. One day, I was on the treadmill, dripping, and still I hadn’t decided. Then a letter came. Without stepping down the machine, I read it; it was my answer.” She begged off from disclosing the letter’s content. “Let me just assure you it was from someone whom I had no reason to doubt.”

Recto said he witnessed that week, and confirmed that his wife was praying so intently, he didn’t dare interrupt: “She’s saying she learned certain things from me. Well, that is something I learned from her — how to be prayerful, but also how to be pragmatic.”  He teased his wife: “Of course, it’s inevitable that you should be my teacher …”  She rolled her eyes: “What he’s about to say now is, ‘After all, when you won your first acting award, I hadn’t been born.’” One of the journalists assured Mayor Vi: “We know you’re older, but look, the senator’s caught up – he looks your age already.” Recto wouldn’t let this pass: “That only means I’m the better caregiver.”

Nora Aunor – Why did she think she succeeded in politics, where her arch rival in the movies, Nora Aunor, failed? “I think it boils down to priorities and direction,” Santos said. “Also, we both had very bad times, financially; I guess I was lucky to have bounced back when I did.” Smiling, the senator offered another explanation: “She met me.” Being a movie star has served her quite well in office, Santos said. “Maraming nagbabayad ng taxes, at marami sa kanila, gusto muna ako ma-meet. And when some people come to ask me for something, even if I can’t give what they want, they still leave with a smile on their faces.

But I really hope that’s not the only reason they reelected me,” she added. Only a week before the elections and they both looked a little too relaxed for comfort. Santos had a ready explanation: “That’s because I don’t have plans beyond this. If I win, that would be great. If not, I’d have already done well at the level that I’d chosen to serve.” The best part about being mayor of Lipa, she said, was having the macho men of the city give her — “a woman, artista pa” — respect and trust as a leader. “Seventy-two barangay captains, puro barako, ha, acknowledging what this little woman did for the city.

That’s something money can’t buy. Legacy ko na ‘yon.” Batangueña at heart Not to say that, just because she has become a Batangueña at heart (she’s from Pampanga), she has also become barako. “When I got a death threat after a drug lab in Lipa was raided and shut down, I almost dropped the phone, and I shook all over,” she said. Santos is pretty confident about her and her husband’s chances. “The surveys are good, and we’re working hard,” she pointed out. She wouldn’t speak for him, but she insisted that life, if she missed her present target, would pretty much be fulfilling, nevertheless.

“I could make more movies, maybe even do a stage play, such as one that the Cultural Center has been proposing to me,” she said. To which her husband replied, “Yes, you should make a movie this year, I think you can.” Obviously, Santos jested, things would remain the same at home: “Siya pa rin ang hari, pero ako ang alas.” Also, it’s clear, she would continue being a dedicated parent to 11-year-old Ryan Christian, who’s “artista na, politiko pa yata.” Recto concurred: “He greets people with a firm handshake and a pat on the shoulder — and he’s just a boy.” Santos reported: “Last October, in school (La Salle, Greenhills), nag-grand slam ‘yon. He won golds in the oratorical contest, interpretative reading … and balagtasan!” – Emmie G. Velarde Inquirer 05/08/2007

Career Highlights

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In the finicky and unstable world of Philippine show business, Vilma Santos (Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto born on November 3, 1953 in Manila) has remained on top as the longest-reigning Philippine movie queen. Known everywhere as the “Star For All Seasons,” her career longevity and phenomenal staying power from the 1960s up to the present is the envy of many because she has been able to maintain her stature as a top actress for the past four decades by combining artistic acclaim and commercial success having been a Best Actress and Box-Office Queen Hall of Fame awardee. Her immense talent and incredible range as an actress, charisma and excellent public relations, hard work, dedication and commitment to her craft have made her one of the most respected, admired and beloved actresses in Philippine movies.

Of major and significant importance in setting Vilma apart from her contemporaries and peers in the movie industry are her inherent traits of internal discipline and selflessness, her physical, emotional and mental endurance (as described by the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal) and her excellent choice of talented and wellknown film collaborators (directors, writers, producers) through the years which enabled her to make noteworthy and highly-successful film projects and thereby achieve one of the most successful careers in local show business. Vilma has worked with the biggest film producers in the country namely Star Cinema, Viva Films and Regal Entertainment and her continuing association with the best people in the business has brought out the best in her as a person, actress and public servant.

The late starbuilder, Dr. Jose Perez, saw Vilma when she was 9 yrs old and realized early on her potential as an actress when she auditioned and eventually won the title role in Mars Ravelo’s “Trudis Liit” (1963) produced by Vera Perez Pictures where Vilma won her first acting award as Best Child Actress from the FAMAS. In her teenage years, Vilma was signed into a contract by Atty. Espiridion Laxa, her friend and mentor, who produced most of her movies as a top teen idol with favorite screen partner, Edgar Mortiz, under Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions. The most memorable films were “Inspiration,” Vilma’s first actress-director collaboration with the late National Artist (Film) Ishmael Bernal and “Dama de Noche,” directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza where Vilma won her first Best Actress award from the FAMAS in 1972 at the age of 19. In an unprecedented career move, Vilma went solo in 1973 and eclipsed all her contemporaries when she agreed to play “Darna,” another Mars Ravelo heroine and the local version of Wonder Woman, in the hugely successful landmark film “Lipad, Darna, Lipad” which broke all existing box-office records. Produced by Sine Pilipino, the movie’s monumental success elevated Vilma to the enviable position of Philippine Movie Queen. Proving further her utmost versatility, Vilma successfully graduated to adult roles when she played a tragic stripteaser in “Burlesk Queen” (1977), a dramatic period movie set in the 1950s. The film, conceived and directed by Celso Ad Castillo, was highly acclaimed and won 10 awards in the Metro Manila Film Festival including the Best Actress Award for Vilma and Best Director for Castillo.

In the years that followed, Vilma carefully chose her film projects and came up with some of the most memorable characters onscreen – an avenging rape victim in “Rubia Servios” (1978) directed by National Artist (Film) Lino Brocka; a sympathetic mistress in “Relasyon” (1982) directed by National Artist Ishmael Bernal where she won her first acting award grandslam; a politicized nun in “Sister Stella L.” (1984) directed by Mike de Leon; and a homicidal nymphomaniac in “Tagos ng Dugo” (1987) directed by Maryo de los Reyes. By demonstrating her range, depth and intensity as an actress in many of her films, Vilma delivered some of the most compelling performances and most unforgettable acting moments ever witnessed on the local screen and firmly established herself as one (of a few) of local cinema’s greatest actresses.

The late National Artist Lino Brocka likened Vilma’s acting abilities to water because according to him “she can register anything.” She has been called “the Meryl Streep of the Philippines” and US Variety Magazine described her as the Ultimate Philippine Cinematic Diva. Her stature as a great actress was further confirmed when > independent-minded career woman in “Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa” (1998) directed by Chito Rono and based on the Palanca award-winning novel by Lualhati Bautista; a suffering overseas worker in “Anak” (2000) directed by Rory Quintos; a mother who evolves during Martial Law in “Dekada ‘70” (2002) also directed by Rono and written by Bautista; and a Filipino-Chinese anti-crime crusader in “Mano Po III: My Love” (2004) directed by Joel Lamangan.

On July 4, 2005, Vilma was given the prestigious Gawad Plaridel (Film) by the University of the Philippines for her outstanding achievements in film and her social responsibility in bringing onscreen, especially during the past few years, the changing role of the Filipina in today’s society who is critical and vigilant, liberative and transformative, free and independent. Named after Marcelo H. del Pilar who believed in a progressive society and a socially-responsible media, Vilma received her award in glittering ceremonies at the Cine Adarna of the University of the Philippines and delivered a well-received and highly-inspiring lecture on her unparalleled career as an actress and how she was able to use her stature and popularity as a movie queen in choosing carefully her roles that showed the modern Filipina in today’s society.

In his article “The Actor as Role Model,” noted writer and film critic Gino Dormiendo said that “what makes her reign more phenomenal is that today, with over 200 movies to her name, Vilma Santos, star and actor, continues to shine luminously, an enduring and truly endearing figure in the movies, recognized for her outstanding record as an actor and a sterling symbol of professionalism to her colleagues in the industry.” Vilma’s excellent film output especially during the last few years is a shining testament to her maturity as a film artist which the late National Artist Ishmael Bernal confirmed after working with Vilma in some of their best films together.
Bernal witnessed first-hand her evolution from actress to artist from the first time they worked together in “Inspiration” (1971) until their final collaboration in “Pahiram ng isang Umaga” (1989).

Vilma’s recent multi-faceted roles showing Filipinas to be independent-minded fighters capable of finding their rightful place in society highlighted the importance of woman empowerment. Dormiendo further wrote that “in her continuing evolution, she has chosen to play her most coveted performance as a role model for Filipino women and, in today’s global village, a shining symbol of courage and integrity for all women everywhere.” Indeed, Vilma is a shining example of the brilliant multi-tasker by being able to successfully do a balancing act and perform with diligence, dignity and grace her various roles in society – as a wife and mother; an actress, film artist and movie queen; and a highly-regarded and much-admired public servant. In this regard, Vilma is truly the definitive modern Filipino woman of our times and for all seasons. – Paolo Salas, Celebrity Chronicle, Nov 2006

kilometric lines and crispy diallogues

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Natakot ako at natatakot pa sa maaari nilang gagawin, Pero kung padadala tayo sa takot… Kung susuko tayo ngayon, ay parang isinuko na rin natin ang ating karapatang mabuhay ng marangal at parang isinuko na rin natin ang ating kinabukasan. Ilang beses akong sinabihan at pinaalalahanan, na ako’y isang madre lamang. Isang madre na hindi dapat makialam sa mga bagay na wala siyang nalalaman. Pero una sa lahat, ako’y isang tao. Ako’y isang Kristyano.  At bilang isang Kristyano, alam ko at alam nating lahat na tayo ay nasa tama, na tama ang ating pinaglalaban at kung naririto lamang si Kristo, natitiyak kong kasama natin siya sa pakikibakang ito. Katarungan para kay Ka Dencio! – Sister Stella L

The title Queen of kilometric lines would definitely be fitted for no other than Miss Vilma Santos, and why not, she can memorize and deliver a long dialogue with no sweat. If my memory serves it right, the longest one was from Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak and it goes like this: “Madalas kong maisip, mula noong magkalayo tayo, lahat ng sinabi mo sa akin nang bumalik ako galing sa Maynila…” etc. etc. Hindi ko kayang sabayan yon, only Ate Vi can do that and nobody can beat her. I remember that Leroy Salvador was so impressed with our Queenstar during the showing of Sister Stella L “Iyang si Vilma, kayang-kayang magkabisa ng mahabang linya at sabayan ito sa dubbing ng walang sablay, that’s a talent”.

Trivia no 1: Do you know that Vilma became Stella in the movie twice? First was in “Batya’t Palupalo” as a rich young student who fell in love with Delfin (FPJ), second is in Sister Stella L as an activist nun. There’s a lot of ingredients on how to make a big hit movie from the stars to storyline to directing up to small details including promotion, script and line deliveries.

Crispy dialogue is Ate Vi’s forte, TATAK VILMA as they say. “Si Val, si Val na walang malay”, “Para kang karenderyang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain” and the all-time favorite “Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun-jun”, these famous lines helped it’s marketing vehicle for it’s box-office success.  Parang libreng promotion na nga dahil ginagaya ng lahat ng tao, sa school, sa palengke, sa bahay, sa trabaho at pati sa mga sing-along bar. I remember a classmate of mine in college named Lorenzo, he was disappearing in the class all the time, for some reasons he left the room for hours and my professor always looked for him. “Nawawala si Jun-jun” he joked. The whole class would laugh and spoof Ate Vi by saying “Jun-jun, Jun-jun.” From there on his name was not Lorenzo anymore because everybody called him Jun-jun until we graduated college.

Trivia Question no 2: Ano-anong pelikula naging anak ni Ate Vi si Jun-jun? Answer: Gusto kita, Mahal ko siya, Pakawalan mo ako, Ipagpatawad Mo, Paano ba ang mangarap?, Never Ever Say Goodbye. Crispy dialougues and a little bit of sampalan is one of Vilma Santos trademarks that Viva/Regal Films continues to follow as the main formula for their movies.

Confrontation scene is the most important part of the film injected by crispy dialogues. Eto yung nakakagigil habang lumalaban ng sagutan si Ate Vi at nakikipagbatuhan ng linya sa kontrabida o sa kapwa bida. In Magkaribal, Alma Moreno tried hard to insist that Boyet loves her more than Vilma, at kayang-kayang sabayan ni Eric Cueto ang sagot ni Ate Vi na…”Mababa ka pa rin sa akin Cristy, ako pa rin ang asawa, ikaw pa rin ang kerida.” There’s another back to back tarayan that Allan Trambulo had mastered, Ate Vi told Maricel “Anak ka lang, ako ang asawa, karugtong ng buhay, kasiping sa kama” then Maricel replied “Eto naman ang alam ko, ako ang anak, dugo ng kanyang dugo. Ang anak hindi napapalitan, ang asawa nahihiwalayan.” Ate Vi ended the conversation with “Tingnan natin.”

People would react “Laban ka?” And of course, I have my own favorite confrontation scene from the blockbuster movie Anak. When Claudine refused to let her boyfriend drive for Vilma. Claudine goes like “Hindi mo siya driver, boyfriend ko siya,” then Vilma was like “Kaya nga gusto ko siyang makilala dahil kung makakasama mo siya habang buhay, dapat lang na makilala ko ang pagkatao niya.” Claudine was so irate and answered back “Hindi habang buhay ko siyang makakasama” pero syempre makakalusot ba siya kay Ate Vi by saying “Kung ganoon hindi mo siya dapat inuwi dito…” Pause, eye to eye contact tahimik pareho then Ate Vi ulit “Nagkakaintindihan ba tayo?” the audience went crazy and applaused “ganyan nga Josie, ganyan nga.”

But let’s not forget that Filipino audience are always waiting for a good moral lesson in every conversation in the movie. Ate Vi’s character give us some advices in it’s own way, mga salitang nagmamarka sa isip at tumatatak sa puso, tulad ni Leah Bustamante sa Bata, bata paano ka ginawa? “Di ba dapat nasa eskwelahan ka, kelan ka pa natutong magbulakbol? Alam mo ba na pag naloko ka sa sugal, hanggang sa paglaki mo maloloko ka dyan. Hanggang sa magkaasawa ka na, hanggang magka-anak ka na. Mapapabayaan mo ang buhay mo, maloloko ang buhay mo.” This is perfect, as Jojo Lim quips patama sa Mare nya.

Before I end my article let me leave you my favorite dialogue of all time, here it is…. Claudine: “Hindi mo ko naiintindihan. Hindi ko hiningi ang lahat lahat ng ibinigay nyo sa amin. Kayo ang may gusto noon hindi ako.” Vilma: “Dahil mahal ko kayo, mahal ko kayo. Ngayon, sabihin mo sa akin. Ako ba inintindi mo? Sarili mo lang ang iniisip mo. Sana tuwing umiinom ka ng alak, habang humihitit ka ng sigarilyo. Habang nilulustay mo perang padala ko ay naisip mo, sana kung ilang pagkain ang tiniis kong hindi kainin para may maipadala lang sa inyo. Sana habang natutulog ka sa kutsong hinihigaan mo ay naisip mo kung ilang taon ang tiniis kong matulog mag-isa habang nasasabik ako sa yakap ng mga mahal ko sa buhay. Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit ang magalaga ng mga batang hindi ko naman kaano-ano samantalang kayo na mga anak ko ay di ko man lang maalagaan. Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit yon bilang ina? Kung di mo ako maituring bilang ina, respetuhin mo naman ako bilang tao. Yun lang Carla, yun man lang.” – Franco Gabriel, V magazine 2007 (READ MORE)

The Vilma Santos-Ralph Recto Romance

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How else to explain why so many are joining beauty contests and, win or lose, more often than not, marrying a rich guy?  A penniless, pretty lass with bountiful physical assets in, say, showbiz, has more chances than others of attracting and bagging a representative, a senator, a businessman, a somebody with huge financial assets.  The Vilma Santos-Ralph Recto romance  is like a Cinderella story except that by the time Vilma married Ralph, she was no longer a pauper. She wasn’t looking for a prince or a moneyed papa, for, after all, she was the multi-awarded actor Vilma Santos, the Star for All Seasons. In other words, he was rich, and she, too, was rich. The difference is that he was born rich, and she was not to the wealthy born.

The love story began 20 years ago, in July 1985. For the first time after a one-and-a-half years of being separated from then husband, actor Edu Manzano, Vilma came out of seclusion. Although Vilma and Edu were living separate lives, residing in different houses, Vilma remained constant, maintaining a semblance of fidelity, because, she reasoned out, she was still legally his wife. She didn’t want to give people an opportunity to wag their tongue, to misunderstand or judge her, she avoided getting stoned by negative opinions of her. But when she found out Edu was dating other women, she decided it was time for her to have fun herself, to spread her wings, and to find a life. “Ba’t ako magpapaka-martir?” Vi pouted.

Finally heeding friends who had been advising her to go out and enjoy herself, she dressed up and accepted an invitation to King Kong disco bar, which was owned by director Marilou Diaz-Abaya. So, there she was chatting and laughing with friends Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Maryo J. delos Reyes, Charito Solis, Charlie Peralta, and Greg de Guzman, swaying and stomping under the strobe lights, and feeling free. Then, a tall, mestizo guy approached Vilma and introduced himself: “Excuse me, my name is Ralph Recto. May I have this dance with you?” Vilma snubbed him; no, she did not want to dance with that boy. Was it because she didn’t know him or was it because she was still hurting from a failed marriage? The guy was persistent and patiently waited until he asked her again. Charito Solis nudged Vilma: “Four am na, pagbigyan mo na, isayaw mo na.”  And so, the reluctant Vilma danced with Ralph.

While dancing, reports Vilma, Ralph asked her: “Do you know my father?” “No,” Vilma answered. “Do you know Assemblyman Raffy Recto?” Ralph continued. “No,” Vilma replied. “Are you interested in politics?” Ralph ventured. “No,” Vilma shrugged.  After the dance, he asked Vilma: “Are you coming back here next Saturday?”  Vilma: “Maybe.” Then, he got her phone number and brought his partner back to her table.  “At my first glimpse of her, I found her attractive,” say Ralph, “I didn’t know that she was the Star for All Seasons, so to speak.” It was only when he went back to his table that he found out who that attractive young woman was.  His barkada from Greenhills told him that the person he was dancing with was Vilma Santos the actor.

All he knew was she was named “Vilma” and that she was “A joyful person.” The funny thing is he had only recently seen the Vilma starrer Sister Stella L. Vilma surmises that maybe he did not recognize her because she was wearing an off-shoulder attire, which was, of course, very different from a nun’s habit.  Ralph called up Vilma the following day, and “she obliged me to meet with her again the following week in the same place, the same disco.” “Why? Well, Vilma’s first impression of Ralph was that he was “Very intelligent, down-to-earth, tisoy (mahilig ako sa tisoy).”  And so, they did see each other again a week later.

Another week after, recalls Ralph, “we had a private dinner.  I felt we would have a meaningful relationship.  ”That private dinner was with his parents in Greenhills.  Vilma was at once nervous and excited.  They knew her background, she didn’t hide from Ralph who or what she really was – that she was 32, that she was married, had one child, had been grist for gossip columnists, had not had higher education, etc. By this time, Vilma knew he was only 21, single, a graduating student at the De La Salle University taking up Economics, and a member of an illustrious Spanish-speaking family. Edu Manzano, meanwhile, drifted further away from Vilma.

Being an American citizen, Edu had married Vilma in Las Vegas, and then divorced her in Guam. Three to four months after their first encounter, Vilma and Ralph went MU, or mutual understanding, which is the first stage of today’s couples’ relationship. Mutual understanding meant that they could see each other as often as they liked, but neither one was committed to the other.  In other words, in principle, both could go out on a date with other persons, but they might show a special devotion, a special friendship, love and understanding —that is, the two on MU—for one another.  Those happy, carefree days would see Ralph attending the shooting of Tagos ng Dugo by Maryo J.  He would come from school, stay in his car, wait for her, and then bring her home to Magallanes.

In Magallanes, Vilma recounts: “Magkukuwentuhan kami ni Ralph tungkol sa lahat ng bagay, about everything under the sun.  Inaabot kami hanggang sa pagdating ng diyaryo ng 6:30 am.  Hindi naming namamalayan na maliwanag na pala, na umaga na.”  Vilma sizes Ralph up: “Matalino, maraming alam, pero hindi mayabang. Inisip ko na marami akong matututunan dito.”  They enjoyed each other’s company while going places, eating pizza, and having “gimmicks” and so on. Vilma analyses his appeal to her: “Baka nadala niya ako sa kabataan niya, kasi di ko naranasan iyon noong bata ako.”  She concentrated on her work as a child, and has done almost nothing but work ever since.

Vilma and Ralph lived in for seven years. She was not prepared to get married then because she had to attend to her career and her small child by Edu, Lucky. Ralph, on the other hand, wanted to be more stable in his profession and his finances. Then, after seven years of living in, Ralph ran for Congress and asked Vilma to campaign for him in Batangas. Vilma accompanied him all over the province. She experienced the hardship of going from city to city, from barrio to barrio. She had a taste of politics. If she was willing to make that sacrifice for him, Vilma thought, “siguro mahal ko itong taong ito.”  Ralph told Vilma, “Win or lose, let’s get married.”

“You know,” Vilma warned him, “hindi ako madaling maging asawa. Mahihirapan ka, kilala ako sa Pilipinas.” It would be quite difficult for him to do any hanky-panky because he would easily be found out since Vilma is so popular that almost everything and anything the nosey press would sniff would immediately be reported in the media. The brave Ralph was not intimidated, and at 2 pm of December 11, 1992, they officially tied the knot in a splendid wedding ceremony in Lipa, Batangas.

Some 500-700 guests from politics and showbiz witnessed the exchange of vows. It must have been a relatively blissful union since they already had a chance to get to know each other up close when they were living in. Relates Ralph: “For me, the most trying period in our relationship was the first seven years.” The proverbial sevenyear-itch happened to both Vilma and Ralph before their wedding. Ralph lived in his condo in Greenhills, but he telephoned Lucky almost every day, pretending or so it seemed, that his concern was only Lucky and not Vilma.

Lucky missed his Tito Ralph, and after two weeks, thanks to Lucky, Ralph returned. Vilma, the mother and wife, observes that “the whole time of marriage is a period of adjustment. Habang tumatanda ka, nag-iiba ang priorities mo sa buhay, so mga every five years, kailangang pag-isipan mo ang priorities mo.” “There are times you have to listen to your children. They should retain an old sense of values, like respect for elders, how to properly treat people. You must talk openly with your spouse and your children, you must trust your children, you communicate with them, you text them. You must also know how to let go.”

Like other typical couples, they undergo moments of discord. Sometimes, even when they’re in a bad mood, they still greet each other good morning and good night with a kiss, but a quick, cold one, like they’re merely fulfilling an obligation, a task, so that they can attend to other “more important” matters of the day. However, no problem is unsolvable. Sometimes, they let a month go by in ill humor until things cool off a bit. At the end of 30 days of silence, they would go” “Can we talk?” They find dialogue most effective. No vitriolic physical or verbal barbs, just civilized talk.

Both believe that support for each other is very important in a relationship. “It’s important to support each other’s ambitions, dreams, goals in life. Walang inggitan,” Vilma advises couples. “A career woman has to adjust to a relationship, work on it, get off her pedestal. I learned to say ‘I’m Sorry.” In their political life, Ralph seeks Vilma’s opinion on some of his speeches. Vilma tells him, for example, “to stress this point or ito, heavy, mabigat or ‘yan, tanggalin mo ‘yan…” Also, Vilma confides that she doesn’t compete with Ralph. “In fact, as mayor, I receive guidance from him in making decisions. ”

Vilma claims they are both broadminded. How long has Vilma been mayor of Lipa? “This is my last term. I’ve been mayor for three terms na, three years per term, so a total of nine years. I have been serving Lipa for almost eight years now.” This celebrity couple also lives ordinary lives.  For example, Ralph treats Vilma like any other ordinary person, and not like a VIP. Vilma reveals: “Hindi porke Vilma Santos ako and I’m earning a lot, e, wala na siyang ibibigay na allowance sa akin. He takes care of the maintenance of the house.  He’s the provider.”

In the last five or six years, Vilma and Ralph have tried to spend more time with each other in spite of their busy schedule. They have been traveling alone, just the two of them, and sometimes with their children Lucky or Luis, now 24 years old, and Ryan, aged 9. Together, they go swimming, bowling, boating, meditating, playing golf, watching television, etc.  Right after Ate Vi, aka Mayor Vi, was given the Gawad Plaridel last July 4, 2005, which is sponsored by the University of the Philippines College of Mass Communications, at the Film Institute’s Cine Adarna, husband and wife took a grand vacation. They spent 14 days in Europe, came back to the Philippines for a while, and hied off to Los Angeles, USA, for five days, and to New York and New Jersey for four days.

In New Jersey, Vilma cut the ribbon at the opening of the four-year old Philippine Fiesta Exposition Center. “She’s an excellent mother,” gushes Ralph. “ She takes good care of me and her children.  She’s a loving person. Sometimes, she’s hardheaded. But I can live with that. I’ve learned to live with it. And sometimes, I could be hardheaded, too. (Smiles) I’ve no complaints. She is what she is and I love her for what she is. She’s now more concerned about social and political issues.” How does Ralph for his part keep their relationship going? “We count our blessings.

Both of us have been blessed.” Although Vilma doesn’t cook, she sees to it that the cook, upon her culinary guidance, serves Ralph his favorite dish such as baked pasta, which contains corned beef, cream of mushroom, parmesan cheese, and sweet corn. Says Vilma: “My immediate family comes first. I do my part as a mother and as a woman. I don’t plan my life. It’s enough that I live comfortably, my family is fine.”   Their terms of endearment for each other are “Papa” and “Mommy.” Has the tag ‘Mr. Vilma Santos’ ever, ever affected Ralph at any point in his life? “No, it has not affected me in a negative way,” explains Ralph, “It has helped me tremendously.

Being Mr. Vilma Santos made it easier for me to identify with the masses. As a kid, my professors in school would tag me as the grandson of the great Claro M. Recto. So I was used to it. I’ve always thought of it positively. There’s nothing in their relationship that he wants to forget. “The relationship is incomplete if I will forget even just a tiny bit of it. There’s nothing I would want to forget or change. I have no complaints about our relationship. I’ve been blessed by this relationship. I’m the luckiest man alive. I hope she feels the same way, too. With a wife like Vi, children like Lucky and Ryan, how can I complain? Why would I want to forget any part of this wonderful and blessed relationship?”

In fact, Ralph will always happily remember “achieving milestones in our life together—getting married, having children, watching them grow up, participating in school activities, helping each other make our community better. Of course, traveling together. I suppose our happiest times are yet to come—which is, growing old together.” The Vilma Santos-Ralph Recto romance, despite all the zigging and zagging, sounds almost like a fairy tale. Yes, perhaps, politics and showbiz do go together. – “The Vilma Santos-Ralph Recto Romance” written by Ms. Mara P. Lanot, Mr. & Ms. Magazine, Nov 2005

Age Difference – “…Their first meeting -and first dance- would lead to much more time spent together, until Recto one day asked for her hand in marriage. “I was prepared to settle down and I wanted to have a kid as well, so I asked her. I was a congressman then, and I asked her already, if she wanted to get married,” he said. It wasn’t an enthused “yes” he had gotten from Santos then, Recto recalled. Even her colleagues from the industry had some reservations about their union. “Medyo nagdalawang isip din siya,” Recto said, referring to Santos. “I think in the beginning, many of her friends and colleagues didn’t want us to get married.” “Of course they would think that I’m 10 years younger, I suppose,” Recto said. “Hindi naman kasi conventional ‘yung ganoong laki ng deperensya sa edad, ‘di ba?” Looking past their age difference, Recto and Santos would eventually exchange vows in December 1992…” – ABS-CBN News (READ MORE)

DEKADA 60: Si Ate Vi, Si GING

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All Vilmanians and even those who just love watching old Tagalog movies must have been glued to their TV screens last Thursday afternoon when Channel 9’s “Premiere Pilipino Klasiks” aired “Ging”, Vilma Santos’ follow-up movie after she was introduced in Sampaguita Pictures’ “Trudis Liit”. Produced by Premiere Productions when Vilma was only 10 (circa 1963), “Ging” casts the now-Star for All Seasons (and Lipa City Mayor, too! (now Governor of Batangas-FRV)) as a street child who is in charge of taking care of her invalid mother, played by Olivia Cenizal.

In flashback fashion, we find out that Ms. Cenizal was once a big movie star who fell in love and married a young rich man (portrayed in the film by Jose Padilla, Jr.) Padilla’s aristocratic mother (Etang Discher), unfortunately, breaks up the union and the two lovers go their separate ways. Vilma, as Ging, was born shortly after. While begging for food scraps from customers at the restaurant of the Chinese Ponga (I doubt if today’s generation have any idea who he is or how he looks like), she is spotted by Ramon D’Salva and his wife, Carol Varga. The couple immediately express their wish to adopt her. Vilma was hesitant at first at the idea – until she was promised by D’Salva that she would be sent to school, and her mother, to the hospital for medical treatment. Once she is in the D’Salva home, the couple show their true colors. They exploit her by making her perform in vaudeville presentations.

Although she is a hit and a top money maker, she is still badly treated by Varga. For one, she is not given proper nutrition to stunt her growth (child stars are supposed to be cute and small). Little Vilma rebels when she finds out that D’Salva does not fulfill his promise of sending her mother to the hospital for treatment. She runs away and in the process bumps into people related to her biological father.  Padilla and Cenizal are reunited and the little heroine lives happily ever after with her parents. “Ging” was directed by Cirio Santiago and Teodorico Santos.  Although it was made in the old-fashioned way of making films (the flashback scenes in particular), the material used here is timeless – especially since there are more street children in our midst now more than ever.

As far as the showbiz scene is concerned, there are still a lot of heartless impresarios today exploiting young talents in the business. But what really made “Ging” a delight to watch was the performance of the very young Vilma Santos. Even at the early age, it was clear that she was already brimming with talent. Vilma, apparently, was born into this world to perform, entertain and make people happy. She was utterly convincing in the dramatic scenes and thoroughly graceful in her musical numbers. Listang-lista – as we’d say in the vernacular. Even then, she was already living up to her showbiz title of “Star for All Seasons” because her performance in “Ging” is not only brilliant, but timeless as well. – The Reviewer, Butch Francisco People’s Journal 04 March 1999 Article and Pictures submitted by Eric Nadurata for V magazine

Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino

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Si Celso Ad Castillo ay marami nang naunang eksperimento. Pero pumaltos sa pamantayan ng mga manunuri. Maraming nagsuspetsa na may ibubuga siya, pero hindi lang talaga maibuga nang nasa tiempo. Malimit ang kanyang pelikula ay maingay at maraming sobra. Halimbawa, maraming karahasan na wala namang katuturan ang kanyang Madugong Daigdig ni Salvacion, seksing walang kadahilanan (pinagandang garapal) ang kanyang Pinakamagandang Hayop sa Balat ng Lupa, numero unong manggagaya ang kanyang Maligno, at sabog-sabog ang kanyang pinakamagandang nagawa, ang Daluyong at Habagat. Kung may magkamali mang pumuri kay Celso, iyon nama’y halos pakunsuelo-debobo lamang, at hindi ito sapat para itaas ang kanyang pedestal sa ranggo nina Bernal, Brocka at Romero. Wari ngang napako sa komersiyalismo ang direktor na inaabangan maglalabas ng natatagong talino.

Lalong nagduda sa kanyang kakayahan ang mga kritiko nang kumalat ang balita na gagawa siya ng serye sa TV na ala Cleopatra Jones na papamagatan naman niyang O’Hara. Pero ang direktor na ipinapalagay na laos ay biglang pumalag nang walang kaabog-abog. Bigla’y nabalitang may inihanda raw itong pang-festival na ikinataas na naman ng kilay ng kanyang mga kritiko. “Aber tingnan,” ang pasalubong sa balita. At sa preview ng kanyang Burlesk Queen, biglang napa-mea culpa ang ayaw maniwalang may ibubuga si Celso. Tiyak na naiiba ang Burlesk Queen, kahit ikumpara sa mga naunang trabaho ni Celso at sa iba pang direktor na nagtangkang tumalakay sa paksang ito.

Matagal-tagal na rin namang nauso ang kaputahan sa pelikula, pero walang nakapagbigay ng katarungan sa lahi ni Eba bilang Pilipina at bilang puta. Sa Burlesk Queen, para kay Celso ay hindi nangangahulugan ng pagpapakita lamang ng utong, puwit o singit, kung hindi isang seryosong pagtalakay sa damdamin ng mga tauhan sa isang kapanipaniwalang dahilan na nangyari sa isang makatotohanang kapaligiran. Sa kanya, ang tao ay hindi basta maghuhubad at magtatalik. Maraming pangyayari sa buhay ang dapat munang linawin at unawain, at iyon ang basehan ng kasaysayan.

Simple lamang ang plot. Isang tinedyer si Vilma Santos na alalay ng isang original burlesk queen, si Rosemarie Gil. May tatay na lumpo si Vilma, si Leopoldo Salcedo. Si Rosemarie naman ay may kabit na isang hustler, si Roldan Aquino. Nang iwanan ni Roldan si Rose, nagwala ang huli. Naging lasengga siya at tumangging magsayaw sa tanghalan. Mabibitin ang palatuntunan, kaya’t si Vilma na talaga namang may ambisyong magsayaw ang pumalit. Hit naman sa manonood si Vilma. Sa bahay, pilit kinukumbinsi ni Vilma si Pol na payagan na siyang maging full time dancer. Ayaw ni Pol, mas mahalaga sa kanya ang prinsipyo at delikadesa. Sapagkat wala namang ibang pagkakakitaan, si Vilma rin ang nasunod sa bandang huli. Nag-suicide si Pol nang hindi na niya masikmura ang pasiya ng anak. Si Rollie Quizon naman ang binatilyong masama ang tama kay Vilma. Nagtanan sila at nagsama.  Pero hindi sanay sa hirap si Rollie. Sa pagpili sa pag-ibig o ginhawa sa buhay, ang huli ang pinahalagahan niya. Nagkataon namang buntis na si Vilma. Sa pag-iisa sa buhay, nagbalik siya sa pagsasayaw. Nagsayaw siya ng nagsayaw hanggang duguin siya sa tanghalan at malaglag ang kanyang dinadala. Bagamat simple ang plot ay hindi naman masasabing simple ang pamamaraang ginawa rito ni Celso.

Sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon ay nangyari sa isang pelikula ang pagsasama-sama ng magandang istorya, mahusay na direksyon, magaling na pag-arte ng mga tauhan, masinop na musika, magaling na editing at angkop na sinematograpiya. Sa Burlesk Queen ay nagsama-sama ang talino ni Celso (direktor), Mauro Gia Samonte (story and screenplay), George Canseco (musical director), Ben Lobo (cinematographer), at Abelardo Hulleza (editor). Kung may ipipintas sa pelikula, iyon ay ang hindi malinaw na pagbuhay sa panahon na nangyari ang kuwento. Kung minsa’y maiisip na nagyari ito sa panahon ng kasikatan ni Elvis noong 1950s. Pero kapag pinansin na maraming long hair sa extra, may wall paper at synthetic na sako ang bahay nina Vilma ay maaari namang sabihing baka naman pa-Elvis craze lamang ang mga tao roon. Pero may pulitiko, at Yabut, at may dagdag pang Connie Francis bukod sa motorsiklong Lambretta at mga kotseng Buick. Kung sabagay, maliliit na detalye lamang ito na agad makakalimutan kapag ang inasikaso ay pagbuklat sa magagandang punto ng istorya.

 Tingnan natin ang ilang magandang eksena sa pelikula. Sa ikalawang eksena ay nagtatanong si Vilma kay Rosemarie kung puwede rin siyang maging dancer.  Walang malinaw na sagot si Rose, pero ang timing ng background music na It’s Now or Never ay makahulugan. It’s Now or Never nga, payo ni Elvis. At kung kailan siya maaaring mag-umpisa, Tomorrow, sabi ng kanta. Ang ganitong sagot ay nasa mukha ni Rose, pero hindi na kailangang sabihin. Ang ganitong pamamaraan ay tinatawag na creativity ng direktor, na nagdagdag ng ibang pamamaraan sa paghahayag ng damdamin ng tauhan. Sa paglakad ng istorya, dapat ding pansinin kung paano ang characterization ay binubuhay dito.  Halimbawa, sa isang eksena na nangyari sa isang patahian ay nag-abot sina Dexter Doria, ang bagong kabit ni Roldan Aquino, at si Rose. Naroroon din si Vilma at sa hindi kalayuan ay si Rollie. Maliwanag na may kani-kanyang pangangailangan ang mga tauhan at magkakasama sila sa iisang eksena. Walang nakawan ng eksena na naganap dito. Naginsultuhan sina Dexter at Rose, natameme si Roldan at waring walang pakialam sina Rollie at Vilma na panay na panay ang kindatan. Lalo namang walang pakialam ang dalawang pulubi na tumutugtog ng violin (na siya ring background music) sa mga nangyayari. Limos ang mahalaga sa kanila.

Sa eksenang ito’y may gamit ang lahat ng tauhan, wala sa kanilang nagsilbing dekorasyon, walang nag-o.a. at parepareho nilang ginawang makatotohanan ang komprontasyon. Magandang halimbawa ito ng synchronized acting. Kung allusions naman ang pag-uusapan, marami ritong mga sariwang metaphor na mababanggit. Isa rito ang mahusay na pagpapakita na birhen pa si Vilma sa sex act nila ni Rollie. Habang nasa likod ng tanghalan ay may nagaganap sa magkasintahan, sa tanghalan ay nang-aliw naman ang mga acrobats na sinundan ng isang madyikero na tumutusok ng sariling noo, nagbabaon ng pako sa ilong at lumululon ng espada. Masakit tingnan iyon. At ganoon din ang nararanasan ni Vilma sa likod ng tanghalan sa piling ni Rollie.

Hindi rin madaldal ang pelikula. Kung itatanong kung paano tinanggap ni Pol ang pasiya ng anak, nagtulos na lamang siya ng isang makahulugang kandila sa altar na para na ring sinabing “bahala na ang Diyos sa iyo”. Kung paano naman ipinakitang naging mananayaw na nga si Vilma, sapat nang ipakita ang isang trak na nagbababa ng isang wheel chair na ipapalit sa lumang tumba-tumba ng ama. Maging ang paglakad ng panahon ay nararamdaman din ng manonood kahit hindi ikuwento o ipakita ang kinagawiang pamamaraan at ulat ng “nalalaglag na dahon ng kalendaryo o dahon ng puno kaya”. Sunod-sunod na cuts na nagpapakita sa uri ng palabas sa tanghalang kinabibilangan ni Vilma ang ginawa ni Celso. Saka ito sinundan ng kuha naman sa bahay nina Vilma at Rollie. Nag-iinit ng tubig si Vilma habang nakikinig ng dula sa radyo tungkol sa buhay ng isang asawang tamad at iresponsable.

Ganoon nga ang nangyayari sa buhay ng dalawa, at may kasunod ring “abangan sa susunod na kabanata”. Sa paghihiwalay ng dalawa, sapat na ring iparinig ang awiting You’re All I Want For Christmas, para buhayin ang irony na nagaganap sa relasyon ng dalawa. Kung makinis ang exposition at pagbuhay sa conflict ng istorya, malinaw rin ang paghahanda sa wakas ng pelikula. Si Rose na laos na ay naging mumurahing puta. Si Dexter kahit hindi ipakita ay maliwanag na sumama na sa ibang lalaki. Si Roldan ay may bago nang kabit at napatay sa spiral staircase ng tanghalan na siya rin niyang dinadaanan sa paghahatid sa dalawang naunang kabit. Si Rollie, ang mama’s boy, ay natural bawiin ng ina. Si Vilma ay nagsayaw-nangnagsayaw. Sa simula’y mahinhin at nakangiti at kaakit-akit hanggang sa pagbilis ng pulso ng tambol at pompiyang ay naubusan ng ngiti, tumagaktak ang pawis at manghina ang ligwak ng kanyang balakang, upang sa pagbuhay sa damdamin ng manonood ay siya namang maging dahilan ng pagkalaglag ng sanggol na kanyang dinadala.

Sa labas, matapos ang pagtatanghal, may tatlong bagabundong naiwan na nakatangkod sa larawang pang ‘come on’ ng burlesk queen, habang ang kadilima’y bumabalot sa kapaligiran. Kung matino ang kaanyuan ng pelikula, ay ganoon din ang masasabi sa nilalaman. Makatotohanan at masinop ang pagtalakay sa buhay ng isang abang mananayaw. Tinalakay rin dito kung paano siya tinatanggap ng lipunan at inuusig ng mga tagapangalaga raw ng moralidad. Maging ang empresaryo ng tanghalan na ginampanan ni Joonee Gamboa ay may konsiyensiya rin at nagtatanong sa atin kung anong panoorin ang dapat ibigay sa isang ordinaryong Pilipino na hindi kayang pumunta sa mga mamahaling kainan upang manood tulad halimbawa ng Merry Widow at Boys in the Band. Sila, aniya ng mga ‘dakilang alagad ng moralidad na nagdidikta at kumu-kontrol sa moralidad ng komunidad’, katapat ng munting kasiyahan ng isang Pilipinong hindi ‘kaya ang bayad sa mga ekslusibong palabas ng mayayaman.’ Samantala’y busy tayo sa paglilibang at sa kanila’y walang pakialam ngunit may handang pintas at pula sa mangahas lumabas sa batas ng moralidad ng lipunan. – Jun Cruz Reyes, Miyembro Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino Manila Magazine Dec. 1-31, 1977

RELATED READING:
Burlesk Queen WINNER of 10 MMFF Awards
1977 Metro Manila Film Festival
Video 48: Vilma Santos As “Burlesk Queen” (1977)
Vilma Santos’ Top 10 Film Directors (part five)
IMDB: Burlesk Queen (1977)
IMDB: Celso Ad. Castillo
IMDB: Rolly Quizon
IMDB: Rosemarie Gil
IMDB: Leopoldo Salcedo (1912–1998)
Pelikula Atbp: Burlesk Queen (1977)
The Kid, uninterrupted
‘Burlesk Queen’ Onto The Height of Pathos
Vilma Santos as Burlesk Queen (1977)
Amanda Page performs a burlesque inspired number for the MMFF Gabi ng Parangal (Video)
The Classic Vilma Santos Movies

26 Days in Amsterdam

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There was both sunshine and a little rain when the KLM 747 flight which took us from Manila to Amsterdam finally landed at the Amsterdam Schipol airport. The air terminal was huge, but bigger was the crowd, mostly Filipinos residing in Amsterdam, who welcomed us. Although there were happy smiles in their faces, I eagerly looked around for familiar faces. Sure enough, Gil Portes, my Miss X director, and Mark Gil, my leading man, were there. Both waved happily at me. I waved back at them.

“Where to now?” I heard my mommy ask Gil when all the proper and necessary introductions were conducted. “Since it is a Sunday,” Gil suggests, “Why don’t we hear mass at the church of the Bigginhoff?” The church is situated in a strategic area, along several residential houses, and it is one of the only two Catholic churches in Amsterdam. Since between the two churches, it is the Bigginhoff which celebrates one mass in English, it is where most Filipinos attend their Sunday mass. The front yard of the church, after the mass, serves as a melting pot of sorts for most Filipinos. It si here where they renew acquaintances, exchange tete-a-tete, or get the latest tsismis about a fellow Filipinos. It is in this area where my group and I chanced upon Eddie Gutierrez, who was on the last leg of his European tour. Eddie works as a promotional salesman for Belcraft International, a firm which has its main office in Canada and which specializes in household wares.

We had a hearty meal at the Aide residence (the man of the house, Albert, is a jolly fellow; we all think he would do well as a comedian. Gil and his group stayed with him and his wife, Mila, and their only daughter, four year old Rachel) with the newly assigned utility girl for the production, Batangas beauty, Rose Perez, and her assistant, Arthur Dotollo, serving us their own concoction of Filipino dishes. Actually, it was because of Rose and Arthur and, of course, my mommy why we never missed a serving of whatever Filipino food that catches our fancy.

In any case, you would think that because of the seemingly endless 20-hour flight we went through, I would choose to have a long nap after meal. No, I didn’t. Instead, right after we had unpacked our luggage at the house assigned to us (located at 24 Vanhouweningestraat and owned by Chit Mallo), I asked Gil and Mark to accompany me in making rounds of Amsterdam. Since they’d come ahead of me; they mush know the place like hell, I even kidded them.

“But Vi, stores in Amsterdam are closed on Sundays, ” Gil warned me. Apparently, he thought I wanted to go on a shopping spree, as is the usual case among woman travelers. “But Gil,” I reasoned, “at least, give me the chance to get the “feel” of Amsterdam before we start shooting tomorrow morning.” Indeed, I wanted, in particular, to ge the ambiance of the popular “red light” district before we finally explore the area for the much-needed highlights in Miss X.

As expected, touring the entire Red Light district, watching the girls do their “thing” inside their display windows and accommodating a customer for a 15-.minute moment of pleasure was a truly marvelous experience. But mind you, the girls have class, and with a capital C, no less.

There is no age limit among the participants, I noticed. Thus, there are girls on display who appeared even much younger than my sister Winnie (and she is 17), while a few looked old enough to be grandmothers. But most of the girls are about 18 and above. Sila rin and pinuputakti ng mga marino. Where their dressing habits are concerned, there seems no particular requirements. So, you see them clad in different attires, but mostly the attires enhance the girls’ ’exiness. But they are quite expensive attires. There are a few, though, who take to wearing just a panty and a bra. Me, when my turn came to be “one among them,” I chose to wear a fiorrucci one-piece bathing suit, Ano, patatalbog?

Inside their “cubicle,” actually the size of an ordinary excaparate which can house one mannequin, the girls can pose any way they want. Hence, you find someone sitting atop a table reading a book or a magazine. Or, there is one in a reclining position and she usually has for company her dog. Yes, kahit sa pagdi-display sa sarili, kanya kanya silang patalbugan. But one thing apparent in all these cubicles is the small red bulb, placed at an angle where it would help enhance the occupant’s prominent features.

Let me tell ou about the “room” where the girls usually take their customers, granting that they have agreed on the price. It is a small and compact room, no different from the smaller room in two-bedroom apartments. There is a double bed on one side, and across it are two toilet bowls, one for the male customer and the other for the lady occupant.

There is a small bar along the doorway and on display are bottles of wine of different sizes and brands. Funny, but we had no chance to ask whether a customer pays more for a gulp or two of any of the brands. But one thing about the room, it si spotlessly clean. And guess what, only a red lamp lights the room.

It is said that each girl in the escaparate, even on what is known as the lean season, gets as much as 300 to 400 guilders a day. Which is big moola, if you ask me. No wonder, when Gil and Danny Datu, acting producer of Miss X in Amsterdam, talked to the girls for a short appearance in the flick, they had a hard time convincing them. But it is of course, going ahead of the story.

The weather suddenly became extremely bad when we had our first day of shooting. Since I promised to be thoroughly authentic even with my costumes in this particular movie, I had mommy shop for me new jackets, gloves, shoes and some other paraphernalia. The amount she spent was a big dent in our pockets, considering the fact that we were spending in pesos but buying in guilders (a guilder is equivalent to four bucks, Philippine money). But what is an extra amount compared to what my wardrobe would contribute to the credibility of the flick?

Really, if not for an unpleasant incident, which involved the loss of our cameraman, Mang Bert Bitong, Nagra, the Polaroid camera which Miss X assistant director, Roger Vivero used for continuity purposes, and Mark’s newly bought pair of boots, we actually had encountered no problem in the shooting.

More of less, here’s how the robbery incident happened. Since the scene which to be shot would see Mark walking along an area where disco clubs and nightclubs abound, Albert, who acted as both our driver and tour guide, parked the utility van, which the entire group used for the shooting at a place close by.

Obviously, Albert has had no experience of being burglarized in all of his six years in Amsterdam. Thus, when they discovered what happened, he was so surprised, it took a while before he managed to brace himself. Then, he said, “Don’t you worry, magtatanong ako kung paano mababai iyon.”

“No need to worry really,” say someone who overheard Albert, “somebody will call you tomorrow morning.” True enough, Albert got an early call from the supposed leader of the group and he demanded the amount of 600 guilders for the return of the nagra. Poor us, we had no choice but to accede to the demand.

Happily for all of us, nothing untoward happened since then. We managed to even finish shooting the entire movie ahead of schedule.

Now that I am back home, things which I should have done and which I shouldn’t keep rushing back into my mind. Truly, my days in Amsterdam continue to evoke memories for me, both pleasant and otherwise. For example, how can I forget the group who made up Miss X? They were such a happy lot that I would love working with them again. Gil, my director, despite himself, is a dear. I love the guy, since I know he loves me, too.

Mark G., my leading man, will forever hold a special place in my heart. He proved so sweet, so pleasant to work with, so much so, I pray he will succeed. And my Ductch leading man, Max van Os, he did make my last days in Amsterdam memorable. I will always take him as one of the most warm-heated persons I’ve ever met in my whole life.

My memories of Amsterdam will never be complete without me mentioning the kindness and generosity of the Filipinos residing there. The way they welcomed and treated us in their respective homes truly amazed me. I love them all and will cherish their memories for a long, long time. – “26 Days in Amsterdam” by Vilma Santos as told to Ethelwolda A. Ramos, Photographed by Bing Cruz, Expressweek December 20, 1979 Source: Pelikula At Iba Pa

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family life in the 70s

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Ate Vi’s family life in the 70s Nostalgia ang theme natin for this issue. So, I will write about Ate Vi noong October 1970. After staying in an apartment sa may Bambang, Tondo, Manila and later sa isa uling apartment sa La Loma, QC, nakabili na si Ate Vi ng bahay sa isang bagong subdivision sa Quezon City rin.

Isang katamtamang laki ng bungalow sa may Cenacle Drive ng Arfel Subdivision ang bagong bahay ni Ate Vi. Simplicity at elegance ang masasabing keynote ng bagong bahay na ito. May tatlong bedroom na pawang carpeted and all covered by wallpapers, which was the fad then. Incidentally, the said bedrooms ay pulos air-conditioned ding lahat. Carpeted din ang loob ng kanilang living room na kumpleto ng mga makabagong furniture. Adjacent to the living room is the dining room with a fabulous dining set good for 12 person. Dalawa ang kusina. The dirty kitchen is situated at the back of the house while the main kitchen is connected to the servant’s quarter. Kumpleto rin ang nasabing dalawang kitchen ng modern equipments. At the back of the house ay ang isang maluwang na terrace na sadyang pinagawa ni Ate Vi para sa kanyang mga fans. Sa may bandang gate ay ang wide at cemented driveway na siyang tinitigilan ng kanilang dalawang kotse. Ang landscaping ng buong bahay ay simple lang ang pagkakagawa yet very fascinating naman to everyone’s eyes. Sa may gilid ng bahay ay may grotto rin na palaging inaalayan ni Ate Vi ng bulaklak. Katabi ng bahay ni Edgar Mortiz. After Arfel, tumira si Ate Vi sa Bel-Air Subd, Makati, then sa Dasmarinas Village sa Makati rin. She also had a house sa Monterey Hills Subd. sa Marikina. Ang alam ko hindi niya tinirhan ang bahay niya sa Monterey, although dito siya nag-celebrate ng kanyang 20th birthday. For practical reasons, dahil na nga sa sobrang laki ng bahay sa Dasmarinas Vill., they decided to sell it at bumili sila ng isang mas maliit na bahay sa Magallanes Village, also in Makati, although hindi rin naman maliit ang bahay sa Magallanes, it has 5 bedrooms at may basement at swimming pool pa ito. Dito nagtagal si Ate Vi, until she bought the house where she is staying until now sa Green Meadows sa QC. Curious lang ako, ano na kaya ang itsura ng unang bahay ni Ate Vi ngayon? Sino kaya ang nakatira doon ngayon? Siguro, it will take another issue for that. Meanwhile, let us enjoy how it looked like to live in the ‘70s. –Written by Eric Nadurata, V Magazine 2007

Governor Vilma Santos talks about her family, showbiz, and politics

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Mauurong sa isang taon ang shooting sa New York ng Star For All Season at Batangas Governor na si Vilma Santos para sa unang pelikula na pagsasamahan nila ni John Lloyd Cruz under Star Cinema, na supposed to be ay kukunan ngayong Nobyembre. Napabalita kasi na posibleng sa New York na rin magse-celebrate ng kanyang birthday si Governor Vi on November 3.

“Hindi,” tanggi ni Governor Vi sa panayam sa kanya ng PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). “Dito ako magbe-birthday. Alam ko nga magku-co-host ako sa Wowowee. Tapos nangako si Kris [Aquino] na dadalhin niya sa Batangas ‘yung Deal or No Deal. So, looking forward ako diyan.”

Sobrang nag-enjoy naman si Governor Vi sa naging experience niya as celebrity contestant sa Kapamilya Deal or No Deal last Friday, August 17. Mapapanood ang episode ni Governor Vi ngayong Huwebes, August 23.

Mula sa taping niya ng Deal Or No Deal, dumiretso si Governor Vi at ang mga naimbitahan niya for dinner sa Annabel’s restaurant sa Tomas Morato, Quezon City.

EDU MANZANO. Dito nakipagkwentuhan si Governor Vi sa ilang entertainment press na sinamahan siya sa taping. Obviously, na-miss ni Governor Vi ang showbiz kaya ang dami-dami niyang kuwento. Naging biruan at tuksuhan ang paglabas ng ex-husband niya na si Edu Manzano sa guesting niya sa Deal Or No Deal.

Nasorpresa si Governor Vi kay Edu dahil akala niya ay si Banker ang bababa at makikipagsayaw sa kanya. Walang choice si Governor Vi kundi ang makisayaw kay Edu sa tugtog ng ‘theme song’ nito sa Pilipinas, Game KNB. Naniniwala ba si Governor Vi sa kasabihang “old flames can be friends”?

“Ay, siguro that’s one perfect example kami ni Eduardo,” sabi ni Vilma. “In spite of everything, we’re still very close friends. We always talk ‘tsaka ano, e, kapag kailangan niya ako, nandun ako. Kapag kailangan ko siya, nandun siya. And yet, meron na kaming sari-sariling buhay.

“Nirerespeto niya si Ralph [Recto, her second husband]. Ako naman, nirerespeto ko rin ‘yung partner niya [Edu] at mga anak niya. Si Lucky [Luis Manzano], nandiyan palagi sa kanya. Mahal siya ni Ryan [Christian, her youngest son with former Senator Recto].”

RYAN & LUIS. Nagkasama na noon sina Edu at Ryan sa dating sitcom ng una with Aga Muhlach sa ABS-CBN kaya kahit papaano ay may bonding na silang dalawa. Ngayon, pinayagan na rin ni Governor Vi na mag-artista si Ryan gaya ng kanyang Kuya Luis.

“Hindi naman ‘yung talagang mag-aartista na si Ryan. Special guest, uh, permanent special guest ng Goin’ Bulilit siya once a month.”

Bakit hindi pa maging regular member ng show si Ryan?

“Huwag, nag-aaral pa, e,” sabi ng actress-governor. “Pinagbibigyan ko lang, gusto kasi ring mag-artista. Mahilig talaga si Ryan. Kaya once a month, ‘Sige, mag-guest ka anak.’ Sabado naman ang taping, e. Si Bobot [Edgar Mortiz] pa ang direktor. I trust Bobot naman. ‘Tsaka maganda naman ang grade niya [Ryan].”

How true na dinagdagan niya ng P100,000 ang talent fee ni Ryan?

“Hindi naman!” natatawang sagot ni Governor Vi. “Pinagbibigyan ko lang ‘yung hilig ng bata. At least, kapag maganda naman ang grade niya at saka he has his own money na. Kasi gusto ko ma-experience niya ‘yung tinatrabaho niya, ‘yung pera niya. And then, ina-appreciate niya kasi like, ‘Mommy, can I buy toys?’ ‘Okay,’ sasabihin ko naman sa kanya. Kasi pera niya ‘yon at wala namang problema sa grades niya.

“But now, I tell him na, ‘You work hard on it, use your money.’ Iyon ang ginagamit niya. Di ba as early as that, e, natututo siya? E, ganyan din ang training ko kay Lucky.”

Speaking of Luis, hindi ba siya naiinip na mag-asawa na si Luis?

“Naku, hindi!” tawa ni Governor Vi. “Bayaan na muna siya kasi natutuwa ako na ganyan lang siya. Nakikita ko na every time na nag-uusap kami, nakikita ko pa ang enjoyment niya.

“Ngayon pa? Ang mga bata ngayon, matatatagal na mag-asawa and not for anything, lalaki pa si Lucky. So, 26 [years old] lang siya, bayaan mo na siya. Kaya lang, kapag may makita lang na kasama ng anak ko, parang girlfriend na niya.

“Kapag malapit lang naman siya, malambing lang siya. ‘Tsaka yung ginagawa niya, ganyan talaga siya, di ba? Nagsu-surprise siya ng dinner, nagsosorpresa siya ng bulaklak. He’s really like that.”

Si Mariel Rodriguez daw ang pinakamalapit sa puso ngayon ni Luis. Ano ang masasabi ni Ate Vi rito?

“Okay lang sa akin,” sagot niya. “Walang problema kung sino ang gusto niya. Hindi naman ako ang makikisama Nakikita ko lang si Mariel, pero ‘yung sabihin mo nagkilala na kami ni Mariel, hindi pa.”

What about si Anne Curtis?

“Yes, si Anne nakilala ko rin siya,” sabi ni Governor Vi. “Ano naman niya ‘yon, e, parang soulmate niya, di ba? Okay naman ‘yon.

“E, si Angel [Locsin] naman…” patuloy niya. “Ano ba itong kay Angel? Ano ba ‘yan? Kilala ko si Angel, e, hindi ba nagkasama kami sa Mano Po 3? Mabait ang batang ‘yan. They’re close.”

Masuwerte raw si Governor Vi sa mga anak dahil bukod sa mapagmahal, may malaking interes pa ang mga ito sa pag-aaral.

“Kahit anong pagod ko, sila ang nagibibigay ng adrenalin sa akin. I thank God kasi intact ang pamilya ko. Kung ‘yan makakagulo sa pamilya ako, hindi ako tatakbo,” pahayag niya.

RALPH RECTO. Wala raw political agenda si Governor Vi after her first term as governor of Batangas. Lagi lang daw niyang iniisip ang kapanakanan ng kanyang constituents sa tuwing iniluluklok siya sa public office.

“Sa ngayon, we’re still in the process of housekeeping. Siguro by second or third week of September, maluwag na. Kasi ngayon, inaalam ko na lahat. Inaayos ko ‘yung fiscal management, ‘yung financial status ng Batangas. Tinutulungan ako ni Ralph.

“Alam mo, laking tulong sa akin ni Ralph kasi pagpasok ko, hindi magulo. Ngayon, itinatama ni Ralph ngayon ang pagsasaayos ng financial status ng Batangas na magiging madali sa akin to understand. Kasi may budget dito, nandidito; may budget dito, nandidito. So, inaayos ngayon ni Ralph sa akin na kung ano ‘yung klase ng pag-aayos ng budget ko sa Lipa. Ganun niya inaayos para mas maging kumportable ako,” lahad ng gobernador.

May naiwang pera naman daw ang dating nakaupo sa Kapitolyo ng lalawigan ng Batangas.

“Tama naman,” sabi ni Governor Vi. “Ayun, naka-ready na ako for my one hundred-days project. Naka-ready na ako ng six months. Ginagawa na namin ang 2008 budget. Tinutulungan ako ni Ralph, malaking bagay ‘yon.”

Kumusta naman si Ralph na hindi pinalad nang tumakbo itong muli para senador noong huling halalan.

“He’s much better now. Sabi ko nga, e, huwag namang ipahintulot ni Lord…sabi ko nga, blessing din ‘yung ano [pagkatalo]. Kasi I cannot imagine myself, buong Batangas na, tapos hindi ko maayos nang tama ‘yan? Kaya napakalaki ng tulong ni Ralph sa akin ngayon.

“Ngayon, isang sabi na lang, alam ko na agad. E, nung una, hindi ko alam kung saan ko kukunin ang budget. Ngayon, inaayos niya para pag magdesisyon ako, alam ko na agad.”

Ayon kay Governor Vi, may posisyon daw na inaalok kay Ralph sa gobyerno. Tatanggapin ba ito ng mister niya?

“Why not? Pero sabi niya, i-feel muna natin ang panahon kung nararapat kasi tatakbo ulit siya 2010. Definite na ‘yon,” aniya.

KORINA & NORA. During the May elections, nabalita na nagkatampuhan sila ng news personality ng ABS-CBN na si Korina Sanchez. Okay na ba sila ngayon?

“Wala naman,” sabi ni Governor Vi. “Nakausap ko na si Korina. I mean, at this point in time, para ano pang magtatampo ka? Magtatampo ka for a while, pero para itanim mo pa? Tapos nakikita mo kung ano ang nangyayari diyan?”

Bilang panghuli, kinuha namin ang pahayag si Ate Vi tungkol sa kanyang archrival at superstar na si Nora Aunor na naninirahan ngayon sa Amerika. Ayaw na raw kasing bumalik ng Pilipinas ni Ate Guy hangga’t hindi bumababa or nagpapalit ng administrasyon ang pamahalaan ng Pilipinas at balita ring nagpakasal ito sa kanyang manager na si Norie Sayo.

Tahimik muna si Governor Vi ng ilang sandali. Hangga’t maaari raw ay ayaw niyang magbigay ng pahayag, lalo na sa ganyang isyu. “Mahirap, e. Kahit ano ang sabihin ko, still, may mga magre-react. Sa akin, let’s just respect her decision,” pagtatapos ni Governor Vi. – Written by Julie Bonifacio, Tuesday, August 21, 2007, PEP

Quotes from Peers

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As I browse my compilations of old magazines i realized how ate vi is being idolized by her colleagues in showbiz. Here are some quotes from them.

Armida Siguion Reyna – Simula ng mapanood ko si Vilma sa Trudis Liit naging Vilmanian na ako. Nobody comes close to her.

Snooky Serna – Naging huwaran ko si ate Vi hindi lang sa career ko kundi maging sa personal kong buhay. I am very proud to be a Vilmanian.

Sharon Cuneta – Bata pa ako hindi pa ako artista talagang idol ko na si Ate Vi. Pinupuntahan ko pa yan sa bahay niya para lang makita at maka-usap kahit ako lang mag-isa.

Kristine Garcia – Kahit 1/4 lang ng tagumpay ni ate Vi ang marating ko masayang masaya na ako. Talagang idol ko siya. Idol siya ng buong  pamilya ko.

Ai-Ai Delas Alas – Kung alam lang ni ate Vi kung ilang beses akong nadapa sa paghahabol na makita siya. Siya ang naging inspirasyon ko sa pagpasok ko sa showbiz.

Korina Sanchez – Simula noon hanggang ngayon pagbalibaligtarin man ang panahon VILMANIAN PA RIN AKO.

Amy Austria – Si Vilma Santos ang idol ko. Maganda na , magaling pa.

Rio Locsin – Type ko siya. Ang husay husay niya.

Lea Salonga – Vilma is an actress that can compete with the top caliber actresses  in Hollywood. She is an epitome of a real queen of Philippine Cinema. I really look up to her.

Dawn Zulueta – Makasama ko lang si Ate Vi sa pelikula gagawin ko kahit libre.

Carlos Agassi – Ng makasama ko si mMama Vi sa pelikula feeling ko puwede na akong mamatay.

Donna Villa – Hindi kumpleto at walang katuturan ang pagiging producer ko kung hindi ako makagawa ng pelikula na bida ang hinahangaan kong si Vilma Santos.

Alvin Patrimonio – It would be a great fullfilment if I make a movie with nmy favorite Actress Vilma Santos.

Martin Nieverra – Vilma is my favorite actress. She is the only actress Ive known. Shes Great.

Jaclyn Jose – Bago ako pumasok sa showbiz, die hard Vilmanian na ako.  Nakikipag-away pa nga ako dahil kay Vilma.

Ana Capri – Nangangatog ako ng una ko siyang ma-meet in person.  Ganoon pala talaga ang feeling kapag naka face to face mo ang idol mo.

Glydel Mercado – Bata pa ako ginagaya ko na ang acting ni ate Vi.  Idol siya ng Nanay ko kaya naging idol namin siya.

Rufa Gutierrez – I am very flattered when Lino Brocka said that I am the next Vilma Santos. But Vilma Santos is Vilma Santos shes incomparable.

Gabby Concepcion – For me Vilma Santos is the Greatest Actress of all times. – A Roll-on, V magazine, 2005