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Posted on November 1, 2013 by @ffv Standard

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The Critical Dressed List – “…Vilma Santos shined in favorite designer Danilo Franco’s beaded aqua halter with sheer accent to cover the cleavage – very Mayor Vi. It has been quite a while since she wore a sleeveless number, she said. The Star for All Seasons felt uncomfortable to show her arms. (Those killer dance routines she did in her defunct TV shows “Vilma” did serve a purpose, after all). Well, she found a way to partially hide them behind a matching tasselled stole. Actually, the gown would probably look better without it. Those armhole could use some improvements too…” – Alex Y. Vergara, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 30 March 2001 (READ MORE)

The Urian Nominees: It’s The “Man”-ununuri’s Turn – “…It’s a man’s world at the Man-unuri. After the Star Awards for Movies, here comes the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino with their Annual Gawad Urian. With their fiesta motif, the critics group is set to give out their awards on March 28 at the UP Theater. While these is a shortage of cited nominees in the female lead category, the list is beaming with nominations in the male acting department. Three of the seven best actor nominees and four out of the nine best supporting actor finalist played gay characters. And what Eddie Garcia is to FAMAS, Raymond Bagatsing is to the Manunuri. After winning the Urian Best Actor honor last year for Milagros, Raymond has again won the nod of the critics who are now giving him two much-coveted nominations for best actor and best supporting actor. And I wouldn’t be surprised if he wins in both categories. Here are the nominees for the major categories: Best Picture – Sa Pusod Ng Dagat; Jose Rizal; Bata, Bata…Paano Ka Ginawa?; Sana Pag-ibig Na; Kriminal ng Barrio Concepcion. Best Actor: Raymond Bagatsing (Kriminal ng Barrio Concepcion); Romnick Sarmienta (Miguel/Michelle); Eric Quizon (Pusong Mamon); Cesar Montano (Jose Rizal); Gerald Madrid (Sana Pag-ibig Na); Ryan Eigenmann (Gangland); and Ricky Davao (Selya). Best Actress: Elizabeth Oropeza (Sa Pusod ng Dagat); Rosanna Roces (Curacha); Vilma Santos (Bata, Bata…Paano Ka Ginawa?); and Nida Blanca (Sana Pag-ibig Na) …Given the different film orientations and backgrounds of each of the Manunuri members, we cannot really tell how different their decisions will be compared to the previous films awards. One thing is sure though, there’ll be no ties in this award-giving body. What can you expect from a group composed of just close to 10 members? Well, they should know better, I suppose…” – Isah V. Red, Manila Standard, Mar 14, 1999 (READ MORE)

Urian’s Choices“…Another major upset was Nida Blanca’s failure to clinch top acting honors. Her perfromance in Sana Pag-ibig Na by another first-time director Jeffrey Jeturian was considered by many worthy of an Urian trophy and could give popular choice Vilma Santos a tough time in all of the awards this year. Blanca shared the same honors with the Mayor of Lipa City earlier in Star Awards. Seventy-six-year-old-actress Mona Lisa was this year’s recipient of Natatanging Gawad Urian presented to her by Insiang co-star Ruel Vernal and Manunuri’s Grace Javier Alfonso. The actress recent work is a role in Nick DeOcampo’s Mother Ignacia. This is the 22nd year the Manunuri group have been handing out trophies to honor outstanding work of actors, directors, writers, film editors, sound engineers and music scorers in Filipino movies…The show looked like most local awards shows with musical numbers that has no relevance to the film medium punctuating the monotony of introducing the nominees and announcing the winners. Rosanna Roces’ licentious humor somehow livened up the perfunctory intros of presenters and performers. Osang was resplendent in an off-shoulder tangerine ballroom gown at the beginning and changed into a heavily beaded and sequined piece with partly see-through skirt. Many in the audience wondered if she was wearing a wig. With Osang as co-hosts were a slimmer Rustom Padilla and Albert Martinez who was struggling with an asthma attack and had to leave even before the show was over.

The stage was dressed up like a courtyard with facade of turn of the century houses as background. Rep. Imee Marcos presented the five nominated pictures wearing initially an outfit made from indigenous fibers and then later a Filipiniana-inspired two-piece number…As usual in local award shows, the bigger stars come in very late, just in time for the announcement of the nominations in their respective category. Vilma Santos came in at 10:30 p.m. escorted by husband and Batangas congressman Ralph Recto and followed by an entourage of bodyguards and her personal assistants. In her acceptance speech, she apologized for her tardiness saying she had to attend the graduation from high school of Luis Philip Manzano, aka Lucky, her son by former husband Edu Manzano. She also announced that the following day, her son by Ralph, Ryan Christian Recto, would be celebrating his birthday. Vilma’s fans once more showed their undying support for their idol, screaming at every instance the actress’ name is mentioned and holding up paper placards, on which they screamed their affection for her. When her name was announce winner of the most coveted award, they went gaga jumping out of their seats to cheer her as if they were watching a basketball game. This is the kind of awards show that somehow masks the sad realities in an industry struggling to survive the worst economic crisis ever and the continued and growing alienations of the middle class now more inclined to watch English-language movies from Hollywood on either the VHS and DVD formats in the comfort of their air-conditioned bedrooms….” – Manila Standard, Mar 31, 1999 (READ MORE)

Top stars invited to grance Urian – “…Three-time Urian best actress awardee Vilma Santos lead tonight’s line-up of stars who have been invited and are expected to grace the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino’s 11th Gawad Urian, at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The show, telecast live on Channel 2, 8 p.m. is hosted by 1980 Urian best actor Bernardo Bernardo and Helen Vela. Other stars who have been invited to act as presenters include the President’s daughter Kris Aquino, Lorna Tolentino, Rudy Fernandez, Charito Solis, Ace Vergel, Pinky de Leon, Phillip Salvador, Jay Ilagan, Maricel Soriano, Richard Gomez, William Martinez, Cherie Gil, Orestes Ojeda, Pinky Suarez, Joel Alano, Anjo Yllana, Rita Avila, Beth Bautista, Aurora Sevilla, Roderick Paulate, and Nora Aunor. The annual Gawad Urian is the film critics’ awards founded in 1976. It also confers a lifetime achievement award or the Natatanging Gawad Urian to certain deserving veteran practitioners of the movie industry. This year’s awardee is actress Rosa Rosal…” – JC Nigado, Manila Standard, May 7, 1987 (READ MORE)

It’s Nora vs Vilma, Judy Ann vs Claudine in Gawad Urian – “Screen rivals Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, and Judy Ann Santos and Claudine Barretto are pitted in the 28th annual Gawad Urian given out by the film critics. Aunor is nominated for “Naglalayag,” in which she plays a judge who finds herself in a relationship with a younger man, played by Yul Servo, who is also nominated for Best Actor. Santos is nominated for “Mano Po 3: My Love,” where she memorably plays a Chinese-Filipino anti-crime advocate who reunites with a long-lost love, played by Christopher de Leon, a Best Actor contender. Claudine Barretto is cited for “Milan,” where she plays a cynical migrant worker in Italy who falls in love with a countryman looking for his wife. The man is played touchingly by Piolo Pascual, another Best Actor nominee. Judy Ann Santos is nominated for playing the latent lesbian in the psychological study, “Sabel.” Other than the high-profile rivalry between the two senior movie icons and two young actresses, the biggest news is that “Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino,” the 10-hour digital film by Lav Diaz, has been nominated for Best Film…” – Philippine Daily Inquirer, Apr 27, 2005 (READ MORE)

Indie films share critics’ top prize – “The sudden downpour and ensuing flash flood failed to dampen the spirit of independent film makers who eventually swept this year’s Urian Awards, the country’s top critics prize for movies. The 28th Gawad Urian, handed out by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino was held at the AFP Theater in Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City, on June 4. In spite of the “militarist” venue, independent filmmakers were calling for “revolution in Pinoy cinema” within earshot of army men in fatigues. “The floodgate are open; independent filmmakers are now free,” declared Paul I. Tanedo, who produced the 10-hour epic “Ebolusyon ng Isang Pamilyang Pilipino,” which in turn shared the Best Picture award with another indie effort, “Panaghoy sa Suba,” produced by actor Cesar Montano’s CM Films…Another world-class Filipino artist, film editor Jess Navarro, was honored with a Lifetime Achievement award (Natatanging Gawad Urian) for his impressive body of work – particularly for such internationally acclaimed films as “Batch ’81,” “Kisapmata,” “Sister Stela L.,” “Jose Rizal,” and “Dekada ’70.” Also, studio productions like “Sabel” (Regal), “Milan” (Star Cinema), and “Sigaw” (Megavision/Regal) were not completely shut out…”Sabel,” for its part, grabbed two trophies: Best Supporting Actor for Wendell Ramos and Best Actress for Judy Ann Santos…” – Philippine Daily Inquirer, Jun 6, 2005 (READ MORE)

“Minsan Pa,” Cesar, Ara top Golden Screen – “The Entertainment Press Society, or Enpress, paid tribute on Saturday to two independently produced films: “Minsan Pa” and “Panaghoy sa Suba,” by bestowing upon them most of the major awrds in the second Golden Screen awards ceremony at the RCBC Plaza in Makati City…Jeffrey Jeturian was heralded best director for his work on “Minsan Pa,” while lady lead Ara Mina, who plays lovelorn pre-school teacher Luna, was declared best supporting actress….Judy Ann Santos beat veterans Nora Aunor (“Naglalayag”) and Vilma Santos (“Mano Po 3”) to the best dramatic actress trophy for her offbeat performance in the movie “Sabel.” Diamond Star Maricel Soriano was awarded best actress for a comedic role in Regal Films’ “I Will Survive.” Eric Quizon was declared best actor for comedy for his work on “So Happy Together,” also from Regal Films…” – Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 7, 2005 (READ MORE)

Golden Screen Sights and Shrieks – “The Second Golden Screen Awards ceremony last Saturday lasted only two hours, but it was action packed, certainly to the people who turned up to watch the proceedings at the Carlos P. Romulo auditorium of the RCBC Plaza in Makati City. One former couple deliberately and very noticeably avoided one another. So did one screen team. Two group of fans competed in screaming their lungs out. At least three winners were stunned for getting awards. The show began with a forceful speech from Entertainment Press Soceity president Jun Nardo, who lambasted “unfair” people questioning the group’s credibility. “Tadtarin man ng intriga, mapapatuloy pa rin kami,” Nardo said. Jomari Yllana, nominated Best Actor (drama) for his work in “Minsan Pa,” was spotted at the left side of the auditorium. Former girlfriend Ara Mina, who won Best Supporting Actress, stayed backstage almost throughout the show. In his acceptance speech, Jeffrey Jeturian said his Best Director award (for “Minsan Pa”) was unexpected, “kasi walang leakage.” The Vilmanians and Noranians occupied either side of the auditorium, screaming at every mention of their idol’s names and movies. Santos and Aunor were both nominated for Best Actress (drama). When Judy Ann Santos won as Best Actress (drama, for “Sabel”) several Vilmanians said: “Okay lang, Santos pa rin.” The Lino Brocka Lifetime Achievement award was given to Mona Lisa, the consistently extraordinary character actress who played the vengeful mother of Hilda Koronel in the 1979 film, Insiang….” – Marinel R. Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 8, 2005 (READ MORE)

Improved fashion sense – “Black and certain dark colors were relegated to supporting roles at the recent Golden Screen Awards, as not a few of Tinseltown’s leading ladies opted to wear gowns in delicious shades and prints as if to herald the coming summer. And for a change, the celebrities who bothered to attend the fledgling event made up for its lack of star power by dressing up in something appropriate (matino) this time. Progress, at last! Those who dared don dark hues included Maricel Soriano, Iza Calzado, Donita Rose, and Judy Ann Santos, who looked more like a trophy girl than a Best Actress winner in a black V-neck outfit with a long slit in front. Judy Ann stuck to the clean mature look by wearing her hair up and confining the glitter to several jewelry pieces on her neck and ankles (yes, not one but two shining ankles peeked from beneath that slit). In fairness to the vertically challenged young star, she looked surprisingly svelte in her minimalist gown, especially next to a healthy but still shapely, Ara Mina. Judy Ann’s gambit to look understated paid off, as he later beat acting heavyweights Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos – who wore a hot pink corset and serpentine skirts – for the top acting plum….” – Alex Y. Vergara, Photos by Karl Sumbeling, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 10, 2005 (READ MORE)

Love, War and a scare – “three love stories, a war epic, and a horror flick are competing tomorrow for the coveted Best Picture trophy in the Philippine Movie Press Club’s 21st Star Awards for Movies. “Feng Shui,” the box office horror hit starring Kris Aquino, is up against drama films “Naglalayag,” “Aishite Imasu 1941,” “Mano Po 3: My Love,” and “Milan.” conspicuously missing from the list is “Panaghoy sa Suba,” winner of major awards in last week’s Golden Screen Awards (given by the Entertainment Press Society) and, earlier, the Metro Manila Film Festival. Kris, better known for the top-rating shows she hosts for ABS-CBN, will be challenging drama veterans Vilma Santos (“Mano Po3: My Love”), Nora Aunor (“Naglalayag”), Judy Ann Santos (“Sabel”) and Claudine Barretto (“Milan”) for Best Actress….I feel flattered that my work is being recognized,” Lamangan told Inquirer Entertainment on Wednesday. “My actors have been winning awards. I consider their awards my victory too. This inspires me to do better.” Lamangan referring to Judy Ann Santos, Maricel Soriano, Eric Quizon and Dennis Trillo, who all took home Golden Screen trophies on March 5…” – Marinel R. Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 11, 2005 (READ MORE)

Trouble in the Stars – “…Quoting reports in the tabloids Pecho said 13 PMPC members, all part of the 24-man voting committee, received P5,000 each from “a woman from ABS-CBN.” This was to ensure that the Best Actor award would go to Piolo Pascual (for “Milan”) and the Best Actress award to Kris Aquino (for “Feng Shui”). “They claimed Joebar was behind the “switching” of the awards,”said Pecho. The payoff might have happened, in fact, he said, but he reiterated his confidence in Barrameda. Star Cinema, movie arm of ABS-CBN, produced both “Milan” and “Feng Shui.” “One story even said writer Allan Diones has admitted receiving money from the woman,” Pecho noted. Rumors that Kris and Piolo would win the top acting awards has started circulating days before the awards rites last Saturday. Several people who turned up for the program at the Cinema 5 of the Gateway Mall in Cubao, Quezon City and sported the two nominees commented: “They probably know that they would win. Why else would they be here?” But it was, Vilma Santos who took the Best Actress trophy for “Mano Po 3: My Love,” and Dennis Trillo was named Best Actor and Best New Movie Actor for Aishite Imasu 1941…Several write-ups identified the “woman” as Star Magic PR head Rikka Dylim, who denied the accusation…Vilmanians and Noranians, as well as fans of young stars Sandara, Hero, Jennylyn Mercado and Mark Herras, screamed at every mention of their idols’ name and movies. What supposed to be a “formal” ceremony instead looked and sounded like any noontime program, with spectator’s hollering, “Laban!” or “Bawi!” at the top of their lungs. Kris arrived at about the same time as Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award for his father, former president Joseph Estrada. A swarm of photographers jostled for the best shots. Kris is the daughter of another former president, Corazon Aquino…Pops Fernandez shared hosting chores with Vilma, and Martin Nievera was anchor man…” – Marinel R. Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 18, 2005 (READ MORE)

Star Awards to be probed – “Officers of the Philippine Movie Press Club will form a committee to investigate the alleged vote-buying during the recent 21st Star Awards, according to Veronica Samio, head of the club’s grievance committee. “A deceitful act like this should not go unpunished,” said Samio, who was president of the PMPC from 1991 to 1993. “It’s not right to cheat. We will see to it that PMPC members involved in this will be expelled. Post-show reports alleged that 13 PMPC members, all part of the 24-man voting committee, received money from ABS-CBN Star Magic PR head Rikka Dylim several days before the ceremony. This was to ensure that Piolo Pascual would be named Best Actor for “Milan” and the Best Actress award would go to Kris Aquino for “Feng Shui.” The accused members included writer Allan Diones, who admitted to received P5,000 from Dyllim, Samio also identified former PMPC president Julie Bonifacio-Gaspar, incumbent vice president Jimi Escala and member Ador Saluta as among those involved. Star Cinema, movie arm of ABS-CBN, produced both “Milan” and “Feng Shui.” But Vilma Santos (“Mano Po 3: My Love”) took home the Best Actress trophy and Dennis Trillo (“Aishite Imasu 1941”) was named Best Actress and Best New Movie Actor. Samio said Diones confessed to the vote-buying on the day the committee members were to cast their vote. “The first reaction of our president (Joe Barrameda) was to strike Piolo’s name from the list of nominees. But we dissuaded him because it would not be fair to Piolo, who actually did well in “Milan,” Samio told Inquirer Entertainment last Friday. “Piolo probably didn’t even know what these people did for him.” According to Samio, writer-TV host Cristy Fermin was also seen reportedly handing out P3,000 to 12 PMPC members a few days before the PMPC was to announce the winners at the Cinema 5 of the Gateway Mall in Quezon City last March 12…” – Marinel R. Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Mar 20, 2005 (READ MORE)

Billie Joe and Richard – “…Male child star Billie Joe is a welcome addition to Vilma Santos’ show. He replaces rapper John Robinson in the “Music Watch” portion of the program. Actually, the said portion used to be the most boring part of the show and we’re glad the people behind the program did something about it. At six, Billie Joe is “articulate, witty and lovable, he is so much better than his predecessor. He could sing and dance with gusto and it is amazing how a little boy could breathe life into an otherwise stale portion…Richard Gomez is Vilma Santos’ leading man in the actress first tv drama special to be aired on GMA-7 sometime after her birthday on Nov. 3. The special is directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes. We remember that Gomez’s first tv appearance was in Vilma’s summer special in 1985 and that exposure proved advantageous to his budding career. Perhaps, now that he is considered popular, Gomez is returning the favor…” – Meg Mendoza, Manila Standard, Sep 10, 1998 (READ MORE)

Dina Bonnevie dreams of reaching the heights of Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor’s career – “…In a recent interview, Dina Bonnevie admitted that she had learned to accept the fact that her relationship with Vic Sotto is over and that her ex-husband is now Coney Reyes’ man. She even wished Sotto and Reyes happiness together and hoped she find her own happiness someday. Bonnevie said that at this point her career is her priority and that she wants to be a bankable dramatic actress. She also said if possible she wants to break into the international movie scene. “I want to see myself at the top one day,” she declared. “Parang gusto kong marating ang narating ng mga superstars like Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. I guess everybody dreams of getting to the top and I’m one of them.” Bonnevie has nothing but good words for her two leading men in the movie, Gabby Concepcion and Julio Diaz, and director Maning Borlaza. Aside from being an actress, Bonnevie also dreams of making it as a successful scriptwriter. She gets to practice her writing skills in her own tv show, Dina, where who is supposed to write a script once a month…” – Nitz Miralles, Manila Standard, Sep 10, 1998 (READ MORE)

CUE CARDS – “…Vilma Santos shared the coveted Movie Actress of the Year award with Nida Blanca in last Saturday’s Star Awards, the local counterpart of Hollywood’s Golden Globe, at a jam-packed UP Theater in Diliman, Quezon City. Santos was honored for her role in Bata, Bata…Paano Ka Ginawa?, a movie written for the screen by Lualhati Bautista based on her own novel and directed by Chito Roño for Star Cinema. Blanca, meanwhile, won her acting trophy for her role in the obscure Sana Pag-ibig Na by first-time director Jeffrey Jeturian for Golden Harvest. The two bested three other nominees: Elizabeth Oropeza (Tasulok), Rosanna Roces (Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni Selya), and Sharmaine Arnais (Sagad sa Init)…Eric Quizon was voted Darling of the Press. Quizon was also one of the hosts of the show. Joining him were Ronnie Ricketts and Vilma Santos whose fans punctuated the show with screams, cheers and applause. A female fan was reportedly escorted out of the theater by security guards after some members fo the audience complained that she has making too much noise. If the Vilmanians were rowdy, the Noranians was the opposite side of the theater were ferocious. They trooped to the theater when they learned Nora Aunor would make an appearance to present the Ulirang Artista Award to her friend Caridad Sanchez. They broke in wild cheers when their idol chilled out of the stage wing and stood on the right end of the stage. Vilma was on the opposite side waiting for her cue to introduce Nora. It was all right until the Mayor of Lipa announced Nida Blanca instead. The Noranians were irked and incensed and objected with catcalls. Vilma was compelled to make a public apology, saying she was merely reading a cue card given to her by the show’s writer. Nora was also the recipient of a special award, cited by the PMPC for bringing the local movie industry honors in international film festivals. She won Best Actress at Penang, Malaysia for her role in 1997’s Bakit May Kahapon Pa? The superstar’s acceptance speech was short, saying only, “Maraming salamat!” Many speculated that she must have been incensed by the earlier faux pas committed by her perennial rival. In justifying the mistake, the PMPC said that Nora was not really expected to arrive. But they were glad she made it. In case she didn’t, Nida Blanca had agreed to make the presentation of the Ulirang Artista Award which was already written on the cue card. The question though remained, “Didn’t Vilma notice Nora coming in?” If she didn’t she should have taken the cue from the screams of the Noranians. The incident reignited the heated rivalry of these two stars and made the Star Awards a peewee exciting…” – Isah V. Red, Photographs by Mike de Juan, Manila Standard, Mar 14, 1999 (READ MORE)

Vilma Santos, Famas Lifetime Achievement Awardee – “…After her recent Young Critics Circle and Star Awards victories, Vilma like Nida is up for another surprise at the Urian night. And just a few days after, April 8 to be exact, it will be the FAMAS’ turn to give out its trophies. Now on its 47th year, the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences is considered the oldest and the most controversial award giving body in Asia, coming only second to the Oscar Awards. Vilma is actually disqualified from winning best actress honors in the FAMAS since she has already been elevated to the Hall of Fame – after having won five best actress awards from the said body. But in order to give due recognition for her continued excellence and longevity as a movie queen, not to mention her very popular career as a public servant hailed as the Mother of Lipa, Vilma will be bestowed this year’s FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award. Like the grand slam and the Hall of Fame honors, this forthcoming award set Vilma in another plane above her arch rival Nora Aunor. In any case, the Noranians may be quick to retort, “the FAMAS Lifetime Achievement honor are no match to Nora’s Centennial Artist Honor.” Good for Nora and Vilma, they’ve transcended and have gone way beyond what their drumbeaters have set up for them…” – Wikipedia, Manila Standard, Mar 22, 1999 (READ MORE)

Alfie Lorenzo – “…Alfie interviewed Nora who professed her still lingering passion for Manny de Leon. Again it was duly reported by Alfie. Again he was belied, this time by Nora Aunor. This twin denials did not deter Alfie from pursuing a more rabid reporting stance. Now with the Vilma-Bobot group, he would rake coals and embers and fan the escalating Nora-Vilma war. Gradually the Nora-Vilma fight settled into a more subdued form of rivalry. From probing movie stars, Alfie Lorenzo teamed up with the members of what would eventually be the Laperal Mafia and the Ligaya Brotherhood (or Sisterhood, whichever the case maybe) and went into proing for movie companies – Sine Pilipino, Juan de la Cruz, Lyra Ventures – moving into Regal where he is more or less a fixture. Before latching on to these companies, Alfie and Douglas ventured into movie production coordinating for a freelance producer and came up with forgettable movie called, “Wild, Wild Pussycat.” “Lahat kaming malas nagsama-sama sa Sine Pilipino. Elwood directed “Blue Boy,” flop. Joey directed for Tower, flop, buti na lang kumuwela si Vilma.” remembers Alfie. At Sine Pilipino, Vilma Santos finally made the big leap to superstardom then held solely by the dark girl from Iriga. With a couple of hits which raked in the box-office, Sine Pilipino was able to establish the careers of Joey Gosiengfiao, Elwood Perez, and even when Sine Pilipino went under because of what has been reported as faulty management, Alfie managed to breast the waves of bankruptcy and the board of censors’ ire to stay in business as a movie writer-pro-columnist-manager. At Lyra Ventures, Alfie was part of the project-makers of “Uhaw” parts I and II, the scenes of which caused a turnover in the board of censors. Today, Alfie Lorenzo’s cheek and guts have taken him around the world in pursuit of his own star. Managing of being pro for stars like Vilma Santos, Charito Solis, Al Tantay, Cherie Gil, Mark Gil and Dante Rivero has made Alfie more or less an indispensable fixture in the movie scene…” – TV Times, 27 April – May 3 1980

Investigative Journalism – “…I follow up on events and I always add that dash of scoop by getting at the real story behind the news item.” Inday Badiday’s brand of gossip, therefore, is more akin to investigative journalism. Never mind the fact that her investigations always end up in the same way. For nobody can quite ransack a “ropero” as thoroughly as Inday can. Inday Badiday or Ludy Jimenez Carvajal also admits to having”sources” who relay precious information to her but she sifts these carefully and only follows up on the “more interesting” bits. “The hotel guest registry is not my cup of tea, I leave it to others to do that type of reporting. If I get a lead about so-and-so checking in at this hotel, I sometimes pass on the information to another reporter and leave it up to him to follow the story if he cares to.” Inday’s chitchat being more issue-oriented has landed her into more controversies than she’s ready to bargain for. “In the Amalia-Romeo-Vilma affair, for instances, I was only a bystander. They were the ones who did all the talking, most especially Bobby. But it was my program which took the brunt of it all. Sabi ko nga, para bang nag-away ang mga bisita mo sa bahay mo. Anong magagawa mo?” Inday confesses that her job is not exactly a bed of roses. “Anong gagawin mo pag sinabi sa iyo ng artista, “Ate Luds, ito ang tunay na nangyari pero huwag mong sasabihin. Ito na lang ang sabihin mo, Sasakit ang ulo mo talaga.” The constant ringing of the phone, the centenarian who came to visit Inday that day, the unending parade of people streaming in and out of Inday’s tiny office-all these attest to the queen’s popularity. “My sister (Letty Jiminez-Magsanoc of Panorama) tells me that I’m but a mere spectator of this circus.” What LJM meant was perhaps that Inday’s life is the anti-thesis of the sordid world of her occupation. Inday after all started out as a ballet teacher at Joji Felix’s dance studio (would you believe?) where perhaps the most awkward event of any given day was a ballerina’s lazy arabesque. Now that her world has changed from ballet to bod stars, she remains even more certain of her ground. “The point of interest being facets of the stars’ private lives,” says Inday, “and this means I cannot write or talk about how many times they go to church. I cannot imagine why some peole would like us to turn plastic, too, by writing plastic things about their plastic selves. Ang sabi nga kung naiinitan ka sa apoy ng nagluluto, di umalis ka sa kusina.” It is the movies where one worries most when the gossip stops. Very few attain that sought-after state of virtual imperviousness. Should anything truly sensational happen in their lives, who do you think will merit bigger headlines today, Vilma Santos or Tita Duran? What worries certain movie scribes, Giovanni Calvo included…” – TV Times, 27 April – May 3 1980

Emmanuel H. Borlaza – “…Why Borlaza? Because Emmanuel H. Borlaza is a formula director, a tried and tested moneymaker for local film companies and an example of a commercial success who also hungers for artistic fulfillment. It was Maning Borlaza who directed the box-office hit revival of Darna and Dyesebel, those heroines of less demanding times, and followed of less demanding times, and followed them with more Vilma Santos-Edgar Mortiz starrers and such crowd-drawers as Kapatid Ko Ang Aking Ina; Artista And Aking Asawa; and I Love Mama, I Love Papa. Very recently, despite his many obvious fumbling, his Mrs. Eva Fonda, 16 raked in the moolah, as entertainment columnist would put it. Whether the lure was really Borlaza and not Vilma (as Darna) or Alma (as Eva), one would still not find out in Makahiya at Talahib, the Goodwill production that Maning is directing as a filmfest bet. Vilma is starring, you see, opposite Rudy Fernandez who portrays the man on the run. Maning, however, has been quoted to have said that “My next 20 years are modestly provided for, I don’t think I will live more than that. Henceforth, I will split my movie work to what I want to do and what the public likes. He wants, it seems, to recover his old self, the Borlaza who filmed Pyscho-Maniac, a suspense thriller which cast Divina Valencia, Dindo Fernando and Ray Marcos and won him the Academy’s best screenplay award in ’68, who packed so much good action in Mindanao, the movie that bagged four statuettes in the Manila Filmfest of the same year, and who directed Vilma Santos’s way to the FAMAS best actress award for the performance in Dama de Noche. And yet, he is not that keen to do films that might suffer the fate of O’Hara’s Mortal or Bernal’s Nunal sa Tubig. “Their box-office results are not encouraging,” says Maning. He admits he still goes a little commercial.

That is why there is a love scene between Vilma and Rudy in Makahiya that Maning expects people might be talking about, more than the torrid shots of Rudy and Trixia Gomez. The 41-year old director also wrote the story and screenplay of Makahiya. Writing was something that didn’t interest Maning while he was enrolled in Dr. Severino Montano’s Arena theater at the same time that he was majoring in English at the Manuel Luis Quezon University. “Dr. Montano was the rave of the drama world at that time,” recalls Maning. “That’s where I bumped into Lino Brocka, Behn Cervantes, Joonee Gamboa…they were coming in when I was leaving the group. I got much too engrossed in acting because I got good roles I didn’t write anything.” From acting in theater, however, Borlza switched to writing in the movies. To his credit are some 300 stories and screenplays from which Sampaguita stalwarts Carlos Vander Tolosa and Octavio Silos directed. But after 12 long years of scriptwriting, Maning struck up a partnership with ’60s bombshell Divina Valencia and formed the Queen Vi production on which he now says he lost a lot of money. Their first movie, Psycho-Maniac, was also Maning’s first directorial attempt. Another person would have thought things over and concentrated on scriptwriting instead after a victory like that but Borlaza was decided: he was going to make movies, not just write them. Nowadays, he even makes two pictures at a time. “I just finished Makahiya and Teatro Manila. It’s cheaper that way. You don’t waste any calendar day. No stars available for Makahiya, we would work on Teatro.” Work means gearing up in a sleeveless top and a pair of short shorts that expose his long smooth legs. Maning, in case you didn’t hear his very casual confession on Inday Badiday’s Nothing But the Truth, is “gay.” “That was the first time I opened up to the public,” he explaines. I thought if I didn’t open up, what’s the use of coming to a show like that?” Homosexuals are actually spilling all over the movie world, just as they do in other creative fields. One of these days, Emmanuel H. Borlaza might just complete a consciousness-raising classic and we’ll say it can happen to anyone regardless of sex…” – Chelo R. Banal, Philippine Panorama Magazine, 26 December 1976 (READ MORE)

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All About Dama de Noche

Posted on October 31, 2013 by @ffv Standard

The Flower – “…Dama de Noche (Cestrum nocturnum), literally translates “lady of the night” is famous for its unusual biorhythm which made it the subject of legend. Its flowers bloom at night and exude a very sweet scent. Although widely cultivated in the Philippines, the plant was introduced from tropical America….” – Wikipilipinas

The LegendThe Legend of Dama de Noche – “A thousand years ago, there was a rich maharlika, or nobleman, who spent his early bachelor days recklessly, wining and dining in the company of nobility. He drank the finest wines, ate the most delectable food and enjoyed the company of the loveliest, perfumed and bejewelled women of the noble class. After years of this kind of life, the maharlika finally felt it was time to settle down and marry the woman of his choice. “But who is the woman to choose?” he asked himself as he sat in the rich splendour of his home, “All the women I know are beautiful and charming, but I am tired of the glitter of their jewels and the richness of their clothes!” He wanted a woman different from all the women he saw day and night, and found this in a simple village lass. She was charming in her own unaffected ways, and her name was Dama. They married and lived contentedly. She loved him and took care of him. She pampered him with the most delicious dishes, and kept his home and his clothes in order. But soon, the newness wore off for the maharlika. He started to long for the company of his friends. He took a good look at his wife and thought, she is not beautiful and she does not have the air of nobility abouther, she does not talk with wisdom. And so the maharlika returned to his own world of glitter and splendor. He spent his evenings sitting around with his friends in their noble homes , drank and talked till the first rays of the sun peeped from the iron grills of their ornate windows. Poor Dama felt that she was losing her husband. She wept in the silence of their bedroom. “I cannot give my husband anything but the delights of my kitchen and the warmth of my bed. He is tired of me.” She looked to the heavens. “Oh, friendly spirits! Help me. Give me a magic charm. Just one little magic charm to make my husband come home again, that he will never want to leave my side, forever!”

It was midnight when the maharlika came home. He opened the door of their bedroom and called for Dama to tell her to prepare his nightclothes. “Dama! Dama, where are you?” he called. He shouted all around the bedroom. He sarched the whole house. Still the nobleman could not find his simple wife. Finally the nobleman returned to their bedroom, tired and cross. But, as he opened the door, he stopped. A are scent, sweet and fragrant, drifted to him. It was a scent he had never smelled before. He entered the room and crossed to the window where the scent seemed to be floating from. A strange bush was growing outside the window. Some of its thin branches had aleady reached the iron grills and were twisting around. And all over the bush were thousands of tiny starlike, white flowers, from which burst forth a heavenly, enchanting scent! He stood there, completely enraptured by the glorious smell. “Dama…” he whispered softly, onderingly, could this be Dama? The rich maharlika sat by the window, and waited for the return of his loving simple wife. But she did not come back. She never returned to him again. Only the fragrance of the flowers stayed with him, casting a spell over his whole being. In the moonlight, Dama of the night, or Dama de Noche would be in full bloom, capturing the rich maharlika, making him never want to leave her side, forever.

The Comics – Alamat ng Dama de Noche Written by Manuel Franco; Illustrated by Rudy V. Arubang; Published by National Book Store, Inc. Circa 1974 – komiklopedia

The 1972 Film – Directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza, written by Borlaza and Nestor Torre, featuring Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz, Fred Montilla, Lillian Laing, Matimtiman Cruz, Ruben Tizon, Jovie Barse, Priscilla Ramirez, Danilo Jurado, Cloyd Robinson. Released September 14, 1972.

“…Dama de Noche is showing in three theaters— Remar, Delta and Sampaguita. It is, Vilma was quoted as saying, her dream role fulfilled. The very professional Vilma has come out with the resolution than henceforth she will demand to see the script and also see that the script is demanding- or she’ll say nix. Well, Dama de Noche is exactly just that: demanding. In it she delineates the twin-sister roles of sweet Armida and deranged Rosanna. Vilma sobs and screams, giggles, and crazy-dances, claws and clowns, sobs again and screams some more. But she does more than all these things. She acts. In the Filipino movieworld where crying is synonymous with acting, that certainly is being ahead of one’s kind. Vilma as Armida is drab and dry, almost a movie prop. It is in the portrayal of Rosanna that Vilma would tear one’s heart away. The many close-ups so effectively used throughout the movie show the unglamorous Vilma: her frowns, her lip-twitching, her uninhibited and stifled sobs. But Vilma is less successful with the shifty look that is the distinctive trait of the deranged. She compensates for this in the ‘betrayal’ scene when Rosanna suspects that Leo, Armida and the psychiatrist (Fred Montilla) all conspired to imprison her in the hospital. Another outstanding feat is the subdued scene where Rosanna learns that Leo has gone to the Lerma villa to meet Armida. The vivacious Rosanna is just as winsomely pathetic. Watching her is just like seeing a bosom friend trying to pretend she’s happy when both of you know she’s not only in this case, Rosanna is truly happy. Her non-knowledge of her plight is what is particularly heart-curling. Dama de Noche is Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Production’s entry in the QC filmfest which started on Oct.15. It is a very simple story, almost run-of-the-mill, but Nestor Torre, Jr. who wrote the screenplay saved it with his meaningful and amusing lines. However, the movie is occasionally dragging with the Filipino moviemania for spoonfed sequences…” – Times Jornal, October 24, 1972 (READ MORE)

The 1998 Film – A woman (Ynez Veneracion) who was maltreated during her younger years (Aiza Marquez played the young role) gets revenge on the people who abused her. This 1998 film was directed by Lore Reyes and featured Ynez Veneracion, Mark Gil and Lara Fabregas. Released on July 22, 1998 by Neo Films and Viva Films, both lead star Mark Gil and Ynez Veneracion will co-starred with Vilma Santos (the first Dama de Noche lead star) in 2012 via horror film, The Healing.

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Para sa nalalapit na kaarawan ni Vi

Posted on October 30, 2013 by @ffv Standard

Isang Martes ng umaga, ika-3 ng Nobyembre, 1953, sa Trozo, Magdalena, Tondo, Maynila ay may isinilang na isang cute bouncing baby girl sa Galang’s Maternity Clinic. Ang batang ito ay ipinaglihi sa kesong puti at labis labis na pagmamahal. Ang ina ay nagsilang na din ng isang batang babae two years earlier pero dito sa pangalawang batang ito ay walang pagsidlan sa kaligayahan ang kanyang nadarama. May “premonition” siya na ang batang ito ay lalaking “somebody special” and that she will lead a “charmed life.” Pinangalanan ng mag-asawang Amado Santos at Milagros Tuazon Santos ang kanilang baby ng Maria Rosa Vilma. Ang ama, Amado Santos, na isang tubong Bamban, Tarlac ay dating isang bit player sa Premiere, LVN at Larry Santiago Productions. Lumabas siya kasama ang mga big stars ng mga nasabing produksiyon at ang pinsan niyang si direktor Felicing Constantino ang nagkumbinse sa kanya para subukan ang pelikula. Ang ina, Milagros Tuazon Santos, na isang tubong San Isidro, Nueva Ecija ay isang pharmacist by profession at eksperto sa sayaw nang kanyang kabataan. Sa MCU, kung saan siya nagtapos ng kanyang “degree” ay palaging may libreng costume para lang maipakita ang kanyang “terpsichorean talent” sa mga importanteng school programs. Sa pagkakataong ito, saan pa ba magmamana si Vi ng kanyang galing sa pagsasayaw? Ang Santos family ay nakatira sa ground floor ng isang maliit na apartment at sa itaas naman ay ang isang close relative. Isang araw habang nasa kusina si Papa Amado ay bigla siyang nakarinig ng ingay na parang kalabog ng isang nahulog sa hagdanan. Dali dali siyang tumakbo papunta sa hagdanan at nagulantang siya nang makita niya na si Vilma pala ang nahulog sa hagdanan. Agad nila itong isinugod sa ospital, pina-xray at salamat sa Diyos dahil sinabi ng attending physician na very slight fracture lang ang nangyari sa bata.

When Rosa Vilma was already of age, ipinasok siya sa St. Mary’s Academy at noong nasa kindergarten pa siya ay dito na umarangkada ang kanyang pagiging artista dahil palagi siyang kinukuha sa mga school play. Gustong-gusto niya yung ilang oras na nasa stage, behind gleaming footlights, in fancy costume and make-up. At pagkatapos ng “play” ay ang malakas na palakpakan at pagbati sa kanya ng publiko. Nakalimutan na niya ang title ng play at kung anong okasyon ng eskwelahan ito ipinalabas subali’t tandang-tanda pa niya na ang role niya dito ay isang madre na pagkaraan pala ng tatlong dekada ay lalabas din siya sa role ng isang nun-turned-radical film Sister Stella L na dinirehe ni Mike de Leon. Noong anim na taong gulang pa lamang si Rosa Vilma ay sinabi niya sa kanyang magulang na magiging “painter” siya someday. Gusto daw niyang kunin ay “Fine Arts” sa University of Sto. Tomas, maging isang matagumpay na artist at maging mayaman. Mahilig siyang mag-drowing – crayon sketches of birds, flowers, trees, houses at kahit saan ay nagdodrowing siya pati na sa dingding ng kanilang bahay. Dahil dito, si Papa Amado ay palaging nag-a-apply ng coat ng pintura sa kanilang sala tuwing ikalawang linggo at hindi lang yun dahil binabantayan din niya ang batang si Rosa Vilma na baka mahulog sa baso ng gatas ang mga krayola niyang ginagamit. Si Mama Milagros naman ay nagtrabaho sa isang garment department ng Aguinaldo’s kasama ang hindi pa kilalang manlililip na si Rene Salud. Bukod sa pagkanta at pagsayaw sa mga school plays, ang batang si Rosa Vilma ay nagpakita din ng kanyang galing sa pag-iyak dahil sa pakikinig niya ng mga soap operas sa radyo. Mahilig siyang makinig ng mga drama sa radyo at doon ay tutulo na lamang ang kanyang luha. May mga okasyon pa nga na bigla na lang papasok sa kuwarto niya sina Papa Amado at Mama Milagros at nakikita nila na nasa salamin ang batang si Rosa Vilma at nagda-drama.

Noong later part ng 1962, nagkaroon sila ng family reunion sa nilipatan nilang apartment sa La Loma at ang isa sa mga naging bisita nila ay si Amaury Agra na isang cameraman sa Sampaguita Pictures. Si Amaury ay isang malayong tiyuhin ni Rosa Vilma, na ang asawa ay pinsan ni Papa Amado. Noong makita ni Amaury si Rosa Vilma ay agad niya itong tinanong kung gusto niyang mag-artista dahil ang Sampaguita Pictures ay naghahanap ng isang batang lalabas sa kanilang susunod na pelikula, ang Trudis Liit na sinulat ni Mars Ravelo at natutunghayan sa Liwayway Magazine. Noong una ay ayaw ng mag-asawang Amado at Milagros na pumasok sa pag-aartista ang batang si Rosa Vilma dahil pareho silang abala sa trabaho, bukod pa sa gusto nila na pag-aaral muna ang asikasuhin ng batang si Rosa Vilma, subali’t isang araw ay nakatanggap sila ng sulat mula kay Amaury at sinabing ipinalista niya ang pangalan ni Rosa Vilma para mag-audition sa Sampaguita Pictures kung saan si Dr. Jose R. Perez ang isa sa mga screening committees. Dahil hindi nila mapahindian si Amaury kaya’t nag-day off muna si Mama Milagros sa Aguinaldo’s para samahan si Rosa Vilma sa Sampaguita studio. “Diyos ko po,” ang nasambit ni Mama Milagros dahil mahigit yata sa tatlong daan ang mga batang nag-a-apply, lima lamang ang magiging finalists at sa limang finalists ay dalawa lamang ang kukunin, isang batang babae at isang batang lalaki na gaganap na kapatid ni Trudis Liit. Ang suwerte naman, dahil ni-reveal ni Dr. Perez na bago pa sila nagpa-audition nang araw na yun ay meron na silang napiling limang finalists noong previous screening at inisip ni Mama Milagros na lahat ng nag-audition nang araw na yun ay wala ng pag-asa pero sinabi ni Amaury na gusto lang niyang mag-try out si Rosa Vilma para sa susunod nilang pelikulang pang-mahal na araw ng 1963 na pinamagatang Anak Ang Iyong Ina.

Si Amaury ay nasa location shooting noong araw na yun. Samantala, nang si Rosa Vilma na ang nag-audition, sa harap ni Dr. Perez at ni Direktor Jose de Villa at nang ipinagyugyugan na si Rosa Vilma ni Bella Flores ay parang gripong tumutulo ang kanyang mga luha. Nakita ni Mama Milagros sina Dr. Perez at Direktor de Villa na nagtitinginan at pagkatapos ng screening ay sinamahan ni Direk De Villa ang mag-ina sa opisina ni Dr. Perez na nag-extend ng congratulations kay Rosa Vilma na siyang gaganap na Trudis Liit at yung limang finalists ay gagawin na lang supporting sa mga forthcoming na pelikula ng Sampaguita Pictures. Suot ng isang magarang damit, pumunta na ang mag-ina para sa isang screen test subali’t ang magandang damit ay pinalitan ng gula-gulanit, parang basahan. Inumpisahan nang lagyan ng make-up ni Jesse Lopez, ang make-up artist ng studio sapol pa noong era nina Carmen Rosales hanggang sa era ni Amalia Fuentes si Rosa Vilma. Nagtanong pa ang batang si Rosa Vilma kung bakit pa siya kailangang lagyan ng make-up at ang gusto lang daw niya ay huwag masyadong makapal at kung pwede ay pulbos lang. Gumiling ang camera, sumigaw ang direktor ng” Action!” Nag-umpisang mandilat ang mata ni Bella at cry to death naman ang Rosa Vilma. “Cut!” sabi ng direktor. “Very good!”. Si Bella ay niyakap ang batang si Rosa Vilma at sinabing…Aba, first take lang nakuha mo kaagad. Ang galing. Congratulations, Trudis Liit. The whole set was no screen test, but an actual take. Si Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos ay isa ng ganap na bituin sa edad na siyam na taon. May mga tanong noon kung ano ang itatawag nila kay Rosa Vilma onscreen. Ang mag-asawang Amado at Milagros ay gustong i-retain na lang ang pangalang Rosa Vilma subali’t si Dr. Perez ay nag-object dahil marami na daw Rosa sa pelikulang Tagalog, merong Rosa Mia, Rosa Rosal, Rosa Aguirre. Nag-suggest na lang si Dr. Perez na alisin ang Rosa at tawagin na lang na Vilma Santos.

Sa Trudis Liit, ang batang si Vilma ay binayaran ng Php 1,000 sa isang kondisyon na sa susunod na pelikula ay lalabas ulit siya at ito nga ay yung Anak Ang Iyong Ina. Dito sa Anak Ang Iyong Ina ay Php 700 ang kanyang take-home pay. Bukod kay Bella Flores, kasama rin ni Vilma sina Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales at Connie Angeles sa Trudis Liit, “The Motion Picture That Will Tear Your Heart To Pieces” (as proclaimed by the film’s ad). Ito ay sa screenpaly ni Chito Tapawan. Nagkamit ng FAMAS Best Child Actress si Vilma dito sa Trudis Liit. Impressed na impressed si Direk De Villa sa batang si Vilma dahil sa isang explanation lang eh nakukuha na kaagad nito ang mga instructions. Sabi ng mga co-workers ni Vilma, si Vilma ay merong fantastic memory and can easily dish out even a kilometric dialogue. Pagkatapos ng Trudis Liit at Anak Ang Iyong Ina, sunod sunod na ang ginawa niyang pelikula katulad ng King and Queen For A Day, Aninong Bakal, Morena Martir, Iginuhit Ng Tadhana at Pinagbuklod Ng Langit. Samantala, gumawa rin ang batang si Vilma ng isang weekly tv series sa ABS (the former KBS in Roxas Boulevard) sa direksiyon ni Jose Miranda Cruz na may pamagat na Larawan Ng Pag-ibig kasama sina Willie Sotelo at Zeny Zabala at tumagal ito ng dalawang taon sa ere. In between tapings of Larawan Ng Pag-ibig and schoolwork, siya ay gumawa rin ng mga pelikula sa iba’t ibang outfits katulad ng Ging, Naligaw Na Anghel at Sa Bawa’t Pintig Ng Puso. Later on, ginawa ring pelikula ang Larawan Ng Pag-ibig. Gumawa rin siya sa Larry Santiago Productions ng mga pelikulang Maria Cecilia, Kay Tagal Ng Umaga at Hindi Nahahati Ang Langit. Sa mga sumunod na taon ay ginawa rin niya ang mga pelikulang Ito Ang Dahilan, De Colores, Kasalanan Kaya?, Sino Ang May Karapatan? at Sa Baril Magtuos. Dito sa Sa Baril Magtuos ay kasama niya sina Ronald Remy at Romeo Vasquez.

Noong 1967 ay ginawa ni Vilma ang The Longest Hundred Miles, isang war movie for international release sa pangunguna ng Hollywood actor na si Ricardo Montalban, Doug McLure at Katherine Ross. Noong nagsisimula pa lang si Vilma sa Sampaguita Pictures, isa sa mga pelikulang pinanood niya kasama ang buong pamilya ay ang award-winning na The Miracle Worker. Ang role ni Patty Duke as the young Helen Keller ang kanyang pinakapaborito at ninais niya hanggang sa ngayon na makagawa siya ng pelikulang katulad nito. Sabi ni Papa Amado, si Vilma ay hindi “spoiled” dahil kahit artista na siya, pinapalo pa rin daw niya ito kung sa palagay niya ay may nagawang kasalanan. Sabi naman ni Mama Milagros si Vilma pag may isang bagay ng gustong gawin, ito ay kanyang itinutuloy. Sabi naman ng movie scribe na si Ched Gonzales, si Vilma daw ay katulad din ng isang ordinaryong tao na mahilig sa manggang hilaw na may bagoong at sa sitsirya katulad ng popcorn, pretzel, chicharon at butong pakwan. Gustong gusto daw nito na may kinukukut-kukut. Noong 1968, si Vilma ay nominado ng FAMAS para sa best supporting actress category, kasama sina Lolita Rodriguez at Eddie Rodriguez sa pelikulang Kasalanan Kaya? Siya ang pinakabatang aktres an nominado sa kategoryang ito. Hindi man siya pinalad na manalo sa FAMAS subali’t ang San Beda College ay binigyan siya ng Best Supporting Actress award. Sa pagsasara ng dekada 60, si Vilma ay naging popular sa mga television shows kagaya ng Tinno Lapus’ Eskwelahang Munti sa Channel 7. Dito ay itinambal siya sa undefeated Tawag Ng Tanghalan champion for twelve weeks na si Edgar Mortiz.

Ang unang pelikulang pinagtambalan ni Vilma at Edgar ay ang JBC Productions’ My Darling Eddie topbilled by the late Eddie Peregrina. Noong 1970, ginawa in Vilma at Edgar ang pelikulang Love Is For The Two Of Us kasama sina Helen Gamboa at Ricky Belmonte. Sa telebisyon, si Vilma at Edgar ay may regular shows na Oh My Love at The Sensations sa Channel 2. Ang kanilang tambalan ay tinawag na “subok na matibay, subok na matatag.” Noong Enero 1, 1970, ipinalabas ang superhit na pelikula ng VP Pictures na Young Love kasama ang loveteam nina Nora Aunor at Tirso Cruz III. Dito na nagsimula ang rivalry ng Vilma-Edgar loveteam at Nora-Tirso loveteam. Noong 1971, ang tv show na The Sensations ay ginawa ring pelikula ng Tagalog Ilang Ilang Productions sa direksiyon ni Tony Santos, Sr. Noong Nobyembre 1971, ang popular lovebirds ay pumunta ng Hawaii at Estados Unidos para gawin ang mga pelikulang Aloha My Love at Don’t Ever Say Goodbye. Marami pa ding mga pelikulang ginawa sina Vilma at Edgar at kabilang na dito ay ang mga pelikulang I Do Love You, From The Bottom of My Heart, Because You’re Mine, Eternally, Edgar Loves Vilma, Vilma My Darling, My Love At First Sight, The Wonderful World of Music, Remembrance, Renee Rose, Angelica, I Love You Honey, Our Love Affair, Mga Batang Bangketa, Baby Vi, Dulce Corazon, Anak Ng Aswang at ang inilahok sa 1972 Quezon City Film Festival na Dama de Noche kung saan hindi man siya ang naging best actress dito subali’t sa FAMAS nang sumunod na taon ay siya ang naging Best Actress ka-tie si Boots Anson Roa. Samantala, Abril 28, 1974 nang maghiwalay ng landas sina Vilma at Edgar.

Maraming Vilma-Edgar Fans ang nalungkot at inisip nila na magkakabalikan din ang dalawa subali’t hindi na ito nangyari hanggang sa si Vilma ay itinambal sa iba’t ibang leading men. Pero bago pa sila naghiwalay ay itinambal na din si Vilma kina Paolo Romero sa pelikula ng Virgo Productions na Ikaw Lamang kung saan nagkamit ito ng Best Picture sa 1973 Quezon City Film Festival, Manny de Leon sa mga pelikulang Teen-age Señorita at Cariñosa, Walter Navarro sa Sweet Sweet Love at Dalagang Nayon, Jay Ilagan sa Tsismosang Tindera, Ang Konduktora at Inspiration, Tirso Cruz III sa Ding Dong, Nobody’s Child at Give Me Your Love, Victor Wood sa My Little Darling, Victor Laurel sa Ophelia At Paris, Prinsipe Paris Walang Kaparis, Jojit Paredes sa Tok Tok Palatok, Ronnie Henares sa Let’s Do The Salsa at nitong huli ay kay Christopher de Leon sa Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw. Talagang poor second lang noon si Vilma kay Nora Aunor, subali’t nang gawin niya ang trilogy film ng Sine Pilipino na Lipad Darna Lipad ay talagang lumipad ng husto ang kanyang box office appeal. Sinundan pa ito ng mga pelikulang Takbo Vilma Dali at Hatinggabi Na Vilma. Anupa’t itinambal din si Vilma sa mga matured leading man na katulad nina Eddie Rodriguez sa mga pelikulang Nakakahiya, Hindi Nakakahiya Part 2 kung saan nagkamit siya ng Best Actress Award sa 1st Bacolod City Film Festival at Simula Ng Walang Katapusan, Dante Rivero sa Susan Kelly Edad 20, Chiquito sa Teribol Dobol, Dolphy sa Buhay Artista Ngayon, Joseph Estrada sa King Khayan & I, Fernando Poe Jr. sa Batya’t Palu Palo at Bato Sa Buhangin, Jun Aristorenas sa Mapagbigay Ang Mister Ko, Dindo Fernando sa Langis at Tubig at Muling Buksan Ang Puso at Romeo Vasquez sa Nag-aapoy Na Damdamin, Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon, Pulot Gata Pwede Kaya at Pag-ibig Ko Sa ‘Yo Lang Ibibigay.

Nagkasunod sunod na ang kanyang box office hit movie, hanggang sa inoperan siya ng Ian Films ng pelikulang Burlesk Queen kasama si Rollie Quizon kung saan hinakot nito ang halos lahat ng award including the Best Actress Award sa 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival. Hindi lang awards ang nakopo ng pelikulang ito dahil ang Burlesk Queen pa rin ang itinanghal na Top Grosser sa nasabing pestibal. Gumawa rin siya ng mga pelikulang siya mismo ang prodyuser katulad ng 1978 FAMAS and Urian Best Picture na Pagputi ng Uwak Pag-itim ng Tagak katambal si Bembol Roco, Halik Sa Paa Halik Sa Kamay kasama si Ronald Corveau at Eddie Rodriguez, Coed kasama si Jay Ilagan at iba pa. Noong taong 1978, ginawa ni Vilma ang isang pelikula kung saan lumabas siyang isang rape victim kasama sina Philip Salvador at Matt Ranillo III ng Sampaguita VP Pictures na pinamagatang Rubia Servios. Hindi siya pinalad na maging Best Actress sa pelikulang ito, si Nora Aunor ang nanalo sa pelikulang Atsay, bagama’t marami ang humuhula na siya ang tatanghaling Best Actress dahil kahit ang direktor ng pelikulang Atsay na si Eddie Garcia ay si Vilma ang hinalikan at binati subali’t kinabukasan ay lalong lumakas sa takilya ang Rubia Servios at tinalo nito ang Atsay. Talagang iniyakan ni Vilma ang kanyang pagkatalo. Taong 1978 din nang lumabas ang iskandalo sa kanila ni Romeo Vasquez subali’t sa halip na kumulimlim ang kanyang pagkabituin ay lalo pa siyang pumaimbulog paitaas at sa bandang huli ay hindi naman napatunayan ang balitang ito.

Noong July 19, 1980 ay nagpakasal si Vilma kay Edu Manzano sa Las Vegas, Nevada habang ginagawa nila ang pelikulang Romansa at April 21, 1981 nang isilang ni Vilma si Luis Manzano. Gusto ni Edu na maging plain housewife lang si Vilma subali’t hindi ito nangyari dahil sa natuklasan ni Vilma na baon na pala siya sa utang kaya gumawa siya ng mga pelikula. Talagang puro good karma ang dumating sa buhay ni Vilma dahil after niyang makapanganak ay gumawa siya ng sunod-sunod na mga box-office hit na pelikula katulad ng Ex-Wife, Hiwalay, Sinasamba Kita, Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan?, Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?, Relasyon, Tagos Ng Dugo, Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-ibig?, Yesterday Today & Tomorrow at iba pa. Sunod-sunod rin ang kanyang Best Actress award katulad ng kanyang grand slam sa mga pelikulang Relasyon, Dahil Mahal Kita: Dolzura Cortez Story, Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? at Dekada ’70. Naging best actress din siya sa mga pelikulang Broken Marriage, Mano Po 3: My Love, Sister Stella L, Tagos Ng Dugo, Pakawalan Mo Ako, Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos, Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Sinungaling Mong Puso at Anak. Sunod-sunod rin naman ang kanyang Box Office Queen award. Hindi lang best actress at box office queen award ana kanyang natanggap kundi nagwagi din siya ng 2005 Gawad Plaridel. Samantala, sa pagsasara ng ABS CBN dahil sa martial law, ay nagsara din ang tv show ni Vilma na The Sensations datapwa’t may mga humalili din dito katulad ng Santos, Mortiz & Associates, Ayan Eh, Vilma Santos Very Special at Vilma In Person (VIP) sa BBC 2. Ang VIP ay lumipat sa GMA 7 at ito ay ginawa nilang “Vilma!”. Ang Vilma! ay nagtagal ng labinglimang taon at sa loob ng mga taong ito ay consistent top rater ito kaya naman siya ang highest paid tv star nang panahong iyon.

Noong December 12, 1992 ay ikinasal naman si Vilma sa noo’y congressman ng 2nd District ng Batangas na si Ralph Recto. Bumaha ang taong dumalo at nanood ng kanilang kasal sa San Sebastian Church sa Lungsod ng Lipa at noong March 29, 1996 ay ipinanganak si Ryan Christian Recto. Noong 1998, hinikayat siya ng iba’t ibang sektor ng lipunan para kumandidatong punong-bayan ng Lungsod na Lipa at matapos niyang gawin ang pelikulang Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? ay miniting niya ang mga Vilmanians at sinabing humihingi lang siya ng isang “sign” para matuloy siyang kamandidatong mayor ng Lipa at ito ay nangyari. Naging punong-lungsod siya ng Lipa at sa loob ng siyam na taong panunungkulan ay masasabing ang Lungsod ng Lipa ang isa sa mga pinakaprogresibong lungsod sa Pilipinas. Noong May 14, 2007, siya ay nahilingan naman na kumandidato bilang gobernador ng Batangas at dahil sa kanyang magandang nagawa sa Lungsod ng Lipa, siya ay pinalad na manalo sa posisyong ito. Katatapos lang iselebreyt ni Governor Vi ang kanyang 100 araw na panunungkulan bilang gobernador ng lalawigan ng Batangas at nagkaroon siya ng State of Provincial Address nitong nakaraang October 8, 2007. Sabi nga ni Governor Vi, sa nagayon ay prioridad niya ang kanyang pamilya, pangalawa ay ang pagiging gobernador ng Batangas at pangatlo na lamang ay ang kanyang pagiging artista. Maraming movie offers ang kanyang natatanggap katulad ng pagsasamahan nila ni John Lloyd Cruz, meron pang digital film na La Independencia ni Raya Martin na automatic na ilalahok sa Cannes Film Festival kung magagawa niya (sana lang!). Meron ding offer na stage play (pero malabo na ito dahil maraming oras ang kakainin nito lalo na sa rehearsals). Meron ding mga commercials at marami pang iba. Ano pa kaya ang naghihintay sa isang Vilma Santos-Recto? Marami pa, marami pa, di ba Governor Vi? Happy 38th Birthday Governor Vi! – Alfonso Valencia, Oct 31, 2007 (READ MORE)

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Why Vilma Santos is the Star for All Seasons

Posted on October 28, 2013 by @ffv Standard

After 55 years in the business, 200 films, four Grand Slam Best Actress Awards, and a Hall of Fame recognition from FAMAS, Vilma Santos is still one of the most sought after and effective actresses of our time. No wonder she is called the Star for All Seasons. If you will tell me that I am ‘The Vilma Santos,’ that is because I worked hard for this,” said the actress-turned-Batangas Governor.

BORN TO BE A STAR – Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos was born on November 3, 1953 to Milagros Tuazon, a pharmacist from San Isidro, Nueva Ecija, and Amado Santos, a former movie extra from Bamban, Tarlac. As a child, Vilma loved listening to radio dramas. “Bata pa ako maarte na talaga ako! Kapag fiesta sa lugar namin maraming taong pumupunta sa bahay namin, ang mama at papa ko ‘Sige, Vi, sayaw! Ipakita mo, anak!’ At dahil maarte ako sasayaw naman ako.” At a family reunion when Vi was nine years old, the brother-in-law of her mother’s cousin, G. Amaury Agra who was a cameraman for Sampaguita Pictures, came for a visit. Agra convinced Mrs. Santos to bring Vi to the studio to audition for a part in the movie Anak, Ang Iyong Ina. There they saw a long line of children with actors Bella Flores and Eddie Garcia. “Pumila ako pero sabi ng mama ko hindi daw doon, sa ibang audition ako dapat. Pero nagpumilit akong pumila,”she re-called. With her improvised dialogue and acting, she wowed Doc Jose R. Perez and Azucena Vera of Sampaguita Pictures. Doc Perez then told the young Vilma, “Ikaw si Trudis Liit.”

MEETING ‘BOT’ – In 1969, the 14-year old Vilma met Edgar ‘Bobot’ Mortiz, a rising recording star and undefeated champion in Tawag ng Tanghalan,” at a teen show entitled “Eskwelahang Munti.” Movie producers thought of establishing a Vi and Bot love team, and in 1970, the two were launched in the film “Young Love.” Thrown together constantly, Bobot and Vilma became a real-life couple in 1971. But Bobot feels shy talking about the details of the teenage relationship with SSM. Nagka-inlaban din naman kami. Ayoko na nga pinag-uusapan e! Pero sandali lang naman. “Nagka-develop-an din kami, dala na rin siguro ng madalas na magkasama kami.” Sadly, the relationship ended three years later, and the love team was eventually disbanded. Vilma and Bobot never did a movie after that but have managed to remain good friends.

GREAT ACTING, BAD ATTITUDE – Vilma is not ashamed to admit that even she was a “bad girl” in her mid-20s. Typical of her behavior then was her refusal to show up for a film shoot. The call time was 9AM; at 1PM, she got into her car. On the way to the shooting, she told her driver, “Ayoko na mag-shooting. Ihinto mo na lang diyan. Kakain na lang ako. Sabihin mo masakit ang tiyan ko.” Another time, she ran off to Baguio, just for the heck of it, without informing the producers of a TV Christmas special that she wasn’t planning on showing up. Veteran entertainment writer Ronald Constantino believes Vilma’s crazy days were a result of her private struggles, from tax problems to personal heartaches. Siguro din kasi dahil hindi pa siya nagma-mature as a person at baka ‘yun ‘yung time na marami siyang problema, finances and love life. Pinagdaanan niya ‘yun pero nalampasan din niya.” Later, as she matured, Vilma became more serious with her work. Rory Quintos, the director of Vilma’s 2000 Star Cinema film Anak, says Vi’s professionalism made her job much easier. “Dumadating si Ate Vi sa set nang naka-costume at make-up na. Kapag naka-set up na ‘yung mga gamit sa location, pagdating niya start na agad. That was a big help most especially when we shot in Hong Kong. Wala siyang pakialam na siya si Vilma Santos. Natulog siya doon sa maid’s quarters, kumakain ng kung ano ano, umuupo kahit saan. Natulog siya sa sidewalk, nasubsob sa basurahan. Wala siya talagang arte sa katawan.”

FAMILY, POLITICS, CAREER – After her first marriage to Edu Manzano ended, Vi met Ralph Recto, the grandson of the late stateman Claro M. Recto. Vi married Ralph in Decembver of 1992, the year when Ralph was first elected as Congressman of Lipa City, Batangas. Wanted to devote more time as a wife an try to have a child with Ralph (they had Ryan Christian Recto in March 1996), Vi wrapped up her long-running variety show “Vilma” in 1995. From then on, Vilma did only movies and was seldom seen on TV. She also entered politics, first as Mayor of Lipa City, then as Governor of Batangas. Constantino believes that this further elevated Vi’s star status. “Mabuti nga rin siguro na bihira na siya makita ng mga tao kasi nami-miss siya. Masd lumalakas nga ang excitement ng mga tao every time na siya ay gagawa ng pelikula.” Now she is ready for an onscreen comeback. This year, after six years of not making movies, Vilma is starrin g in In My Life, a film produced by Star Cinema with John Lloyd Cruz and her son Luis Manzano. She has as simple formula for career success. “Love your career and it will love you back. Don’t take your career for granted. Also, kailangan ng hard work, smart work, grace of God. Kapag may kulang sa tatlong ‘yan, mahihirapan ang kahit sino. Sa Ano mang larangan o propesyon kailangan ng hard work para magtagumpay.” – Napoleon Quintos, Star Studio, September 2009 (READ MORE)

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Vilma: A Woman For All Seasons (2009)

Posted on October 26, 2013 by @ffv Standard

Basic Information: Cast: Vilma Santos, Kim Chiu, Megan Young, Claudine Barretto (host), Laurice Guillen (host), Nikki Gil, Coco Martin, Vhong Navarro (host), Shaina Magdayao, Angelica Panganiban, Iya Villania, Empress Shuck, Nina Dolino, Princess Ryan, Dianne Medina, Sen. Ralph Recto, Ryan Christian Recto, Angel Locsin (host), Luis Manzano, John Lloyd Cruz, Maribeth Bichara; Running Time: 30 minutes; Premiered: August 01, 2009 – Date Ended: August 29, 2009; Number of Episodes: 5; Language: Tagalog; TV Station: ABS-CBN; Country: Philippines

Plot Description: The Kapamilya Network proudly presents the much awaited five-part TV special for the one and only Star For All Seasons aptly entitled ‘Vilma: A Woman for all Seasons’ airing on all Saturdays of August. Presented in a documentary-magazine and reality TV format, fans and viewers alike will be in for a real treat as the respected and veteran actress tells all in this once in a lifetime event. This five weekend special will tackle everything on the esteemed actress-turned-Governor – from the start of her career, to her term as a public servant as well as sneak peeks into her highly awaited and much talked about movie ‘In My Life’ with son Luis Manzano and blockbuster film actor John Lloyd Cruz. – Telebisyon.net (READ MORE)

Acomplishment: No Available Data

Reviews – The Kapamilya Network proudly presents the much awaited five-part TV special for the one and only Star For All Seasons aptly entitled ‘Vilma: A Woman for all Seasons’ available on TFCnow’s Premium Edition, starting the first Saturday of August. Presented in a documentary-magazine and reality TV format, fans and viewers alike will be in for a real treat as the respected and veteran actress tells all in this once in a lifetime event. This five episode special will tackle everything on the esteemed actress-turned-Governor – from the start of her career, to her term as a public servant as well as sneak peeks into her highly awaited and much talked about movie ‘In My Life’ with son Luis Manzano and blockbuster film actor John Lloyd Cruz. The first episode (available starting August 1), hosted by Claudine Barretto who has worked with Vilma in the drama film ‘Anak,’ showcases Vilma as an actress/ artist, being the four-time grand slam Best Actress in various award-giving bodies as well as receiving Lifetime Achievement Awards from Cinemanila and FAP among others. This also highlights a special acting workshop by Vilma herself in collaboration with respected director Laurice Guillen for hand-picked Star Magic talents who will imitate scenes from her unforgettable movies.

This exclusive workshop is undeniably a must-see and is participated by the likes of Primetime Princess Kim Chiu (who acted out the scene in the film “Dolzura Cortez” where PDA scholar Bugoy bravely faced Kim’s slapping hand), indie King turned mainstream actor Coco Martin, host and singer Nikki Gil, breakthrough kontravida beauty Megan Young, some of the favorite PDA and Pinoy Fear Factor stars as well as the rest of the Star Magic family. On the following week (available starting August 8), viewers will see Vilma as a TV host, dancer and performer. With funny man Vhong Navarro adding laughter with his comical antics and wacky remarks as the host, the Star for all Seasons shares some of her insights and experiences during tapings and shootings – from unavoidable health concerns and even to romantic problems with her good-looking leading men. We will relive the days of “VIP” show where she used to do her special numbers in her most colorful costume and danced the most complicated dance routines by no less than Maribeth Bichara. Joining the prized actress in the dance workshop are young stars Shaina Magdayao, Angelica Panganiban, Iya Villania, Empress Shuck, Nina Dolino, Princess Ryan and Dianne Medina. Definitely something to look forward to is the much-awaited dance number of Vilma with the said stars!

Next episode (available starting August 15), fans and supporters will have an exclusive preview of Vilma’s private world as one of the young actresses closest to her heart, teleserye Princess Angel Locsin hosts this very personal chapter. Vilma welcomes viewers into her home in Alabang which is the very first time her private quarters will be shown on Philippine television. Featuring the prized actress as a wife, mother, sister and friend, we will see how she spends her free time at home and what a ‘normal’ family day is in the life of Governor Vi. On the fourth installment (available starting August 22), Vilma is shown as an empowered Filipina leader being the hands-on and the first woman Governor of Batangas and a UP Gawad Plaridel Awardee for her achievements as an actress and a public servant. Capping off this five-episode special (available starting August 29) is your very own VIP pass into the making of Vilma’s movie, ‘In My Life’ with eldest son Luis and John Lloyd who will also serve as the hosts. Be the first to peer into some of the movie scenes and events shot at the colorful city of New York, listen in on some selected interviews with the cast and crew as well as trivia on the much-anticipated film and get an exclusive sneak peek into the never before seen behind-the-scenes shots. – TFC Now (READ MORE)

As a wife and mother – The Aug. 15 episode has the answer: For the first time, the actress allows a TV crew to shoot inside her new house in Alabang. The episode will also display the musical talents of hubby Ralph Recto and second son, Ryan Christian. The fourth episode focuses on Vilma as a public servant. And, for the final episode, she will be seen during the shooting of her forthcoming movie with her son, Luis, and John Lloyd Cruz. Parenthetically, she told us that she doesn’t aspire for the country’s vice presidency because all her plans are exclusively for Batangas. – Remy M. Umerez, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 07 Aug 2009 (READ MORE)

Vilma ‘s Achievements – Before moviegoers get to see Vilma Santos on the big screen this September, Vilmanians will have the chance to see her on ABS-CBN’s five-week special dedicated to the Star for All Seasons. Dubbed Vilma: A Woman for All Seasons, this is a separate TV show that will air right after Maalaala Mo Kaya every Saturday night. According to a source from ABS-CBN, this TV show highlights Vilma ‘s achievements as an actress, a mother, and as a public servant. It will also feature behind-the-scene videos of Vilma being directed by Olivia Lamasan in the upcoming Star Cinema movie In My Life. This movie, shot partly in New York, marks Vilma’s return to the big screen after starring in Mano Po 3: My Love (2004). In My Life also stars Vilma’s son, Luis Manzano, and John Lloyd Cruz. The highly anticipated movie includes intimate scenes of Luis and John Lloyd who play gay lovers. Catch Vilma: A Woman For All Seasons on all Saturdays of August, airing right after Maalaala Mo Kaya on ABS-CBN. – Jocelyn Dimaculangan, PEP, 20 July 2009 (READ MORE)

Megan’s Dilemma – Megan Young’s biggest break in showbiz to date was her role as Marcella on I Love Betty La Fea. She was so good at it that many viewers started to notice her as one of the most promising actresses today. This is the very reason why she was also hand-picked to attend the special acting workshop led by Vilma Santos for her TV special A Woman For All Seasons on ABS-CBN. But as seen last Saturday, August 1, Megan wasn’t able to slap Vilma during their on-the-spot acting showdown. It elicited various reactions amongst the audience and fortunately, ABS-CBN.com caught up with the young star to ask her what really happened back then. Apparently, she was too mesmerized with Vilma’s powerful presence that she could hardly think of the right things to say and, much more the momentum to deliver that slap. “I was gonna, I really was…kasi naghahanap ako ng tyempo nung una and then I couldn’t find one. When she was talking to me (in a gentle manner), ‘Anak sampalin mo ako ha…’ I was looking into her eyes, she’s just… I got so star struck. I was thinking how am I going to slap her. Am I supposed to do it hard? With me thinking of so many things, hindi ko na siya nasampal,” she vividly recalled.

A friend of hers who was able to watch the show later told Megan that she was actually good in the sense that she was able to shed tears right there and then. Only to realize that she was genuinely crying because of the difficult situation she was in. “In the middle of it, I was so embarrassed kasi I was saying a lot of stuff that really embarrassed me. Everybody was laughing. Actually they said na it became a comedy skit. I tried to absorb it (the insults that Vilma was hurling at her as part of the acting session) but I wasn’t that focused. At that time I just forgot all the stuff that I learned from my workshops because I was just so intimidated by her.” When Megan got invited to the said event, she had no idea that it’s actually an acting workshop-slash-open forum that would be shown on TV. “They only told me that day so hindi ako emotionally prepared. The reason why I cried talaga is I was scared out of my mind that I won’t be able to slap her, and I didn’t. Actually lahat kami akala namin manonood kami ng movie ni Vilma. Yun nga, I didn’t know na ipapalabas siya sa TV. So after the workshop sabi ko pa okay I’ll just work on it next time,” she added. Nevertheless, Megan stressed that she really learned from the whole experience, and hopefully, she would get the chance to redeem herself in another acting stint with Vilma. “In the end, I learned from it and she was really nice about it pa. All I can say is that you learn from your mistakes. How can you grow as a person if you don’t make this kind of mistake? I am not saying that go ahead make mistakes, you can learn from them. But you just have to get over it na rin. Do what’s right next time,” she wisely stated. – ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, Puah, 8/05/2009 (READ MORE)

A Special Show – ABS-CBN wants a TV special for Gov. Vilma Santos in connection with her new movie, “In My Life.” “I told them ayoko ng usual tribute,” she says. “I just want it to be a sharing na lang of my experiences in acting with their new stars, not because I’m good at it but because of the wealth of experiences I gained sa tagal ko sa showbiz. Biro nyo, 38 na ko ngayon, next year 37 na ko,” she laughs. The five-part special, “A Woman for All Seasons,” will be shown on all Saturdays of August, after “Maalaala Mo Kaya.” The first special on August 1 will focus on acting, done workshop-style with Claudine Barretto as host and director Laurice Guillen as facilitator. New stars of ABS-CBN attended it and gained first-hand information from Gov. Vi about her craft as an actress. Kim Chiu acted out scenes from her “Dolzura Cortez Story” while Nikki Gil and Coco Martin acted out her scenes with Christopher de Leon in “Broken Marriage,” both award-winning films. “I’m excited as this is the first time this is done on TV. I just noticed, intimidated sila sa’kin. I did a scene with Megan Young na she’s supposed to slap me, pero hindi niya ako masampal. Naranasan ko rin yan noon when I did ‘Modelong Tanso’ with Charito Solis.”

The second special on August 8 is hosted by Vhong Navarro and centers on her experiences as a TV star, especially her dancing. She gets to dance again, like she used to in the fabulous opening numbers of her “Vilma” show. “I love dancing at na-miss ko talaga. Pero siempre, wala na nung liftings kundi simpler moves, pinaubaya ko na yun sa mga bagets na kasayaw ko like Angelica Panganiban, Shaina Magdayao, Iya Villania, Empress Shuck and others. But later, nag-hiphop din ako.” The episode on August 15 will show Ate Vi as a wife and mom. “For the first time, I allowed a TV crew to show our new home in Alabang. They will join us on a Sunday, which is family day for me, and they’ll see the musical side of Ralph and Ryan Christian who’ll do a musical number na parang rock band. This will be hosted by Angel Locsin.” The fourth episode on August 22 will show her as a public servant. The TV crew will shoot her as she goes to the Batangas capitol to join the flag ceremony and show what a typical day for her is as its first lady governor and a truly empowered Filipina. The fifth and final episode will show the making of “In My Life” on location in New York with son Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz. This is a Ate Vi’s grand comeback from the movie scene and it already created a big, loud buzz. The movie has a September 16 showing and will have its premiere on September 15 in Manila, Batangas, and in the USA. – Mario Bautista, posted at Pinoy Exchange Forum

Revered Multi-faceted Woman – ABS-CBN proudly presents a grand five-part television special featuring Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos. The TV special, dubbed “Vilma: A Woman for all Seasons,” will air on all Saturdays of August. Presented in a documentary-magazine and reality TV format, fans and viewers will be in for a real treat as the revered multi-faceted woman bares her life. She will also tackle her highly awaited movie, “In My Life,” with son Luis Manzano and blockbuster film actor John Lloyd Cruz. Known as the “Star for All Seasons,” Santos is considered a veteran in the entertainment industry. She started her career in show business when she was only 9 years old. Santos won her very first acting trophy as FAMAS best child performer for the film Trudis Liit (Little Trudis). Since then, the respected actress appeared in more than 200 films and various TV programs over the years. She also won the respect of the most prestigious award-giving bodies for movies and television such as FAMAS, Gawad Urian, PMPC and Catholic Mass Media awards. Aside from bringing entertainment to Filipinos, Santos also has a heart for public service. She is currently in politics as the first woman governor of Batangas. She was also the first woman mayor of Lipa City. She is a doting mother to two wonderful sons and a loving wife to fellow public servant Ralph Recto. – ABS-CBN News (READ MORE)

The Seasons – “The camp of Gov. Vilma Santos credits movie journalist JC Nigado for giving the actress-turned-politician the tag Star for All Seasons. For the longest time — since the early ’70s, rival Nora Aunor was called Superstar. In 1986, Sharon Cuneta was built up as the Megastar and yet Vilma remained untitled. In 1988, when Vilma marked her 25th year in show business in a PICC extravaganza put up by GMA 7 with the help of Chit Guerrero for her weekly variety show, Vilma!, Nigado wrote a series of articles where he called her Star for All Seasons. Other titles were coined for other stars after that, but only a few managed to maintain those titles and Vilma is undeniably one of them. Tonight, after Charo Santos’ Maalaala Mo Kaya, ABS-CBN will start airing a five-part special called Vilma: A Woman for All Seasons, which will trace the various facets of her life and career as an actress (the only one with four grand-slam wins), as a TV host and dancer (her Vilma! show on GMA 7 that ran for nine years was the best-produced — without question), as a wife and mother (the first time she is showing her new home in Alabang — a must-see on Aug. 15) and as a public servant (her image as Lipa mayor first and now Batangas governor is untainted). For the final episode on Aug. 29, son Luis Manzano will show viewers some of the behind-the-scenes in the making of their movie All My Life, which will be shown by Star Cinema in September. I had a reunion with Vilma recently and we both agreed that the title Woman/Star for All Seasons is so apt for her because she had been through all the seasons of life round and round. Together, we sat down to trace the various seasons of her life…” – Butch Francisco, Philippine Star, 01 August 2009 (READ MORE)

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The Seasons in Vilma’s Life

Posted on October 25, 2013 by @ffv Standard

The camp of Gov. Vilma Santos credits movie journalist JC Nigado for giving the actress-turned-politician the tag Star for All Seasons. For the longest time — since the early ’70s, rival Nora Aunor was called Superstar. In 1986, Sharon Cuneta was built up as the Megastar and yet Vilma remained untitled. In 1988, when Vilma marked her 25th year in show business in a PICC extravaganza put up by GMA 7 with the help of Chit Guerrero for her weekly variety show, Vilma!, Nigado wrote a series of articles where he called her Star for All Seasons. Other titles were coined for other stars after that, but only a few managed to maintain those titles and Vilma is undeniably one of them. Tonight, after Charo Santos’ Maalaala Mo Kaya, ABS-CBN will start airing a five-part special called Vilma: A Woman for All Seasons, which will trace the various facets of her life and career as an actress (the only one with four grand-slam wins), as a TV host and dancer (her Vilma! show on GMA 7 that ran for nine years was the best-produced — without question), as a wife and mother (the first time she is showing her new home in Alabang — a must-see on Aug. 15) and as a public servant (her image as Lipa mayor first and now Batangas governor is untainted). For the final episode on Aug. 29, son Luis Manzano will show viewers some of the behind-the-scenes in the making of their movie All My Life, which will be shown by Star Cinema in September. I had a reunion with Vilma recently and we both agreed that the title Woman/Star for All Seasons is so apt for her because she had been through all the seasons of life round and round. Together, we sat down to trace the various seasons of her life.

Happiest – “When I gave birth to my son Luis/Lucky — lucky talaga siya…When I evolved as an actress and, modesty aside, started getting those grand-slam awards…When I was given a second chance at marriage. Imagine, si Ralph (her husband, NEDA chief Recto), binata and he inherited an instant family…When I gave birth to my other son, Ryan and he grew up to be a healthy boy,” she still sighs with relief now. “That was a difficult pregnancy that made me stay in bed for months.” The truth is, practically the whole nation prayed for her successful delivery and we are all happy that Ryan has turned into a bright and intelligent teenager.

Saddest – “When I discovered in the late ‘70s that financially I was negative P16-M.” This was due to failed investments and mismanagement, particularly of her movie production outfit, VS Films. “The interest of the bank loans I made, I didn’t realize I had already accumulated — from P2-M, it swelled to P7-M. When I woke up one day, wala na akong ari-arian. All my assets were frozen because I also had problems with the BIR.” To her credit, she slaved it out to be able to recover and pay her bank debts. She did films left and right, but she never enjoyed her talent fees from those blockbusters because all these went straight to the bank and to the BIR. For her upkeep (she had to eat, too, of course and maintain a staff), she accepted the offer to do the BBC-2 variety show V.I.P. (Vilma in Person) that aired live Sundays. Looking back, that contributed to the failure of her first marriage (to Edu Manzano) because she had to sacrifice her Sundays, which was supposed to be family day…Also sad was the passing away of my father in 1986.” Even local showbiz mourned the death of Amado Santos because he was a good man and was missed by all.

Frustrating – “When my first marriage failed. But God is good. He gave me another chance — and may bonus pa na another son…When my career went down in the late ‘70s and for that I only blame myself because those were the years I was being unprofessional. For example, there was this Christmas presentation I was supposed to do and I fled to Baguio. I did not show up on the set.” Now, I really salute her because it takes a big person to admit that mistake when she could have passed on the blame on other people and even the system. But that’s Vilma Santos.

Rebellious – “When I put my personal life and happiness over my career. Height ng katigasan ng ulo ko ‘yun. I was doing five to six movies a year and maybe na-burn out din ako. I was looking for independence. I wanted my freedom.” She says that her rebellious years happened when she was between 24 to 27 years old. Actually, if you ask me, she started rebelling late. She must have really been up to here to rebel at that point of her life.

Scariest – “If you want me to panic and get scared, tell me that one of my family members is ill. If one of my children is sick, I don’t work — I don’t even sleep. I stay beside my child all the time.” I witnessed that myself when Luis got sick (was it dengue?) before he reached his teens. Nothing and nobody could make Vilma get out of the hospital room (maybe not even an earthquake) because she wanted to stay with her first-born all throughout the ordeal. No tapings, no shoots. If only for that, she should have been awarded best mother of the year. “Even with Ryan now, kaunting lagnat lang, I take his temperature every hour — until he gets annoyed with me na. Ha! Ha! Ha!”

Most Romantic – “All seasons,” she says, letting out a hearty laughter. People have extolled Vilma Santos as a great performer and politician. But has anyone cited her for being witty, too? – Butch Francisco, Philippine Star, 01 August 2009 (READ MORE)

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Special Film: Love Letters

Posted on October 23, 2013 by @ffv Standard

“…Love Letters (1970) is a musical films specially made for the fans of “teeny-bopper” stars, Vi and Bot. The film was probably shot with improvisations, which means, without a written script. This was noticeably clear as the film’s main characters and the actual names of the actors were not change at all. The film’s main plot was the the stealing of love letters that ended in court, followed by picket line (ala-”Occupy” Wall Street) that was hard to believe. And also the one-after the other testimonies of Edgar, Vilma and both parents that were irritatingly funny. Although we are used to Vilma’s tolereable singing, we’re more surprise to see a singing Alona Alegre! She looked more like Eugene Domingo (clearly before her sexy films/image). One more thing, Alona’s wedding gown was worth a second look, its not like your ordinary wedding gown. The head piece was a beaded hood that covers her hair and neck. With so much singing, Baby De Jesus’s voice stands out among the girls but her piano playing acting was over the top. Victor Wood’s duet with Edgar Mortiz, “Beautiful Dreamers” is worth downloading. Danny Subido was responsible for inserting all the musical numbers that was quite a tasks particularly without a well written musical screenplay. The film was shot in Baguio City and cinematographer, Avelino Peralta’s did a wonderful job showcasing the city on Vilma’s day dreaming except for the akward courtscenes. Love Letters was produced by Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Production and directed by Abraham Cruz, a forgettable film that only a die hard Vi and Bot fans (and those who loves film nostalgia) can only appreciate…” – RV (READ MORE)

Source: gobitz69

Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz (born September 8, 1954) is a Filipino movie/TV actor and director. Mortiz is married to Millette Santos (born 1960; sister of Charo Santos-Concio) on April 3, 1977, with 4 children: Edgar Francis “Frasco” (born 1978), Edgar Albert “Badjie” (born 1980), Ma. Carmela Catalin “Calin” (born 1981) and Ma. Frances Camille (born 1983). Frasco, Badji and Camille are now married giving Edgar five cute grandchildren named Joaquin Edgar, Julien Alva, Edgar Carlos, Jayla Sophia and Francis Marcus. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

FAIR USE NOTICE (NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE): This site contains copyrighted materials the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to preserve the film legacies of actress, Vilma Santos, and to make her career information available to future generations. We believe this is NOT an infringement of any such copyrighted materials as in accordance to the the fair dealing clauses of both the Canadian and U.S. Copyright legislation, both of which allows users to engage in certain activities relating to research, private study, criticism, review, or news reporting. We are making an exerted effort to mention the source of the material, along with the name of the author, performer, maker, or broadcaster for the dealing to be fair, again in accordance with the allowable clauses. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

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Fernado Military Air Base Honoured Mayor Vi

Posted on October 22, 2013 by @ffv Standard

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Dapat sana ay nung last Wednesday, January 17, 2007 kami pumunta ng Lipa City para sa “courtesy call” ng dalawang Vilmanian balikbayan na sina Franco Gabriel at Marilen Handley kay Mayor Vi subali’ t nagpasabi si Mayor Vi na meron siyang urgent na pupuntahan at sinabi nya na kinabukasan, January 18, 2007, Thursday na lang daw kami pumunta dun (may tribute kasi kay Mayor Vi ang kanyang mga barangay captains sa gabi) pero hindi naman pwede sina Franco at Marilen dahil may mga lakad din sila. So kahapon ang final date na napagkasunduang pupunta ng Lipa City. At tamang tama naman dahil sa araw na ito ay may Military Honor para kay Mayor Vi. Maaga ang call time dahil 10AM yata ang oras ng parangal kay Mayor Vi kaya alas sais pa lang ng umaga ay andun na kami ni June Sison sa Ortigas McDo fronting Meralco Building, Pasig City. At habang hinihintay namin ang van na sasakyan namin, na galing ng Broadway Centrum, Quezon City ay kumain muna kami ni June ng breakfast.

A little bit past seven ay dumating na ang aming hinihintay na van at guess kung sinu-sino ang mga sakay ng van? Well, andun lang naman bukod kay Jojo Lim sina Marilen Handley, Cesar Santiago, Noel de Guzman at Nar Santander. Batian at kwentuhan habang tumatakbo ang sasakyan at dadaanan pala namin si Liam Tayag sa harap ng kanyang condo unit kaya may nagbiro ng “i-ready nyo na ang inyong eardrum” dahil malapit na tayo sa duchees of Valle Verde (joke lang Liam…luv you!). Si Franco naman ay dumeretso na ng Lipa City. Si Eric Nadurata naman ay hindi nakasama dahil paalis sya ng alas otso ng gabi para sa isang official trip sa Anaheim near Los Angeles, California. BON VOYAGE ERIC!!! At totoo ka…dahil umaatikabong kwentuhan at kodakan ang nangyari sa loob ng van lalo pa at andyan si Liam na as usual ay palaging buhay na buhay sa kanyang mga kwento (may ganung factor?). Dumaan muna ang grupo sa Hen Lin (Sucat Branch yata yun) dahil magpapa-breakfast daw si Marilen. Although kumain na kami ng breakfast ni June at hindi namin mapahindian ang invitation ni Marilen…pero siguro naman hindi kami pwedeng i-charge ng “gluttony” dahil light lang naman ang kinain namin sa McDo…charingggggg! (i-justify ba?).

Mga alas diyes na kami nakarating ng Fernando Airbase (dumeretso na kami sa venue dahil malapit na ding dumating si Mayor Vi…as a matter of fact…sabi ni Jojo eh nakasabay namin sa highway ang sasakyan ni Mayor Vi…kasunod ang sasakyan ng kanyang mga bodyguards). Nakaayos na ang mga balangay ng mga military men sa harap ng opisina…na nakasuot ng fatigue na pantalon at puting t-shirt…at andun na din ang ibang mga bisitang pumunta para saksihan ang naturang parangal. Sa unahan…ay may dalawang mababang platform…na tutuntungan ni Mayor Vi at ng kumander na si Commander Inserto. Dumating si Mayor Vi na ang suot ay itim na pantalon at beige na blouse na may blazer na beige din ang kulay. Nakasuot sya ng shades at may military medal na kulay berde ang strap. Regal na regal ang dating pati ang kanyang paglakad papunta sa platform. Nang nasa platform na si Mayor Vi at si Commander Inserto ay humanda na ang mga military men para sa pagparada ni Mayor Vi sa kanilang harapan. Sa totoo lang, ang daming naging “emotional” habang naglalakad si Mayor Vi at si Commander Inserto sa harap ng mga military men na sinabayan ng tugtog ng banda. As a matter of fact, hindi ko namamalayan na naging misty eyed na pala ako (ang drama ko ano?) at si Marilen naman ay tumulo na ang luha dahil nagpupunas na sya ng panyo.

Pagkatapos magparada si Mayor Vi at Commander Inserto ay bumalik na ulit sila sa platform. Bumulong naman si Commander Inserto kay Mayor Vi kung meron pa syang sasabihin sa mga military at agad nyang tinawag ang namumuno sa balangay. Sinabi ni Mayor Vi ang kanyang PASASALAMAT sa lahat ng mga military men…..so isinigaw nung namumuno ang sinabi ni Mayor Vi. By the way, andun si Mario Dumaual ng TV Patrol Channel 2 at si Lhar Santiago ng 24 Oras Channel 7. Meron ding mga press photographers…..at kasamang kumukuha ng mga pictures of course…..si Liam. May video pa nga sya nang pumaparada si Mayor Vi at si Commander Inserto. Matapos ang military honor ay pumasok na sa loob ng Hautea Room si Mayor Vi at ang mga press photographers, Mario at Lhar. In-interview si Mayor Vi nina Mario at Lhar. Tinanong sya tungkol sa kung ano talaga ang tatakbuhan: governor, congresswoman or senator. Sinabi ni Mayor Vi na desidido daw si Ricky Recto na tumakbong governor at ayaw daw naman nya ang RECTO vs. RECTO. Ano na lang ang sasabihin ng ibang tao? Aayusin daw muna nila ang gusot sa pagitan ng kanilang pamilya bago sya tumakbong governor. Kung governor ang tatabuhan nya ay medyo “tiring” daw yun pero nag-suggest yata si Senator Ralph na magkaroon ng deputy governor sa bawa’ t distrito ng Batangas at yun na lang ang magre-report sa governor (if ever). Kung congresswoman naman ay isang distrito lang ang hawak nya. Sinabi naman ni Mario na si Edu Manzano ay tatakbong senator at kaprtido ni Senator Ralph….so ang sagot ni Mayor Vi ay…..eh di parehong iboto. Tapos tinanong din sya kung may posibilidad na tumakbo syang senador…at ang sagot nya ay…naku baka magka roon ng “tr iang le” sa senado…hahahaha…pero definitely raw ay hindi sya tatakbong senador…si Senator Ralph na lang daw…Matapos ang interbyuhan ay tinawag naman si Mayor Vi ni Commander Inserto para sa isang “briefing” at makasama na din ang mga military men. At habang hinihintay namin si Mayor Vi…ay kumain muna kami ng handang pagkain…suman (dalawang klase, ang isa ay tinatawag na “sumang dapa”, yung may latik at parang matamis na bao), pakwan, saging lakatan at puto.

Nagdesisyon na kaming grupo (together with Dra. Ellen Villanueva at Ayleen ng Love Lipa Foundation) na pumunta na sa Golden Coco Restaurant at dun na lang namin hihintayin sina Mayor Vi. Maswerte din talaga ang naging military honor para kay Mayor Vi dahil during the ceremony at kulimlim lang ang walang init ng araw…pero nung matapos ang seremonyas ay umambon ng malakas (ambon lang ha). Very cozy naman ang Golden Coco Restaurant na pag-aari pala ng nakakatandang kapatid ni Mayor Vi na si AteEmilyn. Sa loob ng resto ay meron isang malaking frame na makikita ang aerial view ng Lipa City…meron din dingding na salamin…na may mga lumilipad na iba’ t ibang klaseng maliliit na ibon (parang mga love birds). At wag isnabin ang mga pagkain alagang napakasasarap. Katulad ng inorder namin. May hamburger, clubhouse, Kabayan meals (inihaw na baboy with manggang hilaw, kilawing tanige, inihaw na tilapia, kanin at ginataang hipon), inihaw na pusit, sisig na baboy at sisig na bangus…na dahil sa sobrang anghang ay tumulo ay taba (pawis) nina Jojo at Franco. Meron pang iba’ t ibang klaseng fruit shake at “dessert” na buco salad. Talaga namang nabondat kami ng husto. Sina Mayor Vi naman ay sa mezzanine kumain ng tanghalian….at matapos kumain ay hinarap na kami. Ang dami dami naming napagkwentuhan. Nagkodakan. Nag-beso beso. Nabanggit pala ni Mayor Vi na binabasa nya yung librong ibinigay ni Jeannie Wong (how to climb a mountain) at ito daw ay sinusunod nya…well congrats Jeannie…talagang gustong gusto ni Mayor Vi yung librong ibinigay mo. Ibinulong ko naman kay Mayor Vi ang pangungumusta nina Josie Cohen Eugenio, Julie Haglund, Father Juancho de Leon at Master Joey Cruz. May isang anekdota si Mayor Vi na ikinuwento sa amin (although naikuwento na din ito ni Mama Santos) na nun palang binigyan sya ng tribute ng simbahan….nagkaroon ng misa at nung nangungumunyon na sya…si Archbishop Arguelles ang nagbibigay ng kumunyon…ay imbes na KATAWAN NI KRISTO ang sabihin…ang sinabi raw ay…sagutin mo na kami Ate Vi (meaning yung mga clamor ng simbahan at ng mga tao na tumakbong governor ay umoo na sya). Sabi naman ni Mayor Vi ay talaga raw mahirap magdesisyon dahil sya talaga ang nilalapitan ng mga tao at hindi mo basta sasagutin ng “NO” (kumbaga andun yung tiwala nila sa kanya) at talagang mahirap nang kumawala sa ganyang sitwasyon, di ba Father J? Nagtanong naman si Franco kung totoong pupunta sya ng New York para mag-shooting ng pelikula nila ni John Lloyd Cruz…..at ang sagot nya ay titingnan pa raw nya (sana nga ay matuloy na ito).

Binulungan naman sya ng kanyang bodyguard at sinabing may mga meeting pang naghihintay sa city hall kaya nagpaalam na din sya sa amin at sinabing….magme-mayor muna ako ha….. Maaga kaming umuwi ng Manila….dumaan muna kami sa condo unit ni Liam….at pagkatapos ay sa SM Megamall na kami nagpahatid nina Marilen, June, Cesar at Noel samantalang sina Jojo, Franco at Nar ay dumeretso na sa Greenhills. Nagyaya muna si Marilen na mag-coffee sa Figaro at dun ay nagkwentuhan na naman kami. At yan ang aming naging karanasan kahapon sa Military honor sa Fernando Airbase para kay Mayor Vi. Abangan na lang ninyo ang ALAM NYO BA? part 32 bukas, Friday o sa Sabado. Maraming salamat sa pagtitiyaga!!! – Alfonso Valencia, Photos by Liam Tayag, January 24, 2007 (READ MORE)

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In Appreciation of Mars Ravelo

Posted on October 9, 2013 by @ffv Standard

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Mars Ravelo (born October 9, 1916 in Tanza, Cavite, Philippines – September 12, 1988) was a Filipino graphic novelist who created the characters Darna, Dyesebel, Captain Barbell, Lastikman, Bondying, Varga, Wanted: Perfect Mother, Hiwaga, Maruja, Mariposa, Roberta, Rita, Buhay Pilipino, Jack and Jill, Flash Bomba, Tiny Tony, and Dragonna among others. He started out as a cartoonist, then as a writer, and later on as editor -in- chief for two publications houses and for several film companies. He later established his own company, RAR. Ravelo created the characters of Darna the super heroine, Dyesebel the love-lorn mermaid, and Captain Barbel the super hero, Facifica Falayfay, and the duo of Jack & Jill. He also created the drama about a young orphaned girl named Roberta for Sampaguita Pictures. Ravelo wrote the movie adaptation of Alicia Vergel’s Basahang Ginto. – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Style of Drawing – “…In my interviews, Ravelo revealed that “sa abot ng natatandaan ko” (as far as I can remember), his first published works were “Ponchong” and “Bemboy.” And had not Liwayway magazine turned him down on his Varga (Darna’s predecessor character), history would have put Darna’s origin inside Liwayway’s pages instead of Bulaklak, and she would have been the Philippines’ first komiks superhero (Yes, at least one-a-half years ahead of Wonder Woman’s first comics appearance!)…Varga is another casing point of Ravelo’s early style of drawing. True to his accounts, Varga’s illustration is a cross between McManus and Fleischer. And based on his story, the timeline of Varga should be put around 1939 and not 1947. To quote Ravelo: “Alam mo naisip kong gawin yung Varga para itapat kay Superman. Lalake yung sa mga Amerikano, babae yung sa atin. Di ba ayos?” (You know I thought of creating Varga as a counterpart of Superman. Male on the part of the Americans, female on our part. Isn’t that okay?). It can also be noted that Varga was a character archived twice. By some twist of circumstance, the name Varga became the ownership of Bulaklak magazine (during those times, intellectual property right is not yet in effect) and when Ravelo left the publication in 1949 after a falling out with its editor, Varga stayed behind. Ravelo took Varga’s personality, revised her costume, and brought her to Pilipino Komiks, and renamed the character Darna. For more than six decades the character Varga was lost, never again to be seen until ABS-CBN Channel 2 made it into a TV series which started on August 2, 2008. The character portrayed by Mariel Rodriguez, however, was very different from the original creation of Ravelo. The superheroine’s costume was change, as well as her origin and beginning. The name of her alter ego was also change – from Narda to Olga…” – Ernee Lawagan (READ MORE)

Number One Janitor – “…Only a very few know that Mars is Marcial, but 20,000,000 komiks readers will swear that Ravelo is one of the greatest things that ever happened to the local komiks industry. For his were the ideas and innovations that defied what were then regarded as “sacred institutions” in the profession and influenced the course of the komiks industry in the Philippines. Oddly enough, Ravelo’s initial foray into the local komiks field was for a man of lesser guts extremely discouraging. It would have been more than enough for the average neophyte to call it quits. But Ravelo is made of the stuff that makes champions. The young (33) Ravelo that confidently presented his first cartoon strip to a vernacular magazine editor that fine day in 1949 was already a “fighter”. He was then drifting from one low-paying menial job to another but even then, his innate desire to excel was evident. When he was a janitor, he says, he was “number one janitor”. He was also to say many years later in a magazine interview that he became “number one” in the komiks field because “I’ve always hated to be number two!” At that time, he already knew that he could write and draw well – as a matter of fact, “better than most of those already in the komiks profession.” But the magazine editor apparently did not think so; one quick glance at the comic strip presented by Ravelo and he pronounced the death sentence: “Hindi pa puwede!” (Not good enough)….” – Komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Mass Culture – “…To understand Darna is to understand Filipino mass culture. Created in 1949 by Mars Ravelo, Darna has zoomed in and out of the imagination of three generation of Filipinos. Darna, who is the local hybrid version of Wonder Woman and Supergirl first appeared in the Pilipino Komiks in the late 40’s. Nestor Redondo, considered by many in his profession as one of the unsung heroes of Filipino illustrations, gave graphic life to the original Filipina libber then named Varga. Over the years Darna has appeared and re-appeared in so many episodes, that Ravelo himself forgets the exact number, to do battle against a wide and weird array of baddies, from Valentina who sports a Medusa-like coiffure and the Babaeng Lawin to the impakta and engkantados, creatures unique to the Filipino’s supernatural hierarchy. Darna symbolizes the two principal characteristics of our mass culture: the supernatural powers that allows a great number of people to engage in never ending fights of fantasy and the dormant militance, the latent commitment to fight injustice wherever it can be found. But above all, Darna is the concrete expression of the cultural schizophrenia that besets us. The superheroine’s creater, Mars Ravelo, really admits that it was the prevalence of a colonial mentality among many readers that compelled him to create a comic strip hero that approximated the stature and powers of the then most popular American heroes, Wonder Woman and Supergirl. Ravelo says, “Naisip ko noon, gayong sikat sina Wonder Woman at Supergirl, bakit hindi ako gumawa ng isang karakter na may mga powers na katulad ng mga ito at ilagay sa situwasyong Pilipino.” Indeed this tendency to go along with trends set in America was and still is true for many comics strip writers. Ravelo, however, had more than mere imitation and lumping into the superhero bandwagon in mind. Ravelo goes on, “Naiisip ko kasi noon since nadito na rin lang yang colonial mentality why not work around it. Kaya naman kung mapapansin nin’yo I try to inject certain amount of relevance to Darna’s adventures. For one thing she talks, thinks, and feels in the vernacular. She exhibits idiosyncrasies that are distinctly Filipino and she fights characters that are unique to the Filipino milieu. Besides the kinds of conflict that she gets involved in and the caused she fights for are those that masses themselves can identify with.” Like all superheroes, however, Darna is one of the best examples of escapist entertainment. Even Ravelo admits to this when he says, “I don’t like writing fantasy. Pero anong magagawa ko? I personally would like to write about real, down-to-earth characters and situations. But the masses just won’t but that! Kasi, kahit na mataas nga ang literacy level ng mga Pilipino alam natin na functional literacy lang ito. Huwag lang masabing ‘no read no write…” – Bill Davidson, TV Times March 13 – 19 1977

Darna is Not a ‘Rip-off” of Wonder Woman – “…Because of the character’s immense popularity, several other studios would license the character and produce more Darna movies throughout the next several decades. After Rosa Del Rosario, Vilma Santos (who first played Darna in 1973’s “Lipad, Darna, Lipad”) would be the most well known and the most in demand to play the character. She starred in a total of 4 Darna movies. Her 4th and final one being in 1980. For years after that, no more Darna movies were produced…” – Raffy Arcega, Comic Book Movie (READ MORE)

Mars Ravelo and Vilma Santos

Ging is a poignant story of a poor gifted girl, trying to make both ends meet by singing and dancing in crowded streets and cafeterias. – Komiklopedia

“…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…” – Butch Francisco, People’s Journal 04 March 1999 (READ MORE)

Trudis Liit (lit. Little Trudis) is a Philippine drama produced by GMA Network, and part of that station’s Sine Novela series. Trudis Liit marks the 21st and final installment of the Sine Novela series based on the works by Mars Ravelo. Like all Sine Novela installments, Trudis Liit is based on a movie; this one made in 1963, starring Lolita Rodriguez, Luis Gonzales, Bella Flores and Vilma Santos. – Wikipedia

“…Makulit na ako no’ng time na ‘yon! So, anyway, tinawag ako ni Doc Perez [of Sampaguita Pictures] at that time. Pinaarte ako. Nag-adlib-adlib pa ako. Nakuha naman ako. So, when I started, dalawa kaagad ang pelikula ko—Trudis Liit at Anak, Ang Iyong Ina [1963]. Ang naaalala ko lang tungkol sa maaga kong pagpasok sa pag-aartista, parang laro lang sa akin iyon. Parang naglalaro lang ako noon kaya hindi trabaho sa akin iyon, e. So, very-very memorable sa akin iyon. At saka no’ng Trudis Liit, every lunch, lagi akong may apple. Lagi akong may chicken. Every lunch talaga ‘yon…” – Vilma Santos (READ MORE)

Darna is a fictional character and Filipino comics superheroine created by writer Mars Ravelo and artist Nestor Redondo. In her more popular incarnations, she is a deceased warrior from another planet manifesting herself through a girl from Earth, named Narda. She first appeared in Pilipino Komiks #77 (May 13, 1950). Darna is a retooling of Ravelo’s earlier character Varga, whose stories he wrote and illustrated himself. She first appeared in Bulaklak Magazine, Volume 4, #17 (July 23, 1947). Ravelo left Bulaklak due to differences with the editors. – Wikipedia

“…Ding, ang bato!” yells Narda, the adolescent country lass, to her younger brother. Ding obligingly hands over a shiny pebble which Narda swallows to turn herself into the vivacious super-vixen, Darna. Mars Ravelo’s superheroine, clad in crimson bikinis and knee-high stiletto boots, may perhaps be the most famous local fantasy character given life on the silver screen. Though not actually considered a career-defining role, portraying Darna is, nonetheless, highly-coveted. Darna has been portrayed by no less than nine actress in 12 feature films. Rosa del Rosario first wore the scarlet two piece in May 1951. She reprised the role after three months. Liza Moreno, Eva Montes and Gina Pareno followed her. The inter-galactic pebble found its way to Vilma Santos’ throat in 1973 via the flick “Lipad, Darna, Lipad!” Santos, now a two-term mayor of Lipa City in Batangas, is probably the most popular Darna, with a total of four movies in a span of seven years…” – Armin Adina, Philippine Daily Inquirer, June 06, 2003 (READ MORE)

Dyesebel is a popular mermaid character in the Philippines. The comic book character was originally conceived by the Filipino comic book illustrator, Mars Ravelo. Dyesebel is a prominent character in Philippine cinema and television. – Wikipedia

“…In the 1973 Dyesebel movie, Dyesebel lives in an undersea kingdom of mermaids far from the land of humans because the humans believe that the mermaids are the cause of misfortune. Dyesebel fell in love with a male human being. In order to be with the man that she likes, she swore to find a way to be transformed into a female human being. In the movie, “Si Dyesebel at Ang Mahiwagang Kabibe,” the role of Dyesebel was played by Vilma Santos and Fredo was played by Romeo Miranda…” (READ MORE)

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VIilma’s Unguarded Moment

Posted on October 8, 2013 by @ffv Standard

This is Vilma’s unguarded moment. Iyong bang para siyang nasa isang malayong lugar at malayo ang narating niya. At kung anuman ang iniisip niya ay siya lamang ang nakakaalam. And one time we caught them, siya at si Bobot. Nasa loob siya ng isang waiting room na residence ng kanilang producer sa Volta. Kasama siya at binabantayan ng mga ito. Sa di kalayuan nakaupo si Vilma. As usual, talks, “ika nga siyempre ang pinag-uusapan nila’y tungkol sa kanilang dalawa. Hindi maiwasan ni Bobot ang pagtatapat kay Vilma tungkol sa mga loobin pa niya. “Sus, nagbiro ka na naman, tigilan mo na nga ako ‘yan, Bingi na ako riyan.” sabi ni Vi at bahagyang nangiti siya. Nagyuko ng ulo si Bobot. Bahagyang nag-isip. “Wala ‘yes, huwang mong pansinin.” Tila naman pampalubag loob ay nabawi uling salita ni Vilma. Saka pa lamang napangiti si Bobot. At pag nabuksan na ang pinto tiyak na bubungad ang pinakamatandang kapatid ni Vi. “Kamusta? May kailangan ka ba?” Tanong nito kay Vilma. “Nagpapahinga lang kami dito. Tatawag ako kung may kailangan ako. May kasama naman ako rito eh.” Sagot ni Vi sa kanyang ate. One time sa KBS minsan nang naging guest naman ni Vilma si Jojit Peredes. Well, kahit sino ang makakila tiyak na iisipin at sasabihin na may ugnayan nang talaga ang dalawa. Nagkakaunawaan na.

These are many times we caught Vilma na paglapit sa kanya ni Jojit ay para bang may mahalaga silang pinaguusapang para sa kanilang dalawa. But in fact, may kinalaman lamang iyon tungkol sa gagawin nilang palabas. Kaya kung hindi sanay ang makakakita sa kanila, tiyak na sasabihin na boyfriend na pala ngayon ni Vi si Jojit. kahit kay Tirso Cruz III there are many unguarded moment of Vilma, me sasabihing mong uy new ito? Si Pip na pala ngayon? Kasi, hahawak sa braso ni Pip si Vi at kukulitin ito. Kaya lang malalaman ng mga kaharap sa nagbibiruan sila pagtawa ng malakas ni Vilma… Even with Walter Navarro ng minsan ay maging guest din ito ni Vilma, wala sa loob niya ay nabibiro din si Walater. At wala din sa loob niya bigla siyang titigan ni Walter. Ngiti ang tinutugon ni Vilma sa titig na iyon. Nakikiramdam ang mga kaharap. Si Walter naman ngayon? Tiyak na iisipin nila ito. Pero ang tooto ay walang kahulugan talaga at palagayang loob lamang. this is Vilma’s many unguarded moment. Kahit man nagaganap. At sakunan siya ng larawan ng hindi niya nalalaman kung ano man ang kanyang ginagawa. But in the name of love? Vilma is still thinking about it now. Kaya wala ngang makatitiyak kung silang dalawa ni Bobot ay magkakabalikan pang talaga o may lihim silang kasunduan. – Ric S. Aquino, TSS Magazine, No. 190, 08 Oct 1974

Ric S. Aquino is a Filipino movie reporter, writer, columnist who was part of Vilma Santos’ circle of movie writers in the early part of her film career. He mostly reports about the latest news about Vilma. He also wrote several pieces about her relationships with Edgar Mortiz and other admirers. His articles, mostly written in Tagalog were mostly published at Movie Queen magazine, a magazine identified with Vilma Santos. – RV

Star For All Seasons

Vilma Santos-Recto is a popular multi-awarded actress and politician in the Republic of the Philippines. * She is known as "Queen of Philippine Movies," "Queenstar," "Grand Slam Queen," "Box Office Queen," and "Star for All Seasons." * This website is mostly about her iconic film career.

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