Tag Archives: Vilma Santos

Remembering Gloria Romero

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From Poverty to Riches – “…The crowd let out a yell and surged toward the car. The group mostly teen-age girls and young women, cried, “Gloria,” and smiled as they had a glimpse of their favoriet movie star. The car moved on. The girls, disapointed they couldn’t touch or speak to their idol, kept screaming after the car. The attractive, slim girl in the car smiled back gently, she waved at her admirers. She seemed embarrassed at the fuss over her appearance. “How does it feel to be a successful actress, the most popular in the Philippines today?” she was asked. Gloria Romero, barely 23, aswered quietly, “This little success I have, I am determined not to let it go to my head.” After a long pause she added, “I fear this is not a lasting thing. It is not something I can keep in a steel safe. It is a slippery thing. A false move, and it will begin to slip from my grip.” Unlike most actresses here, Gloria is a homebody. An introvert by nature, she prefer to go to bed early. She says she has no steady date. “I’ll get married when I’m 28,” she said. “A few years ago I said I’d marry at 25.” Gloria’s meteoric rise in the past five years to become the highest-paid Filipino movie actress – she received $45,000 last year – was preceded by a difficult and often frustrating climb. She remembers the first house her family rented in Manila. It was in a noisy neighborhood. The rent was 75 pesos (37.50) a month. Today, she lives in a 75,000 peso (37,500) mansion in a select suburb of Manila with her sister and two brothers…Gloria could best be described as the Grace Kelly of the Philippines. She is modest, conservative in dressing and shuns cheap publicity. In a recent movie she wore a low-cut dress. The disapproval of her fans was unanimous in the many letters she received. The studio decided to raise the level of the dress, in her next picture. There is something appealing in her quiet and gnetle gestures. She has an almost angelic face. her features are refined. She has bright brown eyes which match her deeper brown hair. She has light, almost white complexion…” – Henry HartzenbushSt. Petersburg Times, Apr 29, 1957 (READ MORE)

First Lady – “…He played Marcos in the political propaganda movie “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” in 1965 and in the drama film “Pinagbuklod ng Langit” in 1969. Romero, who played First Lady Imelda Marcos to his Ferdinand, recalled that they could only start shooting in Malacañang after office hours at 6 p.m. and wind up at 6 a.m. the next day. In spite of the unusual working hours, Gonzales would remain cheerful, Romero said. “He was a jolly fellow. He was always joking around and he loved dancing,” she told the Inquirer. Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos said Gonzales portrayed her father in her first movie “Trudis Liit” in 1963. Then a child star, Santos also played little Imee in the two Marcos movies. “I was very young then and it was amusing to see and tour the Palace with him,” Santos said. “He really made a big mark in Philippine movies. I will be praying for the repose of his soul and for strength for his family, too.” Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos remembered Sampaguita producer Jose “Doc” Perez auditioning other actors, but in the end it was Luis’ voice that landed him the role. “In a nation of tenors, he and my dad were the only two baritones,” she said. “We were very fond of him and listening to him [on the set], I sometimes thought he was my father…” – Bayani San Diego Jr. (READ MORE)

The Enchantment – “…To be sure, Gloria Romero would not have survived if she had not created characters that would linger in the minds of audiences long after the last credit had rolled down. She was the combative Ilocana in “Dalagang Ilocana,” the saintly nun in “Monghita,” the first lady of the land in “Iginuhit ng Tadhana,” the teacher who becomes a dark creature at night in “Lipad, Darna, Lipad,” the criminal master in “Condemned,” and the matriarch suffering from Alzheimer’s in “Tanging Yaman.” Of course, even in the most abject and ugly roles, her beauty and bearing still shine through, damning the efforts of the viewer to suspend his disbelief, but never mind, it’s only a movie —and it’s only in the movies that you get to see a goddess like Gloria Romero as a tomboy, as Her Imeldific, as a ghoul or a hag. All of these characters have been keenly etched in generations of moviegoers; they provide the images that constitute the magic of Philippine cinema. And in that magical world, Gloria Romero is a prime enchanter. The enchantment starts with her beauty and proceeds with her varied talents and qualities. Many believe it will never end. And so for her icon-like qualities as an actor and cinematic enchanter, Gloria Romero, the indestructible queen of Philippine movies for five decades now, is this year’s recipient of the Natatanging Gawad Urian for lifetime achievement during the 27th annual Gawad Urian….” – Lito B. Zulueta (READ MORE)

Hepburn and Streep – “…As far as I know, only Eddie Garcia and Gloria Romero are two stars who never had billingitis. There are no small roles. It is how you interpret them. That is why they are still very much around. Because of their stature in the movie industry, the studios respected them and knew how to put them in their proper place. As fate would have it, billing was never a problem between the Veteran Movie Queen Gloria Romero and the Philippines’ Movie Queen for All Seasons Vilma Santos. Ms. Romero, the ever practical and realistic auteur has so much respect and love for her “daughter” Ms. Santos that she allowed to be billed after the longest reigning box-office and movie queen since the 70’s (the monster hit “Lipad, Darna, Lipad” and the blockbusters “Nakakahiya I and II,” for example)…As if Fate would have it, who would ever think that the Two Queens would duke it out in the 2000 awards derbies? Anak versus Tanging Yaman. Gloria may have won the Urian but she shared the award with her “daughter”: “I share this award with Ms. Vilma Santos who is so good in Anak.” So what do Vilma Santos and Gloria Romero have in common? Why are they still Philippine Cinema’s Regal Movie Queens? They are both professionals, humble in both defeat and victory, clean living, and have respect for the profession that is their bread and butter. They are the Katherine Hepburn and the Meryl Streep of the Philippines. Kate Hepburn disliked Streep in real life. She called Ms. Streep’s acting too cerebral. Was it envy, billingitis, or ego? Thank heavens for Gloria and Vilma. They respect and love each other. Terms of endearment. Friends for life. We shall never see their kind anymore…” – Mario O. Garces, V magazine, Vol 1, Issue 4 Oct/Nov 2005 (READ MORE)

One Desire – “…Glamorous Gloria Romero, the hottest attraction in the Philippine movieland, can have just about everything except her heart’s fondest desire – to return to Denver, her birthplace. To most U.S. citizens, Gloria’s name doesn’t mean a thing. But to Philippine movie fans she is the queen of the screen. She is the highest paid, busiest, most appealing and versatile actress in the islands. She is a first rate comedianne and a finished tragedian. The 24-year old beaty, undisputed sweetheart of the Philippines, averages six pictures a year. All in roles caller for artistry on the highest level. She packs ’em in whenever the movies are shown. And that’s the big problem. She can’t find the time to break away to visit the mile high city, which she left when she was three years old. “I could very well pack up this very minute and book passage for the U.S. and take that sentimental journey to Denver,” she said today, “But I am committed to do five more pictures this year.” She added wistfully. “Maybe I can make it next year…Oh you don’t realize how much a trip would make my life complete.” Gloria has an added reason for making the journey: she hopes to find her mother’s relatives who still live in Denver.

The 5 foot 6 inch film star was born to a U.S. mother and a Filipino father. Three years later the family left Denver to settle in the northern Luzon, where her father had a farm. Her mother, the former Mary Borrego, died shortly after the U.S. liberated the Philippines in 1945. Gloria’s first break in films came when Sampaguita studio bosses picked her from a group of extras for a supporting role in a movie titled “Madame X.” She stole the picture from veteran stars, and from there on she climbed steadier to the top. Every one of her 24 pictures has been a hit, only in the Philippines but in Asia. Local critics, consistently caustic and cynical on films made in the Philippines, just love her. So do the gay young blades but Gloria has remained Philippine movieland’s most eligible bachelor girl despite her scores of admirers. She said she is too “frustrated” over that visit to Denver to think of marrying…” – Louella Parsons, The Calgary Herald, Feb 27, 1957 (READ MORE)

Gloria Romero (born Gloria Galla on December 16, 1933) is a Filipino actress appearing in film and television. Her career spans 60 years and includes award winning performances in the films Tanging Yaman (FAMAS Best Actress 2001), Nagbabagang Luha (FAMAS Best Supporting Actress 1989) and 1955’s Dalagang Ilocana. She is the first recipient of the lifetime achievement award from the MTRCB (Movies and Television Review and Classification Board). – Wikipedia (READ MORE)


Video Credit: Corlan Mendoza

Gloria Romero and Vilma Santos

Kapag Langit Ang Humatol (1990) – “…Fortunately, director Laurice Guillen has more faith in her material, more respect. For she has not only come up with a beautifully-photographed, well-edited and generally superbly-acted melodrama. She has also held up to us a mirror of the dreams and aspirations, the frustrations, suffer¬ing and uncomplicated lifestyle of the so-called masa. Moments of the heroine’s unmitigated oppres¬sion in the hands of her evil mistress is age-old reality in Philippine life and, quite logically, litera¬ture. Her soul nearly scarred by her excruciating, degrading experience, she somehow manages not only to survive but also to rise from her humble, bleak origins, when she leaves the hellhole and finds hope and rewards in the city. In true melodramatic fashion, she plots out her revenge, but alas, even in carrying it out, she must pay dearly, nearly tragically. Feminist observers may easily notice that in this picture – as in, they would say, Philippine society -it is the women who run things. They domineer and dominate, manipulating the men, even the men they love. True enough, from the very beginning, it is the mistress and her poor servant who move things, decide, and tell men what to do. It is they who plot out schemes and plan their destiny…” – Mario A. Hernando (READ MORE)

Saan nagtatago ang pag-ibig? (1987) – “…When Eddie first entered show business, “I said to myself, I’m going to give myself 15 years to be able to direct my first movie. Fortunately, it took me 12 years–or three years earlier than I had planned.” He considers Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-Ibig as his most memorable directorial assignment…” – Sol Jose Vanzi (READ MORE)

Payaso (1986) – “…The 1986 Metro Manila Film Festival was considered the worst in the 12-year history of the annual 10-day festival of local movies. For the first time, it did not give out the traditional first and second best picture awards. Two other categories— best story and best screenplay were not also given. “No one of the seven entries deserved these awards,” according to Tingting Cojuangco, one of the jurors…” – J C Nigado (READ MORE)

Gaano kadalas ang minsan? (1982) – “…From 1979 to 1986, Zialcita was on a roll, doing one film after another, pulling off nine hits in a row beginning with Gaano Kadalas in 1981 up to his sex comedies that include May Lamok Sa Loob ng Kulambo. He could demand anything from a producer and his wish would be granted. When Viva Films asked him to do Gaano Kadalas, he told Vic and Mina del Rosario that he will only do it if they get George Canseco to write the theme song (most of his popular films had songs by Canseco), and that Hilda Koronel would be one of the leads. Viva granted him both—even if it had to pay more for Hilda than for Vilma. “May utang ako kay Hilda eh, I took her out of Langis at Tubig…” – Jerome Gomez (READ MORE)

Makahiya at Talahib (1976) – “…Her metamorphosis began in late 1976 when she agreed to be kissed by Rudy Fernandez in Makahiya at Talahib. It was a “feeler” of sort and when the public clacked its tongue in obvious approval, Vilma shelved her lollipops-and-roses image and proved that she, too, could be a woman – a wise move indeed because at that time her career was on a downswing and her movies were not making money…” – Ricardo F. Lo, Expressweek Magazine January 19, 1978 (READ MORE)

Big Ike’s Happening (1976) – “…All star casts din ang pelikulang handog ng Larry Santiago at Ike Lozada Productions na Big Ike’s Happening (February 27, 1976) na tinampukan nina Vi, Tirso Cruz III, Walter Navaro, Ike Lozada, Aurora Salve, Gina Alajar, Jojit Paredes, Dondon Nakar, Winnie Santos, Arnold Gamboa, Maribel Aunor, Allan Valenzuela, Doyet Ilagan, Edward Campos, German Moreno, Inday Badiday, Ben David, Lilian Laing, Aruray, Nora Aunor, Perla Bautista, Charlie Davao, Esperanza Fabon, Eddie Peregrina, Bella Flores, Lito Legaspi, Christopher de Leon, Van de Leon, Pinky Montilla, Alma Moreno, Dencio Padilla, Andy Poe, Jerry Pons, Ric Rodrigo, Gloria Romero, Daria Ramirez, Darius Razon, Marianne de la Riva, Eddie San Jose, Ricky Santiago, Lorna Tolentino, Eddie Villamayor at Vic Vargas sa direksiyon nina Pablo at Bobby Santiago…” – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Hindi Nakakahiya Part II (1976) – “…”O cupid, o cupid pag ikaw ang pumana sa puso ninuman…matanda o bata, problema pag tinamaan…..” Hindi Nakakahiya Part II (February 13, 1976) ng Luis Enriquez Films na pinangunahan nina Vi, Eddie Rodriguez, Gloria Romero, Marissa Delgado, Ernie Garcia, Renato Robles, Nello Nayo at Patricia Mijares sa panulat at iskrip ni Ric M. Torres at direksiyon ni Luis Enriquez…” – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Nakakahiya? (1975) – “…Hit na hit sa takilya at Patok ang Mr. and Miss R.P. Movies na sina Eddie Rodriguez at Vilma Santos, ang nagkamit ng award bilang “Pinakamahusay na actor at actress sa Bacolod Film Festival para sa pelikulang “Nakakahiya.” At hindi lamang iyan. Nakamit din ng pelikulang ito ang mga sumusunod: Best Picture, best screenplay, best director, best sound, at best film editing awards. Isang bagay lamang ang ikinalulungkot ng mga taga-Bacolod. Hindi nakarating sina Eddie at Vilma upang tanggapin ang kanilang awards. At ang pinakahuling karangalang tinanggap ng dalawang sikat na tambalang ito ay ang pagkakapili sa kanilang dalawa bilang Mr. and Miss R. P. Movies ng taong ito. Isang karangalan ang mapiling Mr. and Miss R. P. Movies. Iisa lamang ang kahulugan nito ang mataas na pagpapahalaga sa kanilang dalawa ng pelikulang Tagalog bilang mga pangunahing alagad ng sining. At hindi naman alangan ang pagkakahirang kina Eddie at Vilma sapagkat kapwa sila dedicated sa kanilang propesyon. Si Eddie, bukod sa isang mahusay na actor, director at prodyuser ay isa pa ring mahusay na scriptwriter. At hindi lamang sa pelikula nagdi-direct si Eddie Rodriguez. Maging sa kanyang weekly tv show, ang “Sanyugto” ay siya rin ang director…” – Ely L. Jovez (READ MORE)

Karugtong ang kahapon (1975) – “…Nora Aunor’s entry, NV Productions’ Batu-Bato sa Langit (directed by Luciano B. Carlos), was a hit and won as 3rd Best Picture. Vilma Santos, on the other hand, gave a notable performance in Roma Films’ Karugtong ang Kahapon. That time, Nora and Vilma were in their peak, their career and the movies they made were being followed closely, compared, watched, praised, scrutinized both by fans and critics. Their storied and fierce rivalry dominated our movie industry for years. In fact, one could argue that even to this day, a Filipino movie fan is either a Noranian or a Vilmanian…” – Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Happy Days Are Here Again (1974) – “…In 1974, the Big 3 studios of the 50s, LVN Pictures, Sampaguita Pictures and Premiere Productions reproduced a full-length movie showcasing a compilation of the musical comedies produced by the three studios. It was a painstaking job for the researchers since most of the best musicals produced by the three studios were either lost or destroyed. At the start of the project, director Lamberto V. Avellana was supposed to direct the film but eventually replaced by Cirio Santiago after so many changes in the project including the script. He ended up as consultant of the movie. The film was Happy Days Are Here Again, with brief narrations by movie stars like Gloria Romero, Nida Blanca, Susan Roces, Leopoldo Salcedo, Jaime de la Rosa, Eddie Gutierrez, Tirso Cruz III, Pugo, German Moreno and Ike Lozada…” – Expressweek, November 14, 1974 (READ MORE)

Anak ng asuang (1973) – “…featuring the Vilma/Gloria mother and daughter team had to be made. Gloria reprised her role as the vampire minus Darna. Vilma was her “doomed” daughter. Gloria was so identified as Impakta that when the second Darna flick cameabout she have to do do a cameo appearance!…” – Mario Garces (READ MORE)

Lipad, Darna, lipad! (1973) – “…In the 1960’s, Gloria Romero portrayed Imelda Marcos in “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” and “Pinagbuklod ng Langit.” In the 1970’s she starred in two memorable movies: Behn Cervantes’s vanished movie, “Sakada” (1976), and earlier, 1973’s “Lipad, Darna, Lipad,” the biggest movie of its time in which she played a “manananggal” to Vilma Santos’s super heroine. Up to now, she considers the last as one of her most unforgettable…” – Lito Zulueta, MPP (READ MORE)

Pinagbuklod ng langit (1969) – “…He has fond memories of shooting “Pinagbuklod ng Langit,” second bio-pic on the late President Ferdinand Marcos (after “Iginuhit ng Tadhana,” directed by Mar S. Torres, Conrado Conde and Jose de Villa).“My staff grew fat while making that movie,” he recalled with a hearty laugh. “Ninety percent of the film was shot in Malacañang Palace and the First Lady was always sending carts of sandwiches and juice drinks to the set…” – Bayani San Diego Jr. (READ MORE)

De colores (1968) – “…Inihandog ng Arco Iris Productions ang “biggest assemblage of acting talents in the history of Philippine Motion pictures!…..The good and the bad, the saint and the sinner, the meek and the arrogant…this is their story!….” De Colores (March 30, 1968) na pinangunahan nina Vi, Joseph Estrada, Amalia Fuentes, Jun Aristorenas, Divina Valencia, Eddie Garcia, Mario Montenegro, Perla Bautista, Anna Gonzales, Eddie Garcia, Von Serna, Gil de Leon, Mila Ocampo, Paquito Diaz, Leopoldo Salcedo at Gloria Romero sa direksiyon ni Armando Garces. Si Eddie Garcia ang nagkamit ng best actor sa pelikulang ito…” – Alfonso Valencia (READ MORE)

Iginuhit ng Tadhana: The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story (1965) – “…Marcos knew the power of the medium of film. Earlier on, Marcos produced a film biography using the most popular stars for his first presidential campaign. He ran against Macapagal who also came up with a film biography to boost his reelection bid. Marcos would also use another film Iginuhit ng Tadhana (Written by Destiny, 1965) to campaign for a second term. The two Marcos film bios would be the only successful political films—commercial and election wise—as other film biographies in the post-Marcos period by senatorial and presidential aspirants would prove dismal, unhelpful for election bids. The post-Marcos period liberalized the political and economic scene. It conventionalized and intensified the election of movie and sports stars, and even television news hosts to national politics. Television stations were sequestered by the government, the largest of which, however, was returned to its pre-martial law owners. ABS-CBN would become the leading television station until after 2000, allowing two of its news anchors to become senators…” – Rolando Tino (READ MORE)

Anak, ang iyong ina! (1963) – “…Nakihalo lang ako doon sa mga nag-a-audition sa Trudis Liit [1963],” pagbabalik-tanaw ng aktres kung paano siya napasok sa showbiz at naging bida nga kaagad sa nabanggit niyang proyektong iyon. Hindi ako dapat talaga doon [sa audition na iyon]. Nakipila lang ako. Pagpila ko, tinatawag ako ng mommy ko na, ‘Hindi ka diyan! Sabi ko, ‘Andito na, e!’ 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. Parang… Siguro bata, so ibibigay nila ‘yong gano’ng ano sa ‘yo. Parang may prize ka, gano’n. So, memorable sa akin iyon…” – Ruben Marasigan (READ MORE)


Video Credit: TribuneNOW

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The Revenge Films of Vilma Santos

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As compiled and written by Rendt Viray

She beat the hell up and tied Richard Gomez in a chair in unforgettable tele-movie back in late 1980s. The graphic violence in this tele-movie was heightened by the violent tropical storm the night it was broadcasted. You felt like it was happening that night because the movie was also happened during a stormy night.

She threw red wine to the face of a frightened Gloria Romero. At the same time, you’ll hear her crisp laughter. It reverberated the whole veranda while poor Gloria, have to slowly guarded her exit while shouting her litany of fighting words. Too late, her laughter is more powerful, as Gloria accept her humiliating defeat.

She pointed a gun into the head of kneeling Cesar Montano, asking for her forgiveness, pleading for her pity. She abruptly stop him and said “ULOL! Gutom lang yan!” which basically means, “Crazy! That’s just your hungry stomach!,” basically saying, I’m not going to fall for that! Funny how simple lines like this can be very satisfying! These are some of memorable scenes from the revenge films of Vilma Santos. Long before Hollywood discovered this genre, it was the local Filipino films who forever instigated this kind of stories in our films and into our memories. Vilma Santos’ filmography has been a rainbow of genre, drama, action, fantasy, you name it, she have it. Including revenge films.

Long before Eva Candelaria in Uninvited, Vilma Santos played several roles that define her versatility in acting. She is not afraid to portray anti-heroin, Villainesque roles. She is not boxed into those “api-apihan” or martyr roles like her rival. She always find something different in every roles and always giving her own flavouring, resulting with something savoury. Here, I listed down her most memorable and iconic revenge films, enjoy!

Biktima (1974)

Revenge Plot: The innocent looking girl (Vilma Santos) who went into a killing spree and avenging the murder of her mother. All the righteous preacher will be satisfied as the films ends, showing a bald Vilma Santos as she was sentenced to death.

Video credit: Star Star

Rubia Servios (1978)

Revenge Plot: A medical intern (Vilma Santos) was abducted and raped by her persistent suitor (Phillip Salvador). He sued the bastard and won. He was jailed but when he got out, he kidnapped their child, so that he can be reunited with her. This obsessed rapist met his demise when Vilma finally had her chance of revenge, she hit him with a boat paddle and then shoot him. Rubia Servios was perhaps, one of the most underrated films, of both Lino Brocka and Vilma Santos.

Video credit: Star Star

Ang Galing-galing Mo, Mrs. Jones (1980)

Revenge Plot: A showgirl (Vilma Santos) who was raped by a powerful politician (Vic Silayan), avenged her suffering by exposing his tormentor and killing him at an event attended by big crowd, very similar to Uninvited.

Video credit: Star Star

Tagos Ng Dugo (1987)

Revenge Plot: A young girl was traumatized when her family was murdered while she had her first menstruation. She was then incarcerated in mental institution and abused. When she came out of this institution she started her murder spree by enticing the men and while in sexual act, killing them. Hailed in 1987 as a feminist movie, Tagos ng Dugo was also considered avant-garde, unusual for a Filipino film during that time. One scene I will never forget was, while sitting in a toilet bowl, peeing, Vilma took one of her slippers, and using this, slowly and taking her time, started smashing the crawling cockroaches on the ground. Does this means she see men as cockroaches?

Video credit: Star Star

Lamat Sa Kristal (1988)

Revenge Plot: A photographer (Vilma Santos) avenged her sufferings by torturing back the rapist (Richard Gomerz) who abused her.

Video credit: Alan-NYC

Kapag Langit Ang Humatol (1990)

Revenge Plot: An oppressed housemaid (Vilma Santos) has transformed herself into a wealthy and powerful business woman. She came back to the town where she was tormented and abuse, now the woman (Gloria Romero) who was the mastermind of all her sufferings came to see her asking for an extension to their overdue debt, she threw red wine to her face. Vilma then started to laugh, her crisp laughter reverberated the whole veranda while poor Gloria have to slowly guarded her exit while shouting her litany of fighting words.

Video credit: Cinema One

Sinungaling Mong Puso (1992)

Revenge Plot: A wife (Vilma Santos) of a murderous-sadistic politician (Gabby Concepcion), who falls for a younger married man (Aga Muhlach). The politician sadistically killed the poor lover boy. She then avenge his death by by shooting her husband saying the iconic lines: “hayup! Hayup!…Baboy! Mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo!” which literally translates to: “Animal! Animal! Pig! Died together with your Pigs!” She killed him in his hog/swine farm. What a satisfying scene!

Video credit: Regal Entertainment

Ikaw Lang (1993)

Revenge Plot: She was abused, murdered, and dumped in a river by her coward, brainwashed husband (Cesar Montano), who is controlled a domineering mother (Zeny Zabala). She was found by a fisherman (Ronnie Rickets) and by God’s miracle survived the cruel ordeal. She went back to reclaimed her child and pointed the gun to Godless mother and son! The spineless ashole then begged for his life, kneeling asking for forgiveness. She then screamed at him, “ULOL! Gutom Lang Yan!” which literally translates to “Crazy! That’s just your hungry stomach!,” basically saying, I’m not going to fall for that! I swear, that leaves a lasting smile on me!

Don’t forget to watch her latest Revenge film, #Uninvited, still showing!

Revenge Plot: A grieving mother (Vilma Santos) who gatecrashed into the birthday of a powerful, rich and evil man (Aga Muhlach). Her sole purpose was to avenged the death of her daughter who was raped and murdered. The ending was bloody satisfying! If all other women avengers will witness her revenge, they would probably applause in agreement, Killing is such Godless but satisfying sight!

Video credit: Mentorque Productions

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Blooming Debutante

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Vilma Santos’Grand Debut – “More than 40 years ago, Vilma Santos turned 18 (Nov. 3, 1971). Her grand debut party was held at the post Presidential Hall of The Plaza in Makati, attended by celebrities and other familiar names in and out of the movie world. Style Magazine covered the event. Vilma’s gown was a creation of Sonia Aquino, who later served as mayor of Tanauan, Batangas. Photos by Bob’s and cake by Joni’s. Vilma and her parents Mr. and Mrs. Amado Santos and Edgar Mortiz (then the debutante’s favorite leading man) received the guests. The guest list included: Eddie Peregrina (deceased) and Esperanza Fabon, now justice of the Court of Tax Appeals. Mildred Ortega (later wife of Gen. Mitch Templo). Ricky Belmonte (deceased) and Rosemarie Sonora, based in California. Panamin secretary Manuel “Manda” Elizalde (deceased). Janine Friaz and Baby de Jesus. From a pretty debutante in the ’70s, Vilma turned into an award-winning actress, Star For All Seasons and much-esteemed public servant. First as Lipa Mayor for nine years and then as Batangas Governor, also nine years. Vilma is the incumbent Congresswoman of Lipa. Photos are from Style Magazine.” – Danny Dolor, The Philippine Star, 25 February 2018 (READ MORE)

Danilo Franco Creation – The year was 1971, when ate Vi celebrated her debut. Ang tagal na pala. Parang kailan lang when I cut these photos sa isang newspaper. I was still in grade school then, at wala pang pambili ng mga magazines. So, I content myself sa newspaper naming sa bahay. As far as I can remember, isang bonggang birthday celebration iyon. Nagkaroon ng isang asalto on the eve of her birthday. Meron din fans party na ginanap sa Mehan garden, pero ang talagang coming-out party niya ay ginanap sa The Plaza restaurant. Wala na itong restaurant na ito ngayon, but it was very popular ng mga panahon na iyon. The restaurant, which was, located sa Makati, ay siya ring naging venue ng reception ng wedding nina FPJ at Susan Roces. Ang asalto, fans party sa Mehan garden at ang debut party ay added attraction sa movie nina ate Vi at Edgar na “Eternally.” Ang gown ni ate Vi was made by Ben Farrales. Sa isang write-up interview kay Danilo Franco, na siyang gumawa ng wedding gown ni ate Vi, nabanggit nito that he was working for Mang Ben during that time.

The white gown bore hand-painted pink roses, which were made by Danilo Franco. Star-studded ang party ni ate Vi. Halos lahat ng young stars of the era ay dumating. Ang mga kasamahan niya sa TV show na The Sensations ang siyang mga kasali sa cotillion. Dumalo rin ang big stars of the era like sina Rosemarie at Ricky Belmonte, at doon nila inannounce na magpapakasal sila the following month. Special guest din si Mr. Manda Elizalde of Panamin, na tinulungan noon nina ate Vi at Edgar para ikampanya para sa Senado. Dumalo rin ang super big action star noon na si Tony Ferrer kasama ang kanyang misis na si Mutya Ng Pilipinas winner, Alice Crisostomo. Naroon rin ang mga producers ni Ate Vi at ang mga press people. It’s now 2005, 34 years na ang nakakaraan, pero andito pa rin si Ate Vi at siyang nangungunang Reyna ng pelikulang Pilipino. Nawala na ang mga kasabayan niya at maging ang mga sumunod sa kanya, pero nanatiling nag-iisa ang tunay na Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino sa lahat ng panahon. – Eric Nadurata, V Magazine 2006

The Superstar at 18, Vilma Blooms – “Ay naku, musmos pa ‘yan talagang mahilig na sa drama!” And Mrs. Milagros Santos (or Mommy Santos, as she is fondly called by diehard fans), mother of Superstar Vilma, proceeds to relate how her darling daughter religiously followed her favorite soap-operas on the radio in her off-school hours, imitating the airlane actresses later on when the family gathered at the sala. “Umiiyak pa ‘yan,” Mommy Santos goes on, “and she really cried real tears.”

Of course, Vi’s histrionic potentials didn’t escape the attention of her teachers in school. Everytime there was an affair on the campus, she would be there on stage, either delivering a declamation, singing a song or making like a little Rosa Mia in a drama skit. One day in 1962, eight-year old Vi tagged along with her uncle Amaury Agra (a cameraman) to the Sampaguita Studios to watch her favorite actresses and actors act before the cameras. Doc Perez saw her and was so fascinated by Vi’s lovable ways that, there and then, he let her play one of the two waifs in the tearjerker, Anak, Ang Iyong Ina!, a Lolita Rodriguez-Luis Gonzales starrer, afilming at that time. “Doc didn’t even give me a screen test,” Vi cuts in.

Days later, during a shooting lull, Vi wandered around the huge studio and found herself in the office of Doc Perez where some 800 tots were being tested for the title role of the next Sampaguita film. By accident, Vi got into the contest and walked away with the coveted role hands down. “Doc asked me to cry, umiyak naman ako,” Vi recalls, “he asked me to laugh, tumawa naman ako ng husto, ganyan. He asked me to do many other things. He must have been impressed dahil he assigned the role of Trudis Liit kaagad to me.” That was how Vilma Santos broke into the big screen. “My real name is actually Rosa Vilma Santos. Pero sabi ni Doc, there were several Rosa’s in the movies already, may Rosa Mia, may Rosa Rosal, may Rosa Aguirre, so he decided to drop Rosa from my name.”

For four years, from 1962 to 66, there was hardly any tearjerker without Vilma Santos in the cast. A born actress, she was very precocious and had a notably alacrity for giving in to what her roles demanded. She absorbed difficult and emotion-filled dialogues with ease and acted her parts very naturally. As a child actress, she chalked up more than a dozen movies and had ably pitted acting talents with such drama stalwarts as Eddie Rodriguez, Marlene Dauden, Lolita Rodriguez and Luis Gonzales. “I have two favorite pictures as a child actress, “ she says. “ang isa ‘yong Trudis Liit nga and the other is Ging where I portrayed the role of a child actress. When I saw the first movie sa sine, I cried because I pitied myself in the movie, kawawa kasi ako doon, e. It was s sob story you know, at kahit siguro ikaw maiiyak ka rin.

In Ging, nahirapan ako ng katakut-takot because it was heavy drama. Pero it gave me a very good chance to really act dahil it had a little of everything, a little drama, a little musical, a little comedy, a little of marami pang iba.” She had to stop appearing in the movies after finishing grade school. “I wanted to concentrate on my studies, that’s why I enrolled at the St. Mary’s Academy. I wanted to take up Fine Arts after graduation. I loved to paint noon, you know, pero ngayon, hindi na masyado.” But once an actress, so the saying goes, always an actress. Vi was in her third year high school when she felt an irresistable itch to work again before the cameras.

At first, her parents (Mr. and Mrs. Amado Constantino Santos) were reluctant but a compromise was reached: no shooting during her class schedules. By this time, Vilma was growing up to be a lady. This was mid-1969. The advent of 1970 brought new prospects for Vi and her young colleagues. Susan Roces and Amalia Fuentes had got hitched and there was some sort of a “search for another queen” in local filmdom. Because she had a strong public appeal and very endearing ways with her legions of followers (Vilmanians!) Vi was easily considered a possible successor to the throne left vacant by Susan and Amalia.

But she had a rival in the person of Nora Aunor. “There’s realy no personal rivalry between us,” she assures. “Friends kami, e.” It was when she got paired with Edgar Mortiz (Vi’s boyfriend on and off the camera) that Vi’s star shone doubly brighter in the movie firmament. The team up also did good to Edgar. First paired in Sampaguita’s Young Love (where they appeared with Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III), Vi and Edgar have now finished more than two dozen films, all of them veritable box-office hits. The two are under contract with Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Productions but they have an option to make pictures with other outfits with the proper consent of TIIP bosses. “I like Bobot (that’s how Edgar is called by Vi and their fans) naman because mabait siya at gentleman,” Vi smiles.

The crowning glory of their careers came early this year when they won as Mr and Miss Philippine Movies in a nationwide popularity contest conducted by a vernacular magazine. Their coronation grabbed the headlines when some fans of defeated stars staged a rampage, prompting Mommy Santos to announce on the microphone that “it was not our side that started the commotion. ” Aside from being good neighbors in a subdivision in Quezon City, Vi and Edgar are ‘always together’ anywhere they go. In addition to their movie work, they have also two regular shows on television, The Sensations (which was made into a movie) and Edgar Loves Vilma, both on Channel 2.

They also did several recordings together, all of them a sellout. Vi waxed her first (solo) single when she was 16 and the title of the song was Sixteen. But Vi has a drawing power all her own. No matter who her leading man is, her movies invariably attract moviegoers. Ikaw Lamang, where she had Paolo Romero for her love interest, was acclaimed topgrosser in the Quezon City Film Festival last September. One of her latest pictures, Teen-age Senorita with Manny de Leon, grossed no less than P40,000 on its first day showing in two theaters. (The movie was made by Zodiac Films, an outfit owned by Manny’s family.) Vi celebrated her 18th birthday last November 3 in a style befitting a superstar. There was a whole-day celebration; fans from as far north as Ilocos and as far south as Cebu came to greet her. The unforgettable day was capped with a formal ball at The Plaza where Vi had no less than Manda Elizalde, the senatorial candidate she and Bobot had campaigned for in the last elections, as a special guest. And like a faithful boyfriend, Edgar stayed close to Vilma throughout the affair.

Two weeks later, the two left to make two movies in Hawaii and USA. At 18, you may ask, what else does Vilma Santos crave for? “Not much”, she says. “I just hope that good things will continue to happen to me, that my fans will remain loyal and true.” Despite success, Vi has remained level-headed; she has admirably kept her sweet and charming disposition. Even when confronted with malicious gossip about her, she just remains calm: “I don’t mind rumors very much. As a movie star, I am susceptible to gossips, but I choose to ignore them.” And because she is truly aware that stardom is temporary, Vilma Santos doesn’t mind working hard now, accepting the many offers that come her way as long as they don’t endanger her health -and her image. “My philosophy is simple,” she says, “Make hay while the sun shines.” Mommy Santos could only nod in agreement. – Ricardo F. Lo, The Sunday Times Magazine, 05 Dec 1971

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Pinigil na Tadhana – “…Sinabi ni Ernesto Maceda, abugado ng 777 Productions, na ang pagpigil sa “Press Preview” o hayagang pagtatanghal ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” ay ilegal at labag sa saligang batas. Ayon kay Maceda, ang pelikula sinuri na ng BCMP, at dahil doon ay itinatanghal na iyon sa walong lalawigan…Sa isang dako, sinabi ni Gng. Olympia Lozano, kalihim-tagapagpaganap ng BCMP na pinigil ang pagtatanghal ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” dahil sa pagtanggi ng 777 Productions na iharap sa lupon ang pelikula upang surrin…Nagharap kagabi ng pagbibitiw sa Pangulong Macapagal si Jose L. Guevara bilang tagapangulo ng Board of Censors for Moving Pictures. Ginawa ni Guevara ang ganitong aksiyon kasunod ng pagpigil ng pelikulang “Iginuhit ng Tadhana” na naglalarawan sa buhay ni Sen. Ferdinand Marcos, kandidato sa pagka-pangulo ng NP. Ipinaliwanag ni Maceda na marami nang nakapanood ng “Iginuhit ng Tadhana”at nagkakaisa ng palagay ang lahat na walang batayan upang pigilin ang pagtatanghal nito. Upang masubhan kahit kaunti ang pagkayamot ng mga inayayahan sa “gala premiere” kagabi sa Rizal Theatre, ipinasiya ang pagtatanghal ng pelikulang Ingles, ang “The Thin Red Line…” – Leonardo P. Reyes, Taliba, 3 & 16 September 1965 (READ MORE)

Tadhana sa Korte Suprema – “…Malamang makarating ngayon sa Korte Suprema ang hidwaan ng prodyuser ng Iginuhit ng Tadhana at ng lupon ng sensor na pumigil sa pagtatanghal sa publiko ng nasabing pelikula. Nakatakdang dumulog ngayon sa mataas ns hukuman ang mga abugado ng prodyuser ng pelikula matapos na pigilin ng hukuman sa paghahabol kahapon ang pagpapatupad sa utos ng mababang hukuman na nagpapahintulot sa pagtatanghal ng pelikula…Sa naunang hatol ni Hukom Edilberto Soriano ng hukumang unang dulugan ng Maynila ay ipinahintulot niya ang pagtatanghal sa masuliraning pelikula bagay na salungat sa pasiya ng lupon ng sensor na pumipigil sa nasabing pagtatanghal. Ang hatol ni Soriano ay idinulog ng mga abugado ng pamahalaan sa hukumang sa paghahabol sa kanilang matwid na walang huridiksiyon sa usapin ang mababang hukuman…Sinabi ni Abugado Claudio Teehankee, isa sa mga abugado ng prodyuser ng pelikula sa buhay ng Pangulong Ferdinand E. Marcos ng Senado na idudulog nila sa Korte Suprema ang desisyon inilagda kahapon ng Hukuman sa Paghahabol. Ipinaliwanag niyang ang dalawang sumusunod na matwid ang knailang ihaharap sa mataas na hukuman sa paghahabol: 2 Katwiran na Inilahad – 1. Na walang bisa ang kontrata na maaaring bawiin ang permiso sa isang pelikula upang maitanghal anumang oras. 2. Na hindi nagmalabis si Hukom Soriano sa pagpapasiya sa usapin…” – C. de Guzman, Taliba, 3 & 16 September 1965 (READ MORE)

Young Ones – “…Walang makapaniwala na magiging gayon kalakas takilya sina Nora at Tirso. Nagimbal ang mga taga-pelikula. Bakit daw gayon kalaki ang kinikita ng unang dalawang pelikula nina Nora at Tirso? Tsamba lamang daw kaya iyon o biglang nagbago ng panlasa ng mga manonood? Hindi tsamba. Ang mga sumunod pang pelikula nina Nora at Tirso ay mas malaki ang kinita. Daang-libo ang kinita ng “Teenage Excapades” at “Halina, Neneng Ko.” Itinambal ng Towers si Nora sa iba pang kabataang artista, malaki rin ang kinita. Katunayan na malaki ang hukbo ng mga tagahanga ni Nora. Sinubok naman ng Barangay Productions na itambal si Tirso kay Gemma Suzara, hindi gaanong kinagat ng mga fans. Nag-produce ng pelikula ang mag-anak na Cruz, pinagsama sina Ricky Belmonte at Tirso sa “Ricky na, Tirso Pa” isinama naman sa magpinsan si Pilar Pilapil. Tinapatan ng Tower ng isang pelikula ni Nora ang pelikula ng mga Cruz. Resulta: mas maraming nanood sa pelikula ni Nora. Ano ang ibig sabihin nito? Gusto ng mga fans na maging magkatambal sina Nora at Tirso. Sinagot ng VP Pictures ang kahilingang ito sa pamamagitan ng “Young Love.” Bukod kina Tirso at Nora ay isinaman pa ang mga young ones na sina Vilma Santos at Edgar Mortiz. Patok sa takilya!…” – Romy Galang, Pilipino Magazine, 18 February 1970 (READ MORE)

Stoned Remembrance – “…It was a wild, wild parade but the fans and the superstars enjoyed every minute of it. For the Pilipino movie fan, it was more than just an outing. He saw his favorite movie celebrity at the closest range possible. For the movie star, the wild response was more than a gauge of his popularity. A crowd close to 500,000 people bucked the hot afternoon sun to watch their movie personalities in a parade ushering in the seventh Manila Film Festival. The crowd paralyzed traffic in the downtown areas up to the late last night…The parade started at 3 p.m. and ended past 8 p.m. at the foot of the Quezon bridge…The biggest response was given to Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. Wearing pink ang black kimonos, the two superstars threw sampaguita flowers along the way as their fans, yelling friendship, waved their pointed thumbs wildly…The other float with the wildest applause was that carrying Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, who will appear in “Remembrance,” a Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Presentation. However, the float was stoned twice and it left the parade before it reached the Jones Bridge…” – Romeo J. Arceo, Philippines Sunday Express, 18 June 1972 (READ MORE)

Vice presidential choices – “…Nationwide, Poe emerged as the preferred choice for vice president, obtaining an approval rating of 24%, followed by Escudero with 20%. Roxas was a distant 3rd with 8%, followed by Senator Antonio Trillanes IV with 7%, and Cayetano with 6%. The 6th spot was a tie among 4 who included Marcos Jr, Kris Aquino, Lacson, and Batangas Governor and actress Vilma Santos Recto, who each got 5%. Senator Jinggoy Estrada, the second senator embroiled in the pork barrel scam, obtained a 4% rating. In the lower bracket were 4 other legislators – Senators Benigno “Bam” Aquino and Revilla who each got 3%, Joseph Victor “JV” Ejercito who got 2%, and Camarines Sur Representative Leni Robredo who obtained 1%. In the National Capital Region, perceived to be home to the most critical and politically aware voters, Poe (25%) and Escudero (24%) were favorite vice presidential bets. Poe rated better than Escudero in the balance of Luzon, getting a 27% approval rating compared to Escudero’s 21%. The difference between the two top contenders was also more pronounced in Mindanao, with Poe getting 21% compared to Escudero’s 16%. Visayas respondents were almost evenly split, with 22% going for Poe and 20% going for Escudero…” – Chay F. Hofileña, Rappler, 29 Apr 2014 (READ MORE)

A Different “Grand Slam” (Ate Vi Scores A Victory But in a Different Arena) – When President Benigno Aquino III conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award on actress politician Vilma Santos-Recto, the Batangas Governor likened it in winning a “Grand Slam”- a showbiz citations given out by major award-giving bodies for a single movie. The last time she achieved that feat was in 2002, when she did Chito S. Roño helmed “Dekada ’70.” The two-term governor indicated that the Lingkod Bayan Award is just as special, maybe even more so than the Best Actress trophies she has collected over the years. “It recognized my hard work in public service. I think I am the only governor in the line-up. This is a different world from showbiz. This is not just a best actress-award. I’ve received other award awards fro government service in the past, but this is my first national recognition. Plus it was handed out by President Auino at Malacañang.” The Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award is handed out yesterday by the Civil Service Commission and is the highest honor a public servant can receive in the Philippines. Governor Vi was one of many awardees this year, for her effort to end the persistent overcrowding in Taal Lake and reduce fish kills. After the awarding ceremony, which was held at the Rizal Hall in Malacañang on September 19, she said she was eager to show her award to her constituents, calling the achievements “team effort.” I couldn’t have achieved all this on my own. I’m excited to show the plaque and medal to the people in the capitol. They worked side by side with me in pursuing my different programs in the province. Our secret in Batangas is teamwork.” Among this year’s other awardees was the late Department of Interior Jesse Robredo, who died in a plane crash on August 18 2012. His daughter, Aida was on hand to receive his award. Governor Vi also had her lovedones there – her husband, Senator Ralph Recto, and sons, Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian Recto. After the ceremony, Governor Vi head back home to Batangas, there to resume work again. For her, it’s just another work day, much like the one she has when doing a movie, but delivering a different kind of satisfaction. – Roldan Mauricio, Star Studio Magazine, November 2012

Focus on Burlesk Queen – Celso Ad Castillo’s “Burlesk Queen”surpasses past attempts to integrate cinematic qualities in a firlm and Castillo’s own previous experiments, which critics found bombastic and purely commercial, like no other film by Castillo or other directors. “Burlesk Queen”with synchronized techniques and the significance of its messagfe successfully gives substance to the trendy subject of sex-for-sale. Castillo’s creativity is seen in the use of radio drama and music, meaningful gestures, and visual metaphors to dramatic situations. Lucid exposition and delineation of the conflict are carried out through particular techniques like ensemble acting to reveal the individual characters’ needs, emphasis on visual details rather than talky dialogues to drive home a point, and active camera movements (cuts) to suggests the passage of time in the burlesque dance’s career. The tragic ending is prepared for a logical presentation of what happens eventually to all characters. – Ananymous

Vilma Santos to team-up with Christopher de Leon? – “…They’ve been perennial love-team partners in countless movies, and now Ms. Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon are speculated to be teaming up once more, and this is for their political ambitions. Mayor Vi was reported to be running for a congressional seat, but if she’s partnering with Boyet, it must only be as governor and vice governor of Batangas. So what will happen to acting Governor Ricky Recto, brother of Senator Ralph Recto who’s Mayor Vi’s husband? Will Mayor Vi run against her brother in-law?…” – Manila Bulletin, 11 Feb 2007

Mowelfund pays tribute to Filipino Movie Greats – “…The Movie Workers Welfare Foundation (Mowelfund) presents a grand production to pay tribute to Filipino movie greats and at the same time increase awareness about and raise funds for Mowelfund. Slated on Feb 23, the Mowelfund Tribute to Filipino Mopvie Greats, will honor stars from today and yesteryears who have made tremendous contribution to the Filipino movie industry. Comedians Nanette Inventor and Leo Martinez will be the hosts for the night. Confirmed presentors and participants include Vilma Santos, Sen. Bong Revilla, Christopher de Leon, Rudy Fernandez, Sunshine Cruz, Cesar Montano, Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, Philip Salvador, Toni Gonzaga, and many more. To be honored with grand production numbers by today’s top stars are: Don Jose Nepomuceno, producer of the first Filipino silent film; National Artist Atang de la Rama, the queen of zarzuela and kundiman; legendary screen loveteam Rogelio de la Rosa and Carmen Rosales; Rosa del Rosario, the very first Darna of Philippine Cinema. Movie starwarts will also pay homage to the immortal memory of the King of Philippine Movies and National Artist for Film Fernando Poe Jr., the King of Philippine comedy Dolphy; and former President Joseph Estrada, founder of Mowelfund. Mowefund aims to ensure that marginalized movie workers can still enjoy social security despite tough times in the business. Affirming the invaluable contributions of various art forms in the crucial beginnings of local cinema in teh country – from literature to music to theater and even fasion design, the Mowelfund fundraising tribute to movie greats highlights the crossing over of these defining cultural elements in the history of Philippine movies. An exhibit of the Ani Awardees will be held at the Aliw Theater Lobby from Feb 17-23…” – Manila Bulletin, 11 Feb 2007

Ani Awards – “…The Awards celebrates a bountiful harvest in the unifying spirit that wold hold the industry together. It is a glittering testimonial to a lifetime dedication, hardwork, and perseverance in the pursuit of excellence by the Filipino public of a revered Filipino film artist,” shares Mowefund executive-director Boots Anson-Roa. Mowefund aims to ensure that marginalized movie workers can still enjoy social security despite tough times in the business…” – Crispina Martinez-Belen, Manila Bulletin, 20 February 2007

From Fashion to Films and Back – “…Audrey Hepburn’s little black dress in “Breakfast in Tiffany’s (1961) did not just stay on the silver screen. It went on to become a classic shift dress that is still being worn today in varying styles all over the world. It si the other way around for “The Devil Wears Prada” where Miranda Priestly played by Meryl Streep took the best creations of international designers to the screen. Needless to say, television and movies dictate fashion, through in a subtle way. “Even from the early days of fashion, what people see on the movie have really played a big influence on what people want to wear in real life. Even with us designers, when clients come to us, they always ask us the popular artists that we have dressed up,” says designer Edgar San Diego, FDAP chairman. To show the synergy between film and fashion, the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines will stage a fashion revue in music and dance showing the glamour era of Philippine movies at the first ever Ani Awards, Mowelfund (Movie Workers Welfare Foundation) Tribute to Filipino Movie Greats…desiners will present their creations inspired by the likes of the personalities and roles portrayed by Rosa Rosal, Rogelio de la Rosa, Carmen Rosales, Ric Rodrigo, Susan Roces, Amalia Fuentes, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, and Sharon Cuneta…The era of stellar actresses like Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor showcased a more down-to-earth fashion…” – Manila Bulletin, 20 February 2007

Mini LP Fad – “…The mini-LP fad is fast catching fire for love duets. For Alpha, there is a mini by Nora Aunor and Manny de Leon; for Wilear’s minis are by Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan and Hilda Koronel; and for Vicor, mini is by Perla Adea and Tirso Cruz III. The mini has four selections and plays at 33 1/2. The retail price is now 6 peso (US $1)…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 04 July 1970

Film Premiere Draws 28 Philippines Record Artists – “…Twenty eight of the Philippines’ young recording artists singing in English presented one song at the gala premiere night of the locally produced film “Haydee” at the Rizal Theater in suburban Makati. The impressive convergence was a first in the Philippine entertainment history. But because it was for charity, local producers and artists gave all-out cooperation. Proceeds of the “Haydee” premiere were earmarked for the 1970 Awit Awards, the Philippine’s versions of the U.S. Grammys. Five record companies were represented in the two-hour on-stage attractions – Alpha Recording System, D’Swan Recording System, Vicor Recording, Villar Records, and Willears Records. The Alpha artist were Eva Vivar, Baby Alcaraz, Geraldine and Jay Ilagan. The D’Swan artists were Ernie Garcia, Jonathan Potenciano, Linda Alcid, and Eddie Peregrina. Singer-pianist Baby de Jesus guested under the label. The Vicor artists were Eric Dimson, Boy Mondragon, Freddie Esguerra, Sonny Cortez, Millie Mercado, Victor Wood, Perla Adea and Tirso Cruz III. Villar was represented by Roggie Nieto. The Willear’s artists were Alice Cerrudo, Raul Aragon, Raquel Montessa, Elizabeth Ledesma, Romy Mallari, Esperanza Fabon, Vilma Santos, Edgar Mortiz and Ed Finlan. The back-up group was the Blinkers…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 06 June 1970

Nobo Bono Jr. – “…There is a scramble among record companies to sign “Tawag Ng Tanghalan” national champion Nobo Bono Jr. The singer is contracted with the Talent Center of ABS-CBN which acts as his agent and personal manager. Bono is appearing weekly with Willear’s artists Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos in the new live TV series titled “The Young Ones” on Channel 2…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 08 Aug 1970

Hawaiian LP – “…Willear’s issued a Hawaiian LP titled “Aloha My Love” by Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz. It is a soundtrack of the film of the same title which is scheduled for exhibition here…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 11 March 1972

Wilear’s Top Company in Phlippine Awards – “…The third annual presentation of the Awit Awards was held at the Manila Hotel with Senator Doy Laurel of the Philippine Congress as guest of honor and principal speaker. The sponsoring group was the Philippine Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (PARAS). The event criticized in the local circle because of its unpopular results and deglamourized presentation, gave posthumous awards of merit to Frankie Martin, a juror last year, and Santiago Suarez, one of Filipino musical starwarts. The founder of the Awit Awards, Billboard correspondence Oskar Salazar, was also honored. Wilear’s Records scored heavily in the awards this year. The foreign division was permanently scrapped. Two major companies, Villar Records and Dyna Products, Incl did not submit nominations this year. The 1970 winners are…Record Company of the Year – Wilear’s Records; Song of the Year – “Forever Loving You” by Bert Dominic (Billboard); Best Single – “Sixteen” by Vilma Santos (Wilear’s)…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 14 August 1971

The Wonderful World of Music – “…The Wonderful World of Music,” produced by Tagalog Ilang-Ilang, was judged best musical in the Manila Film Festival. The picture stars Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, both artists of Wilear’s…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 24 July 1971

Internation Talent Directory – “…Vilma Santos (Vocalist, Wilear’s Records: The Sensations (LP); Sixteen (single & LP); Sweethearts (LP); Sweet Sweet Vilma (LP). PA: Cebu City, Ilo-ilo City, Olongapo City. TV: Edgar Loves Vilma, Oh My Love, The Sensations; Films: Angelica, Love Letters, My Pledge of Love, Our Love Affair, The Sensations, The Wonderful World of Music. Awards: Loveteam of the Year, Queen of Philippine Movies. PM: William C. Leary…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 04 July 1970

Second Album – “…Wilear’s Records will come with the second LP of Vilma Santos to be titled “Sweet Sweet Vilma…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 26 September 1970

Remembrance – “…Film artist Walter Navarro (Vicor) will have his first LP, “King of Balladeers,” this month. He is a contract star of Lea Productions and principal mainstay of the El Bodegon Club. Navarro is doing a film musical with Vilma Santos (Wilear’s) with Mirick Productions…Remembrance, another film musical, was chosen “best musical” in the Manila Film Festival. The film stars Vilma Santos (Wilear’s) and Edgar Mortiz (Wilear’s). The film also won in the categories of best film editing, best sound, and best script…” – Oscar Salasar, Billboard, 29 July 1972

Tie sa FAMAS – “…Dalawa ang Best Actress sa gabing iyon. Nangangahulugang kapwa mabigat ang labanan at walang itulak kabigin kina Boots Anson Roa at Vilma Santos kaya minabuti ng inampalang na bigyan kapwa ng Best Actress na sina Boots at Vilma…” – Aruy Tapusan Komiks Magasin, 19 Hunyo 1973

Ate Vi Trivia – “…Vilma Santos (born Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos, November 3, 1953), tinaguriang “Star for All Seasons,” siya ang kauna-unahang babaeng gobernador ng Batangas. Siya rin ang kauna-unahang babaeng mayor ng Lipa City. The only actress na nanalo ng three consecutive years as best actres sa Urian Awards (the country’s film critics awards body) para sa kanyang mga pelikulang Relasyon (1982), Broken Marriage (1983), at Sister Stella L (1984). Hindi siya nanalo ng kahit isang best actres award sa mga pelikulang dinirek ng the late, great Lino Brocka. Unang aktress sa Philippine movies na naka-grand slam nung 1983 as best actress for her performance in Relasyon (1982) from the Catholic Mass Media, Urian, Film Academy and FAMAS awards-giving bodies. Si Ate Vi ang pinakamaraming Gawad Urian awards sa industriya ng showbiz, tallying 8 wins, 5 additional nominations (all for Best Actress) and 2 special awards for being the best actress of the ’80s and the ’90s!…” – Hi Magazine, December 2007

Would it be Good Karma? – One of the most misunderstood occult concepts. The nearest equivalent in European thought is contained in the idea of fate, though the oriental term indicates that fate is not a haphazard sequence of events of experiences, but is dependent on actions of previous lives or spiritual conditions. The idea is that a spirit undertakes to live in an earthy body for a given period of time, usually in order to learn something which cannot be learned in a disembodied state, and has to accept rewards and punishments for good and bad deeds committed in previous incarnations. In order that understanding may grow, any evil committed against another person will have to experienced by the perpetrator. The working out of Karma is not done consiously by ordinary people. The real reasons for the majority of peopleès actions and relationships may be understood only when the nature of their Karma is grasped -which is virtually impossible to understand or judge another person when seen in the context of one material lifetime only. Vilma Santos fits the role to a T. For the past years that she has suffered a string of misfortunes and setbacks in real and reel life, she has honed herself as promise, a common objective: to give the viewing pubic what it wants – entertainment with a capital E. For Danny Zialcita, aside from having a good screenplay, good direction and brilliant actors and actresses, the movie should have artistic values. Karma promises to be a very good vehicle not only for Zialcita but also for Vilma Santos and the rest of the cast. Will this movie be a good Karma for director Danny Zialcita, Vilma Santos and the rest of the cast? It’ll be a different kind of feeling you’ll get after viewing it. – Bong de Leon, Jingle Extra Hot Magazine, 02 November 1981, Reposted at: Pelikula Atbp (READ MORE)

Sparring Partner – Marahil ay napapansin ninyong lagi nang kasama sa Superstar Show ni Nora Aunor kung linggo and dalawang ito, sina Arnold at Eddie, (Ang hiuli ay kapatid na bunso ni Nora at mahal na mahal niya). Mainstay na sila sa TV show na ito, at nakakatuwa naman sila. Kailan lamang nagkakilala sina Eddie at Arnold ngunit kung makikita ninyo sila, aakalain ninyong matagal na silang magkaibigan. Kapag walang klase, lagi silang magkasama. Kung hindi si Arnold ang nasa bahay nina Eddie, si Eddie ang nasa bahay nina Arnold. Tuwang-tuwa naman ang magulang ni Arnold, at higit si Nora, pagkat nakikita niyang maligaya ang kanyang kapatid sa pakikipaglaro sa bagong kaibigan. At alam naman ninyo, ang mahal ng kapatid niyang ito ay mahal din niya. Kami naman ay natutuwa sa pagsasamahan ng dalawang batang ito kung kaya isang araw na naroon kami sa Greenhills residence ni Nora ay naakit kaming kunan ng pictorial ang magkaibigang ito na sa tingin namin ay tunay na sparring partner. – Ric S. Aquino, December 25, 1972, Unknown Entertainment Magazine posted by Arnold Gamboa on his Facebook page.

A Personal Survey – The Top 10 RP Movie Queens – “…Here is the attempt of one cineaste who has seen too many Tagalog films. See if you will agree with the list…1. Vilma Santos (1953-) Longevity is her weapon. To her credit is a mighty record of box-office successes and a stellar collection of film and public service awards. The 80s made her not only the number one film actress of the land. She became the highest-paid actress and constantly in-demand as a product endorser. Hosting-wise, she was phenomenon on TV’s Vilma! Vilma Santos-Recto is a picture of the ultimate movie queen. She is the prime example of an artist who has gone through several re-inventions. Ate Vi’s most important traits are her versatility, he willingness to learn, and her courage to always try something new. Her sincere appreciation of followers and fans also contributed to her status as the Star for All Seasons. Score Card: Longevity: 1960s-2000s, 5 decades; Artistic Achievements: Excellent; Box-office Records: Excellent…” – Rendt Viray, INsider The Entertainment Weekly, 12 December 2007

#OscarSalasar, #Remembrance, #SweetSweetVilma, #Sixteen, #Wilear, #Billboard, #EvaVivar, #BabyAlcaraz, #Geraldine, #JayIlagan, #DSwan, #ErnieGarcia, #JonathanPotenciano, #LindaAlcid, #EddiePeregrina, #BabydeJesus, #Vicor, #EricDimson, #BoyMondragon, #FreddieEsguerra, #SonnyCortez, #MillieMercado, #VictorWood, #PerlaAdea, #TirsoCruzIII, #Villar, #RoggieNieto, #AliceCerrudo, #RaulAragon, #RaquelMontessa, #ElizabethLedesma, #RomyMallari, #EsperanzaFabon, #VilmaSantos, #EdgarMortiz, #EdFinlan, #FAMAS, #fviray2017

Book Launching of “Movie Queen”

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ARTICLES - Movie Queen

February 13, 2007, Tuesday – Haller mga co-Vilmanians around the world! Musta na kayo? Meron na naman akong ise-share sa inyo. Pero bago ito let me greet everyone a Happy Valentine’s Day…..and also Happy Feast Day kay Father Juancho G. de Leon aka Father J or Dre, the first Filipino parish priest ng St. Valentine, New Jersey, US of A dahil tomorrow, February 14, 2007 ang fiesta sa kanilang parish. Ang aking ikukwento ngayon ay ang book launching of “Movie Queen.” Pagbuo Ng Mito at Kapangyarihang Kultural ng Babae sa Lipunan by Cesar D. Orsal, Ph. D., Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences sa Trinity University of Asia (well, for your information, silent Vilmanian itong si Dr. O. di ba Jojo Lim?). Sa invitation na ibinigay mismo ng author ng libro ay nakalagay na magsisimula ang programa ng mga 2PM at the Mandell Hall Auditorium, Trinity University of Asia at 275 E. Rodriguez, Sr. Avenue, Cathedral Heights, Quezon City. Dumating ako sa Trinity University of Asia ng mga 1:20PM at habang hinihintay ko si Jojo at Nar Santander sa entrance ng school, ay nakita kong may mga nag-parehistrong mga Noranians na naka-uniform ng Ganap. Nang makalayo na yung mga Noranians (2 lang naman sila) ay nagkatawanan kami nung lady guard sabay komento nung guard na. “aba at buhay pa pala ang mga fans ni Nora Aunor.”

Nang dumating si Jojo ay agad kaming pumasok ng school at dumeretso sa Mandell Hall Auditorium. Nakita agad namin ang author ng libro na si Dr. O (kilala namin personally ni Jojo itong si Dr. O) at agad naming binati habang ang mga Noranians ay nakamasid lang sa amin. Bumili kami ni Jojo ng libro sabay comment ni Jojo ng “si Vi talaga ang tunay na Reyna dahil s’ya ang nasa itaas ang picture” (please see attach file) sabay ngiti naman nung nagbebenta ng libro. Sa unahan kami umupo ni Jojo at maya maya naman ay dumating na din si Nar. Sinabi ni Nar na narinig daw niya na sinabi nung isang Noranian na si Vilma lang daw ang pangalawa kay Nora Aunor (haller!.. 2007 na tayo noh.. wala na tayo sa DEKADA ’70…..matatapos na nga ang term ni Lipa City Mayor Vi… juice ko po itik…..na naging pato…..itaas pa ba ang kanilang idolo…na hindi naman ka-ido-idolo…di ba naman Henry Llaneza?…anong masasabi mo Kuya Mar Garces?…huwag na bang patulan?…oo naman yan ang aming ginagawa…..matuk!). Eniwey nagsimula ang programa ng a little bit past 2PM via Invocation led by Ms. Gracia Sarao…na sya ding tumayong program host…na sinundan ng singing of the Philippine National Anthem. Ang director ng Research Center na si Dr. Angelita Bugnalen ang nag-opening remarks…..followed by an introduction of the author and lecturer by Ms. Lourdes Genevieve Martirez, PACSA President, Trinity University of Asia Chapter.

Sa lecture: Babae sa Pelikula at ang Pagbuo ng Kapangyarihang Kultural ng author na si Cesar D. Orsal, Ph. D. ay in-aknowledge ni Dr. O ang mga taong nakatulong sa pagbuo ng book launching na ito kasama na ang mga Noranians at Vilmanians (of course). Nang mabanggit ang pangalan ni Nora Aunor ay sigawan ang mga Noranians (para tuloy naging Awards Night ang okasyon). Ang sumigaw ay yung Noranian na nakasagutan namin sa programa ni Korina Sanchez…siya din yung taong nakasagutan ni Obet Sapin nung ipinalabas sa NCCA ang dalawang pelikula ni Ate Vi na Tag-ulan Sa Tagaraw at Love Letters samantalang si Nora Aunor ay isang pelikula lang…nagrereklamo siya sa organizer kung bakit isang movie lang ni Nora Aunor ang ipinalabas….hehehe…siya din ang isa sa mga nag-walk out sa Star Awards nang manalo si Ate Vi sa Mano Po 3: My Love…at sinabi pang nag-Intsik lang…nanalo na…siya din yung taong iniipon sa plastic ang mga upos ng sigarilyo ni Nora Aunor…siya din yung nasunugan ng bahay na ang iniligtas muna ay ang mga clippings ni Nora Aunor at hindi yung mga religious articles…siya din yung fan na nang magtampo kay Nora Aunor ay pumunta sa Vilma Show sa Broadway Centrum at nag-a-apply para maging Vilmanian. Lingunan ang mga estudyanteng nanonood.

Nang mabanggit naman ang pangalan ni Vilma Santos ay palakpak lang ang ginawa naming tatlo nina Jojo at Nar…subali’ t yung mga estudyanteng nanonood ay pumalakpak at sumigaw pa ng mas malakas pa sa mga Noranians para kay Ate Vi. May isa pa ngang estudyante…na katabi namin na sumigaw ng “basta ako ay para kay Ate Vi,” di ba Nar? May mga ipinakitang film clips ng mga Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Ipinakita sina Gloria Romero: Golden Girl of Philippine Cinema, Nida Blanca: Reyna ng Komedya, Babaeng Galawgaw, Susan Roces: First Lady of Philippine Cinema, Amalia Fuentes: Reyna ng Kagandahan, Nora Aunor: Superstar ng Masa, Vilma Santos: Star For All Seasons, Sharon Cuneta: Megastar, Maricel Soriano: Diamond Star, Rosanna Roces: Reyna ng Makabagong Magdalena, Kris Aquino: Cross Over Queen, Game Show Queen, Judy Ann Santos: Phenomenal Star of the Millenium. Pagkatapos ng lecture ni Dr. O…ay ang isang song number ni Mr. Danilo Ito, isang professor sa College of Education…na Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako. Halatang Noranian si Mr. Ito dahil nagbiro pa sya na sana daw…sa cover ng libro ay si Nora Aunor ang nasa itaas ang picture (sorry ka na lang sir…..Vilmanian si Dr. O).

Habang umaawit si Mr. Ito ng kanyang pangalawang awitin na Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas ay may mga estudyanteng pa-isa isang lumalabas ng Mandell Hall Auditorium…bakit kaya? Pagkatapos ng awitin ng isang Noranian ay ang Introduction of the Book by Mrs. Bezalie Uckung, Executive Director of New Day Publishers, Inc…then ang Book Review ni Mr. Ricky Lee, Film and TV Scriptwriter (isa pa ring Noranian). Ang Presentation of Appreciation to Dr. Cesar D. Orsal ay iginawad ni Mrs. Bezalie Uckung and after the program ay ang signing of the books by the author. Unang nagpapirma ay si Mr. Ricky Lee na kinausap pa namin ni Jojo at sinabing mga Vilmanians kami. Alam pala ni Ricky na may gagawing pelikula si Vi at si John Lloyd at palagi daw may revision sa script. Well…anong masasabi mo, Franco Gabriel? Si Nar, si Jojo at si ako ay nagpapirma na din ng libro kay Dr. O. Around 3:45PM na natapos ang programa at agad na kaming lumabas ng school. So….yan muna ang aking maikling kwento (maikli daw o….). – Alfonso Valencia, V Magazine, December 2009 (READ MORE)

TSS’ Stars of 1970s

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ARTICLES - News clipping TSS Stars of 1970

1:00 PM Summer: 7 Stars in Special Sunday Session – Summertime. And Sunday too. So it started like a summer day. Casual yet exciting. Carefree and promising. With a lot of expectations for the moment ahead. So it was with having seven young stars around, TSS Stars ’70: Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, Nora Aunor, Eddie Peregrina, Edgar Mortiz, Ed Finlan, and Hilda Koronel (in the order of their arrivals). There they were, prompt in their youth, bubbly in their youth, unassuming in their confident in their success amid an ancient backdrop, the UST Pharmacy Gardens. When age and youth meet in such a dramatic setting, there is bound to be communication, reaction, combustion. Effects! And what is a more fitting place to spend an early summer afternoon than staid, old UST with young, alive radiant stars for company and that peculiarly romantic, nostalgic summer air. And when the yound stars started posing, smiling, obliging and when the cameras went on clicking, popping shuttering and when scribes began talking, laughing directing, the summer day with its flair, laziness and air became an impromptu ball for all concerned. One fun-filled episode of a lifetime. A slice of real life to be kept in one’s heart for the memory. Now, you may wonder why we have seven successful young star this issue when TSS launched only six last January?

Blame the whole mess on Ed Finlan. Blame it on his personality, his promise, his name that just can’t be ignored. Blame it all on the zooming career of Edward Walter Valdes Finlan. So the special seven. On this photo-session hangs a story. A story of hope coupled with a little confusion from that time Kuya Bert planned to put out another issue as a follow-up. Timely enough. After all TSS started the whole pakulo. The session itself was postponed three times – just to be assured of the attendance of all – including Nora Aunor who missed it that first round. Every time it was moved to another date, we lost face some wasy, especially to Pip’s Mommy Elma with whom we played ulianin by reminding her each time we met. That first time, it was called off. Edgar and Vilma were in Baguio City for shooting. The next date, everybody can’t make it with TV programs and last time shooting to do. So it was finalized on Sunday, March 15 at 1:00 piyem. It would have been Fort Santiago as rendezvous but Sunday is Sunday in the forth with the usual Sunday crowd being there. Why not a school campus since graduation and demos were in the air? And the stars came beyond modest expectation, ahead of schedule. Vilma Santos came with her Mommy Mila and Papa Amado. Tirso Cruz III came with uncle Joey and a group of friends while Nora entered the scene with a few fans.

A Mustang (aba, bago!) ushered in Eddie Peregrina with his man Friday. Edgar Mortiz with Dad Celso adn Mom Lucy with fans Angge, Mario Cay, Luz Orellano and Araceli Paraiso. Ed Finlan arrived with his usual confident self. And Hilda came with Mila Parawan to complete the magnificence. At little confusion resulted. It began with a comedy of errors. With Vilma, Pip, Nora and Eddie, there was only scribe Ched Gozales to entertain them and out they were in the Pharmacy Gardens before one one o’clock only to be told later taht the assembly point was the UST Arch along España. Under the heat of the summer sun, the group went to the Arch only to be told that the locale would actually be the Gardens. Since after all, a big number of movie fans and onlookers had already started to form at the UST entrance. The merry excited entourage made its way to the Gardens once again. Ed Finlan with his shocking humor and equally color-shocking attire of yellow shirt with loud-striped pants under the golden sun was summer in motion. Vilma on the other hand had a ball ribbing Eddie Peregrina for being “mayabang kasi Edong ka na ngayon.” Edgar Mortiz was extra solicitous and ultra-PR conscious that time. Hilda did her thing – more of a girl, rather than woman with self-conscious laughter and sweet and pretty flair. Pip was surprisingly in his calm self and ruffled impeccable long sleeve shirt.

Eddie Peregrina was in paisley with that typical Peregrina grin. Nora, quiet and lady-like with a few smile here an a wave of hand there, was in a blue-orchid print. Hilda was the only one in pantsuit, a purple hablon, and she stood out really. Ditto with Haydee’s make-up and hair color on Ed. Oh what they had to forego just to make it to the appointment on time. Edgar and Vilma came from ABS where they had My Love For You at noon. But before that, Edgar came from Sta. Teresita Church where he acted as baptism sponsor. Hilda and Ed came from the Haydee set and they were expected back there in two. Pip was in a rush too, from ABS and then to the bingo social of his fans at their compound and the photo session as far as he was concerned. Eddie Peregrina had an appointment at 2:30 and it was Nora it seems who took her own sweet time. The Gardens yielded an old well, a gazebo-like concrete structure for photographic effects and possibilities. At half-past one, the poses were planned, the shots called for and everyone appearing swell putting their best faces forward, looking deserving of the TSS choice. An old well, very symbolic really, for the first shot and when that first one popped, the sessions began. And for a good forty minutes, the cameras aimed to catch for eternity the faces, the stances, the poses with the smile and bravura of that early Sunday afternoon. After all, that was what the session called for! And after all, what are photos for but for catching, freezing, preserving what is today for tomorrow?

The atmosphere was kept livelieer, dramatic with some curiosity-seekign fans and a number of scribes and last-minute guests. There was Jusyo C. Justo popping out of nowhere with his OBBB, OBWB, CTS and BAB, Doddie Alvarez, Donnie Ramirez, Mercy Lejarde, Marina Reyes and Ched made their presence felt with summery get-up. Late arrivals were Rene Tiosejo for a look-see and Oskar Salazar with a brand new-opera glasses (but Romy Mallari and Roldan de Villa weren’t around). Zeny Peralta of Roper’s was there for someone’s moral support. Two mothers managed to snae some attention – Lucy Mortiz in pink pantsuit and the latest Christian Dior hairdo and Mommy Milagros Tuazon Santos in blue pantsuit, with their respective male halves of course. At twenty past two, Ernie Alfonso had used u his one and half rolls of color film while Bert Verlidas had two black rolls. There was Fred Garces of Roper’s jiving in. The session, the main part of it, was now over. After all the camera clicks, the 1-2-3 shots, the photographers’ directions and the frozen poses were done and the thank-you’s and see-you were said, still one is left with the thought that so far, so good. TSS Stars ’70 are still unspoiled byt success and we hope as one that they all stay that way. And there is something more left in the memory, something better felt than described. For how can such feeling, or any feeling at all for that matter, be caught and pinned down as words in print? I am attempting to that now but I know that it would be the pictures of that special session which will speak a thousand words, a thousand feelings, a thousand hopes. Pictures, eloquent and feeling-filled, with a history of their own! – Billy R. Balbastro, TSS Komiks, 1970 (READ MORE)

Fine Film

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FILMS - Karma 3

The Technical preview of “Karma” the other night was delayed for about an hour but I didn’t mind waiting because I was quite certain that I’d be seeing a fine film. To while away the time, “Firecracker”, co-starring American actors with local talents like Chanda Romero, Vic Diaz and Rey Malonzo was shown. Chanda and Vic delivered their lines themselves but surprisingly Rey didn’t. Before one whole reel could roll, the prints of “Karma” arrived. “Don’t stop it yet, a bed scene is coming,” Mario Bautista protested.

FILMS - Karma 2Happily, “Karma” turned out to be as good as I expected. It’s performers are first-rate – Vilma Santos, Ronaldo Valdez, Tommy Abuel, Chanda Romero – so their award-winning acting didn’t surprise me at all. The script was outstanding but even that was expected, coming from director Danny Zialcita. What impressed me was that minor parts were played by name actors. The housekeeper who appeared in one short sequence could have been played by any elderly woman but those who made the movie wanted nothing less than Etang Discher. The psychiatrist could have been played by any decent-looking man but they didn’t settle for anybody less than Vic Silayan. The male lover at the start of the story had to be acted out by Dante Rivero, that at the end by Christopher de Leon.

The movie boasted of several bold scenes. Those involving Vilma weren’t much as we know for a fact that Vilma could show only so much. One scene showing Chanda was a different story. It showed her with absolutely nothing on, yet it didn’t offend anybody as it was executed in style, shot with great care. There was just one thing which looked unnatural to me – the way in which one of the main characters killed himself. “That’s all right,” Danny assured me. “Before we shot it, we doublechecked its possibility.” Reincarnation and transference are undoubtedly mindboggling subjects but, to his utmost credit, Danny managed to present them simply, bringing them down for everybody to understand. “Bala lang yan. Katawan lang ito. Babalik at babalik kami sa mundong ito,” Dante vowed. Come back they did as they promised building the foundation of the story. – Bob Castillo, People’s Journal, 12 December 1981 (READ MORE)

Everything About Her (Videos) 3/3

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Basic Information – Direction: Joyce Bernal; Cast: Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos, Michael De Mesa, Noni Buencamino, Khalil Ramos, Alexa Ilacad, Robert Villar, Nor Domingo, Vangie Labalan, Niña Dolino, Devon Seron, Bart Guingona; Executive Producers: Malou N. Santos, Charo Santos-Concio; Production Company: Star Cinema; Language: Tagalog, English; Release Date: 27 January 2016; Country: Philippines; Also Known As: All of My Life

Plot Description – Powerful but ill-stricken business woman, Vivian Rabaya (Vilma Santos) navigates her complicated relationship with her caregiver, Jaica Domingo (Angel Locsin) and her estranged son, Albert Mitra (Xian Lim) in this story about acceptance, love and forgiveness. – IMDB (READ MORE)

#EverythingAboutHer, #AngelLocsin, #JoyceBernal, #VilmaSantos, #XiamLim

Everything About Her (Videos) 2/3

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Basic Information – Direction: Joyce Bernal; Cast: Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Vilma Santos, Michael De Mesa, Noni Buencamino, Khalil Ramos, Alexa Ilacad, Robert Villar, Nor Domingo, Vangie Labalan, Niña Dolino, Devon Seron, Bart Guingona; Executive Producers: Malou N. Santos, Charo Santos-Concio; Production Company: Star Cinema; Language: Tagalog, English; Release Date: 27 January 2016; Country: Philippines; Also Known As: All of My Life

Plot Description – Powerful but ill-stricken business woman, Vivian Rabaya (Vilma Santos) navigates her complicated relationship with her caregiver, Jaica Domingo (Angel Locsin) and her estranged son, Albert Mitra (Xian Lim) in this story about acceptance, love and forgiveness. – IMDB (READ MORE)

#EverythingAboutHer, #AngelLocsin, #JoyceBernal, #VilmaSantos, #XiamLim