Tag Archives: Vilma Santos

About “Larawan” and Nick Joaquin

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larawan

When an article was published in Tempo last month about the suggestion of Vilma Santos and Nora Aunor playing the rival sisters in Nick Joaquin’s ‘Larawan,’ I felt excitement and hopeful. This is despite the fact that Vilma Santos’ hectic schedule as governor prohibits her in doing any films. In addition, Nora Aunor’s location doesn’t help the dream of putting these two veterans in one movie. But despite all of this, I decide to research information about Nick Joaquin and Larawan. Here’s what I found.

About Nick Joaquín’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino” 

First published as ”an elegy in three scenes” in the Women’s Weekly Magazine in 1952, Joaquín’s play Portrait of the Artist as Filipino eventually ended up in book form in 1952, 1966, and 1979.

Lamberto Avellana adapted the play A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino to a film in 1967. 

Lamberto Avellana’s film starred Daisy H. Avellana and Naty CrameRogers as Candida and Paula.

The film was screened in the Frankfurt Film Festival in 1967.

Joaquín’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino has been translated into Filipino book twice by Alfred Yuson in 1969, and Bienvenido Lumbera in 1992. 

Both Nick Joaquin and Lamberto Avellana were declared National Artist for Literature and National Artist for Film and Theater in 1976.

Larawan was staged by film directors that include Lino Brocka (1979), Behn Cervantes (1982), Nonon Padilla (1989), and Anton Juan (1993).

Veteran drama superstars, Lolita Rodriguez and Charito Solis portrayed Candida and Paula in a stage play directed by the late Lino Brocka in 1979.

Joaquín’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino became an original musical stage play titled “Ang Larawan” was staged at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theatre) in July of 1997. Mikee Cojuanco and Dawn Zulueta starred as the fighting sisters. The musical was revived in November of 2004 that showcased Celeste Legaspi and Zsa Zsa Padilla as the new competing sisters.

A gay version of “Larawan” was stage in 2002 starring past directors of Larawan, Anton Juan and Behn Cervantes.

Synopsis of Nick Joaquín’s “A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino”

Source: JOAQUIN’S ‘PORTRAIT’ NOW A CLASSIC By Ambeth R. Ocampo Phil Daily Inquirer, 27 Nov 1999

Act I

”Bitoy Camacho, an old friend of the Marasigans, pays them a visit one afternoon after many years of absence. He is greeted by the two daughters of Lorenzo Marasigan, a famous painter, who in his declining years has been living in isolation and abject poverty. Recently, he finished his latest and perhaps last major work of art, a painting he entitled Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. The sisters Paula and Candida welcome Bitoy. They reminisce about the past and the good old days. Tony Javier, a young musician renting a room in the house, comes home from work and is surprised. Tony confides to Bitoy his frustrated efforts in convincing the sisters to sell the painting to an American client.

Act II

”In the second act, Don Lorenzo is visited by Manolo and Pepang–the older brother and sister of Candida and Paula. They plan to transfer their father to a hospital and sell the house. They have invited Don Perico, a senator to convince their younger sisters. Don Perico appeals to both sisters to donate the painting to the government in exchange for a handsome pension that would relieve them of their burden. The sisters remain firm and indifferent during the debate the senator is forced to examine his life realizing too late that he has betrayed his true vocation as an artist-poet. Forlorn and devastated by remorse, [the senator] bids the sisters farewell. ”Manolo and Pepang quarrel with their younger sisters [who] are forced to reveal why their father painted the picture. They had confronted him a year before, and in pain accused him of having wasted their lives. As a reaction, he painted his last work of art and then attempted to commit suicide. ”Alone, Candida tells Paula of her frustration in job seeking. Tony Javier rushes in with news about his American client who has doubled his offer [for the painting]. In a moment of weakness, Paula abandons the house and joins Tony.

 

Act III

”The third act begins with Bitoy remembering the Octobers of his youth and the feast of La Naval de Manila. A group of visitors to the Marasigan home inquire about rumors that the painting and Paula have disappeared forcing Candida to admit what happened and accuses herself of masterminding the crime. Paula enters and admits to having destroyed the portrait. Crushed, Tony accuses the two women of condemning him back to poverty. He leaves cursing them. In the meanwhile, the two sisters reconcile and reaffirm their decision to remain in the house with their father. Bitoy in a monologue ends the play with a prayer deciding to dedicate his life to the preservation of Intramuros and its historical past through art and memory.”

 

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About Nick Joaquin:

Real Name: Nicomedes Marquez Joaquin
Aliases:  Nick Joaquin, Quijano de Manila
Date of Birth:  May 4, 1917 (Paco, Manila)
Parents:  Leocadio Joaquin and Salome Marquez
School Attended:  Mapa High School

Body of Work:  Three Generations (1945); Prose and Poems (1952); The Woman Who had Two Navels (1961); La Naval de Manila and Other Essays (1964); A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino(1966); Tropical Gothic (1972); A Question of Heroes (1977); Nora Aunor & Other Profiles (1977); Ronnie Poe & Other Silhouettes (1977); Reportage on Lovers (1977); Reportage on Crime (1977); Amalia Fuentes & Other Etchings (1977); Gloria Diaz & Other Delineations (1977); Doveglion & Other Cameos (1977); Language of the Streets and Other Essays (1977); Manila: Sin City and Other Chronicles (1977); Tropical Baroque (1979); Stories for Groovy Kids (1979); Language of the Street and Other Essays (1980); The Ballad of the Five Battles (1981); The Aquinos of Tarlac: An Essay on History as Three Generations (1983); Almanac for Manileños, Cave and Shadows (1983); The Quartet of the Tiger Moon: Scenes from the People Power Apocalypse (1986); Collected Verse (1987); Culture and History: Occasional Notes on the Process of Philippine Becoming (1988); Manila, My Manila: A History for the Young (1990); The D.M. Guevara Story (1993); Mr. F.E.U., the Culture Hero That Was Nicanor Reyes (1995); Rizal in Saga (1996)

Trivia:

1. Joaquín was hired by the Philippines Free Press as proofreader in 1950.

2. Joaquín traveled to Mexico and the United States to write The Woman Who Had Two Navels in 1957.

3. Joaquín became the editor of Philippine Graphic in 1990.

4. Joaquín wrote articles about movie celebrities like Nora Aunor, Fernando Poe Jr, Amalia Fuentes and Gloria Diaz.

5. Joaquín won the Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature for “La Vidal” (1958), “Doña Jeronima” (1965), and “The Beateas” (1976).

6. Joaquín also received the Manila Critics Circles’ National Book Awards, ESSO Journalism Award, the Republic Cultural Heritage Award for literature (1961), and the Patnubay ng Sining at Lakinangan Award from the city government of Manila (1964).

7. Joaquín was a loyal Nora Aunor supporter but wrote a wonderful article about Aunor’s closest rival, Vilma Santos in Philippine Graphic Magazine in 1990 titled, “Vilma, The Glad Girl” under the pseudonym, Quijano De Manila.

8. Joaquín died of cardiac arrest in the early morning of April 29, 2004. – Sinulat ni Rendt Viray, unang nilathala nuong 2005 sa VS Yahoo e-group.

Woman For All Seasons

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Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos proved that every woman could conquer whatever field she wants to pursue as long as she gives her heart and soul to it.

She’s so petite and yet so tall in all her accomplishments in life: as a loving and dedicated wife, a devoted mother to her two sons, a multi-awarded actress, a dedicated public servant and most especially a woman worth emulating. Indeed, Vilma Santos-Recto is also a woman for all seasons. She was able to cross the border of many boundaries in life, in her chosen profession as an actress and now as a public servant. “Gusto ko ang mga challenges sa buhay. Pag sinabi nila na hindi ko kaya, pinatutunayan kong mali sila (I love challenges in life. Whenever they underestimate my ability, I’ll prove to them that I can), ‘Vilma says when asked by Cito Beltran during the launching of Ponstan SF where she was launched as its official model endorser.

BEGINNINGS – Maria Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos started as a child actress at the age of nine in Tudis Liit in 1963, the same movie that gave her first FAMAS best child actress award. The daughter of Milagros and the late Amado Santos, Vilma was seen by her mother as a real trooper. Mrs. Milagros recalls, “When she was still a little girl, I saw her ability to make it big someday.” Her mother, who was also present during the launching, was acknowledged by Vilma to have introduced her to Ponstan when she was just 21 years old. From Trudis Liit, Vilma transformed to be a lovely teen icon in the late ’60s until the ’70s with blockbuster movies like Lipad, Darna, Lipad, Dyesebel at ang Mahiwagang Kabibi, Kampanerang Kuba, among others.

WOMAN’S ROLES – With almost 200 films under her belt, Vilma is regarded as the longest reigning Box-Office Queen of Philippine Cinema. And among these films are critically acclaimed for tackling roles on various women’s issues. Burlesk Queen was one of the turning points in Vilma’s life and career. From being a sweet teen icon, she proved to be a mature actress in this movie. It was followed by other award-winning movies like Rubia Servious, Relasyon, Sister Stella L, Dolzura Cortez, Dekada ’70, Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?, and Anak. A versatile and intense actress, Vilma honed her craft through the various top caliber directors, writers and actors she worked with.

MUSICAL SHOWS – Though Vilma admitted that only her fans would love to hear her singing prowess, Vilma’s musical variety TV shows emerged on top for many years – The Sensations, VIP and the long-running multi-awarded Vilma. Again, Vilma proved that she can make wonders whatever it takes. “It’s really blood, sweat and tears. But when you love your work, it will love you back,” she says recalling her struggles to stay on top of the entertainment industry.

THE BIG LEAP – Marrying Ralph Recto was one of the happiest changes in Vilma’s life and it turned to be the road to another career in her life. “I never thought that I will be a public servant, not in my wildest imagination,” Vilma admitted while talking to a lot of eager reporters and writers she obviously missed for a long time. “But this is the life I have now and I believe it was given to me because He (referring to GOD) wants me to make a difference in other people’s lives,” Vilma enthuses. The first woman mayor of Lipa and now the first woman governor of Batangas, Vilma considers herself lucky for having earned the trust of Batangueños. “Their faith in me is priceless,” says Vilma in another interview.

WOMAN STRATEGY – A real woman in all her endeavors, Vilma considers herself the mother of all her constituents in Batangas. She looks upon them as children who need her care and attention. “At first, I did the housekeeping of the province. We had the poverty diagnostic approach to know the concerns of all the constituents of Batangas, then when we got the budget we allocated to my HEARTS priorities,’ Vilma shares when asked about her priority projects for Batangas. HEARTS means health, education, agriculture, road (infrastructure), tourism and security. “I believe in teamwork and family approach. I consider them my family, that’s why last Valentine, I gave chocolates to all the departments of the governor’s office to let them know that we can make HEARTS work if we are team,'” Vilma recalls.

ACTING AGAIN – For this year, Vilma has two wishes: to start implementing her projects and to make movie. “There are three movies I committed to finish – one with John Lloyd, one with my son Luis and one with Sharon Cuneta but because I became the governor of Batangas, I have to ask for extension because I have to see to it that I implement my projects in Batangas first,” Vilma explains begging her fans to wait for her. But she quickly adds, “Whatever I have now is because I am a showbiz personality. I owe it to my first profession but my role is real life. Isang pagkakamali ko lang at pumalpak, masisira ako at ang mga constituent ko. Ayaw kong sumugal (One mistake and it will ruin not only my name but also the lives of my constituents, and I don’t gamble).

FIRST PRIORITY – But above all these priorities, Vilma admits that being a wife to Ralph and mother to her two sons Luis and Ryan are still her number one priority. Still a woman devoted to her husband, Vilma always acknowledge Ralph’s help and inspiration in her career as a public servant. “Public service is Ralph’s life and I learned to embrace it through him. Though we have differences in ideas, sometimes we clash, at hindi naman ako magpapatalo (I will not give in without a fight), I listen to Ralph. After all, whatever I achieve as a public servant, I owe it to my husband who has been my mentor up to now,” Vilma enthuses. With Luis, Vilma is a doting mother who just listens to his son’s escapades and love life. “I don’t want to meddle with my son’s life. I just advice him to enjoy life and to do what is right so that he will not commit mistakes that he might eventually regret.” She also finds time to help Ryan in his studies. “I help him in doing his projects especially when there are art works and proud ako na honor student ang anak ko,” Vilma says.

TIME FOR MYSELF – With all her roles in life, Vilma sees to it that she finds time for herself. “Ah, yan ang hindi mawawala. Every weekend, I do the treadmill, tae boxing, and yes, even swimming,” she proudly says. I also eat anything but always in moderation. Medyo conscious na ako kasi 38 na ako eh,” she jokingly says. Vilma will turn 55 this year and is not scared to age gracefully. “I think when you’re happy, you’re comfortable, you find time for yourself, you exercise, you eat good food in moderation and you love what you’re doing, then it’s the secret.” As a parting word Vilma says, “When I was able to make a difference in other people’s lives, then it adds to my positive outlook in life and it inspire me to do more.”

UNSTOPPABLE PARTNERSHIP – For more than four decades, Ponstan has been relieving body aches, pains, making it a household name when it comes to reliable fast relief. Just about the same time when Ponstan was strongly gaining the trust of consumers, the public witnessed the emergence of a talented and eye-catching young performer who will later become the country’s multi-awarded actress and eventually the first woman governor of the province of Batangas. “We are very excited and honored to have Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto as our celebrity endorser. We could not have chosen anyone else to effectively communicate the brand’s message to the public,” says Laiza Filart, Ponstan SF product manager. Filart further states that the choice to have Gov. Vi as the latest face behind Ponstan is the striking parallelism between the brand and the hardworking public official. “They are really fit to be unstoppable partners,” she adds. Gov. Vi has been known to pull all the stops whenever she sets her eye on her goals. As a show business personality, she aimed only for the best, which made her the most awarded actress in the country. As a politician, she willingly took the challenge posed by her constituents and run for the gubernatorial seat in the province of Batangas in 2007, earning her the title Ina ng Batangas. And as a family woman, she is never short in filling their home with love, respect and happiness. As Gov. Vi juggles her schedule as a politician, an actress, a wife and a mom, she sometimes finds herself in pain – whether in the form of a headache or backache. Whenever such pains strike, Gov. Vi relies on Ponstan to help her get through the day. “My work is physically, mentally and emotionally demanding. So when I get a headache, I immediately take Ponstan to relieve the pain.” states Gov. Vi. – Source: “Woman For All Seasons” by Lea Manto-Beltran, HEALTH NEWS magazine, Mar 2008, Vol. 12 No. 4. Transcribed by Alfonso Valencia and posted at the three Vilma Santos Yahoo e-groups, March 2008.

Discography: Aloha My Love (1972)

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ALOHA MY LOVE (1972)
COVERS - 1970S Teens Weekly 1973Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos

Side A
1. Hawaiian Medley
2. Beyond The Reef
3. All Alone Am I
4. Why Don’t You Believe Me
5. Eternally
6. My World Is Your World

Side B
1. Aloha Oe
2. Seven Lonely Days
3. Mandolins In The Moonlight
4. Daddy
5. Seventeen
6. Two People In Love

Photos: Nar Santander

The success of Sixteen brings out another facet of Vilma Santos’ talent. Everyone knows that she is a good actress and a wonderful dancer but nobody expects that she will be able to succeed as a singer. At the early stage of her young career, the rivalry between her and a more established singer, Nora Aunor was lapse sided because Aunor was the number one singer in town. The success of Sixteen brings about an even playing field between the two young stars. Vilma’s record breaking sales positioned her career into high grear. She continued to act in several musical films and at the same time recorded fun-filled songs. To her critics, Vilma’s recording success were attributed to pure luck. And so, to prove them wrong, Vilma’s manager smartly plotted follow-up recordings. Not only did Vilma record her follow-up album, she recorded a string of mini-LPs. Mini-LPs are shorter version of the big vinyl record with two songs on each side. She ventured into Tagalog songs, recording six songs that include instants hits like Isipin Mong Basta’t Mahal Kita, a theme song to a film she did opposite Filipino chess grand master, Eugene Torre; Palong-Palo, where she received a golden record award in 1974 and an up-tempo opm, Tok-Tok Palatok, another theme song from one of her comedy film with the same title opposite Jojit Paredes. Vi and Bot also released two mini-LPs, “Something Stupid,” a song that they regularly sings at their TV show, D’Sensations and “Christmas Tiding,” a collection of famous holiday songs like Silver Bells and Vilma’s now famous version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town and Mommy Kissing Santa Claus thats been circulating in the internet in recent years. In addition, Vilma recorded Baby Vi, another mini-LP. She also shared equal billing with Edgar Mortiz, Esperanza Fabon, Ed Finlan, Hilda Koronel and Sahlee Quizon in a Christmas compilation album titled, Christmas Carols.

Willears Records continued Vilma’s recording projects with two albums, Sweethearts and Aloha My Love both featured her with off and on screen love partner, Edgar Mortiz. The company who introduced the resurgent singer, Vilma in Sixteen followed up her solo success with Sweet, Vilma, Sweet, a much more ambitious offering with Vilma doing popular cover songs. Songs that are mostly identified with more established singers, like Nora Aunor. It is worth noting that during the peak of the musical genre in the early 70s, the musical films relied heavily on foreign influence. Maybe this was the reason why Vilma’s rival Nora Aunor doesn’t have a signature song. Recorded songs are mostly versions of the foreign recordings. Tom Jones, Frank Sinatra, Connie Francis, Neil Sedaka are the usual suspects. Instead of original simple composition, Willears selected songs like Mama, Sad Movies, and Our Day Will Come and let Vilma create her own version. The result was a disappointment not because Vilma didn’t work hard for the project but because it lacks the originality of her first album. Vilma’s thin voice also didn’t help.

But despite this visible contrast to her first album, Sweet Vilma Sweet was a successful follow-up. She continued her singing stints with an album most Vilmanians seems to forget, All I See Is You carried the folk song, Ati Cu Pung Sing-sing and Wonderful world of Music. The later song became a title of a musical film that paired Vilma with Edgar and co-starred with Snooky, Tony Ferrer, and Boots Anson Roa. The demand for Vi & Bot’s recordings increased and Willears produced Sweetheart, perhaps a confirmation album of the real score between the two young teen stars. Out of 25 films Vilma and Edgar made in 1970, both Sweethearts and Sixteen stands out as two of their certified hits both as films and recorded albums.

By 1972, Vicor Music Corporation took over Vilma’s singing career and smartly went back to the original fun-loving carefree theme that suited Vilma’s voice and made her a successful recording artist. With the guidance of Orly Ilacad, Vilma recorded original compositions that were light hearted, up-tempo and simple. Sing Vilma Sing arrived at the radio airwaves with the carrying single, “Bobby Bobby Bobby.” Despite the declaration of Martial law in 1972, the album became another instant hit. Also, Vilma and Edgar recorded their third album together, a follow-up with the hit, The Sensations. Aloha My Love came afterwards which also became a film and appropriately shoot entirely in Hawaii. Aloha was artistically packaged and contained Hawaiian and popular cover English songs like All Alone Am I and Eternally.

Unfortunately, all good things must end. By 1973, Vilma made her move. After almost one hundred films with Edgar Mortiz, she decided, it was time to venture out of the love team and test the water as solo star. This move also signaled the end of her singing career. At the same time, the musical genre started to subside as more turmoil politically spreads around the country. The bomba films exploded in mainstream local cinemas in mid 70s. Movie theatre owners illegally inserts porn clips in the middle of film. It was so popular back then that even the first Manila International Film Festival organized by former first lady, Imelda Romualdez Marcos allowed the bomba or sexy films to be shown during the midnight time slots of the festival. The bomba period created a long line up of respectable sexy actress like Elizabeth Oropeza, Daria Ramirez and Chanda Romero. Even former beauty queen, Gloria Diaz ventured into the sexy film. The emergence of sexy or “bold” films as what they referred to by local film buff challenged the now solo superstar, Vilma Santos. Tagalog Ilang Ilang production transformed her into an action super hero as the new Darna, Philippines version of Wonder Woman. Lipad Darna Lipad (Fly Darna Fly) defeated entertainment giants Fernando Poe Jr and Joseph Estrada, both have films being shown at the same time and the usual bomba films. A very long line-up snake down the streets of Claro M. Recto Avenue’s Cinerama theatre. It was recorded that Tagalog Ilang Ilang Production distributed Darna dolls and Coka-Cola bottles to the massive patrons during the film showing. Lipad Darna Lipad became the most successful Darna film ever. It broke box office records and solidified Vilma’s clout as the new box office queen of Philippine movies. Vilma’s stature as the most bankable artist of that time validated her decision to leave her love team with Edgar Mortiz and the singing stints to her closest rival, Nora Aunor. She became more adventurous and accepted roles that showcase her versatility. And this move cemented her position as the actress to watch, the actress on top of her game.

Remarkable History – As a singer, Vilma’s thin voice didn’t stop her to become a successful singer. Her hard work paid off and earned her a piece of history. The reluctant singer recorded strings of solo albums that created her signature songs, “Sixteen” and “Bobby, Bobby, Bobby.” Signature songs that enlisted her together with famous singers like Imelda Papin (Bakit), Eva Eugenio (Tukso), Claire DeLaFuente (Sayang), Sharon Cuneta (Mr. DJ), Didith Reyes (Nananabik), Aiza Siguerra (Pagdating Ng Panahon), Freddie Aguilar (Anak), Florante (Handog), and Gary Valenciano (Di Na Natuto). Her sweet and child like voice reflected the innocence of her original up-tempo songs that tackles teenage issues like dating, sexual education, body images and adulthood. Teenage issues that are still remarkably relevant today. – RV (READ MORE)

Discography: All I See Is You (1971)

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All I SEE IS YOU (197Os)
Arrange and Directed by: Danny Subido and Freddie Lozano with The Barons

COVERS - 1970S Pilipino Reporter 1973Side A
1. Ati-Cu-Pung Singsing
2. Baby Cakes
3. Little Brown Gal
4. Grown Up Like Me
5. Nine Little Teardrops
6. Jealous Heart

Side B
1. Wonderful World Of Music
2. El Condor Pasa
3. Hawaiian Wedding Song
4. I Understand
5. My Special Angel
6. Just Say You Be Mine

Photos and Text courtesy of Nar Santander

Vilma’s Unforgettable lines

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How can we forget these dialogues? All of these lines are embedded in our memories. In it were the unforgettable performances in unforgettable films.

PAHIRAM NG ISANG UMAGA:  “Irene…Di ko kaya ang walong buwan! Kung mamatay rin lang ako…mamatay na ako ngayon o bukas o sa linggo pero hindi ko kaya ang walong buwan!”

 “Irene, ayoko ng mahabang burol kung maari kinabukasan rin ipalibing mo na ako.”

 “Ayoko ko pang mamatay…paano si Chad?…hahanapin ako ng anak ko, hindi siya sanay ng wala ako…Ariel…gusto ko pang mabuhay, kahit ilang araw lang, kahit konting oras lang, kahit isang umaga lang…”

 “Ariel maliwanag na ba?…anong kulay ng langit?…at ang dagat?…ang mga mangingisda nandiyan na ba?…Ariel…ang ganda ng mundo!…ang sarap mabuhay!”

 IKAW AY AKIN: “Rex,,,anong gagawin mo? Ako anong gagawin ko? Ako baa ng nagpapagulo sa otherwise your perfect world?…sure? Rex ang problem ako hindi lang ako eh…si Teresita rin,,,nasasaktan ko na siya…anong gagawin ko iwasan kita eh de ako naman ang nasaktan? Shit! Bakit? Ewan…nahihiya nako kay Teresita at saka sa’yo eh!…Rex huwag mong sabihin yan, naiintindihan mo ba ako? I need your presence more than anything else. Sabi nila liberated woman raw ako, front lang, kalog raw, front din…alam mo namang kulang-kulang ako eh sinabi ko na sayo nun pa…ninenerbiyos ako kapag hindi kita kasama eh, baka dapuan ako ng kung ano diyan, bery-bery, typoid fever! Pakiramdam ko safe lang ako kapag nariyan ka eh…pag wala ka,huh, nagwawala ako parang manok takbo ng takbo wala namang ulo!…Rex, anong gagawin mo?”  

Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story: “Hindi ako naniniwala…Putang…anong karapatan mong sabihin sa akin yan?! Diyos ka ba?! Ikaw ba na nagbigay ng buhay sa akin?! Sino ka ba?…Akala mo alam n’yo nang lahat ayoko nito! Akala mo alam n’yong lahat hah..Ayoko nito…ayoko nito..ayoko pang mamatay!…anong mangyayari sa mga anak ko…mga putang ina n’yo…ayoko nito!”

LANGISIS AT TUBIG: “Labanan natin siya…pupunta ako sa kanya, makikiusap, kung kailangang lumuhod, gagawin ko…isang linggo sa kanya, isang linggo sa akin…kung ayaw niya, anim na araw sa kanya, isang araw sa akin, kung ayaw pa rin niya lahat na ng araw ay sa kanya na…Bobby you gave me hope, you make me a wife, you showed me love when theres only hatred, ginawa mo ako kung ano ako ngayon, babae, ano pang hihilingin ko?” 

SAAN NAGTATAGO ANG PAGIBIG: “…Si Val! Si Val! Si Val! Si Val na walang malay?! Si Val na ang tanging kasalanan ay naging anak ng mommy mo sa ibang lalaki! At nitong nasira na ang kanyang pagiisip…ay alam n’yo bang si Val pa rin ang pinanagot nila sa isang responsibilidad na dapat sana’y ikaw Rick ang nanagot!…ayan ang magaling n’yong apo, itanong n’yo sa kanya kung sinong ama ng batang binigyan ng pangalan ni Val!”

PINAY AMERICAN STYLE: “I’m PX, short for Paula Xavier, I’m a Filipina…kyontiii…I can understand Tagalog but I’m having a hard time speaking it…actually, I’m not hungry…but on the second thought, why not?” 

“one-fourth Japanese, one-fourth Chinese, one-fourth Indonisian, one-fourth Filipino but I was born in Hongkong…you see my mom was a tourist in Hongkong when she met my Japanese father, my Chinese father, my Indonisian father and my Filipino father!”

TAGOS NG DUGO: “Di ko sinasadya! Di ko sinasadya!!!!”  

PAKAWALAN MO AKO: “Kukunin ko ang bayad ng halik! May sukli ka pa!” 

“Puta! Sige ituloy n’yo! Sabihin n’yo! Hindi lang naman kayo ang ang unang nagparatang sa akin ng ganyan. Puta! Puta! Puta! Putang-ina n’yong lahat! Putang-ina n’yong lahat! Sige! Sabihin n’yo! Isigaw n’yo! Kung sa inyo lang ay malinis ang aking konsensiya!”

SINUNGALING MONG PUSO: “hayup! Hayup!…Baboy! Mamatay kang kasama ng mga baboy mo!” 

“nababaliw ka na noh…puro kabaliwan yang nasa isip mo…hindi Jason, meron iba tayong dapat nating sundin…meron iba! Gamitin natin ang sinasabi ng isip natin, ang ipinararamdam ng kaluluwa natin, yun! Dahil madalas yun ang nagsasabi ng tama, yun ang nagsasabi ng nararapat nating gawin hindi ang puso…hindi ang puso Jason, hindi ang sinungaling mong puso…huwag kang padadala, ililgaw ka niyan…ililigaw ka dahil marunong manglinlang ang puso dahil alam ko ang tama huwag kang magpapadala…huwag kang magpapadala, hindi mababago ang katotohanang mali ang ginagawa natin, mali…”  

GING: “Pagmasdan n’yo ako…ako po’y ulilang lubos…inaapi at hinahamak…kung hindi n’yo po kahahabagan ay nasaan ang katarungan?!” 

KARMA: “Ganuon naman pala eh, de alam mo na may asawa na ako…bitiwan mo ako…alright wise guy, gypsy pala ako nun hah…sinabi mo rin mahilig ako sa music, dancing, siguro may favourite song ako, huwag nang yung napakalayong kahapon, baka hindi mo mabasa eh, yun na lang natapos na kahapon, twenty, twenty five years ago…ano kayang favourite song ko?” 

SINASAMBA KITA: “For godsake, Nora! Magkaroon ka nga ng sarili mong identity!”  

“Imposible namang lumaki ang tingin ko sa taong tinutulungan ko lang!..kungsabagay magkaiba tayo ng ina…bakit kaya pinatulan ni papa ang iyong inay?…hindi ko siya iniinsulto sinasabi ko lang sayo ang totoo…magkaiba tayong dalawa…hindi mo ako matutularan at hindi kita tutularan. Nora, ang hindi mo maabot huwag mong pagplitan abutin, wala ka pang pakpak kaya huwag ka pang lumipad ng ubod ng taas!” 

PALIMOS NG PAG- IBIG: “Para kang karinderyang bukas sa lahat ng gustong kumain.” 

“Mahal Kita at yan ay di ko kayang maihati sa iba. Pero kung ganitong niloloko mo lang ako kaya kitang palitan kahit sampung Lalaki!” 

YOUNG LOVE: “I hate you…dirty…you’re dirty! I hate youuuu!…huwag n’yo nang mabangit-bangit ang pangalan nyan! Kinasusuklaman ko siya!..ngayon ko lang nakita ang kapangitan ng buhay ang akala ko masaya’t maganda na ang daigdig..”  

SISTER STELLA L: “Ako ay kristyano, higit sa lahat ako ay tao. Kung nandito lamang si kristo sa ibabaw ng lupa alam kong kasama ko siya sa pakikipaglaban.” 

“Kung walang kikilos sino ang kikilos, Kung hindi ngayon Kailan pa… Katarungan para kay Ka Dencio!” 

ADULTERY: AIDA MACARAEG: “Huwag mo nang itanong. Baka mas masakit kung malaman natin ang sagot.” 

AYAW KONG MAGING KERIDA: “No woman can seduce a happy husband.” and “Ang asawa ang karugtong ng buhay, kasiping sa kama.” 

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW: “I refuse to dignify your question. Unang-una hindi ka nagtatanong, Nagbibintang ka.”

ANAK: “Sana tuwing umiinom ka ng alak…habang hinihitit mo ang sigarilyo mo at habang nilulustay mo ang perang pinapadala ko! Sana maisip mo rin kung ilang pagkain ang tiniis kong hindi kainin para lang makapagpadala ako ng malaking pera rito. Sana habang nakahiga ka diyan sa kutson mo, natutulog, maisip mo rin kung ilang taon akong natulog mag-isa nabang nangungulila ako sa yakap ng mga mahal ko. Sana maisip mo kahit kaunti kung gaano kasakit sa akin ang mag-alaga ng mga batang hindi ko kaanoano samantalang kayo, kayong mga anak ko hindi ko man lang maalagaan. Alam mo ba kung gaano kasakit iyon sa isang ina? Alam mo bang gaano kasakit iyon? Kung hindi mo ako kayang ituring bilang isang ina. Respetuhin mo man lang ako bilang isang tao. Yung lang Carla…yun man lang.” 

“Hindi ako nagpakahirap sa Hongkong para lang mauwi tayo sa Ganito. At ang mga kasama mo mga mukhang ADDICT.” “Bakit pag ang lalake ang nagbigay ng damit, pagkain sasabihin ng mga tao “Aba mabuti siyang ama” pero pag ang babae, kasama na pati pusot kaluluwa hindi pa rin sapat.”

T-BIRD AT AKO: “Sira ka ba? Babae ka, babae ako!”

“Putik nga ito! kahit ganito ako, nagsisimba ako kahit paano, ang sabi ng nasa itaas, ang sala sa lamig, sala sa Init iniluluwa ng langit, isinusuka ng diyos!”  

“Ano ba naman ito, katawan lang ito…konting tubig konting sabon wala na…tapusin na natin ang kaso, pagkatapos sabihin mo kung kalian, saan…darating ako, ang katawan ko!”

“…hindi naman ako ipokrita, kung tomboy ka bakla ka, ok lang sa akin yon…pareho rin yon eh, tao rin yon, kung saan sila maligaya duon sila…huwag nating pakialamanan. Alam mo kung nuong una sinabi na niya sa akin kung ano siya, hindi na kami nagkaganito eh, akala ko kaseh tutoong tao siya…” 

PAANO BA ANG MANGARAP:  “Dinaya n’yo ako! Saan n’yo dinala ang anak ko?.. Hindi mo alam…Sinungaling!… Kasabwat ka ng ina mo! Alam ko matagal n’yo nang plano ito!… Dinaya n’yo ako! Mga Traydor Kayo! Traydor kayong lahat!… Wala akong pakialam! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin ang anak ko! Ibalik mo sa akin si Jun Jun! Ibalik mo sa akin…” 

BURLESK QUEEN:  “Kung Inutil kayo, Di Inutil kayo. Wala naman tayong magagawa kung yan ang gusto ng Diyos para sa inyo.”

BATA, BATA PAANO KA GINAWA:  “Sister nain-love ka na ba. Hindi yong Love kay Kristo ha, yong love na may sex. Wala akong Ginagawang mali!”  

“Namputang Itlog yan, gawing mong manok!”  

MANO PO 3: MY LOVE:  “Pinuntahan n’yo ako rito para awayin?…silang dalawa,,,mahal ko silang dalawa, bago ko pa man naging boyfriend si Michael, naging asawa si Paul, magkakasama na kami, kaya mahal ko silang dalawa, mahirap bang intindihin ‘yon?…walang batas na nagsasabing bawal magmahal ng dalawa….”  

“Aalis ka rin ba, Judith? Naiintindihan mo ba kung para saan yung ginawa nila?…sanay akong tinatalikuran at iniiwanan. Alam mo bang yan ang istorya ng buhay ko.”   

RELASYON:  “Emil, Emil, Diyos ko anong gagawin ko? Emil! Mommy Patay na si Emil.”

“Ang hirap dito sa relasyon natin, puro ikaw ang nasusunod, kung saan tayo pupunta, kung anong oras tayo aalis, kung anong kakainin natin, kung anong isusuot ko sa lahat ng oras, ako naman sunod ng sunod parang torpeng tango ng tango yes master yes master!” 

“Ano ba ako rito istatwa? Eh dinadaan daanan mo na lang ako ah, hindi mo na ako kinakausap hindi mo na ako binabati hindi mo na ako hinahalikan ah…namputsang buhay ‘to. Ako ba may nagawa akong kasalanan hah? Dahil ang alam ko sa relationship, give and take. Pero etong atin, iba eh! Ako give ng give ikaw take ng take! Ilang taon na ba tayong nagsasama? Oo, binigyan mo nga ako ng singsing nuong umpisa natin, pero pagkatapos nuon ano? Wala na! Ni-siopao hindi mo ako binigyan eh dumating ka sa bahay na ito ni butong pakwan hindi mo ako napasalubungan sa akin eh kaya kung tiisin lahat pero sobra na eh…hindi naman malaki hinihingi ko sayo eh konti lang… alam ko kerida lang ako…pero pahingi naman ng konting pagmamahal…kung ayaw mo ng pagmamahal, atleast konsiderasyon man lang. Kung di mo kayang mahalin bilang isang tunay na asawa, de mahalin mo ako bilang isang kaibigan, Kung ayaw mo pa rin nun bigyan mo na lang ako ng respeto bilang isang tao hindi yung dadaan daanan mo lang sa harapan na para kang walang nakikita!”  

ALYAS BABY TSINA: “Kung ano ang kinatatayuan ko, Yon ang teritoryo ko.”

BROKEN MARRIAGE:  “May mga anak ako, Nagtratrabaho ako, Nag-aaral ako tapos lagi pa kaming nag-aaway na mag-asawa. So tense, Minsan gusto ko ng tumalon sa bintana.” 

“Bakit nababawasan din naman ang pagkatao ko kapag sinisigawan mo ako.”  

”Nawawala din naman ang pagkababae ko pag sinisigawan mo ako ah! Huwag mo kong duduruin.”

“Ang marriage trinatrabaho yan…twenty four hours…”

Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan?: “If he goes, you go, if he dies…dalawa na kayong nawala sa buhay ko.” 

Dekada ’70:  “Buong buhay ko yan na lang lagi ang sinasabi nila sa akin…wala kang magagawa eto ang gusto ng asawa mo…wala kang magagawa eto ang kapalaran mo…wala kang magagaw dahil dapat…putris naman, dapat hindi ganuo…tapos sasabihin ng daddy n’yo hindi lang ang anak ko ang pinatay hindi lang ang anak ko ang dinukot…lolo akong nanggigigil, lalo akong nagagalit dahil kung nanay ka talaga, hindi ka lang dapat nanganganak kundi naiapaglaban mo rin ang anak mo dapat kaya mong pumatay para sa anak mo…gusto ko lang malaman bakit nila pinatay ang anak ko…hindi masamang tao ang anak ko, kahit sa oras na ito humarap ako sa diyos kahit sa dimonyo hindi masamang tao ang anak ko…hindi masamang tao ang anak ko!” 

“You could stop being proud of me! Nagsawa na ako sa ganuon, gusto ko naman ngayon ako mismo just for a change, maging proud sa sarili ko!”

Lipad, Darna Lipad: “Ding, ang bato dali….DARNA!” 

Kapag Langit ang Humatol: “Akin pa rin ang huling halakhak akin Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha Ha HA HA” 

Regalo:  “Bakit ang mga anak pag nawalan ng magulang ang tawag sa kanila ulila, ang magasawa kapag nawala ang asawa nila ang tawag sa kanila balo…bakit kapag ang isang ina nawalan ng anak walang tawag sa kanila?”  – Aries Roll-on, Franco Gabriel, V Magazine, Issue No. 7, The Literary Issue, 2006; Updates: RV 2007-08

Edgar Loves Vilma

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I saw this book of Lorna Kalaw Tirol titled “Above the crowd.” It caught my attention when I saw the drawing of Vilma’s face which was the most beautiful one compared to other caricatures. This book contained interviews of Kris, Kuh, Nora, Lino Brocka, and others. The pictures were illustrated by Nonoy Marcelo. Let me share you the article about Vi (Vilma Santos) and Bot (Edgar Mortiz)…

“If Vilma comes, can Edgar be far behind?” – In the colorful world of the Filipino movie fan, circa 1971, the ideological lines (with all due respect to the radicals and the moderators in the movement) are sharply drawn. One is either for Nora Aunor or for Vilma Santos. One cannot like both and be worthy of the name “movie fan.” In fact, there are no fans in the case of Nora and Vilma; they are only fanatics. Nora, her loyal subjects maintain, has a far better singing voice than Vilma. That, counters the Santos camp, is because Vilma is primarily an actress and only incidentally a singer. And Vilma of the doll-like face is definitely the prettier of the two, her fanatics boast. There, we think, the debate should end. The assignment was to interview Vilma Santos for a cover story. We were told that we could catch her one Saturday morning at an Antipolo resort where she was shooting “Wonderful World of Music” for Tagalog Ilang Ilang. Her director was there, all right, and so was Snooky (child star), too self conscious and too small for her age. But Vilma was still in Cabanatuan, and so was Edgar.

The following Wednesday she was scheduled to start filming for another Tagalog Ilang Ilang picture, Young Lovers. With a title like that, we thought, the movie couldn’t be anything but a further buildup of the Edgar-Vilma love team. But who wants a story when you can have your fill of Vilma and Edgar exchanging sweet words and glances? We were at this house in Quezon City, site of the first day of shooting, at nine in the morning. The entire cast and crew were there, except for the leading lady and her leading man. When they arrived an hour and a half later, the place seemed to come alive. The young lovers were chaperoned by Mrs. Santos, pretty and amply proportioned. We were relieved to see none of the burly tomboys who smothered Nora. It was Edgar Mortiz, with his height and size, who looked more like Vilma’s bodyguard. If he were slim and shorter, he could pass for her shadow. Yet it is difficult to imagine him in the role of bodyguard, he is what older folk would describe as mukhang musmos pa. Edgar Mortiz is, in fact, younger than Vilma Santos who, at 17, is no giggly teenager. She is a woman and she knows it. “A LOT of people tells me that I am very mature for my age,” she says at the start of the interview. “I feel it myself. I like to think that I have the mind of 23-year old woman.” She speaks with unusual poise and self-confidence, a self-assurance that must explain why she strikes some people as suplada. Vilma had little time to be a child. When she was nine and a student at St. Mary’s Academy in Manila, an uncle who was a cameraman at Sampaguita introduced her to Dr. Jose Perez. Not long afterward, Rosa Vilma Santos made her first film, Trudis Liit, where she played the title role. Shooting schedules were arranged so as not to conflict with her studies. She attended school in the morning, reported to the set in the afternoon. More pictures for Sampaguita followed, including two on the life of Ferdinand Marcos, in which she was cast as Imee. When the time came for Vilma to choose between school and a film career, she readily chose the latter.

“We study so we can get a job later, di ba? Well, I have a job already.” When she does decide to resume her studies (she was in fourth year high school when she quit), she wants to go into fine arts. Right now however, her thoughts are on her career and, if we are to believe her studio’s drumbeaters, Edgar. Is he or isn’t he? That is as intriguing a question to their fanatics as Imelda Marcos’s political ambition is to newspaper columnists. The love team of Vilma and Edgar has been going strong for two years now. Whether on TV’s Sensations and Edgar Loves Vilma or on radio’s “Hot line 1250 with Edgar and Vilma” or in advertising gimmicks, the latest of which is birthday party with Vilma and Edgar, the team-up has proved to be a hit. They are, in addition, neighbors somewhere in Quezon City. Doesn’t she get tired of being paired with him? “Of course not,” she says petulantly. Whether their apparent fondness for each other is the real thing or just plain acting is hard to tell. When not holding hands, which are most of the time, they have their arms around each other. “I’m not really a singer,” Vilma admits, “but Edgar is teaching me how to sing.” Love team come and goes, but that is the least of Vilma’s worries. Show business is her world. She wants to stay in it for as long as she can. “Sana magtagal ako” she says. Even without Edgar? – Asia-Philippines Leader, July 9, 1971

 

Today, Vilma Santos is still the most bankable star of Philippine cinema. Her movies continued to be box office hits. She is the most awarded actress in the country and a respected public servant. Edgar on the other hand is now a TV director. He is now a happy family man. He’s now part of the Teleserye “Kampanerang Kuba” which happened to be the remake of a Vi & Bot hit during the 70’s. Recently, Vilma was one of the sponsors of Edgar’s daughter’s wedding. The former love team is now Kumpares & Kumares. – Franco Gabriel, V magazine, Volume 1 Issue Nos. 1 June – July 2005

 

Discography: Sweethearts (1971)

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SWEETHEARTS (1971)
COVERS - 1970S Hapi Hapi 1971Edgar Mortiz and Vilma Santos

Side A
I Love You Honey (Robert Medina)
I Believe (Drake-Graham)
Green Grass Of Home (Putman-Loose)
Always With You (D & M. Subido)
My Rosary
From The Bottom Of my Heart (Danny Subido)

Side B
You Don’t Love Me Any More (D. Subido/ T. Soriano)
How I Wish I Were A Model (F. Lozano/O. Salazar)
Do Re Mi Fa Sol I Love You (Freddie Lozano)
Better Than All
Your Kisses Are Losing Their Sweetness (R Medina)
My First Kiss (Freddie Lozano)

 

Photos and Text courtesy of Nar Santander

Discography: Sweet Sweet Vilma (1971)

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SWEET SWEET VILMA (1971)
Side A
COVERS - ROMANTIC 1970sDon’t You break My heart
Mama
May The good Lord Bless & Keep You
Our Day Will Come
O’ Lonesome Me
May This Dream Come True

Side B
Sad Movies Makes Me Cry
Among My Souvenir
My Promise To You
Mama Don’t Cry At My Wedding
I Thought I Drop A Line
A Wonderful Day

Photos and Text: Nar Santander

Memoirs of Vilmanians – part one

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To download v magazine issue 07 click here

Memoirs of Vilmanians

Tinatawag natin ang ating sarili bilang Vilmanian. Paano tayo naging ganito? Eto ang ating mga alaala…ng ating pinamulan.

John Malit – Noong panahon na nakamulatan kong ako’y isang Vilmanian, napakalaking ligaya kapag may nababasa akong balita mula sa kanya. Kahit na 2 yrs old na ‘yung balita, bago pa rin iyon para sa akin. ‘yun nga lang, sa tv lang ako umaasa para mapanood ko si Ate Vi, kasi hirap po ang buhay namin noon. 23 yrs old na po ako ng makapanood ng sine. Can u imagine, wala akong ginawa kundi igala ang paningin ko sa loob ng sine, nakakahiya man sabihin, gf ko pa ang nagbayad ng ticket para mapanood namin iyong Bituin walang ningning” ni Sharon (kc sharonian yung gf ko nun). Ayun nasundan lang noong maka-graduate na ako ng college at magkatrabaho. Vilma movie na yung mga pinapanood ko. Ang sarap sariwain ang nakaraan kahit gaano man ang kahirap ng buhay, sa simpleng picture at balita mula sa ating mahal na idolo ay nakaka-alis na ng problema. Kahit nga ngayon, pag-stress na ako sa trabaho lalo sa amin ni misis, magbabasa lang ako ng balita mula dito sa e-groups ng mga Vilmanians, masaya na ako.

Rene Maximo – Akala ko magiging silent Vilmanian na lang ako forever. Una sa lahat…way back 1970s, panahon pa ng The Sensations, doon yata ako nagsimulang humanga sa The Queen. Lahat halos ng kamag-anak kong babae eh pulos Vilmanian lahat. Kaya masayang manood ng TV na black & white pa. Tuwing tanghali, palagi kong dinadasal na sana eh puro movies ni Ate Vi ang ipalabas. Ang saya-saya ko pag natutupad ang wish ko. Natatandaan ko pa yung Vilma & The Beep Beep Minica, Ophelia at Paris, King Khayyam & I, Baby Vi, Dama de Noche, and the list goes on. Unang movie na napanood ko sa sinehan ay yung Rubia Servios. Kahit na I was a minor then, mabuti at napakiusapan ng pinsan ko ang takilyera kaya pinapasok ako. Gandang-ganda ako sa pelikula. Tapos nung awards night na, 3 kaming Vilmanians ang nanood, while yung tiyahin naming Noranian eh natulog na dahil unang mga technical awards eh nakuha ng Rubia (besides sa mga hula na si Ate Vi daw ang mananalo) kaya maaga syang natulog. Then nanalo nga si Ms. Aunor. While walking paakyat sa stage, one of my cousins said na sana ay madapa si Ms. Aunor. Unknowingly, nakikinig pala yung tiyahin namin kaya biglang lumabas at inaway kaming tatlo. Nalaman ng father ko ang nangyari kaya pinagalitan kaming lahat. One stormy weather noon, we were eating sa kitchen namin, at walang kuryente. Bigla na lang nagliwanag ang paligid at na shocked na lang kaming lahat na wala na pala kaming bubong, natangay ng bagyo. All of us hurriedly went up to save things na huwag mabasa ng ulan. Ang una kong binuhat ay yung kahon ng clippings ko ni Ate Vi. I was worried kasi na baka mabasa at matangay ng tubig. Until now, nasa kahon pa rin yung mga clippings ko at palagi kong tinitingnan pag umuuwi ako ng Pilipinas. One of my sisters was an officer in CAT when she was in high school. One time, she asked me what kind of parusa daw sa mga COCCs na madali lang, ayaw daw nyang pahirapan ang mga bata. Sabi ko everyday magdala sila ng mga pictures ni Ate Vi. Kaya araw araw may pasalubong sa akin ang sister ko ng mga pictures ni Ate Vi, additional sa mga collections ko. There was one time when Ate Vi shot a movie in our place. The movie was Biktima. I was in elementary then. After school, my classmate told us na andun nga daw sa dam si Ate Vi. Without hesitation, lumusong ako sa tubig at halos hanggang baywang ko na yung tubig, tumuloy pa rin ako para makita ng personal si Ate Vi. I was in heaven then. First time ko syang makita ng personal. Palagi akong nakasubaybay sa lahat ng nangyayari sa kanya. Maganda man o hindi magandang balita, wala akong pakialam, ang alam ko karugtong na ng buhay ko si Ate Vi. Kahit na nung mag work ako sa isang bank sa Makati, I made it a point na manood ng live sa Metropolitan Theater ng ‘Vilma.” Kahit na naka necktie ako, wala akong pakialam na pumipila sa labas ng Met, kasama ko yung officemate kong Vilmanian din. Then lumipat for a while ang show sa Rizal Theater dahil sa away nila ni Mrs. Manzano, pumila din kami doon to get tickets days before the show. Marami rami din akong collection ng movies ni Ate Vi, in VHS format nga lang. Pag umuuwi ako hindi ako nagsasawang panoorin lahat ang mga tapes na yon. Then I’ve read na meron nga daw na Vilma Newsletter na ginawa ang mga dear Vilmanians. Only last December that I got the courage to request, at pinagbigyan naman ako. I was so happy. Lastly, salamat sa magagandang postings na inilalagay ninyo sa board. Hindi nyo lang alam ang laking tulong nun. Nakakaalis kasi ng lungkot pag nagbabasa ako ng mga postings ninyo.

Franco Gabriel – Early ’70’s when I first heard of Vilma-Edgar team, eh kasi naman puro sila ang topic sa bahay, my mom loves Ate Vi so much at syempre kampi lahat ang sisters ko sa pagka-Vilmanian ni nanay. Bata pa ko noon, di pa ko nag-aaral pero napapanood ko na siya sa TV. It was year 1973 when I reached grade school ang unang bag ko pa noon ay may design nina Ate Vi at Bot na nakahawaiian sila, kuha yata sa “Aloha My Love”, syempre si Mother ko ang namili ng school supplies, so what do we expect? As a kid, aliw na aliw ako sa mga fantasy movies ni Ate Vi like Darna, Dyesebel, Phantom Lady etc. at syempre yung mga suspense thriller nya like Takbo, Vilma, Dali at saka yung Hatinggabi na Vilma. Puro nga iyon ang topic namin sa school kahit pare-pareho naman namin itong napanood. Ito yung panahon na nauso ang kanta para kay Guy na “it’s the real thing, si Norang maitim, nagtago sa dilim and so-on” (jingle yun sa coke). Pang-asar ba namin sa mga noranians. Ito rin yung panahong nanonood ako regularly ng “Ayan eh” at saka “Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma,” Meron pang mga ibang TV shows noon na di ko rin makalimutan like “Tangtarantang” ni Mang Nano pag weekend, saka yung “Oras ng Ligaya” nina Sylvia La Torre at Oscar Obligacion pag tanghali. Fast Forward. Kainitan ng Vilma-Nora noon labanan nina Senyorita Rubia Servios at ang kanyang Atsay, nasa high school na ako noon. Masiglang masigla ang rivalry ng dalawa. Syempre merong awards night na panalo at meron ding talo, pinakamasakit ay yung sa Rubia Servios, walang kibuan sa breakfast, parang ayaw naming pag-usapan ang MMFF last night, malungkot kaming lahat. change the topic please sabi ng Ate ko. I considered the ’80’s as one of my colorful years as Vilmanian, kasi lahat na yata ng movies niya ay pinanood ko, mula Pakawalan mo Ako, Langis at Tubig, Paano ba ang Mangarap up to Pahiram ng isang Umaga. Silent Vilmanian ako nung 80’s kasi naman nasa college na ko noon eh pero panay pa rin ang pila ko sa mga movies niya. Ito rin yung dekada na super init ng career ni Ate Vi mapa TV, movie or endorsement. I left the Philippines during the ’90’s but it did’nt stop me to search for Vilma Santos news. Umuwi ako noong 2002, I had a chance to watch Dekada ’70 masaya dahil alam kong big hit ang movie, talagang siksikan ang bawat sinehan pero bumalik ako sa States ng mabigat ang dibdib natalo si Ate Vi sa MMFF 2002. But if I look at the brighter side, this incident became the way to meet Jojo Lim the Solid Vilmanian president and the rest was history. Nasa Abante ang name ni Jojo, hindi daw makatulog at makakain ang Vilmaniang ito dahil sa pagkakapanalo ni Ara Mina over Ate Vi nandoon din ang contact number niya sa article ni Allan Diones. I did’nt hesitate to call Jojo & introduced myself. Yun na ang naging daan para makilala ko si Ate Vi in person. The first encounter was during the Lipa fiesta in 2003 hanggang sa maging every year na pero ang pinaka the best ay sa New York during her show. Ang haba ng kwentuhan namin noon ni Ate Vi at mga Vilmanians inabot ng 3:00 am at talagang naka upo na kaming lahat sa hallway ng hotel, very sweet siya at parang di napapagod. Ang sarap ng pakiramdam, doon ko napatunayan kung gaano kabait at down to earth si Ate Vi. Kung gaano kaganda ang mukha niya ay ganoon din kaganda ang kalooban niya. Thanks to my mom & sisters for bringing me up of becoming a Vilmanian.

German Shepherd – Noong unang bahagi ng dekada ’70, maliit pa akong bata at wala pang muwang, ay karay-karay ako ng Nanay ko sa panulukan ng Quezon Ave. at Zurbaran para manood ng parada ng mga bituin na kasali sa Manila Film Festival. Naroon kami, ako at ang isa ko pang kapatid na babae, upang hintayin ang float nina Vi at Bot sa pelikulang LOVE LETTERS. Tuwang tuwa kaming lahat nang magdaan sa harapan namin ang float ng LOVE LETTERS. Nang biglang bumuhos ang malakas na ulan. Awang-awa ako sa aking sarili dahil basang-basa ako. Pero ang Nanay ko at kapatid ay halos di ako pansin maging ang kanilang mga basang-basang sarili dahil naririnig ko kung kagaano sila ka-worried at baka raw magsakit sina Ate Vi at Kuya Bobot. Sa loob-loob ko, basang-basa na kaming lahat pero ang nasa isi[p pa rin ng Nanay at Ate ko ay ang kapakanan ng aming mga idolo. Sa mura kong nagtataka ako kung bakit ganoon na lamang ang kanilang pagmamahal sa dalawang taong hindi naman sila kakilala. Only when I reached the age of reason that I came to realize that one would do everynting for his movie idol. My love for the Queenstar has grown through the years, a legacy that I inherited from my late Nanay. I watched the many so-so / sing and dance movies of Her Royal Highness, Queen Vi. To me, all of them were beautiful because of her mere presence in those films. One of my favorites was her movie with Bobot entitled ANGELICA. Even the theme song interpreted by Bobot with the same title was haunting. Then came DAMA DE NOCHE. It was one of Vilma’s early acting greats. She was barely eighteen but she played the dual role with aplomb. And there were others: WONDER VI, PHANTOM LADY, KAMPANERANG KUBA, IBONG LUKARET, ANAK NG ASWANG, and the list is endless. Of course, I loved LIPAD, DARNA, LIPAD with Ate Vi in a modest two-piece costume. It was the first time ever that the term BLOCKBUSTER was used in a local movie because of the record-breaking gross and the over-extended run which made an FPJ movie shown at the same time a poor and distant second. I also saw all her DARNA installment but DARNA ANG THE GIANTS is particularly memorable because it was a Metro Manila Filmfest topgrosser. DYESEBEL AT ANG MAHIWAGANG KABIBE with its famous scene showing Ate Vi riding a giant seahorse was also a film fest top grosser and Best Musical Movie. Until she metamorphosed into the great BURLESK QUEEN, another film fest top grosser besides sweeping almost all the major awards including Best Actress for the Queen and Best Picture. From then on, there was no stopping Ate Vi who tackled a kaleidoscope of roles while her rival YKW continued to play just “api” and “kawawa” roles. The first grandslam via RELASYON, ironically was a quiet and restrained role. A far cry from her usual body-and-soul style of acting. BROKEN MARIAGE AND SISTER STELLA L continued to bring her endless honors. Vilma won in RELASYON against Nora Aunor in Himala which most Noranians considered as her most memorable role to date. The movie did not give her a miracle in terms of acting award. Then came TAGOS SA DUGO which i think was one of her most well-acted movie. She was robbed of a grandslam in this Maryo J. delos Reyes opus. Fast forward: After reigning the longest as Box Office Queen, she had once again regained the same title (in spite of her being already a Hall of Famer in this title) via ANAK which is still the second highest grossing movie in the Philippines after TANGING INA, which Ai Ai delas Alas, who according to her words, is a Vilmanian from birth and her tribute to her idol as she mimicked her in many a scene in the said movie. ANAK should have been another grand-slam for the Queen but the award-giving bodies, except Star Awards, made Gloria Romero a sentimental favorite, an accolade which she deserved considering her age. Realizing that then Queen has gathered the most number of grand slams in RELASYON, DOLZURA CORTEZ STORY, BATA, BATA PAANO KA GINAWA, DEKADA ’70 and the prestigious UP GAWAD PLARIDEL plus two international awards, my Nanay’s legacy was worth inheriting.

Buboy Medina – Noong nasa kindergarten pa lang ako ng napanood ko ang “Lipad, Darna Lipad” sa television. Ginagaya ko talaga siya then gumawa ako ng costume like Darna then isinusuot ko pa. Pinakamemorable experience ko bilang isang Vilamanian ay noong nagkausap kami last May 2003 ng manalo siya sa Gawad Urian. Overseas call ito at siya mismo ang nakausap ko. HEAVEN ANG FEELINGS KO NOON, TEARY EYED PA AKO. Mahal na mahal ko si Queen Vi, kaya ko siyang ipaglaban. Hahamakin ang lahat…maipagtanggol ko lamang ang nagiisang REYNA!

Eric Nadurata – I saw her on TV, “The Sensations” iyon, nasa grade school pa ako. Gustong-gusto ko ang sweetness ng beauty niya at ang galing niya sa pagsagot sa Q&A portion ng show. Ate Vi always surprises me. She always reinvents herself, and comes out victorious each time. Sabi ko nga she started very sweet, then came “Lipad, Darna, Lipad”, she then went daring via “Burlesk Queen”, then came her award-winning films that tackled an impressive range of themes. Ang mga roles that she portrayed is also very impressive. Naging madre siya at querida, naging Darna at Dyesebel, may Aids at may cancer, naging mahirap at mayaman, naging abugado at doctor, schizophrenic at napakarami pang iba. Siya lang ang tanging batang aktres na naka-sustain ng kaniyang popularity hanggang sa pagiging dalaga. Tessie Agana and Snooky were big child stars, pero hindi nila narating ang kasikatan na narrating ni Ate Vi. In fact, even the other Movie Queens can’t match her enduring popularity and box-office appeal. None of our movie queens reigned for more than 10 years, but Ate Vi, the Queen of them all is still at her peak for 35 years already! Iba ang aura ni Ate Vi, nakakahawa ang pagka-positive niya. First time I saw her face to face noon YCC awards for Dakada ’70. Grabe ang magic niya pagpasok niya sa venue. Memorable din kasi, nagloko ang dala kong camera, mabuti na lang nakapagpa-picture pa rin ako with her sa tulong ng isang vilmanian. Nangyari uli ito, sa opening ng CineManila International Film Festival. Nagloko uli ang camera ko, when I was about to take shots of Ate Vi with Lou Diamond Phillips and Tia Carrere. Sayang ito, kasi ang daming foreign celebrities na dumating noon. Aral ito sa akin kaya, ngayon dalawang camera na ang dala ko each time may affair with her. Nuong nagpa-pirma ako kay Ate Vi. Medyo ninerbiyos ako kasi baka hindi natandaan ni Ate Vi ang pangalan ko. Bago lang ako, at hindi naman kami madalas na magkita, pero to my pleasant surprise, sinulat niya ang name ko! Natandaan niya ang name ko! Grabe iyon! Imagine, with all her works both as an actress and public servant, not to mention as a mother and wife, natandaan niya ang name ko! Naku, heaven talaga iyon! Kung may mas mataas pa sa heaven iyon pa rin iyon! Another instance, magbi-birthday siya noon. May dala akong gift na image ni Padre Pio, pero because of “lapse of judgment” (di ba, Garci?) nakalimutan kong isulat ang name ko sa card. In short, nai-abot ko ang gift without my name. After several weeks, nang magkita kami uli sa isang taping, I told her about my gift. Sabi ko “Ate Vi, I forgot to write my name doon sa card, but I hope you liked it.” Sabi niya “Alin ba ang gift mo?” nang sinabi ko na it was the image of Padre Pio, her face light up and sincerely said, “thanks ha.” Ramdam na randam mo ang kaniyang sincerity.

Father Juancho Gutierrez – Meeting Vilma Santos at the Philippine Fiesta on August 21, 2005 was truly a moment of blessing for me. I have been an avid fan of hers since Grammar School. I never thought in my wildest dream that I would meet her face to face here in New Jersey. Meeting her, I found out that she was really a downto-earth person. She never acted like a diva or the famous movie star and successful Mayor that she is in the Philippines. I admire her more for this. I guess this is the reason why today more and more people continue to admire her….she showed me the traditional respect that we Filipinos give to our elders and those in position of leadership in our community by making the “mano” gesture to me. I admired her more for this because it was a sign of her humility and grace. The greatest actress the Philippine Cinema has ever produced making “mano” to an unknown priest in New Jersey was truly a Memoirs of Vilmanians humble experience not only for her but for me as well. At that moment, I see in Vilma someone who is humble, approachable and sincerely acknowledges the blessings God has bestowed on her. August 21, 2005 will always be a very special day for me. I will always remember it as a blessing from God.

Nelvin M. Rea – Pagmamahal at biyaya ng Diyos ang siyang naging susi at naglilok sa pagiging Vilmanian ko. Inimulat sa akin ng aking nanay at iniukit niya sa isipan ko na “Si Vilma Santos… iyan ang idolo ko at magiging huwaran mo— wala nang iba!” “Ang pagsunod sa payo ng magulang ay ang pagsunod sa tamang daraanan”. Sa mga panahong iyon sa pagiging musmos ko, wala akong panahon kay Vilma…ang nais ko ay maging malaya, ang eskuwela, libangan,at maraming laruan. At siguro dahil sa hirap ng buhay, kailangan kong iwaksi sa isipan ko ang lahat ng NAIS ko. Ang ganang prayoridad ko ay ang tumulong sa lahat ng gawaing bahay, punuin ng tubig ang aming paminggalan, mamulot ng plastik sa dalampasigan at mangahoy sa hulo kasama ng mga kapatid ko. Sa hirap na dinanas ko ay sapat na para makalimutan ko ang makipagsabayan sa mga pangarap ko…Hindi siya nagbago ang inay ko sa kanyang pag-ibig kay Ate Vi… nanatili siyang matatag…lumalaban hanggang sa huling sandali ng kanyang buhay. At kahit ngayong wala na siya. Hinahangaan ko ang kanyang paninindigan sa isang Vilma Santos. Isang hindi mapapantayang pamana ni Inay sa akin ay ang mamuhay na may isang Vilma Santos sa aking puso.

Alan Trambulo – Lipad Darna Lipad, ang unang movie ni Vi na napanood ko sa amin sinehan sa Batangas. I was 6yrs old at kasama ko ang buong pamilya ko. Last full show na kami nanood kasi during the day sold out ang ticket at wala ka nang silya maupuan. Sigawan at palakpakan kami kay Darna Vi. After the movie, wala lang , sigaw ako ng sigaw ng “Darna!”. Ang mukha ni Ate Vi ang nakiki- ta sa panaginip ko habang hinabol ako ni Gloria Romero na gumanap na aswang. She saved my life so manytimes sa aking nightmare kay aswang Gloria. She became my heroine. Iba ang naging impact sa akin ni Darna dahil di lang isang hero sa aking musmos na pag-iisip ang ibinigay nya, she gave me a superwoman, a role model sa persona ni La Santos. My family is all Vilmanian, specially my sister who keep copying the styles of Vilma, from her hair styles to fashion. My sister Carol even sneaked me in sa controversial movie ni Ate Vi, “Rubia Servious” sa Magalles Theater noon. Habang hinuhubog ako ng aking kapatid na maging Vilmanian, I became aware sa mga nagaganap sa showbiz. Ang awayan Vi-Guy fanatics. Lumaban at nakipagsabunatan din ako sa bestfriend ko na Noranian na para sa amin ay katuwaan lamang. Ang pakikipagtalo sa aking kapatid na lalake over basketball versus Vilma show. Magdamagan puyatan sa awards nights, win or lose si Mayor. Through the years, di nagbago ang paghanga ko sa kanya, but lalo pang tumindi, sobra! Wala na makakapigil pa sa akin pagiging isang “VILMANIAN.” … ‘yung NY-NJ visit nya sa Phil.Fiesta 05, grabe ang experienced ko sa kanya. Unforgetable dahil we communicate almost everyday. ‘Yung closed door meeting namin ng producer, I saw her other side. For being frank and honest n’ya sa nararamdaman nya. I know she was death tired from her trip sa NY, pero sige pa rin sya basta para sa Vilmanians ito. Very quick lang, alam n’yo i was with her sa loob ng hotel room niya while she was being prep by her makeup artist, busy na ang lahat , i voluntarily ironed her outfit that day. Just imagine, pina-plantsa ko ang suit ni Ate Vi for the show.

Charles Gomez – Sa unang pagtatagpo pa lamang namin ni Ate Vi sa kaniyang opisina sa Lipa, ay nadama ko na ang kakaibang pagmamahal na ibinibigay niya sa kaniyang mga tagahanga. Magiliw niya akong sinalubong at kinamayan, at idinampi pa niya ang kanyang kamay sa aking mga pisngi. Hindi-hindi ko makakalimutan ang pagkakataong iyon. Nung kami nama’y magkatagpong muli sa press party sa Libis, buong lambing taglay ang kakaiba niyang nigiti na binansagan niya ang inyong lingkod ng bagong pangalan. “Dubai” na raw ang itatawag niya sa akin, at pangatawan ko na raw iyon. Galing sa isang Vilma Santos, who can say otherwise? Nung ako nama’y nasa Lipa Fiesta, buong pagmamahal niya akong dinampian ng halik nang iabot ko sa kaniya ang aking handog. Bagama’t pagod sa buong gabing iyon, nandun pa rin ang tatak niyang ngiti. Iba-ibang nga ang isang Vilma Santos. At nang gabing pabalik na ako rito sa aking pinagtratrabauhan sa Gitnang Silangan, she sweetly called me to say “hello” and bid her best wishes. Iyon ang gabing di ko makakalimutan. Kumpletong-kumpleto ang pagiging Vilmanian ko. – to be continued

vilmanian article 01

Siya nga ba ang tunay na SSL?

Posted on by Standard

When Ate Vi accepted the 2005 Gawad Plaridel last year, on her speech, she said: “”Nilangaw po ang pelikula ko” referring her film, Sister Stella L competing to a forgettable commercial film by Sharon Cuneta in mid 80s pero sa kabila ng kamalasan sa takilya nasuklian naman ito ng mga papuri na hanggang sa ngayon ay ikikunsidera ang SSL na isa sa pinaka-klasikong pelikula sa kasaysayan ng pelikulang tagalog. Ipinagmamalaki ni Ate Vi ang pelikulang ito. Narito ang ilang “facts: tungkol kay SSL. Sa ibaba, numbero 10 ay sasagutin natin kung sino ba talaga si SSL.

1. Ang SSL ay lumaban nuong 1985 sa Venice Film Festival.

2. Kung ang pangalan ng karakter ni Vilma Santos sa pelikula’y Sister Stella Legaspi ang pangalan naman ng karakter ni Jay Ilagan na katambal niya ay Nick Fajardo. Nanalo si Jay Ilagan bilang pangunahing aktor sa URIAN nuon 1984 para sa SSL.

3. Ang linyang: “katarungan para kay Ka Dencio!” referred to the character played by Tony Santos Sr. Oo, siya rin ang direktor ni Ate Vi sa kanyang tv show nuon na “D’Sensations.” Nanalo si Tony Santos Sr ng Best Supporting Actor sa Famas at Urian para sa pelikulang ito.

4. Ang linyang: “bakit hindi ka gumaya sa akin… nagmumura, nagpapabuntis!!!” ay mula sa papel ni Gina Alajar. Natalo si Gina Alajar sa kanyang papel sa SSL kay Laurice Guillen na gumanap na madreng kasa-kasama ni SSL bilang pangalawang aktress sa URIAN nuong 1984.

5. Sampung tropeyo ang napanalunan ng SSL sa Gawad Urian nuong 1984.

6. Regal Films recently released SSL in DVD/VCD format. The on-line price for SSL is on the average 15 US. dollars.

7. Dalawang pelikula ang pinanlaban ni Nora Aunor nuong taong 1984 sa Urian, ang “Bulaklak ng City Jail” at “Merika”, walang nakuhang kahit isang tropeyo ang mga pelikulang ito.

8. Vilma Santos portrayed another role as a nun in Eddie Garcia’s last directorial job in Viva films’ Immortal opposite Christorpher DeLeon.

9. UP’s 1st Diwata Awards was given to four women, Vilma Santos was one of them, UP cited SSL as one of her remarkable contribution to film history.

10. Ngunit sino ba talaga si SSL? According to this article SSL was based on the life of Sister Coni Ledesma.

KASAMA Newspaper (Vol. 12 No. 2 April–May–June 1998) – Solidarity Philippines Australia Network (Frank Cimatu of Norther Dispatch) interviewed Coni Ledesma and Luis Jalandoni during their visit to Baguio City this year. The following is a compilation from two articles that appeared in NORDIS on May 16, 1998

She is known by many in the Left as Sister Stella L. but Coni Ledesma brushed this innuendo aside. “I have not even seen the movie,” Ledesma said of the popular and influential Mike de Leon movie about the rites of passage of a militant nun played by Vilma Santos.

“I met with Pete Lacaba (the movie’s script writer) and he didn’t tell me about it,” she said. “All I know is that it was a composite of different nuns. I can not take the solo credit.”

If “Sister Stella L” was wholly based on former Sister Coni L’s life, the storyline would have been far more radical, literally and figuratively. Ledesma was already an activist nun during the turbulent end of the 1960s. She was a founding member of Christians for National Liberation, the underground organization for subversive priests and nuns.

In August 1972, Ledesma was captured and detained for almost a year. She was released with the intercession of the Catholic bishops and the National Council of Churches in the Philippines.

In 1976, she began international work for the National Democratic Front. In the same year, she married Louis Jalandoni, himself a former Catholic priest before becoming one of the leaders of the NDF. The couple, who had their 25th wedding anniversary last month, were married by Jaime Cardinal Sin. They migrated to the Netherlands and were the first Filipinos to be granted political asylum in that country. They have a 22-year-old son, Jose, who is now taking up law at the University of Amsterdam.

Ledesma is now a member of the NDF negotiating panel and a member of the reciprocal working committee for human rights and international humanitarian law. She is also the international representative of Makibaka, an underground feminist organization. She recalls with fondness the “language restructuring” they’ve been having with the government panel which insists on not giving the NDF an equal stature even in the field of semantics.

Ledesma said the government was so extra careful in setting aside the NDF’s “status of belligerency” that the NDF panel had to exhaust their thesaurus to come to terms with them. Instead of “prisoners of war”, for example, the NDF had to come up with “persons deprived of their liberty for reasons of armed conflict”. The “white flag of truce” was replaced by “flag of peaceful intentions”, even if the flag remains white, Ledesma said. “Ceasefire” is now “suspension of military operations” and the “oppressed masses” is the “toiling masses”.

Ledesma said it was their first time to really come back to the Philippines except for that very brief stint in 1986 with the failed talks between the government and the NDF. The couple had been going around the country giving talks and speaking with the so-called “toiling masses”.

She said Filipinos have become politically mature. “Malakas ang revolutionary movement (The revolutionary movement is strong). I observed the political maturity in all sectors. They know their rights and they have a clear grasp of the basic issues,” she said. However, she said the economic poverty is deplorable. The Jalandonis went back to their native Negros where both families belong to the landed rich.

“I talked to the sacadas (sugar workers). Their condition was terrible. They get paid ten pesos a day and yet they can not even get hold of that money. They are instead issued receipts to buy at the company store. It’s back to the 1960s,” Ledesma said.

“The urban poor in Negros are in turmoil. It is in a situation where the call for change can not but grow kasi galit na yung mga tao (because the people are already angry),” she said.

Ledesma had already met with President-in-waiting Joseph Estrada with regards to the resumption of the peace talks. She has the same apprehension as her husband that the “Erap Para Sa Mahirap (Erap for the Masses)” may be put aside. “His first meeting was with the businessmen. He should have talked with the peasants. Ang dami nilang (They have so many) struggles. Pakinggan naman sana niya sila (I hope he listens to them).”

Ledesma said she is looking forward to the 100th year of Philippine independence on June 12. “It is a hundred years of struggle against colonialism and imperialism. It is a legacy that has been passed on to us. The struggle for true freedom rests on us,” she said.

Ledesma’s husband, NDF leader Luis Jalandoni said he is optimistic the peace talks will go on with president-in-waiting Joseph Estrada. But as for now, Jalandoni said Estrada is not as receptive as they wanted him to be.

The NDF is also concerned with Estrada’s statement that he is committed to embrace President Fidel Ramos’ economic policies particularly towards globalization and liberalization. Jalandoni, who spoke last Wednesday at the University of the Philippines College in Baguio, said this may affect the forging of a permanent peace agreement between the government and the NDF. Jalandoni said among Estrada’s first statements were the favouring of a hero’s burial for former strongman Ferdinand Marcos and the exoneration of the charges against his first lady Imelda Marcos.

Jalandoni also said the Mining Act of 1995 should be reconsidered by the Estrada administration. He said about ten million hectares of Philippine land have been applied for by foreign mining corporations for mining exploration and mineral production. He said the NDF’s position is for indigenous people’s rights yet these lands are covered by applications mostly of foreign mining corporations.

Jalandoni also said the mutual cessation of hostilities has not been followed by the government. He cited the flagrant violations made by the government such as the launching of a military offensive in Calinan, Davao City by the Army’s 73rd Infantry Battalion against the New People’s Army on May 2. Five NPA members were killed as well as a civilian in the attack. The next day, the same battalion attacked and killed four NPA men in Marilog District also in Davao City. – Frank Cimatu/Northern CP Cabrisbane.org

11. According to Regal Films web-site: Sister Stella L is the award-winning masterpiece by Mike de Leon. It’s about a nun, Sister Stella Legaspi (played by Vilma Santos), who becomes involved in labor strikes after learning about the government’s neglect of the poor and the working class. Her sworn duty to fight for the poor and the oppressed turns personal when her journalist friend Nick Fajardo (played by Jay Ilagan) is tortured and the union leader Dencio (played by Tony Santos) is kidnapped and killed. What follows is her eye-opening and tear-jerking battle against cruelty and injustice. This film is one of the most memorable roles for Vilma Santos. She is excellent in her portrayal of the resilient nun. – Regal Films

12. From another web-site: Sister Stella L is a nun who acts as a counselor in a home for unwed mother undergoes political awakening when her friend and namesake belonging to the same congregation as hers inspires her to get involved in the struggle for justice and freedom of striking workers in a cooking oil company. – Geocities

13. The complete cast of Sister Stella L are: Vilma Santos, Jay Ilagan, Gina Alajar, Laurice Guillen, Tony Santos, Anita Linda, Liza Lorena, Ruben Rustia, Eddie Infante, Adul de Leon, Rody Vera.

14. SSL has bee exhibited in several American universities which include UCLA, here’s the proof:

Lectures and Screenings by Nicanor G. Tiongson, Film Dept., University of the Philippines

Session 6. Screening: Sister Stella L., 1984; Mike de Leon, Director -Discussion: Allegories of Resistance Sunday, May 12, 2002, 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM 2534 Melnitz Hall, UCLA Campus, Los Angeles, CA Source: Isop.ucla.edu

Another article mentioning about the real SSL: Nuns from the Sisters of Good Shepherd are calling for President Arroyo’s resignation following issues that continued to hound her administration. The Sisters of Good Shepherd were conducting their provincial assembly Nov. 12 to 14 when the bomb attack at the Batasan Pambansa Complex that killed four people including Basilan Rep. Wahab Akbar occurred.

The incident prompted them to hold discussions on the country’s situation and decided to craft and sign a declaration asking President Arroyo to resign. “Moral bankruptcy of the government na parang wala na siyang karapatang mag-lead sa mamamayang Pilipino lalo na ang ating gubyerno ay hindi na natin maasahan na sila pa talaga ang nai-involve sa mga bribery, graft and corruption,” said Sr. Maureen Catabian, Chairperson of the W-JPIC, Sisters of Good Shepherds, Philippines. (Moral bankruptcy of the government that says that she no longer has a right to lead the Filipino people especially that we can no longer rely on the government which is involved in bribery, graft and corruption). Reports said the nuns of the Sisters of Good Shepherds were active participants against martial law during the 70’s.

The nun portrayed by actress and now Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos in the movie “Sister Stella L” was the story of Sister Christine Tan and Connie Ledesma of Good Shepherd. In the light of the divided opinion of the Catholic Church on the issue, some priests still admired the sisters’ bravery for the declaration. “Sana magkaisa ang simbahan doon sa pag-condemn o pag-denounce doon sa moral bankruptcy (We hope that the church would unite to condemn or denounce moral bankruptcy),” Sister Catabian said. The nuns were also shocked with Mrs. Arroyo’s statement during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Summit condemning the violation of human rights in connection with the military junta in Myanmar.

“Tingnan niya muna ang sariling bakuran sa Pilipinas na ano ba ang ginagawa doon sa mga sunod-sunod na issue [na] mga scandals and scams iyung extrajudicial killings di ba na internationally na-condemn na tayo ng community. Pinapaalam na sa gobyerno natin na hindi tama iyung nangyayari pero parang hindi ganoon kasigasig iyung gubyerno para tutukan ito,” added Sister Catabian. (She should look at her own backyard Philippines on what is being done on the successive issues of scandals and scams, extrajudicial killings which have been condemned by the international community. The government was being put on notice that what was happening was not right but the government seems not intent on focusing on these.) – Source: “Nuns call for Arroyo’s resignation” ABS-CBN Interactive 11/23/2007