Vilma Santos, the
phenomenal Star For All Seasons with superior caliber in acting and artistry,
didn't just come out of woodwork. She started her acting career at the age of 9
and garnered her first trophy as FAMAS Best Child Actress for her very first
movie, Trudis Liit. She then grew into a teeny bopper and was paired with heart
throbs in the late 60's and 70's but it was Dama de Noche that paved the way to
her first FAMAS Best Actress recognition in 1972. Her stellar and daring
portrayal as a stripteaser in Burlesk Queen was a monumental box- office
success in the 1977 Metro Manila Film Festival wherein she was conferred the
Best Actress trophy. Many more relevant critically-acclaimed, box office movie
hits ensued and she owned the title "Box Office Queen" for several
years. Some of her unforgettable films are Sister Stella L, Broken Marriage,
Pakawalan Mo Ako, Ipagpatawad Mo, Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Imortal, Karma, Alyas
Baby Tsina, Tagos Ng Dugo, Anak and many, many more. To date, she has 8 Gawad
Urian, 5 FAMAS, 7 Star, 4 FAP and 2 Catholic Mass Media Awards-all under Best
Actress category. She also is a four-time Grand Slam winner for her movies
Relasyon in 1982, Dolzura Cortez Story in 1993, Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?,
and Dekada '70 in 2002 - a feat far-fetched to others. In 1999, Vilma Santos'
acting prowess earned the nod of the prestigious Brussels International Film
Festival award-giving body as she was hailed the Best Actress for Bata,
Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa. Another international Best Actress trophy was bestowed
upon her in 2002 by Cinemanila International Film Festival for her exemplary
performance in Dekada '70. As a producer, her movie, Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim
Ng Tagak where she was also the main star, won Best Picture both in Gawad Urian
and FAMAS in 1978.
Ms. Vilma Santos has
many more achievements and citations under her belt such as FAMAS Circle of
Excellence, Gawad Urian Actress of the Decades '80 and '90, Gawad Suri Dangal
ng Pelikulang Pilipino, Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw, Pasado Natatanging Artista
ng Taon, Lifetime Achievement from FAP, FAMAS, Cinemanila, STAR Awards Ulirang
Artista, Gawad Lingkod TV Awards and Enpress Gawad Lino Brocka. Another feather
was added in her cap in 2005 by Gawad Plaridel for her outstanding achievements
in film acting and public service followed by the University of the Philippines
Diwata Award in 2006.
For 5 decades, Vilma
Santos has continued to surprise us with her versatility in the field of
acting/artistry. In her 2009 film, In My Life, she once again proved that she
has what it takes to be a huge crowd-drawer and an award-winning performer.
From this wholesome movie, she bagged the following awards in 2010: Star Best
Actress, GMMSF Best Actress, Gawad Tanglaw Best Actress, Gawad Suri Best
Actress, 1st MTRCB Best Actress and Gawad Genio Best Actress.
Her latest
suspense/horror venture, The Healing, which was shown a couple of months ago
made it to the PHP 100 million mark at the tills making Vilma Santos the
perennial "Box-Office Queen" of all time.
Not only did she
dominate the movie screen, she was also the award- winning tv host of the very
popular top-rated variety show, VILMA in the '80s and '90's. Unfortunately,
Vilma Santos had to leave the show, to the Vilmanians' dismay, to start a
family with her husband, Ralph Recto. Gifted with a forte in dancing, she truly
is a poetry in motion and although she may not have the best singing voice, her
signature song, SIXTEEN, was a smash hit and a gold record.
Ate Vi's blessings seem
limitless. As a public servant, she was just conferred the Presidential Lingkod
Bayan National Award - the highest category given by Civil Service Commission
and the Office of the President to outstanding public officials and employees.
Vilma Santos is the
longest reigning box-office queen and the most awarded artist/actress the
Philippine Movie Industry has ever produced. She may not be as active as before
due to her public service's demands but she makes it a point to entertain us
with at least one "worth waiting for" movie every 3-4 years with her
Batangas constituents' blessings. She never sits on her laurels, in fact, she
unceasingly raises the bar in the movie arena by continuously honing her craft
and presenting us with unique and challenging role each time as proven, once
again, by her latest CINEMALAYA TOP GROSSER starrer, EKSTRA/THEBIT PLAYER where
she bagged the well-deserved BEST ACTRESS trophy. With her queenly stature,
most budding young stars consider the Star For All Seasons their role model
both in artistry and moral values, for aside from being a quintessential movie
icon/thespian, she is a loving daughter, sibling, mother, wife, friend and a
public servant just as well. Her feet are forever cemented on the ground,
always humble with incessant professionalism, sincerity and altruism. Meeting
Vilma personally in New York during the filming of In My Life made me realize
that the magical aura and charisma she exudes can really be mesmerizing.
More power to you,
Queen Vi!
By: Gina M. Cordero
Florida, USA
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