By NOEL D. FERRER
As we mentioned in our previous column, Atty. Augusto Antonio Aguila, a scholar and professor, is advocating for Vilma Santos to be declared the National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. This is the second part of his dossier for the “Star of All Seasons.”
He states: “There is a popular misconception that one has to be a tortured soul to be an artist. That it is alright to throw one’s life away and wallow in the quagmire to be called a true artist. This may be true for some, but not for others.
“For instance, in the field of literature, I wouldn’t say that the writers I have met and worked with, like National Artist Gemino Abad, Professor Emeritus Cristina Pantoja-Hidalgo, theater luminary Anton Juan, and poets Ophelia Dimalanta (deceased) and Vim Nadera, are tortured souls or have thrown their lives away. They are very successful. They live good lives. They continue to be productive. And more importantly, they are a joy to work with.
‘I truly believe that if it’s meant to be, it will happen. If it’s not meant to be, hindi pa. – Vilma Santos’
“Vilma Santos has proven that you can be both an artist and a role model to everyone. If one chooses to be an artist who needs to experience all the pain, let him be. That’s his choice. But Vilma didn’t follow that path. Instead, she made the right choice – to be an artist, a role model, and a very productive member of society.”
Atty. Aguila supports this by highlighting the myriad of characters Vilma Santos has authentically brought to life in cinema: “The many roles that Vilma Santos played in her films reflect the many facets of Filipino women. Vilma Santos played an OFW in four of her films, namely ‘Miss X,’ ‘Pinay American Style,’ ‘Anak,’ and ‘When I Met You in Tokyo,’ which depict the plight of Filipinos who work overseas in more ways than one. We see how Vilma embodies all these characters who experience the various trials of our fellowmen who are forced to leave the country to give their families a better life. Vilma’s portrayal of OFWs is both meaningful and truthful. She doesn’t just portray them in her movies, but when she became a public servant, she initiated important projects to assist them and their families, which shows that Vilma doesn’t only understand their plight, she also understands that as an artist and celebrity, she can be a great catalyst for change and make a difference in people’s lives.
“The mistress is often portrayed in many Filipino films as a one-dimensional character, always cruel and evil, but Vilma’s portrayal of a mistress in ‘Relasyon’ gave film audiences a very human and humane portrayal of the other woman, which allowed people to see women who inhabit these spaces in a new light, that they too are human beings who feel pain and go through suffering. In ‘Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story,’ we applaud Vilma Santos’ haunting portrayal of a true-to-life AIDS patient. The film has ignited a conversation about the deadly illness, which made both men and women, gay or straight, not only aware of AIDS but also take part in significant engagements that provide them with the opportunity to talk about it openly and find ways to make Filipinos treat those afflicted with AIDS with compassion and sympathy. ‘Sister Stella L’ and ‘Dekada ’70’ are films that reflect a dark period in Philippine history. Vilma Santos plays a nun whose eyes have been opened to the plight of the oppressed. Through these films, we see how lives get shattered when the rich become oppressors and resort to killings to get their way. As we watch the film, we see Vilma’s character slowly being enlightened to the deplorable plight of factory workers. In the film, Sister Stella becomes not only a mere observer but a major player and in the forefront of the workers’ strike.”
He also discusses how the actress’ films have shed light on many socially relevant issues, leading to deeper conversations and understanding of important subjects such as politics, AIDS, the oppression of OFWs, and women.
“Many films that star Vilma Santos as lead actress have created massive awareness about several important issues. In my previous post, I mentioned the impact of selected films on overseas Filipino workers, persons with AIDS, women who have relationships with married men, and Filipinos who have been enlightened about a dark period in our nation’s history. Aside from these, Vilma’s films ‘Rubia Servios’ and ‘Tagos ng Dugo’ have opened people’s eyes to the gruesome reality of rape and the trauma that haunts rape victims for the rest of their lives. Films like ‘Broken Marriage’ and ‘Kampus?’ have tackled the issue of women who have a mind of their own. In the former, Vilma plays a woman who has to juggle her responsibilities as wife, mother, and career woman. The film captures the dilemma of a woman who wants to make something of herself but is constantly discouraged by a husband who’s a male chauvinist. The film provides us with more than just a glimpse of the choices and sacrifices women have to make in a patriarchal society. In the latter, Vilma plays a liberal-minded college student whose values contradict those of her boyfriend, whose conservative view of the roles played by women in Philippine society is again influenced by patriarchy. Her character dreams of someday becoming intellectually equipped and financially independent, just like her favorite teacher played by Liza Lorena. In both films, Vilma Santos is believable and brilliant, breathing life into these female characters who seek a place in a world dominated by men.”
Atty. Aguila also talks about Vilma Santos as the quintessential Darna, the Pinoy superhero.
“There are critics who say that playing a komiks superhero like Darna is not important in anyone’s filmography and shouldn’t be included in anyone’s bid for National Artist. I beg to disagree. Every nation has its own superhero, and what makes our own more culturally significant is that Darna, the most popular and most iconic superhero, is a woman. Narda, a barrio lass who transforms into the sexy superheroine, Darna, battles with evil forces, both human and supernatural. While many actresses have portrayed Darna on the big screen, it is Vilma Santos who is most remembered and most revered, making her the quintessential Darna, not only because she made four Darna films which were all blockbusters but also because as a woman, mother, star, movie queen, actress, and public servant, Vilma Santos exudes exceptional strength just like Darna. Vilma is the only actor in Philippine cinema who is successful in everything she does. Her movie career has reached stratospheric heights, and she continues to be a box-office draw until today. She has won numerous awards that validate her excellence as an actress. She succeeds in portraying any role given to her. She has a happy and successful marriage and family life. She won every election as mayor, governor, and congresswoman. Like Darna, Vilma seems to have superpowers to achieve all of these. In other words, Vilma has literally changed the rules of the game in the entertainment industry. Her longevity is a genuine testimony of her significance and relevance. In other words, Vilma Santos can do everything and succeed in everything she does.
“And because of this, a great number of actresses like Charito Solis, Lolita Rodriguez, Anita Linda, Rosa Rosal, Boots Anson Roa, Elizabeth Oropesa, Gina Alajar, Rio Locsin, Amy Austria, Armida Siguion Reyna, megastar Sharon Cuneta, Lea Salonga, Dawn Zulueta, Jacklyn Jose, Claudine Barretto, Ruffa Gutierrez, Ai Ai Delas Alas, Nadine Lustre, Kathryn Bernardo, Beauty Gonzalez, Ana Capri, etc. all look up to her as an inspiration, and yes, even her kumare, Nora Aunor, once said, ‘Naging idolo ko ho siya. Siya ang pinangarap ko noong bata pa ko.’ National Artists like Nick Joaquin, Lino Brocka, Bienvenido Lumbera, and Ricky Lee; acclaimed film directors Ishmael Bernal, Celso Ad Castillo, Eddie Garcia, Jeffrey Jeturian, Chito Rono, Maryo J. Delos Reyes, Jerry Lopez Sineneng, Chris Martinez; literary writer Lualhati Bautista; and other big names like National Artist, Fernando Poe, Jr., actor Gabby Concepcion, film producers Atty. Espiridion Laxa, Marichu Vera Perez, and Donna Villa; news anchor, Korina Sanchez, actor/basketball superstar, Alvin Patrimonio, singer/composers Jose Mari Chan and Martin Nievera, and of course, Former CEO of ABS-CBN and currently Chief Content Officer, Ms. Charo Santos Concio have all attributed to Vilma’s excellence as an artist. And today, Vilma takes another step to further promote her advocacy of bringing back Filipino moviegoers to watch locally made films. She is invited by universities to the screenings of her films via CCP’s Cine Icons, and it comes as no surprise that millennials and Gen Zs scream with delight when they see Ate Vi in the flesh. In every talkback session, Vilma talks about the importance of classic films being digitally restored and moviegoers returning to movie theaters to support our own movies. Vilma doesn’t even have to do this, but she does, because she deeply cares about the local film industry. Need we say more?”
Through all these, Vilma Santos has this to say about the National Artist honors: “To those who are saying ‘we want you to be the next National Artist,’ maraming, maraming salamat po, from the heart. Maraming salamat! But you know, I truly believe that if it’s meant to be, it will happen. If it’s not meant to be, hindi pa.”
