By Jemuel Cainglet Salterio
For more than six decades, “Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos has graced the silver screen with an incomparable body of work, portraying a diverse array of characters that showcased her immense acting talent, breathing life into roles described as women of substance.
She has garnered numerous awards from prestigious bodies, both local and international, solidifying her status as the most awarded actress in Philippine cinema history.
Beyond the accolades, Vilma continues to leave an indelible mark on our cultural landscape, portraying iconic roles that deeply resonate with the Filipino psyche.
From her early days at St. Mary’s College to becoming a cinematic legend, Vilma has continuously evolved, tackling challenging roles that inspire and provoke thought.
Vilma’s journey started with “Trudis Liit,” where she bagged her first acting award as Best Child Actress in the 1963 FAMAS Awards. She was only nine then.
Transitioning into one of the biggest child stars, she immortalized beloved fantasy characters like “Darna” and “Dyesebel.”
Apart from being the most awarded actress in Philippine cinema, Vilma is celebrated for her chameleon-like ability to portray diverse characters with truth and excellence.
She has portrayed the evolution of the Filipino woman through her accomplished roles in films, television, and public service, contributing significantly to the development of Filipino cultural identity across all seasons and generations.
She played a socially conscious nun involved in a labor strike in “Sister Stella L,” a burlesque star in “Burlesk Queen,” a woman in love with a married man in “Relasyon,” and a terminally ill patient in “Dolzura Cortez Story.”
A Filipino overseas worker in “Anak” and the recent “When I Met You in Tokyo,” a call center agent seeking her biological mother in “Miss X,” a wife trapped in a toxic relationship in “Broken Marriage”;
A rape survivor in “Rubia Servios,” an apolitical mother who eventually finds her voice in “Dekada ’70,” a serial killer in “Tagos ng Dugo,” and a human rights advocate in “Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?”;
A headstrong woman coming to terms with having a gay son in “In My Life,” a woman wrongfully accused of murder in “Alyas Baby Tsina,” and a successful businesswoman suffering from stage 3 cancer in “Everything About Her.”
Vilma’s portrayals bring truth and authenticity to the big screen, captivating audiences across all generations.
Her contributions extend to public service, as her terms as mayor, governor, and congresswoman reflect her commitment to making a meaningful impact on the lives of her constituents.
The range of Vilma Santos is unparalleled. Her portrayals bring truth and authenticity to the big screen across all generations. Her journey from reel to real mirrors the depth of characters she portrayed.
More than 20 different groups are advocating for the National Artist nomination of Vilma Santos-Recto.
The groups are led by Aktor.ph, the league of Filipino actors whose aim is to cultivate a vibrant community of proud actors.
Aktor.ph honors Vilma as a paragon of professionalism, a protector of the community, a cultural champion, and more importantly, a nation-builder. They believe that Vilma has contributed significantly to the development of Filipino cultural identity.
The organization is led by its president, Dingdong Dantes. The fact that 20 or more groups came together to revisit the work of Vilma Santos is a cause for celebration.
“She’s a real inspiration for all of us,” Dingdong said. “We can share her body of work with the new generation of actors. She is somebody we want to emulate, or she can even be our guide because I know our industry is not easy to survive in.
“Someone like Vilma, a pillar who serves as a guiding principle, that nomination exercise is something perfect. We can put our energy into prayers that this National Artist award will be given to her.”
Aktor.ph’s board of directors includes Piolo Pascual, Iza Calzado, Agot Isidro, Cherry Pie Picache, Mylene Dizon, and Jasmine Curtis Smith, with its board of advisers including Christopher de Leon, Tirso Cruz III, and Charo Santos-Concio.
