International Actress

The Longest Hundred Miles (1967) Basic Information - Directed: Don Weis; Story: Hennie Leon; Screenplay: Paul Mason, Winston Miller; Cast: Doug McClure, Katharine Ross, Ricardo Montalban, Ronald Remy, Helen Thompson, Berting Labra, Loaki Bay, Vilma Santos, Danilo Jurado, Debra Gaza, Juan Marcelo, Danny Tariuam, Tom Bismark, Victor Vematsu, Bill Dunbar; Executive producer: Jack Leewood; Original Music: Franz Waxman; Cinematography: Ray Flin; Film Editing: Richard G. Wray; Art Design: Russ Lacap; Sound: Joseph Keener

About the film: - "...During the Japanese invasion of the Philippines, an assorted group of refugees, including an American soldier, an Army nurse, a priest and a group of local children, try to make their getaway aboard a rattletrap, creaky bus. The Longest Hundred Miles was among the first feature films produced specifically for television. Doug McClure stars as an American GI, stationed in the Philippines during World War II. Reluctantly, McClure is persuaded by army nurse Katharine Ross and local priest Ricardo Montalban to transport a bus load of native children across enemy lines. Filmed inexpensively on the Universal back lot, the film is distinguished by the musical score of Oscar-winning composer Franz Waxman. The Longest Hundred Miles debuted January 21, 1967. Vilma Santos’ first film for international release; Entry to the 1967 Manila Film Festival.

Twin Fist of Justice (Wild Whirlwind) (1974) Basic Information - Directed: Yang Shih Chin, Danny Ochoa; Screenplay: Yang Shih Chin; Cast: Meng Fei, Vilma Santos, Philip Gamboa; Cinematography: Ho Huk Wai, Remigio Young

About the film: - Directed by Danny Ochoa and Ching-Yang Chen (stars – Phillip Gamboa, Vilma Santos and Meng Fei). When a poor wretch to his heir apparent of a large fortune, he finds himself in a web of intrigue. Nothing is what it seems when he receives the key to bring him to his wealth. Criminals sit on his heels and when he seeks help from justice appears to be corrupt. He will do everything possible and literally have to fight for his inheritance.

Anak (The Child) (2000) Basic Information - Directed: Rory B. Quintos; Story: Raymond Lee, Ricardo Lee; Screenplay: Raymond Lee, Ricardo Lee; Cast: Vilma Santos, Claudine Barretto, Joel Torre, Amy Austria, Cherry Pie Picache, Baron Geisler, Leandro Muñoz, Gino Paul Guzman, Sheila Mae Alvero, Tess Dumpit, Jodi Sta. Maria, Cris Michelena, Hazel Ann Mendoza, Daniel Morial, Odette Khan, Troy Martino, John Lapuz, Jojo Saguin, Archie Adamos, Jiro Manio, Don Laurel, Nellie Sy, Andrew Chua, Jet Filipino, Manny Mendoza, Ron Christopher Flores, Mark Anthony Madronio, Aida Espiritu, Macy Masucol, Me-an Vargas, Girlie Alcantara, Jessette Prospero, Lawrence A. Roxas, Lui Villaruz, Sarji Ruiz, Mark De Guzman, Yiu Pong Lau, Zott Vincent Cailipan, Renan Giljang, Butch Jarlos, Aimee Marasigan, Ailyngail Mary Navarro; Charo Santos Concio, Malou N. Santos; Original Music: Jessie Lasaten; Cinematography: Joe Batac; Film Editing: George Jarlego; Production Design: Danny Santiago, Nuel C. Naval; Sound: Ramon Reyes; Theme Songs: “Anak” written and composed by Freddie Aguilar, sung by Sharon Cuneta

About the film: - The main character is a Filipina Overseas Contract Worker, one of the many residents of the archipelago who is forced to leave her family and take a higher paying job in a more prosperous Asian country. While she is working her employer refuses to let her take a vacation, nor does he deliver her mail to her. She is unaware, therefore, that her husband has died. When she finally returns to the Philippines, she is met with resentment and hatred by her children. The movie studies how she overcomes these feelings and rebuilds the relationship with her family.

Philippines’ Official Entry to the Foreign Language Film Category to 73rd Academy Awards (OSCAR); Philippines’ Official Entry to the 2001 Fukuoka Asian Film Festival; Philippines’ Official Entry to the 2001 Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival; Philippines’ Official Entry to the 2001 San Francisco Asian American Film Festival

In My Life (2009) Basic Information - Directed: Olivia M. Lamasan; Story: Raymond Lee, Olivia M. Lamasan; Screenplay: Raymond Lee, Senedy Que, Olivia M. Lamasan; Cast: Vilma Santos, John Lloyd Cruz, Luis Manzano, Tirso Cruz III; Executive producer: Malou N. Santos; Original Music: Nonong Buencamino; Cinematography: Charlie Peralta; Film Editing: Marya Ignacio; Production Design: Elfren Vibar; Theme Song: “Something New In My Life” Performed by Sarah Geronimo

About the film: - Santos plays Shirley, a public school librarian who wants to be in control of everything. Her unwarranted intervention in the lives of her children and their families leads to their emotional detachment from each other. Feeling she has lost her command over her children, she flies to New York to reunite with his estranged son, Mark (Manzano) only to find out that her son is gay and she has to live with him and his lover, illegal immigrant Noel (Cruz). As Shirley struggles to deal with the situation and with living in the Big Apple, she discovers that being gay is not the only huge secret that Mark is keeping. Discovering what this is will change Shirley’s life forever. In My life screened in selected cities in United States and Canada in October of 2009 with huge success.

Ekstra: The Bit Player (2013) Basic Information - Direction: Jeffrey Jeturian; Story and Screenplay: Zig Madamba Dulay, Antoinette Jadaone, Jeffrey Jeturian; Cast: Nenita Deanoso, Karen Leslie Dematera, Boobsie Wonderland, Cris Castillo, Raymund Ocampo, Abi Niesta, Cherry Pie Picache, Zyrus Imperial, Richard Yap, Ruby Ruiz, Vilma Santos, Ronaline Ronn Enriquez, Rita Rosario G. Carlos, Antonette Garcia, Linda Villalobos, Marlon Rivera, Vincent de Jesus, Piolo Pascual, Marian Rivera, Cherie Gil, Eula Valdez, Pilar Pilapil, Olive Cruz, Tom Rodriguez, Terence Baylon; Executive Producers: Joji Alonso, Jeffrey Jeturian; Associate Producer: Ron Gabriel Capili; Line Producer: Charyl Chan; Producer: Ferdinand Lapuz, Malou N. Santos, Vilma Santos, Charo Santos-Concio, John Victor Tence; Music: Vincent de Jesus; Cinematography: Lee Meily; Film Editing: Zig Madamba Dulay, Glenn Ituriaga; Production Design: Ericson Navarro; Art Direction: Erwin Sanchez; Production Co: Cinemalaya Foundation, Quantum Films; Release Date: 14 August 2013; Internationally released under the title, "The Bit Player" (IMDB)

About the film: - "...Ekstra" is a very entertaining film that brings us into the world of a bit player or "ekstra" in the punishing world of television soap operas, where hectic daily shooting deadlines are the norm. This was not only a glimpse for the audience, but more of an immersion. We get an in-depth, no-holds-barred, brutally frank expose on how bit players are treated on and off the set of a location shoot. Loida Malabanan has been a bit player for many years already. This job, however unstable, had enabled her to get her daughter through college even as a single mother, albeit barely...Ms. Vilma Santos is the heart and soul of this film, and she was such a paradox in this role. She portrays her role in the most natural and realistic way, yet we know the character was so NOT her. Ms. Vilma was already the lead star in her very first film, "Trudis Liit"! Incredibly, she was able to successfully dim her megawatt star power to appear inferior in stature to stars like Marian Rivera and Piolo Pascual who were the lead stars of the soap being shot, yet Ms. Vilma still manages to outshine them all. Her most effective scenes had no spoken lines at all. Ms. Cherie Gil was so deliciously campy good in her villainous Doña Beatriz character. Tart Carlos, more popularly known for her role as the ditsy maid Doris on TV's "Be Careful With My Heart," has a marked role playing Loida's friend and co-extra, where her skills in comedy shone. Musical director Vincent de Jesus was very effective as the harried assistant director, scrambling to accomplish all the orders of the impatient director..." - Fred Hawson, ABS-CBN News, 29 July 2013

3 Days Box-Office Gross in North America (September 13-15) = $43,000; Total 3 day gross in North America is US$141,000.00 (P5,922,000.00) Source: Leonard Klady, Movie City News, 13-15 Sep 2013 (READ MORE)

Everything About Her (2016) Basic Information - Direction: Joyce Bernal; Screenplay: Irene Villamor; Story: Mia Concio; Cast: Vilma Santos, Angel Locsin, Xian Lim, Michael De Mesa, Nonie Buencamino, Khalil Ramos, Devon Seron, Alexa Ilacad, Jana Agoncillo, Vangie Labalan, Buboy Villar, Niña Dolino, Dante Ponce, Bart Guingona, Sharmaine Buencamino; Executive Producers: Malou N. Santos, Charo Santos-Concio; Production Company: Star Cinema; Official music video of the movie ‘Everything About Her’ titled ‘Something I Need,’ performed by Piolo Pascual and Morissette, Arranged by Paulo Zarate, Mixed and Mastered by Dante Tañedo; Original Song from band, One Republic; Music Production by Jonathan Manalo; Language: Tagalog, English; Release Date: 27 January 2016; Country: Philippines; Also Known As: All of My Life

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

The film earned ₱15 million on its first day of release; As of February 5, 2016 the film has earned ₱100 million; The film is graded A by the Cinema Evaluation Board (CEB) and is rated PG (Parental Guidance) by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (Wikipedia); All-Time U.S. and Canada Box Office - Weekend of Feb. 12, 2016 -Feb. 14, 2016 Weekend Gross #32 $245,000; Cumulative Gross for two weeks: $1,248,700 (59,474,956.65 Philippine Peso); # of Theaters: 50 (NY Times); Star Cinema's most heartwarming movie of the season, "Everything About Her," has already earned P208M worldwide since it opened in cinemas. Star Cinema Ad Prom director Roxy Liquigan posted the good news via his Twitter account last February 16. (Star Cinema ABS-CBN)