Si Vilma Santos ay ipinanganak noong 3 Nobyembre 1953 sa Maynila. Nagsimula si Santos na umarte sa edad nuwebe, pagkatapos mapagwagian ang papel bilang bida sa pelikulang drama na Trudis Liit (1963). Agad siyang nakatanggap ng unang tropeo para sa pinakamahusay na batang aktor mula sa FAMAS Awards para sa nasabing pelikula. Si Santos ay inihanda upang maging pangunahing babaeng aktor noong kaniyang kabataan, kung kaya't siya ay lalong sumikat. Pinalakas pa iyon ng tambalan nila ni Edgar Mortiz at ng katunggaling babaeng aktor na si Nora Aunor. Sa tugatog ng kaniyang karera sa siyobis, panay patok sa takilya ang kaniyang mga tinampukang pelikula, tulad ng mga halaw sa komiks na Darna at Dyesebel; at ng mga dramatiko at mapusok na pelikula, tulad ng Burlesk Queen at Sinasamba Kita. Ikinasal si Santos kay Edu Manzano, na beteranong aktor at nagbunga ng anak na lalaking pinangalanang Luis Philip Manzano. Ang pagsilang ng anak ang itinuring ni Santos na dahilan upang lalong suwertehin siya sa kaniyang karera sa siyobis, kaya tinawag niya ang anak na "Lucky". Pagkalipas ng ilang taon ay hindi naging maganda ang pagsasama nila ni Manzano at humantong iyon sa diborsiyo. Sa kalagitnaan ng dekada 90 ay muli siyang nagpakasal sa mayamang politiko na si Ralph Recto. Nabiyayaan sila ng anak na lalaki at pinangalanan nila itong Ryan Christian. Si Santos ang pinakamatagal na nagreyna sa takilya, at sinubaybayan maraming tao. Kinilala siya bilang "Star for All Seasons" at "Queenstar". Nagkaroon din siya ng sariling palabas sa telebisyon tulad ng The Sensations, VIP at Vilma. Gumanap ng sari-saring papel si Santos, at ang magagaling niyang pelikula ay humahamon sa kumbensiyonal na pagtingin sa babae. Tumitili man o humihibik, si Vilma ang aktor na nagpauso ng pambihirang pagsusumamo, pagsasakit, panunumbat, at paghihimagsik na ikadudurog ng puso ng madla. Siya ngayon ang may hawak ng rekord bilang natatanging babaeng aktor na may pinakamaraming parangal at pagkilala mula sa mga prestihiyosong lupon na nagagawad, sa Filipinas man o sa ibang bansa (READ MORE).
| Awards and Recognitions in Entertainment Industry | ||
| 1963 | FAMAS | Best Child Actress – Trudis Liit |
| 1965 | FAMAS | Nomination – Maria Cecilia |
| 1968 | San Beda College | Best Actress – Kasalanan Kaya? |
| 1968 | FAMAS | Nomination - Kasalanan Kaya? |
| 1968 | FAMAS | Nomination - Kasalanan Kaya? |
| 1970 | Willears | Golden Record – Sixteen |
| 1970 | Liwayway Publications | Most Popular Loveteam |
| 1971 | (Citation Needed) | Miss Philippine Movies |
| 1971 | Awit Awards | Best Album Liner Notes – “Baby Vi” |
| 1971 | Awit Awards | Best Mini-Album – Something Stupid |
| 1971 | Awit Awards | Best Single – “Sixteen” |
| 1972 | FAMAS | Best Actress – Dama de Noche |
| 1972 | (Citation Needed) | Reyna ng Pelikulang Pilipino |
| 1973 | BAMCI Promotions | Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1973 | PMPC | 1973 Most Cooperative Star |
| 1974 | Vicor Records | Golden Record – Palong-Palo |
| 1974 | Manila Overseas Press | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1974 | Life Publishing | Queen of Movie Stars |
| 1974 | BAMCI Promotions | Miss R.P. Movies |
| 1974 | Vicor Records | Golden Record – Palong-palo |
| 1974 | (Citation Needed) | Best Dressed Actress |
| 1974 | EMEE | Most Effective TV Actress |
| 1975 | Bacolod City FF | Best Actress – Nakakahiya? |
| 1975 | (Citation Needed) | Miss RP Movies |
| 1975 | (Citation Needed) | Queen of Southern Luzon Movies |
| 1975 | FPBA | Fiesta Filipina Reyna Elena |
| 1976 | (Citation Needed) | Most Appealing Star |
| 1977 | Metro Manila FF | Best Actress – Burlesk Queen |
| 1977 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Burlesk Queen |
| 1977 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress Nom – Burlesk Queen |
| 1978 | PD Promotions | Phil. Movie Box-Ofice Queen |
| 1978 | Grand Total Prod. | Box Office Champion |
| 1978 | Big Ike’s Happening | Box Office Champion |
| 1978 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Pagputi |
| 1978 | FAMAS | Best Picture – Pagputi |
| 1978 | Gawad Urian | |
| 1978 | Gawad Urian | |
| 1979 | Mecca Promotions | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1979 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Halik sa Kamay |
| 1980 | PD Promotions | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1980 | PD Promotions | Miss Philippine Movies |
| 1980 | PMPC | Paborito ng Press |
| 1980 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Langis at Tubig |
| 1981 | Metro Manila FF | Best Actress – Karma |
| 1981 | Cebu City Film Festival | Best Actress – Karma |
| 1981 | FAMAS | Best Actress – Pakawalan Mo Ako |
| 1981 | (Citation Needed) | Miss Phil. Movies-USA |
| 1981 | Geebees Productions | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1981 | (Citation Needed) | One of Ten Loveliest Actress |
| 1982 | FAMAS | Best Actress – Relasyon |
| 1982 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Relasyon |
| 1982 | FAP | Best Actress – Relasyon |
| 1982 | CMMA | Best Actress – Relasyon |
| 1982 | RPN 9 Lets Talk Movies | Best Actress – Relasyon |
| 1982 | GMMSF | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1982 | MM Theaters Ass’n | Cinehan Awards Box Office Queen |
| 1982 | KASIPIL | Top Female Star – Takilya Award |
| 1983 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Broken Marriage |
| 1983 | Prime Int'l Promotions | RP Movies’ Queen of Queens |
| 1983 | Catholic Womens League | Her Highness Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1983 | PMPC | Most Popular Star |
| 1983 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Broken… |
| 1983 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Broken… |
| 1984 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Sister Stella L. |
| 1984 | GMMSF | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 1984 | The Big, Big show | Star Poll Loveliest Star |
| 1984 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Sister Stella L. |
| 1984 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Sister Stella L. |
| 1984 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Baby Tsina |
| 1984 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Sister Stella L. |
| 1985 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Muling Buksan |
| 1985 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Muling Buksan |
| 1986 | GMMSF | Hall of Fame Box Office Queen |
| 1986 | FAMAS | Best Actress Nom – Palimos |
| 1986 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nomination – Palimos |
| 1987 | FAMAS | Best Actress – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1987 | CMMA | Best Actress – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1987 | Movie Magazine | Best Actress – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1987 | Cinemascoop | Best Actress – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1987 | GMMSF | Most Popular – Vilma! |
| 1987 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show Host |
| 1987 | CMMA | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1987 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1987 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Tagos ng Dugo |
| 1988 | FAMAS | Best Actress – Ibulong mo sa Diyos |
| 1988 | Star Publishing | Queen of Philippine Movies |
| 1988 | Jingle Clan | Most Popular Senior Star |
| 1988 | Star Ngayon | Most Popular Loveteam – Vi Boyet |
| 1988 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show Host |
| 1988 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1988 | CMMA | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1988 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Ibulong mo |
| 1988 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Ibulong mo |
| 1989 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress – Pahiram ng Isang |
| 1989 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Pahiram ng Isang |
| 1989 | Movie Magazine | Best Actress – Pahiram ng Isang |
| 1989 | Metro Manila FF | Best Actress – Immortal |
| 1989 | Ch 2 Viewers Choice | Best Actress – Immortal |
| 1989 | FAMAS | Best Actress Hall of Fame |
| 1989 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1989 | CMMA | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1989 | FAP | Nomination – Pahiram ng Isang |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian | Actress of the Decade – 1980′s |
| 1990 | Bongga magazine | Pinakabonggang Aktres |
| 1990 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Darling of the Press |
| 1990 | PMPC – Star for TV | Most Glamorous Star |
| 1990 | CMMA | Hall of Fame Musical Variety Show |
| 1990 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1990 | NY Int'l Awards for TV | Best Musical Variety Show Finalist |
| 1990 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Hahamakin |
| 1990 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Hahamakin |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress Nom – Kapag Langit |
| 1991 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Ipagpatawad Mo |
| 1991 | Intrigue Peoples Choice | Best Actress – Ipagpatawad Mo |
| 1991 | Movie Magazine | Best Actress – Ipagpatawad Mo |
| 1991 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1991 | Dove Awards | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1991 | YCC | Best Performer Nom – Ipagpatawad |
| 1991 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Ipagpatawad |
| 1991 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Ipagpatawad |
| 1992 | Fame Peoples Choice | Best Actress – Sinungaling Mong |
| 1992 | FAMAS | Circle of Excellence – Sinungaling |
| 1992 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1992 | YCC | Best Performer Nom – Sinungaling |
| 1992 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Sinungaling |
| 1992 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress Nom – Sinungaling |
| 1993 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | FAP | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | Movie Magazine | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | Manila Film Festival | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | Intrigue Peoples Choice | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | Fame Peoples Choice | Best Actress – Dolzura Cortez Story |
| 1993 | FAMAS | Circle of Excellence – Dolzura |
| 1993 | YCC | Best Performer – Dolzura Cortez |
| 1994 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Musical Variety Show – Vilma! |
| 1994 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Nomination – NagIisang Bituin |
| 1996 | City of Manila | Longest reigning Box Office Queen |
| 1996 | PMPC – Star for TV | Star of the Night |
| 1997 | FAP | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 1997 | PMPC – Star for Movies | Best Actress Nom – Hanngang |
| 1998 | YCC | Best Performer – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | PMPC Star for Movies | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | PASADO | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | Jolo Critics | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | FAMAS | Lifetime Acievement Award |
| 1998 | FAP | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1998 | GMMSF | Lifetime Acievement Award |
| 1998 | PMPC Star for Movies | Ading Fernando Lifetime |
| 1999 | Brussles Int'l FF | Best Actress – Bata, Bata… |
| 1999 | PASADO | Natatanging Artista ng Taon |
| 1999 | Asia Pacific FF | Best Actress Nom – Bata, Bata… |
| 1999 | PMPC Star for Movies | Special Citation |
| 2000 | PASADO | Best Actress – Anak |
| 2000 | PMPC Star for Movies | Best Actress – Anak |
| 2000 | Gawad Urian | Actress of the Decade -1990s |
| 2000 | NCCA | Pelikula at Lipunan Special Award |
| 2000 | FAP | Best Actress Nomination – Anak |
| 2000 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress Nomination – Anak |
| 2001 | GMMSF | Box Office Queen of Phil. Movies |
| 2002 | YCC | Best Performer – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | PASADO | Best Performer – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | PMPC Star for Movies | Best Actress – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | FAP | Best Actress – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | Cinema One’s RAVE | Best Performer – Dekada’70 |
| 2002 | Metro Manila FF | Best Actress Nom – Dekada ’70 |
| 2003 | S Magazine | Peoples Choice Hottest Actress |
| 2003 | 5th CineManila Int’l FF | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2003 | 5th CineManila Int’l FF | Best Actress – Dekada’70 |
| 2004 | Metro Manila FF | Best Actress – Mano Po 3 |
| 2004 | Gawad Suri | Best Actress – Mano Po 3 |
| 2004 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress – Mano Po 3 |
| 2004 | PMPC Star for Movies | Best Actress – Mano Po 3 |
| 2004 | PMPC Star for Movies | Dekada Award in Acting |
| 2004 | Gawad Tanglaw | Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw |
| 2004 | FAP | Best Actress Nom – Mano Po 3 |
| 2004 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress Nom – Mano Po 3 |
| 2005 | Feminist Centennial FF | Outst’g Achievement in Film Acting |
| 2005 | Star on Walk of Fame | Star on Walk of Fame |
| 2005 | Gawad Plaridel | Outst’g Achievement in Film Acting |
| 2005 | GMMSF | All-Time Favorite Actress |
| 2005 | Gawad Suri | Exemplary Film Practitioner |
| 2006 | UA Inc.; US Registry | First Pioneer Filipino Animation |
| 2006 | U. P. Diwata Awards | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2006 | PMPC – Star for TV | Best Single Performance – Regalo |
| 2008 | PMPC Star for Movies | Ulirang Artista Award |
| 2008 | Fil-Am Visionary Awards | Legend Award |
| 2008 | FAMAS | Exemplary Achievement Award |
| 2009 | ENPRESS GoldenScreen | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2009 | ENPRESS GoldenScreen | Nomination – In My Life |
| 2009 | Cinema One Orig FF | The Cinema One Legend Award |
| 2009 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress – In My Life |
| 2009 | Gawad Suri | Best Actress – In My Life |
| 2009 | PMPC Star for Movies | Best Actress – In My Life |
| 2009 | GMMSF | Film Actress of the Yr – In My Life |
| 2009 | MTRCB Film Awards | Best Actress – In My Life |
| 2010 | Gawad Genio Awards | Best Actress – In My Life |
| 2011 | Gawad TANGLAW | Artista ng Dekada |
| 2011 | ENPRESS | The Movie Icons of Our Time |
| 2012 | Yahoo Ph OMG Awards | Major Impact Award |
| 2012 | Yes Magazine | 100 Most Beautiful Stars Of 2012 |
| 2012 | PMPC - Star for Movies | Nomination - The Healing |
| 2012 | FAP - Luna Awards | Nomination - The Healing |
| 2013 | Cinelamaya | Best Actress - Ekstra The Bit Player |
| 2013 | PMPC Star for Movies | Nomination - Ekstra The Bit Player |
| 2013 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress - Ekstra The Bit Player |
| 2013 | Gawad Urian | Nomination - Ekstra The Bit Player |
| 2013 | 11th Golden Screen | Best Actress (Drama) - Ekstra |
| 2014 | Dhaka Int'l Film Fest | Best Actress - Ekstra The Bit Player |
| 2014 | Cinema One 20 years | Cinema One Numero Uno Icon |
| 2014 | Indie Bravo! Awards | Honoree - Philippine Daily Inquirer |
| 2015 | NCCA | 7th The Ani ng Dangal Award |
| 2015 | 7th IndieFEST La Jolla | Award of Merit - The Bit Player |
| 2015 | Madrid Int'l Filmfest | Nomination - The Bit Player |
| 2015 | New York Festivals | Bronze World - The Bit Player |
| 2015 | 48th Worldfest Houston | Best Film - The Bit Player |
| 2016 | GMMSFF | Corazon Samaniego Lifetime |
| 2016 | FAP Luna Awards | Golden Reel Award - Lifetime |
| 2016 | GEMS | Best Actress - EAH |
| 2016 | FAMAS | Presidential Award - Lifetime |
| 2016 | Gawad Tanglaw | Special Presidential Jury Award |
| 2016 | Gawad Pasado | Best Actress - EAH |
| 2016 | GMMSF | Film Actress of the Year - EAH |
| 2016 | The Eddys | Best Actress - EAH |
| 2016 | Gawad Urian | Lifetime Achivement |
| 2016 | Star Awards | Best Actress Nomination - EAH |
| 2016 | Star Awards | Lifetime Achivement |
| 2017 | Women’s Journal | Outstanding Women of the Year |
| 2017 | Star Awards | Movie Actress of the Year - EAH |
| 2017 | Star Awards | Ginintuang Bituin |
| 2017 | 7th EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Film Actress |
| 2017 | Gawad Amerika | Lifetime Achievement Award |
| 2018 | A+E | History Maker Award |
| 2019 | PMPC Star Awards | Natatanging Bituin ng Siglo |
| 2019 | The Eddys | Movie Icon Award |
| 2019 | FDCP | Icons Sine Sandaan |
| 2019 | MMFF | Hall of Fame Best Actress |
| 2021 | FEU | AYKON Award |
| 2021 | City of Manila | Citations for National Artists Award |
| 2021 | PEP | Ranked 1 Greatest Movie Actresses 2000-2020 |
| 2022 | 48TH MMFF | Marichu Vera Perez Maceda Award |
"Star for all Seasons" sounds so plain when compared to the strength or magnitude of "Superstar" and "Megastar" which is why he thought of "Queenstar." I loved the title because I was proposing myself to change her title to "Queen for all Seasons." With "Star for all Seasons" Vilma is simply a star with no adjective describing her star status. "Queenstar" befits Ate Vi to a T because she has been Box-Office Queen many times and she has been called "Queen Vi" many times as well. Vilma is the only movie queen to have successfully combined commercial and artistic success unlike most movie queens or dramatic actresses who can not have the best of both worlds. I hope that your column could push for the new title for Ate Vi since she deserves a better and more appropriate title. "Queenstar" is a title Vilma richly deserves in view of her outstanding artistic achievements in local show business then... until now when, after 42 years in the business, she is still at the peak of her career with projects lined up for her by major film studios like Regal, Star Cinema and Unitel. Hail to Vilma Santos, Queenstar!" - Xavier Limtuaco, Ateneo student
RELATED READING:
- Official Web-site: Manunuri Ng Pelikulang Pilipino (Gawad URIAN)
- Official Web-site: Filipino Academy of Arts and Science (FAMAS)
- Official Web-site: Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP - Luna)
- Official Web-site: Philippine Movie Press Club (STAR)
- Official Web-site: University of the Philippines Gawad Plaridel
- Official Web-site: Entertainment Press (Golden Screen)
- Official Web-site: CineManila International Film Festival
- Official Web-site: Brussels International Independent Film Festival
- Young Critics Circle Film Desk
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- Facebook: Film Academy of the Philippines
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- The First Grand Slam Best Actress in the Philippines
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