Sariling Ina, Huwag Itakwil - "...Malungkot din, dahil hindi mo iisipin na may isang anak na magtatakwil sa kanyang ina. Hindi ako perpekto, kami ni mama nagkakagalit din kami noong araw. Kasabihan nga natin, iyong ngipin at dila magkadikit na, nagkakagatan pa eh. There was a time nagkagalit din kami ni mama, pero hindi pumasok sa isip ko na talikuran at itakwil ang nanay ko. Dinala ka ng nanay mo nang siyam na buwan sa loob ng kanyang katawan. Itinaya niya ang buhay niya sa pagbubuntis pa lang at panganganak sa iyo. Hindi ko sinasabing hindi importante ang tatay, pero ang nanay nagtataya ng buhay para sa kanyang anak, kaya kung iisipin mo, mas malaki ang responsibilidad ng anak sa nanay niya. Noon ngang pinag-uusapan namin iyan nakatulala ang mga anak ko. Kasi kami nabuhay nang close talaga sa isa’t isa. Kahit na gaano ako ka-busy, sinisiguro kong nakakausap ko ang mga anak ko. Malalaki na iyan pero basta hindi ko nakausap sa umaga, tatawagan ko iyan sa telepono, o minsan sila naman ang tumatawag. Maski si Ralph (Recto) ganun. Hindi napuputol ang communications namin. Kung ano ang gagawin naming mga desisyon, sinasabi namin sa mga bata. Kung ano man opinion nila pinakikinggan namin, kaya hindi kami nagkakaroon ng problema sa mga bata...Pero bilang isang ina, ang lungkot ko sa nabalitaan kong iyan. Nasundan pa iyan noong isang balita, iyong may sakit, may mental problem ang nanay. Dahil napikon sa panunukso ng mga tao, pinatay noong anak sa saksak ang nanay niya. Kahit na nagsisi siya at sumuko sa mga pulis, krimen iyon at ang biktima ay sarili niyang ina...Ipagdasal natin ang ating mga sarili, lalo na ang mga ina. Hingin natin ang tulong ng Mahal na Birhen, para gabayan niya at tulungan ang mga nanay...” - Honourable Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Representative of 6th District, Lipa City Batangas Philippines, reported by Ed de Leon, Pang-masa, 07 May 2022
Lamangan's Project for Vi - "...Producer John Bryan Diamante also told ABS-CBN News that 3:16 Media Network is also preparing the comeback movie of Santos under their helm. “Nag-usap na kami ni direk Joel Lamangan about the project," Diamante said. "I share the excitement of movie fans looking forward to see the Star of all Seasons acting again. I hope that this can also revive the film industry now that the pandemic is easing up." In a separate interview Tuesday, Lamangan confirmed with ABS-CBN News that he is pitching a timely story for Santos, based on a local novel. The concept is still top secret but given Lamangan’s vision about the adventures of a mature woman, it will totally floor Santos and her Vilmanians..." - Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News, 12 Apr 2022
Emotional Baggage - "...’Sa Bisperas’ deals with more existential issues, like the end of life, or the question of an afterlife, as well as a real haunting. It is ‘Itim’ for those in the twilight of their years, like me. it has two major leads, a father and a son, a favorite theme of mine and their dysfunctional, sometimes loving relationship. I am very happy that Teroy Guzman is still with me, and Max Collins, I offered the other major role of the son to John Lloyd Cruz. He seemed interested at first but after a couple of emails, I never heard from him again. So I guess he's not. Besides, I’m not looking for stars, not anymore, even if they're good actors, which I’m told he is. But I must confess that I’ve never seen any of his films. Showbiz stars, except Vilma Santos, have a lot of emotional baggage and that is difficult to bear. Also, in case I get to inject politics into this film, actors may get flak from their network bosses. I am only focused on pure cinema. My new and perhaps last film will be a chamber supernatural drama with the best actors I can find. of course, it will be filmed in Baguio. Where else?...It (Sister Stella L) has remained unrestored but don’t get me started on that...(With “Sa Bisperas” next in line, De Leon is again on a roll.) I will keep on doing creative work, till I croak..." - Director Mike de Leon, reported by Totel V. de Jesus, ABS-CBN News, 08 Apr 2022
Malayong Narating - "Engrandeng palabas ang inihanda ng noontime show na “It’s Showtime” para sa kaarawan ng mainstay host na si Vice Ganda nitong Sabado. Hindi lamang makulay na pagtatanghal ang naging panimula ng birthday special ni Vice dahil ginulat din niya ang mga manonood nang ipakita ang pagkakaroon ng madlang pipol sa studio sa kauna-unahang pagkakataon simula nang magkaroon ng pandemya...Nagbigay din ng paghanga at pagbati ang ilan sa malalaking pangalan sa entertainment industry para sa tinaguriang “Unkabogable star.”...Nagbigay din ng mensahe ang beteranang aktres na si Vilma Santos na nakasama ng komedyante sa pelikulang “In My Life.” “Ang layo-layo na ng narating mo mula nung ‘In My Life’ days natin sa New York. You are blessed with fantastic wit and humor. Despite your successes, always keep your feet on the ground,” saad ni Santos sa video clip..." - Karl Cedrick Basco, ABS-CBN News, 02 Apr 2022
May Kabuluhan - “...Pero sa November, 60 years ko na sa show business, at plano kong i-celebrate iyan sa paggawa ng isang special. Hahanap din tayo ng mga ka-collab diyan at gusto kong gawin iyan sa Met. Hindi lang dahil sa ginamit ng show ko ang Met. Makasaysayan iyan at malaki ang bahagi niyan sa kasaysayan ng entertainment sa ating bansa. Ang feeling ko, as I celebrate, binibigyang alaala din naman natin ang kasaysayan. Iyang mga ganyang projects ang balak ko ngayon, hindi lang puro entertainment pero may kabuluhan talaga...” - Honourable Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Representative of 6th District, Lipa City Batangas Philippines, Reported by Ed de Leon, Pang-masa, 25 March 2022
Imortal Vi - "Veteran actress Susan Roces expressed gratitude Friday to the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHLPost) for honoring her with its latest commemorative stamps alongside Gloria Romero, Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and six other achievers in showbiz, sports, the arts, and other fields...Santos also told ABS-CBN News she was deeply moved by the PHLPost honor. "Isa ito sa pinaka prestihiyoso at importanteng achievement ko. I am greatly honored na malagay sa stamps, parang ginawa ka nang imortal!" The multi-awarded actress also said the honor is a morale booster at a time when she took a respite from running in the elections...The issuance of the Living Legends commemorative stamps is in line with the 75th Anniversary of the first issuance of stamps by the Republic of the Philippines. PHLPost said these represent the best in their generations and extol their lifetime values of hard work, patience, perseverance and passion." - Mario Dumaual, ABS-CBN News, 25 February 2022
YT versus TV - "...One advantage of YouTube over TV is that it makes video-sharing so easy. No piracy issues. But I do not think traditional TV will ever lose its luster. Because of COVID-19 restrictions, the programming of TV networks sometimes gets interrupted. However, I am optimistic that science will continue to help us get back to what we used to do, with less fear and better defense..." - Honourable Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Representative of 6th District, Lipa City Batangas Philippines, Reported by Dolly Anne Carvajal, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 08 January 2022
FOR COMPLETE LIST OF VILMA SANTOS 2021 NEWS LINKS, CLICK HERE