Existential ProbleM of A Kerida - "...Panauhing pandangal si Lee sa talkback session ng 100 SINE. FILM. PELIKULA. The 100+ Greatest Movies of Philippine Cinema, ang collection of film reviews na co-authored nina Jo-Ann Q. Maglipon at Joel David. Ginanap ang event sa National Book Festival sa SM Megamall noong March 15, 2026...On Relasyon...Buhay pa rin sa alaala ni Lee kung paano nila binuo ni Bernal ang pelikulang Relasyon na pinagbidahan nina Vilma Santos at Christopher de Leon. Umpisa pa lang ay sinabi na raw ng Regal Films matriarch na si Mother Lily Monteverde na si Vilma ang bida. In the case of Relasyon, pumunta ako sa bahay niya [Bernal]. Pag-upo namin, kwinento niya agad, ‘May kaibigan akong namatayan ng kanyang lover, so hindi siya makapunta sa wake. So nagdri-dream siya sa kanyang bahay sa retrato nung guy. After sinabi niya sa akin yun, we went into a discussion on that–the legal problems of a kerida, the emotional problem, the financial problem, the existential problem of a kerida, the Discussion na siya ng intellectual level. First draft pa lang daw ng script ng Relasyon ay nag-shoot na si Bernal. “And then, nire-revise niya on the set. So pinatulong niya si Raquel Villavicencio while shooting kasi wala ako sa set. Bibigyan ni Bernal ng instructions ang lead stars na sina Vilma at Christopher bago ang eksena. And then, sinasabihan niya si Vilma at si Boyet, halimbawa, in a scene, ‘Kung paano kayong mag-away sa mga respective niyong asawa…’ Pini-pick up niya doon sa dalawa yung mga magagamit niyang lines sa shooting. Bilang side note, naalala ni Lee ang behind-the-scene moment habang kinukunan ang eksenang inatake ng aneurysm ang karakter ni Christopher. Ang siste, tatawagan ni Vilma ang ina sa telepono para itanong kung ano ang dapat niyang gawin. Tiyempo na sa gitna ng eksena ay may kinausap sa telepono si Bernal nang hindi hinihinto ang shooting. Hindi niya alam may kausap sa phone si Bernal. E, uma-acting siya, di siya puwedeng magulat. So tuloy-tuloy siya. Nagda-drama si Vilma. Sa isip niya, ‘Ang tagal mag-cut ni Bernal.’ Di niya alam kung ano ang gagawin..." - Writer Ricky Lee, National Artist, Reported by Rachelle Siazon, PEP, 10 April 2026
Respect - “...We have been talking about women empowerment—you should treat women with respect. Ang sinasabi nila babae lang naka sunod lang sa lalaki—not anymore. We truly respect men, but remember marami kami kaya gawin. Hindi ka babae lang—babae kami. Do not underestimate us, do not say bad words against us, kahit papano—aalma kami. Bago ka magsalita ng hindi maganda, tingnan mo sarili mo.” - Hon. Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, Governor of the Province of Batangas, Philippines, reported by Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News, 16 March 2026
Quiet Strength - "...What makes their union remarkable is not its perfection, but its resilience. Through political seasons, showbiz pressures and personal challenges, Vilma and Ralph have chosen consistency over spectacle and partnership over ego. Their story is one of quiet strength — a reminder that true power lies not in titles or applause, but in a marriage that continues to endure, inspire and grow with grace..." - Jefferson Fernando, Daily Tribune, 15 Feb 2026
The Essence is Clear - "...One of the biggest box-office hits of 1978 was Magkaribal. In the film, Vilma Santos and Alma Moreno were rivals for the affection of Christopher de Leon. During filming, Vilma and Alma indeed became rivals — not for De Leon’s affection, but for star magnitude. Vima Santos-Recto. Batangas vlogger asked her reaction to bashers criticizing her, her husband — Executive Secretary Ralph Recto — and their son, Ryan Christian. After the content was uploaded, some mean soul re-edited the interview to make her look pompous. In my recent communication with Vilma, she did not deny issuing the controversial statement. Her fault? A “wrong choice of words,” which she readily admitted. Lyka Manalo, the Batangas vlogger who originally uploaded the interview in full, later posted on Facebook a complete transcription of Vilma’s chat with local media. It is tedious reading, having been transcribed from video, but the essence is clear: Vilma was referring to her family’s bashers — not the rest of humanity — in that conversation with the Batangas press. Vilma will surely get over this hump in time. Still, one can only imagine the kind of Christmas she endured during what is supposed to be a season of joy..." - Butch Francisco, Daily Tribune, 09 Jan 2026
