Maybe The Philippines’ Best Film Actress of All Time 3/3

Conclusion

By The Numbers – Vilma Santos VS Nora Aunor

Here’s the ranking of the top 15 Greatest Filipino Actresses Ever (S Mag, 2006 Survey):
1. Nora Aunor – 85 votes
2. Vilma Santos – 82 votes
3. Lolita Rodriguez – 57 votes
4. Charito Solis – 52 votes
5. Hilda Koronel – 50 votes
6. Gloria Romero – 45 votes
7. Nida Blanca – 40 votes
8. Jaclyn Jose – 40 votes
9. Gina Alajar – 40 votes
10. Sharon Cuneta – 37 votes
11. Maricel Soriano – 32 votes
12. Lorna Tolentino – 30 votes
13. Amy Austria – 25 votes
14. Rita Gomez – 23 votes
15. Cherry Pie Picache – 20 votes

Film Awards and Citations – Nora Aunor

Local and International Film Festivals:
Cairo International Film Festival – 1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story
East Asia Film and Television Award – 1997 – Bakit May Kahapon Pa?
Brussels Festival of Independent Films – 2004 – Naglalayag
1978 Metro Manila Film Festival – Atsay (Best Performer)
1979 Metro Manila Film Festival – Ina Ka Ng Anak Mo
1982 Metro Manila Film Festival – Himala
1984 Metro Manila Film Festival – Bulaklak sa City Jail
1990 Metro Manila Film Festival – Andrea, Paano ang Maging Isang Ina
1991 Metro Manila Film Festival – Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.
1992 Metro Manila Film Festival – Gawad ng Natatanging Pagkilala
1995 Metro Manila Film Festival – Muling Umawit ang Puso
2004 Manila Film Festival – Naglalayag
1972 Quezon City Film Festival – And God Smiled at Me
1975 Bacolod Film Festival(?) – Banaue (Grand Buglas Award)
1976 Davao City Film Festival – Ibilanggo Si Neneng Magtanggol

Gawad Urian:
1976 – Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos
1980 – Bona
1989 – Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit
1991 – Best Actress of the Decade (1980s)
1990 – Andrea, Paano ang Maging Isang Ina
1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story
1996 – Bakit May Kahapon Pa
2001 – Best Actress of the Decade (1990s)

FAMAS:
1976 – Tatlong Taong Walang Diyos
1979 – Ina Ka ng Anak Mo
1984 – Bulaklak sa City Jail
1989 – Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit
1990 – Andrea, Paano ang Maging Isang Ina
1991 – Hall of Fame Award
1996 – Circle of Excellence Award

Star:
1984 – ’Merika
1990 – Andrea, Paano ang Maging Isang Ina
1991 – Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.
1994 – Star of the Decade (1980s)
1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story
2004 – Best Actress of the Decade (1990s)

FAP - Luna:
1989 – Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit
1990 – Andrea, Paano ang Maging Isang Ina
1991 – Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.
1993 – Lifetime Achievement Award
1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story

CMMA:
1981 – Bakit Bughaw ang Langit
1984 – Bulaklak sa City Jail

Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle:
1990 – Andrea, Paano Ba Maging Isang Ina
1991 – Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.
1993 – Inay
1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story

Pasado:
2004 – Naglalayag

Gawad Tanglaw:
2004 – Naglalayag

Kritika:
1991 – Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.

Balatca:
2004 – Naglalayag

Ateneo Galian:
1991 – Ang Totoong Buhay Ni Pacita M.

PPC - People’s Choice:
1995 – The Flor Contemplacion Story
1997 – Babae

Film Awards and Citations – Vilma Santos

Local and International Film Festival – Internationals:
1999 – Brussels International Film Festival – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
1999 – Asia Pacific Film Festival (Bangkok, Thailand) Special Jury Award for Women’s Awareness – “Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?”
2002 – CineManila International Film Festival – Dekada ‘70
2002 – Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award Centennial Feminist
1977 Metro Manila Film Festival – Burlesk Queen
1981 Metro Manila Film Festival – Karma
1989 Metro Manila Film Festival – Imortal
2004 Metro Manila Film Festival – Mano Po 3: My Love
1981 Cebu City Film Festival – for Karma
1975 Bacolod City Film Festival – Nakakahiya?
1993 Manila Film Festival – Dolzura Cortez Story

Gawad Urian:
1982 – Relasyon
1983 – Broken Marriage
1984 – Sister Stella L.
1989 – Pahiram ng Isang Umaga
1990 – Best Actress of the Decade (Body of Works in the 80s)
1991 – Ipagpatawad Mo
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
2000 – Best Actress of the Decade (Body of Works in the 90s)
2002 – Dekada ‘70

FAMAS:
1963 – Trudis Liit (Child Actress)
1972 – Dama de Noche
1981 – Pakawalan Mo Ako
1982 – Relasyon
1987 – Tagos ng Dugo
1988 – Ibulong Mo sa Diyos
1989 – FAMAS Hall of Fame
1992 – Circle of Excellence Award – Sinungaling Mong Puso
1993 – Circle of Excellence – Dolzura Cortez Story
1998 – FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award

Star:
1989 – Pahiram ng Isang Umaga
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
1999 – Star Special Citation for winning at the Brussels Int’l Film Festival
2000 – Anak
2002 – Dekada ‘70
2004 – Mano Po 3: My Love
2004 – PMPC Star Dekada Award (Body of Works)

FAP - Luna:
1982 – Relasyon
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story
1997 – FAP Lifetime Achievement Award
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
2002 – Dekada ‘70

Movie Magazine:
1987 – Tagos ng Dugo
1989 – Pahiram ng Isang Umaga
1991 – Ipagpatawad Mo
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story

CMMA:
1982 – Relasyon
1987 – Tagos ng Dugo

San Beda:
1968 – Kasalanan Kaya? (Supporting Role)

Let’s Talk Movies:
1982 – Relasyon (Body of works)

Cinemascoop:
1987 – Tagos ng Dugo

Channel 2 Viewers Choice:
1989 – Imortal

Intrigue Magazine Reader’s Choice:
1991 – Ipagpatawad Mo
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story

Fame Magazine Reader’s Choice:
1992 – Sinungaling Mong Puso
1993 – Dolzura Cortez Story

Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle:
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
2002 – Dekada ‘70

Pasado:
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?
2000 – Anak
2002 – Dekada ‘70

Siasi:
1998 – Bata, Bata…Paano ka Ginawa?

Gawad Tanglaw:
2002 – Dekada ‘70
2004 – Mano Po 3: My Love

Cinema One’s RAVE:
2002 – Dekada ’70

Critic’s Choice:
2002 – Best Performer – Dekada ‘70

People’s Choice:
2002 – Best Performer for Dekada ‘70

Gawad Suri:
2004 – Mano Po 3: My Love
2005 – Exemplary Film Practitioner and Public Servant

Diwata:
2006 UP Lifetime Achievement Award

Gawad Plaridel:
2005 for Outstanding Media Practitioner for Film

Conclusion: Is there really anything that Vilma Santos cannot do, except sing (yet she has gold records and a hot-selling CD of her greatest hits), and to act on stage (too busy to say commit to oh so many tempting offers)? Fifty-three year old Vilma Santos’ outstanding record of achievements and awards in her dual career as actress and politician can easily land her in Guinness’ Book of Records. No other Philippine celebrity, male or female, dead or alive, can ever match this petite actress cum mayor’s formidable stature as the Philippines’ most awarded actress and politician. A high school graduate, a non-singer and only five feet tall, and an inexperienced mayor in her first of three successful terms, she practically is a David among the Goliaths such as Nora Aunor, FPJ (SLN), President GMA, Regine Velasquez, Sharon Cuneta, among others. As an actress, she played second fiddle to the CCP Centennial honoree and three-time International Best Actress Nora Aunor, an Urian favorite who would easily beat her in acting jousts via her signature soulful eye acting. On TV, her then struggling VIP show would avoid competing with Nora’s Superstar to avoid being murdered in the ratings war, the barometer for popularity and advertisers’ nods. It is a different story though in the box-office arena where Vilma was crowned the champion many times over. In the late 70’s, just when people thought she was down and out with her so-so acting and TV careers and losing to her rival in awards nights (remember the 1978 MMFF best performer award?), her messy love life, and her in the red movie company VS Films, Vilma Santos, by some divine intervention, regrouped, took a breather and a crash course in counseling 101 with the industry experts. After soul-searching, making peace with God, listening to the advice of trusted friends, talent inventory, doing research/self- study, experimenting with movie roles and choosing her projects wisely (i.e. astute career management according to Nestor Torre), the New Vilma Santos was born. The rest is now history.

Thanks to her Talent, Tenacity and Professionalism, and her many rivals’ complacency and misjudgments in life, Vilma Santos ’streaked’ past them, not easily though but through sheer True Grit. She earned her wings. When the dust settles, Vilma Santos: Is probably the Philippines’ Best Film Actress. She is also the most awarded actress ever, 70 trophies in all and counting, the latest feat being her Best Single Performance Award from PMPC Star TV awards for her committed, focused, insightful and versatile performance (again, Nestor Torre’s remarks, not mine) in MMK’s Regalo. Her astounding range, equally at home in drama and comedy, earned her the most prestigious awards in the business: U.P. Gawad Plaridel, U.P. Diwata Award, a record 8 Urian best actress trophies, 6 from Star awards, two International Best Actress trophies, National Artist Award nominee, and the People’s Choice Awards (a record 14 movie fan-based magazine best actress awards), proofs that Vilma is both the critics and the paying moviegoers’ choice. Is one of the two highest paid actresses and top commercial product endorsers in the Philippines, along with best friend and soon costar in a Star Cinema project, MegaStar Sharon Cuneta, who, along with millions of Pinoys, including the Youth, look up to Ate Vi as a Positive and Inspiring Role Model. Is the Movie, TV and Stage Producers’ Choice based on published articles from various tabloids/journals. She has to turn down juicy offers due to her commitments as Lipa city Mayor.

Is the most awarded TV personality in the Musical-variety show genre, having won awards for Vilma!, from PMPC Star, CMMA, Dove Awards, among others. (Source: vilmasantos websites) Is the Philippines’ most successful and awarded Mayor ever, with such honors as Honoris Causa, PhD in Humanities, Outstanding Mayor, Unlad Pilipinas Award, Mga Munting Ngiti Award, among others,and even put Lipa city in the world map for winning Internationally for Mga Munting Ngiti project.(source: vilmasantos websites) Is the Longest Reigning Movie and Box-office Queen based on published/website data. Is a winner in the domestic front for helping her children Luis and Ryan excel in what they do, a real bonanza of priceless rewards for balancing parenthood and career, an almost impossible task which Vilma, Mother, accomplished, with aplomb, a Herculean task indeed, serving as Inspiration to all working mothers around the world. A consummate actress, an impassioned and hardworking mayor, a devoted wife and a dutiful mother, and a loyal and sincere friend to her fan base, Vilma Santos is indeed the Woman for All Seasons and Reasons.

What’s next for her? It’s all up to her. It is really between her and her Creator. We, her fans can only wish her the best, and respect and support her decision all the way, whatever that might be, whether it is politics or showbiz. As Mario Bautista sums up her many accomplishments: Incomparable. After all, either way, Vilma Santos is a Winner. The best is yet to come! - Mar Garces, Maybe The Philippines’ Best Film Actress of All Time, Special Issue Magazine, 2006