And the winner is…Vilma Santos. The U.P. College of Mass Communication announces the choice of Ms. Vilma Santos as the recipient of Gawad Plaridel 2005. Born winner ngang matatawag ang QueenStar na si Vilma Santos dahil halos lahat ng larangan ng kanyang pinasukan ay naging matagumpay,hindi nga lang siguro siya Star for All Seasons and Reasons sa punto ng pagiging aktres. Laging kinikilala sa kanyang kahusayan sa magkakaibang panahon ng pamamayagpag, making her an actress for all seasons, indeed! Like the fabled Midas Touch, Vilma Santos seemingly has that power to transform into gold, whatever her petite hands can touch. In the movies and on television, she is the undisputed Star for All Seasons.On the domestic front, she is victorious mom to Luis and Ryan Christian. Huling pinasok at sinubukan ni Ate Vi ang magulong daigdig ng pulitika. Sa kanyang huling termino bilang Ina ng Lipa City, pinatunayan niya kung gaano siya kaseryoso bilang aktres ay mas lalong pursigido na mapagbuti ang kalagayan ng kanyang kababayan at nasasakupan. Wala na ngang dapat patunayan pa si Ate Vi, tunay ngang siya’y na namumukod-tangi bilang bituin. Katangi-tangi siya bilang artista at lingkod-bayan. Sa malao’t madali, magbubunga ng maganda ang kanyang pagpupunyagi. Ipinapalagay na kundi man gobernador ng Batangas, nakatakdang tumuntong si Ate Vi sa Senado.
But all things considered, isa lang ang vision nais ni Mayor Vilma in 10 years from now, a place in Malacanang. Ang maging First Lady na hindi malayong mangyari. If ever na matupad, the Vilmanians will rejoice at sasabihing “Heaven.” And “You’re such a victorious lady.” As a star, Vilma Santos, is the last of the great movie queen. As an actress, well, she has nothing to prove anymore. Unarguably, Ate Vi has etched her mark in the local showbiz industry and maintain that status. Already being considered a pillar in the celluloid world, Vilma has claimed not only to great results of her movies, but to the critical acclaim that her movies enjoy. Even the most rabid Noranians will have to concede to Vilma’s enduring popularity and spell-binding mass appeal. Bluntly and simply stated, Vilma is the country’s reigning movie queen, Sharon Cunetas’ presence notwithstanding. Vilma Santos is undeniably the country’s uncontested Star for All Seasons and QueenStar. Without a modicum of an exaggeration, her lofty achievements in the industry still have to be duplicated nor equalled by anyone. She is definitely one of the highest paid star, darling of the press and without scintilla of a doubt, showbusiness personified. She is the quintessential image of a real movie star-beautiful and glamorous, well-mannered and a seasoned actress. It is easy to be awed by Vilma Santos. The name warrants all caps in the Philippine entertainment: charisma that goes beyond unquestioned talent. - Willie Fernandez, V Mag 2005