Higit Ngayon Ang Reponsibilites ni Vi

Ngayong masasabing kay Vi lahat nakatutok ang mga mata ng mga taong nagbabasa sa local showbiz world. At marahil gayon din ang mga nasa labas nito...ang kanyang hindi mabilang na fans at ang mga movie public. Pagka't bukod sa pagiging isang aktress, isa na ring movie producer si Vi. Nakikiramdam ang mga naturan kung mahusay niyang magampanan ang dalawang papel na ito ngayon. Bilang aktres, ang paglabas ni Vi sa Mga Rosas Sa Putikan, na isang movie production ng kanyang kompanya ay isa ring puntos ng interes para sa mga naturan. Pagka't dito'y maiiba sa dating uring role ang ginagampanan ni Vi. Magsisilbing tunay na hamon sa career niya. Dito kasi'y gagawa si Vi ng mga eksenang hindi niya ginagawa-gawa sa pelikula. Sa Mga Rosas mababatid kong maiibigan ng movie public at ng mga fans niya in particular ang gagawin niya o hindi. Kung ipagpapatuloy niya ito o hindi, kaya ang mahalagang katanungang malikha tungkol dito ay "tanggapin kaya ang pagbabago" (na marami ring nagsasabing pagpapaunlad sa kanyang career na panahon na niyang gawin( ng kanyang image?" Ang isa pang interesadong malaman ng publiko'y ang tungkol sa unang movie production niya, ang Mga Rosas Sa Putikan nga.

Hindi kaila kasi sa mga ito na maraming pumapasok sa movie making business na sa unang produksiyon pa lang ay bagsak na agad. Hindi kasi kumuwela ito. Bagama't nakakahigit mang malaki ang nagsasabing ki-click ang Mga Rosas, kahit paano'y naroon pa rin ang katanungang, "Mag-click kaya ang first movie productions nina Vi!" Ngunit ang katanungang ganito'y pangkaraniwan sa showbiz. People in and out of the showbiz world will always wonder if a movie will be a hit or not in the box office. Kaya't higit ngayong marahil ang responsibilities ni Vi hindi lang sa kanyang sarili kungdi sa kanya ring fans, the movie public, sa mga mahal niya sa buhay, sa mga kaibigan, at sa local showbiz industry. Wala nang hangarin si Vi sa pagiging aktres n'ya. She has more than proven herself in this. Ngunit, masasabing mayroon din naman. Pagka't sa pagpasok niya sa movie productions, hindi niya dapat payagang mabawasan ang ningning ng kanyang nakakasilaw na katayuan bilang isang artista. She owes this much to her countless followers. At bilang aktres ay nararapat niya ring ibuhos ang kanyang lahat sa unang produksiyon niya kung saan siya rin ang pangunahing bituin. - Cleo Cruz, Darna, No. 304, 30 Aug 1974

Cleo Cruz, Vilma Santos' publicist in the early part of her movie career, Vi normally calls her, "Mommy" or Mommy Cleo. Now retired from entertainment journalism, Cleo Cruz is reportedly now living in the United States. She referred Vi's followers in many of her columns and articles as "Luvs." - RV

Influential Women in the Philippines

The role of women in the Philippines is explained based on the context of Filipino culture, standards, and mindsets. The Philippines is described to be a nation of strong women, who directly and indirectly run the family unit, businesses, government agencies and haciendas. Although they generally define themselves in the milieu of a masculine dominated post-colonial Asian Catholic society, Filipino women live in a culture that is focused on the community, with the family as the main unit of society. It is in this framework of Philippine hierarchical structure, class differences, religious justifications, and living in a globally developing nation wherein Filipino women struggle for respect. Compared to other parts of Southeast Asia, women in Philippine society have always enjoyed a greater share of legal equality.

Filipino women and Philippine Politics - Despite the introduction of an American-based school system and the transformation of Filipino women into educated and professional members of Philippine society, their participation in Philippine politics was slow. This was primarily because engagement in politics is considered "dirty," and due to the traditional concept that holds that women cannot take positions higher than their husbands. But this idea introduced by colonization that Filipino women historically and traditionally belonged in the home, the church, or the convent, is also changing. A recent study revealed that there is a re-emergence of the empowerment of Filipino women through the political process, just as they were prior to the arrival of the ancient conquerors from Spain. Philippine women are rediscovering their strengths "even if they are not [directly engaged] in the electoral process." Filipino women had been successful in implementing policies by becoming executive staff members, advisers to politicians, and as advocates within non-governmental organizations.

Modern-day Filipinas are making strides in electoral politics by initiating more female-oriented programs. They are performing well as leaders, although generally, Filipino women still often earn political seats by having fathers and husbands who are politically connected, a "dynasty system" that hinders other Filipino women from joining the electoral process. Other factors that prevent full-engagement of other well-qualified Filipinas from the Philippine political scene are the expense in politics and the importance of the family name. Participation of Filipino women in Philippine politics was encouraged during the Beijing Declaration in 1995 at the United Nations' Fourth World Conference on Women. In February 2005, however, a United Nations review on the progress of Philippine women and their role in politics revealed that despite "an increase in the quality of female politicians, there was not enough increase in" the number of women participants in government activities. From 1992 to 2001, Filipino women had been elected as local chief executives, functioning as mayors, governors, and captains of villages. One influential factor contributing to the increasing number of female politicians, is the elevation of Corazon Aquino and Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo as Philippine women Presidents.

Contributions to Philippine Society - Promotion of a female-inclined agenda that is beneficial to the whole of Filipino society - instead of being "specifically geared toward the well-being of Filipino women" - had been the priority of female leaders. These empowered women focused on the needs of their constituents in general, including agricultural and employment issues. In particular, they created child-friendly communities that are equipped with adequate daycare facilities and nutritional provisions. They established provincial offices for women and raised funding for these projects. At the national level of Philippine society, women leaders made progressive changes which benefited Philippine women. Corazon Aquino's 1987 executive order, known as the Family Code. Aquino's Family Code "eliminated gender bias in adultery cases and introduced annulment into a country that did not permit civil divorces." Another code in 1991 suggested the creation of "sectoral representation in local councils" and the "creation of special seats" such as a representative for women and a representative for workers. However, despite of a non-implementation setback of this 1991 code, a 1992 bill was passed that allowed women to enter military academies and other male-dominated organizations. The 1992 bill also enabled Filipino women to establish credit and own land without the consent of a father or husband. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)

The Star For Many More Reasons

Last month, we discussed leading female stars’ “career arcs” with some show biz colleagues and most of us agreed that Vilma Santos has had the most interesting and instructive career to date — and her future prospects could be even more remarkable! We have other outstanding female stars who’ve won all sorts of awards, essayed a great variety of roles with distinction, and enjoyed a nationwide influence beyond their show biz context.

Major Crises – But, Vilma has done more, gone further and weathered major crises besides, so she’s in a category all her own. See if you agree: Vilma started her career as a child star, and this made her grow up in a hurry. Unlike many other child talents who stop getting offers at the onset of adolescence, Vilma kept right on working in front of the TV-movie cameras, all the way to pang-kilig teenybopper roles, her precocious love team with Edgar Mortiz, and young-adult roles. Financial reverses pulled her down momentarily, but Vilma fought back and paid her debts, eliciting the admiration of entertainment industry leaders, who were surprised and gratified to see that the “cute” star had true grit going for her, as well. Then came another challenge that threatened her career’s continuing upward trajectory: Vilma had been acting her heart out in her starrers, but she always seemed to end up second-best to Nora Aunor when it came to awards. As a result, Vilma took a hard look at her options, and decided to concentrate on relatively daring roles that Nora felt incapable of doing full justice to.

Challenging Roles – This meant that Vilma would go for challenging roles like the tragic stripper in “Burlesk Queen,” the demented lead in “Dama de Noche,” and the modern, conflicted wife in “Relasyon!” Happily, Vilma’s daring gamble worked: Viewers didn’t feel that she had “cheapened” herself. Many awards came her way, and the industry finally saw Nora and Vilma as co-equal queens, not only of the box office, but also of movie awards competitions. Later, Vilma’s thespic stock went up even further when she played an activist nun in “Sister Stella L.” Not only did the difficult role stretch Vilma’s limits, but it also made her “relevant” in terms of social issues, as “Minsa’y Isang Gamu-Gamo” had earlier done for Nora. This new sensitivity to extra-show biz concerns peaked when Vilma married rising politician, Ralph Recto. Soon, she herself ran for office, and served Lipa City well as its mayor for nine formative and affirmative years. Her constituents’ approval of her tenure invited her to dream bigger in political terms, and she ended up in a hard-fought campaign that made her the governor of Batangas province. Sure, Vilma’s focus on politics for the past decades has limited her show biz involvement, but her colleagues have supported her in her new endeavor, because she has proven that some stars can do more than entertain.

Female TV-movie Luminary – Yes, male stars like Fernando Poe Jr. and Joseph Estrada have done the same, but it’s gratifying to see that a female TV-movie luminary like Vilma can also serve the nation. To date, Vilma’s political posts have been local and provincial in nature, but her recent triumph at the polls has made some “queenmakers” dream of next pointing her toward running for a national position — as senator, or even higher! At the moment, this sounds like a fantasy, but stranger things have been known to happen in this country, where show biz and politics are — very comfortable bedfellows!

Tandem – It’s interesting to note that, some years ago, we saw the Ralph-Vilma tandem eventually contesting the top post in the land with Kiko-Sharon, Mar-Korina, or other, yet-unheralded politics-and-show biz pairings. — And now? Will it be Vilma-Ralph, instead? In any case, Vilma has been scrupulously learning her political lessons, so she could decide to take the “big step” without waiting for another decade to elapse. Adding to her confidence is the fact that, although she’s rarely seen on the big and small screen these days, she remains a popular star and her movies have continued to hit it big at the box office — evincing a popularity that she can make full use of in a national election. So, will she, or won’t she? Whatever the future holds, Vilma is our leading female TV-movie luminary to date — and the Star for All Seasons is now also the Star for Many More Reasons! - Inquirer, 08/18/2007 (READ MORE)

Purihin Ang Ngalan Mo Vilma (Repost)

Kahit ano ang sabihin ng kabilang kampo as they always claim na matindi pa rin ang kasikatan ng kanilang iniidolong aktres, aminin man o hindi, ang kainitan ng kasikatan at patuloy na pamamayagpag sa pelikula at telebisyon ni Ate Vi sa ngayon ay tumatagal na ng apat na dekada ay malinaw na katotohanan. Sabihin na nilang sikat ang fading Sufferstar, pero gaano ba kahaba ang itinakbo ng kanyang naghingalong career?

Nagsimula si Ate Vi bilang isang child star sa pelikulang Trudis Liit at the age of 9. Noong nagkamit siya ng FAMAS Best Child Actress sa naturang pelikula, marami ang nagsabing nakatagpo na naman ang Sampaguita Pictures ng isang child wonder sa kagaya ni Tessie Agana. Lalong tumingkad ang angking kagandahan ni Ate Vi noong nagdalaga na siya at nagpatuloy bilang teenage star. Taong 1969, at the age of 14, nagsimula ang bagong pahina sa buhay at career niya. At that time, sumisikat naman ang isang singing star na si Nora Aunor na naging karibal as movie queen noong dekada '70. One incontrovertible fact then is that Nora is number one at si Ate Vi ay second lang in terms of popularity. Of course, at this point, that no longer applies because the tables have been turned. Hanggang ngayon ay mabango pa rin ang career ni Ate Vi while Nora, with no major films or TV shows up her sleeve for years. Hindi matatawaran ang galing bilang aktres ni Ate Vi kayan naman iginawad ang FAMAS ang Best Actress Award sa pelikulang Dame de Noche. At nagsimulang magpakitang-gilas sa takilya on her own noong 1973 nang itampok sa Takbo, Vilma Dali at sinundan ng Hatinggabi Na Vilma na pawang big box-office hits. Mid 1973, ginawa ni Ate Vi ang Lipad, Darna Lipad which became her biggest hit then. Ginawa din niya ang Dyesabel. By that time, nagsimula na si Ate Vi na tawagin as Takilya Queen, dahil lahat nga ng mga pelikula niya ay kumita. Siya rin ang unang-unang itinanghal na Box-Office Queen at inakyat sa Hall of Fame matapos ang limang taong sunud-sunod na siya ang nagwagi bilang Box-Office Queen.

Si Ate Vi ang unang-unang naka-grandslam sa taunang pagbibigay ng Best Actress award noong 1982 sa pelikulang Relasyon. Kahit nga naiakyat na siya sa HALL of FAME bilang Best Actress sa FAMAS, siya din ang unang aktres na nagtamo ng kanilang Circle of Excellence. Si Ate Vi rin ang kauna-unahang aktres na napagsabay ang popularidad sa pelikula at telebisyon. Kumita ang lahat ng kanyang pelikula at sa telebisyon, walang nakapagpataob sa rating's game ng "VILMA". Kaya nga siya ang tinaguriang Star for All Seasons and Reasons. Hindi kasi lumilipas ang kanyang panahon. Sa ganang popularidad, o kakayahang maging box-office attraction ay hindi pa rin mapapataob si Ate Vi hanggang ngayon. Kailanman ay hindi nanganib sa takilya ang kanyang mga pelikula.

In terms of definition, ang titulong taglay ni Ate Vi ay nangangahulugang na namumukod-tangi, pangunahin at walang kamatayan. Siya ang pinaka super ehemplo ng isang glamorous star. Anupanga't patuloy na nagsasabog ng kanyang halimuyak at kasikatan ang Vilma Santos sa langit-langitan ng Pelikulang Pilipino at maituturing na the longest-reigning movie-queen sa bansa. 42 years na siya sa lokal na aliwan and her career still continues to go strong. No one but no one has duplicated Vilma's achievement. Sa kaso ni Ate Vi, kung tutuusin ay hindi niya kailangan ang anumang klase ng titulo. Hindi kakulangan ang walang nakakabit na title sa kanyang pangalan simula pa noong nahirang siyang natatanging batang aktres sa pamosong pelikulang Trudis Liit.

Purihin at Sambahin, ang Ngalan Mo, Vilma! Isa kang huwaran!Marapat lang na ipagkaloob sa 'yo ang most coveted National Artist Award at Ramon Magsaysay Award. Akala ba ninyo natitigil si Ate Vi sa kanyang winning streak? Hindi, huh. - Willie Fernandez, V Magazine, 2005 Global Vilmanians

Excerpt from "Leche: A Novel"

Brown vs Fair - "...Alone once again in waiting shed, littered with fliers for the upcoming election like "V is for Victory, so vote for Vi." As in Vilma Santos, known for her dramatic roles, mestiza complexion, and TV commercials endorsing Eskinol skin-care products. Vince will deny it now, but he was once a Vilmanian, meaning he was part of the multitude of hopelessly devoted diehard true-blue-'til-death-do-us-part fans who didn't live a single day without thanking the Lord for bringing into their rich or wretched existence Vilma santos. Aka Star for All Seasons. Expect to see a horde of Vilmanians camping outside theaters days before her movie premieres. To buy or the entire issue wherever she graces the cover of a magazine. To make her records go platinum in a week. To go on pilgrimages to Manila and stand outside the gate of her home on her birthday. To hold a novena when she's up for an acting award. And to pore over their scrapbooks whenever they come down with Vilma-itis. Vince had such a scrapbook. Scribbled on its front comver, in his first-grade penmanship, was: Ate Vi & Me. In it were articles and pictures that he cut out from magazines with the precision of surgeon and pasted onto the pages. A piece of memorabilia that, because there was no room in his suitcase and box, his grandfather had asked him to leave behind, along with his collection of komiks, books, and Charlie Chaplin movie posters. He agreed, thinking he would return soon.

While, Vince, like half the country, was a bona fide Vilmanian; the other half were Noranian, like Jing and Alvin. As in Nora Aunor, Vilma's showbiz rival for the past two decades, though the two superstars claim to be very good friends ("We're as close as wall-to-wall carpeting." - Vilma). Whereas Vilma is mestiza, which means she can enter through the front door of Pinoywood without getting stopped or mistaken for a maid, Nora, on the other hand, is petite, olive-skinned, barely speaks English, prefers to converse in Tagalog, and is likely to be mistaken for a nanny or a squatter. As a young girl in the province of Camarines Sur, Nora helped her poor parents by peddling water in train stations. Her impoverished existence came to an abrupt end when she entered the country's amateur singing contest. She sang a Barbra Streisand chart-topper, "People," and from then on, Nora (who also goes by "Ate Guy") became one of the luckiest Filipeoples in the world. Except Nora wasn't just lucky; she was talented. Her eyes could evoke a thousand and one emotions - she could tear your heart with one look - and her singing voice catapulted her to overnight stardom, breaking rules and records in Pinoywood, where whiteness was - and still is - used to judge one's beauty and talent and determine the number of digits in contracts. Like Vilma, she too broke box-office records, in movies such as Atsay and Bona, where she usually played an underdog, the maid, the poor girl, the maide, the provincial, the maid, the pariah, the maid, the lesbian, the maid.

Gazing at the flier of his former idol Vilma, Vince listens to the voice of his childhood and remembers the endless Nora-Vilma catfight with his siblings. "So? Ate Vi dances better than Ate Guy," Vince said, response to Alvin's, "At least Ate Guy's boyfriend isn't fat." "So what? Ate Vi is Darna," Vince retorted. It was Vilma as Darna who made Vince believe that heroes on the screen were as real as the lights that made them. In the open-air cinema of San Vicente, underneath the stars and seated right beside his grandfather, Vince watched his childhood idol bring her komikbook heroine to life. When she wasn't championing good over evil, Darna was Narda, a provincial lass who got her superhuman powers from a while stone that fell out of the sky. Inscribed on the stone was "Darna," which she yelled out whenever she needed to fight her enemies, like the snake-coiffed Valentina, who turned people into stone. Vince read about them in the komiks and watched the film adaptations in the open-air cinema, as well as on TV. He'd even feigned illness in school ("Ma'am, I think I have tapeworms!") just so he could go home and watch Isputnik Versus Darna on Sine Sa Siete (Movies on Channel Seven). And today, here she is, Vince's childhood screen idol, running for a mayoral seat in the province of Lipa, Batangas, where, in the sixties, the Virgin Mary had appeared through a rain of roses. "Nora can't dance to save her left foot, but she sings like an angel," Jing told Vince. "But Vilma can't sing for shit." It was true. Vilma couldn't tell the difference between sharps and flats, do from fa, mi from la, like ninety-nice percent of the movie stars in Pinoywood who insists on staging concerts in big arenas and releasing one album after another, relying on their tone-deaf fans to turn them gold or platinum. Alvin describe Vilma's singing most accurately, "She sounds like Astrud Gilberto on morphine...." - R. Zamora Linmark, Excerpt from the novel, "Leche" (READ MORE)

Other Books:

• Vilma: Virgin and Vamp, Here's the score, Volume 2, Teodoro C. Benigno
• Huwaran/hulmahan Atbp: The Film Writings of Johven Velasco, Joel David
• One hundred acclaimed Tagalog movies by Mel Tobias
• The Urian anthology, 1970-1979
• Monstress: Stories by Lysley Tenorio
• Asian Film Journeys: Selection from Cinemaya by Latika Padgaonkar, Rashmi Doraiswamy
• Revisiting the Marcos Regime: Dictatorship, the Media and the Cultural Politics of Development

Movie Queen and Vilmanians Magazines

Star-worship - "...The komiks of the 1970s reflected the general view of the Filipinos to Philippine movie stars. The late 1960s decade saw the emergence of the star-studio system-wherein movie stars were groomed to become studio assets. The drive to publicize the groomed stars (like Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos, Tirso Cruz III, and Edgar Mortiz) made sure that even komiks-magazines carried their photos and gossip stories. Some publishers even came up with komiks-magazines that bordered on the star-worship, with titles like Superstar Nora Aunor Movie Entertainment Magazine, Movie Queen Vilma Santos Showbiz Magazine and Topstar PIP Movie Entertainment Magazine. These komiks (and other similar titles) turned the komiks pages mostly into photo albums of stars and gossip columns, which may have attracted a following from young fans, but alienated the more mature komiks readers. The young fans, of course, were mostly high school and university students who were spending a large portion of their allowance collecting these fan komiks-magazines. In general, parents became concerned about this and forbade the reading of komiks, contributing to the general view that komiks had no educational value...." - Antonio S. Velasquez, komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Movie Queen Vilma Santos Showbiz Magazine - "...is an entertainment komiks magazine published by Gold Star Publishing Corporation. First released in 1970 with Mar F. Cornes as Editor, this magazine contained showbiz news, articles, moviestars pin-ups, movie ads and illustrated short stories of different genres. Its title was named after Vilma Santos, a motion picture star who was then very popular. When Martial rule was imposed in 1972, its title was changed into ”Movie Queen Showbiz Magazine...." - Antonio S. Velasquez, komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Die Hard Vilmanians Magazine - "...is an entertainment comics magazine published by ACR Publications. Its maiden issue came out in 1971 with Angel C. Reyes as Managing Editor and Phil. Ver. Posadas as Editor. The title of the magazine was named after Vilma Santos’ die hard fans or followers..." - Antonio S. Velasquez, komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Paper Doll - "...Written by Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz, Illustrated by Rudy Nebres, Kislap Magasin, 1974-1975..." - Antonio S. Velasquez, komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Pablo S. Gomez and Vilma Santos

Golden Age - "...Pablo is the last of the great komiks-writers from the Golden Age of Philippine Komiks, an era when komiks writing reached its pinnacle because of Gomez' and his contemporaries (Clodualdo del Mundo, Francisco Coching, Mars Ravelo, and Tony Velasquez)writings. Gomez' more famous komiks-nobelas were Kurdapya, Eva Fonda, Pitong Gatang, MN, Kamay ni Hilda, Recuerdo, Susanang Daldal, Taong Buwaya, Batang Bangkusay, Pagbabalik ng Lawin, and of course, Kampanerang Kuba. "I was writing for as long as I can remember it", he smiles. "Komiks writing comes naturally for me, its just like a normal thing to do everyday, just like eating" In 1963, when Ace Publications closed down due to labor strike, Gomez started his own publications company, the PSG Publications. It published such titles as United Komiks, Continental Komiks, Universal Komiks, Kidlat Komiks, and Planet Komiks. His publications company started the careers of many great komiks artists and writers like Alex Nino and Carlo J. Caparas, to name a few. For a time, PSG became the biggest rival of GASI, until Pablo was forced to close the company due to the slump in the komiks business because of Martial Law. Yet, he never stopped writing. He has hundreds of stories and scripts still unpublished to this day, all of them he kept stored in his steel file cabinet, or on top of his table, or under his oval bed (which was a gift by his friend Ms. Susan Roces). Up to now, Pablo never gets tired of writing, and everytime I visit him in his home, I usually find him in front of his vintage typewriter creating new stories and plots for the younger generation of komiks readers. One can only wonder at the sheer force of his imagination and the vastness of his knowledge. Indeed, like his craft, Pablo is ageless, and like his greatest works, he is immortal..." - Dennis Villegas, PilipinoKomiks, 07 December 2005 (READ MORE)

Proofreader - "...Gomez started as a radio announcer over DZRH in 1946. Later, he became a stage impressario, touring the entire archipelago. In 1949, he entered an utterly new and altered world: the world of letters. The publication of a prose story started him off, “Ang Baliw sa Libingang Luma”, followed later by a komiks short story, “Putol na Kamay”. The reading public then had interesting glimpses of superb examples of the craft of Pablo S. Gomez. Nevertheless, these were not stories that catapulted him to prominence. But these were enough to land him a job with the Ace Publications as proofreader. After a year, he moved on to become editor of Hiwaga Komiks, at the same time writing for Pilipino Komiks, Tagalog Klasiks and Espesyal Komiks. “Apat na Taga”, his first komiks novel, was such an instant hit that Sampaguita Pictures turned it into a movie. Mars Ravelo was the leading innovator of the era that everyone – including Gomez himself – was haunted by the former’s success. “MN”, “Recuerdo”, “Kurdapya” and “Susanang Daldal” were all calculated to give Ravelo a run for his money..." - Komiklopedia The Philippine Komiks Encyclopedia (READ MORE)

Action Writer - "...Gomez also headed PSG Publishing House, which published titles like United Komiks, Universal Komiks, Kidlat Komiks, Continental Komiks, and Planet Komiks in the 1960s and ‘70s. He was also screenwriter for a number of films starring the late King of Philippine Cinema, Fernando Poe Jr., including Eseng ng Tondo, Probinsyano, Kahit Konting Pagtingin, Sta. Quiteria, Kalibre 45 and Mahal San Ka Nanggaling Kagabi? “I became an action writer for FPJ,” Gomez wrote back in 2004, in an article which appeared in the Film Academy of the Philippines website. “I wrote more than a hundred movies for him.” Gomez was also known for helming the ABS-CBN fantasy television series Wansapanataym and Kampanerang Kuba. In one of his last interviews, Gomez pointed out the irony that komiks were “enjoying a revival on television, the same medium that killed it.” These include some of his own works, such as Petrang Kabayo which is currently on its third movie version, and Juanita Banana which ABS-CBN is producing as a TV show. ABS-CBN is also set to bring Gomez’s Mutya to TV later in 2011..." - Fidelis Angela Tan, The POC, 03 January 2011 (READ MORE)

Best Friend - "...Ever since she started acting and appearing in movies made by Sampaguita Studios, Susan Roces hasn't changed her style since this was stipulated in the contract she signed that she maintain her pageboy hairstyle. Suan and I became the best of friends and eventhough she got married to FPJ, we still have kept in touch and have been friends ever since. When Susan and ronnie got married, she gave all her personal belongings to me. She gave me her round bed, cabinert, dresser and other things. Many of Susan's friends were offering to buy these from her while others were asking for them, but she chose to give all of them to me. "I know that you are my friend and you always take good care of the things I give to you, " Susan told me. Every year when I celebrate my birthday, Susan would visit my home, look in my room and see if the things she gave me years ago are still there. I told her "I will never have them replaced, the things you gave me." She replied that she was thankful that she didn't go wrong in choosing me to take care of her treasured possessions." Susan also loves to eat food and she would join us whenever we would invite her to go out to Muntinlupa, attend a stage show or partake of the delicious food offered to us at a fiesta. Both of us would take the jeepney whenever we would go shopping at Divisoria and people there would not even recognize her. Once you become Susan's friend, she never forget you because for her, a friend is always a friend. She is always there when you need her help and she never forgets to greet you a happy birthday during your special day. Whe you get sick or hospitalized because of an accident, Susan is always the first by your side, ready to give you help when you need something..." - Pablo S. Gomez, Philippine Free Press, 03 January 2004 (READ MORE)

Pablo S. Gomez and Vilma Santos

• Mga Batang Bangketa (1970) - Directed by Armando De Guzman and from the original story and screenplay of Pablo S. Gomez, Mga Batang Bangketa was one of the early films of teen stars Vilma Santos and Edgar Mortiz.
• Ding Dong (1970) - Tirso Cruz III played the title role while Vi was his leading lady. The film was directed by Mar S. Torres from the original story and screenplay of Pablo S. Gomez.
• Kamay na Gumagapang (1974) - Directed by Tony Cayado and Mauro Bautista adapted screenplay from Pablo S. Gomez original story. Kamay na Gumagapang was first serialized in Pilipino Komiks, a Filipino local comic-magazine. The film featured Vilma Santos with 70s' singing star, Romeo Miranda as her leaing man.
• Kampanerang na Kuba (1974) - From the original comic story of Pablo S. Gomez, Kampanerang Kuba was similar to Hunchback of Notre Damme but the gender. The film was directed by Nilo Saez who also credited as one of the scriptwriter who adapted the comic material of Gomez. The other one was Jose Flores Sibal. Vi was in the title role opposite Edgar Mortiz. Celia Rodriguez and Dindo Fernando played supporting roles.
• Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin (1987) - Pablo S. Gomez' original novel titled "Paano Ba Sasabihing Paalam Na" was adapted by Jose Javier Reyes and Jake Cocadiz and directed by Emmanuel H. Borlaza. The film featured Vilma Santos and Amalia Fuentez.
• Ikaw ang mahal ko (1996) - Fernando Poe Jr. and Vilma Santos last film together before his untimely demise in 2004. Gomez wrote the script.

Pablo S. Gomez is one of the top komiks writers in the Philippines. He is also a movie scriptwriter and director. His most popular works include Kurdapya, Petrang Kabayo, among others. Born in Sampaloc, Manila on 25 January 1931, he is the son of Olimpio Gomez and Pacita Salonga. He studied at Legarda Elementary School, Jose Abad Santos High School, National Teachers' College and Ateneo de Manila University...It was in the 50th FAMAS Awards in 2001 that he was given the Dr. Jose Perez Memorial Award for Journalism. On 26 December 2010, Gomez died due to cardiac and pulmonary arrest. He was 79 years old. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Related Reading:

• Komiks veteran Pablo S. Gomez dies
• FAMAS: Pablo S. Gomez
• Pablo S. Gomez: A Filipino comics legend
• Komiks Master Pablo S. Gomez Dies!
• Pablo S. Gomez, January 25, 1931-December 26, 2010
• Vilma in Horror Films
• An Interview with Pablo S. Gomez
• Death of a legend
• Luna Awards Sidelights
• Ang Kampanerang Kuba
• Ang Kampanerang Kuba
(Video)

Gusto Ko Munang Huminto sa Pag-aartista!

Walang duda na sa mga youngstars natin ay si Vilma Santos ang pinakaabala. Sabi nga sa lenguwahe ng pelikula ay kaliwa't kanan ang kanyang ginagawa. Sa kasalukuyan ay magkasabay niyang ginagawa ang mga pelikulang King Khayam And I ng Tagalog Ilang-Ilang Production at Basta't Isipin Mong Mahal Kita ng FGORSJ Productions. Sa una ay katambal niya si Mayor Joseph Estrada, ito ang kauna-unahang nilang pagtatambal. At sa pangalawa ay katambal naman niya ang kauna-unahang Grandmaster sa chess sa Pilipinas at sa buong Asya na si Eugene Torre. Bukod sa mga pelikulang ito ay may nakatakda pa siyang gawin sa ibang produksiyon. Sabi nga ni Mommy Santos, ang masipag at mabait na ina ni Vilma: "Si Vi ay naka-book na hanggang Marso ng susunod na taon." Si Vilma ay tao lamang. May katawan, puso at damdamin. At ang katawan ng tao ay tulad din naman ng makina na kailangan ang pahinga. Pahinga? Nangangahulugan ito ng pansamantalang paghinto ni Vilma sa pelikula. Nang minsang makausap namin si Vi sa kanilang magandang tahanan sa Bel-Air, Makati, Rizal ay nabanggit niya ang hangad na kailangan niyang pahinga. "Gusto ko munang huminto sa paggawa ng pelikula," nakangiti niyang wika.

"Bakit? Mag-aasawa ka na ba?" tanong ng sumusulat nito. "Naku, hindi!" Bigla ang kanyang sagot at medyo namilog ang kanyang magagandang mata. "Gusto ko lang magpahinga." mabilis na dugtong ni Vi. "Kasi tingnan ninyo naman. Halos araw-araw na lang e trabaho. Kung wala ako sa set ng pelikula ay nasa set naman ako ng telebisyon. Nagti-taping. Kung wala namang taping e nasa radyo. At kung wala namang radyo eh balik uli sa pelikula." Huminto saglit si Vi. Hinugot ang isang napakalalim na buntong hininga sa mayaman niyang dibdib. "Pero kahit na medyo pagod ako e enjoy naman ako sa aking gawain." nakangiting wika ni Vi. Ang pahinga ay nasa isip na rin ng kanyang Mommy. At ito ay nasabi na niyang minsan sa amin. Ayon kay Mommy Santos, pagkatapos ni Vi ng kanyang mga gawain ay magbabakasyon "kami sa Hongkong. At kung may panahon pa eh baka magtuloy na kami sa Europe." "Pero bago ako magbakasyon e kailangan tapusin ko muna ang aking mga obligasyon dito. Lalo na ang aking pelikula nang sa ganoon e may maiwanan akong pansamantala sa aking mga fans. Alam mo na. Mahal ko yata ang aking mga fans." Nakangiti si Vi habang sinasabi niya ito. Kaya pagkatapos ng King Khayam And I at Basta't Isipin Mong Mahal Kita ay malamang na umalis si Vilma at ang kanyang Mommy upang magbakasyon sa Hongkong at Europa. - Nonoy T. Sofranes, Love Story Illustrated Weekly Magazine, No. 162, 01 Nov 1973

OPM Jukebox Hits - Original Artists

Songs - Artists

• 01 Rain - Boy Mondragon
• 02 Bakit Ako Mahihiya - Didith Reyes
• 03 Mr. Lonely - Victor Woods
• 04 My Pledge of Love - Edgar Mortiz
• 05 Sixteen - Vilma Santos
• 06 Mardy - Eddie Peregrina
• 07 Forbidden - Norma Ledesma
• 08 I Am A Soldier - Lew Soratorio
• 09 You Don't Own Me - Jeanne Young
• 10 Dearest One - Lord Soriano
• 11 Mother Of Mine - Florence Aguilar
• 12 Faithful Love (Instrumental) - Cezar Manalili on Guitar
• 13 Baleleng - Max Surban
• 14 I'm Sorry - Neddie Decena
• 15 Love Me Now And Forever - Romeo Miranda
• 16 Pangako - Flippers
• 17 Kawawang , Cowboy - Fred Panopio
• 18 Butsekik - Yoyoy Villame (Amazon)

Ang Pinakamahirap na Pelikula ni Vilma!

Sa paggawa ng pelikula, kung maringgan man ng pagdaing si Vilma Santos ay bihirang-bihira. Nangyayari lang ito kung ipagpalagay nating siya'y may dinaramdam, hapong-hapo at talagang hindi na makaya ng katawang humarap sa kamera kahit ibigin niya. Gayon man, kung nagkataong napakahalaga ng eksena at kinakailangang gawin niya, kahit anong sama ng pakiramdam niya'y humaharap siya sa kamera. At sa pagtungo niya sa set o location, lagi siyang nasa oras. Kung maatraso ma'y saglit lang. Ganyan ka-professional si Vilma Santos. Ngunit sa Lipad, Darna, Lipad ay dumaraing siya. Hindi sa hindi siya enjoy gawin ito. Ang tutoo'y sa pelikulang ito lang siya na-involved. Ibig na niyang matapos na ito't makita ang pinagpaguran niya. Talaga palang mahirap gumawa ng costume picture. Lalo pa't kung tulad nito! Una, ang naging suliranin namin ay ang Darna Costume ko. Kasi, kinakailangang maging maliksi ang kilos ko bilang Darna, kaya kailangang alisin na ang padding. Kaso nga, lilitaw naman ang malaking bahagi ng aking katawan. Mabuti na lang at sumang-ayon ang aking fans.

"Pangalawa, nag-aalala ako sa mga eksenang bakbakan namin nina Gloria Romero, Celia Rodriguez, Liza Lorena. Kasi, baka masaktan ko sila nang di sinasadya. "Ang pangatlo ay ang likas na pagkatakot ko...sa mga ahas. Kasi, may bahagi roong tungkol sa Babaing Ahas, si Valentina. Dito, laging kinakailangan ang ahas sa mga eksena. Mga sari-saring ahas. Maliliit at malalaki. At makamandag! "Ang pinakamahirap sa lahat ay ang pagsu-shooting. Kailangan naming tapusin ito anuman ang mangyari. Kaya nasasagap ko ang lamig ng gabi at init ng araw. At ang suot ko nga'y labas ang malaking bahagi ng katawa! At alam n'yo namang kailan lang ay na-ospital ako dahil sa respiratory defects! Ito ang mga daing ni Vilma Santos sa pinakamahirap niyang pelikula, ang Lipad, Darna, Lipad. Ngunit mahihinuha naman ninyo na ang pagdaing niya'y parang palalambing lang. Dinaraan pa nga niyang lahat sa biro. Pagka't ang tutoo, mahal na mahal niya ang pelikulang ito. Dahil ito nga ang pinaka-mahirap. At sa isang artista, kung alin ang pinakamahirap ay siya namang pinakamasarap! - Cleo Cruz, Love Story Illustrated Weekly Magazine, No. 78, 23 Mar 1973

Cleo Cruz, Vilma Santos' publicist in the early part of her movie career, Vi normally calls her, "Mommy" or Mommy Cleo. Now retired from entertainment journalism, Cleo Cruz is reportedly now living in the United States. She referred Vi's followers in many of her columns and articles as "Luvs." - RV

Remembering Chichay

The “Queen” - "...This movie was in tribute of the staff and crew behind the movies produced by Sampaguita Pictures. They were played by Dolphy, Panchito, Chichay and other actors and actresses of the said film outfit. The title was about a popularity contest in the studio where some of the said staff and crew were the candidates. Here, the King of Comedy played a janitor named “Julio Antukin” who became involved in most of the hilarious situations in the movie studio premises like throwing the pin of the grenade instead of the grenade, when he replaced a bit player, at the site where a movie director, played by Ading Fernando, was standing giving instructions about a scene. Another one was when he was assigned in the sound room where his clumsiness in the operation of its equipment caused the switching of the male and the female voices of its contract stars, played by Jose Mari Gonzales and Liberty Ilagan, in a musical number scene. In the end, he redeemed himself, when he was able to help the studio from being robbed by a gang of criminals which made him the “King” while Chichay was the “Queen”. Vilma Santos appeared in this movie as Dolphy’s younger kid sister..." - Melcore’s CinePlex Blog (READ MORE)

Pamosong Komedyante - “…Samantala sa entablado naman ng mga eskuwelahan at sa mga syudad, ipinalabas din ang dulang New Yorker in Tondo, isang komedya tungkol sa isang balikbayan na mas Amerikano pa kaysa Amerikano pero kayumanggi naman. Nauso rin sa radyo ang komedya tulad ng Sebya Mahal Kita na pinalabasan nina Sylvia Guerrero at Eddie San Jose. Ang iba pang pamosong mga komedyante ay sina Oscar Obligacion, Chichay at Aruray atbp…Sa larangan ng pelikula, si Ai-Ai pa rin ang bida sa mga komedya, na marahil ay namana ang kanyang pagiging komedyante sa mga “greats” tulad ni Chichay at Aruray na sumikat noong mga 50′s at hanggang 60′s. Bandang 70′s o 80′s ginawang katatawanan ang isang artista na sobra ang dunong daw…” - Wilhelmina S. Orozco (READ MORE)

Patsy vs Chichay - "...Her best episode in Wanted: Boarders in the old ABS-CBN Channel 4 was when Chichay guested in the show. Chichay had a daughter, singer Geraldine, and Patsy could never pronounce the girl's name correctly (she kept saying Gungadine). From the start, there was already animosity between Patsy and Chichay. It turned out that Chichay was the ex-girlfriend of Patsy's husband, Pugo, and it was a riot in the show. That episode was a landmark on Philippine TV because there supposedly was a feud between Chichay and Patsy off-screen. Nobody ever knew if this was true or just a joke between them and no one knew the exact reason why they were feuding in the first place. The public waited for the answer when Patsy was featured as guest in the Joy Virata-Robert Jaworski talk show Celebrity in 1978 on Channel 4 (then already a government studio). Unfortunately, when Ms. Virata asked that question, Patsy evaded it by merely answering: "It's a military secret." The year after, Patsy died and buried along with her mortal remains was the mystery about her supposed feud with Chichay. But at the funeral, there was only one celebrity who went, Chichay...." - Butch Francisco, The greatest comedians of all time (Third of a series), Philstar, Aug 19 2006 (READ MORE)

Toothless Miss - "...During her absence, something "that I couldn't figure out till now" occurred. When she returned, a new Chichay was born: the toothless Miss. By conservative estimate, Chichay has to date 120 photoplays to her credit, the most decisive and memorable of which is Buhay Pilipino, a movie she made with Pancho Magalona and Tita Duran in 1951 because it gave birth to the masungit and tsismosa aunt-image that Chichay is now well-known for. She has a CAT Award (for Best TV Actress of 1967) to attest to her acting ability. Chichay the person is a far cry from Chichay the jester. whenever she is free from commitments (which is very seldom), she stays at home and reads her favorite fun magazines: 1001 Jokes, Mad and Taurus. She is fond of cats. She has not seen any movie for the past five years, even her own films. Her favorite comedienne is Lucille Ball. Fifty years old last January 21, Chichay professes she has a deep-seated devotion to show business: "I want to laugh away the rest of my life..." - Ricardo F. Lo, Sunday Times Variety, April 27 1969 (READ MORE)

Chichay (born Amparo R. Custodio; January 21, 1918 – May 31, 1993) was a Filipino comedienne. Her short and stocky stature, scratchy voice and prematurely aged appearance allowed her to portray grandmothers while only in her thirties. She was born in Tondo, Manila, the daughter of a ship steward, Jose Pacifico Custodio and Maria Robles of Bulacan. In 1945, she married Hercules Saenz Moya of Iloilo. She entered showbusiness as a teen, joining the "Samahang Antonieta" as a singer with her sister Iluminada. She also appeared as a chorus line dancer at the bodabil shows of Katy de la Cruz. Soon a regular at the bodabil circuit, she received her stage name "Chichay" from Atang de la Rama. The name was a corruption of the Japanese word "Chiisai", meaning "short", in reference to Chichay's own short height and she got famous for her toothless appearance but in reality she still got 2 molars left...Chichay remained a contract star with Sampaguita Pictures for almost two decades. After her stint with Sampaguita, she remained in demand as a character actress, often in comic roles. In 1972, she was nominated for a FAMAS Best Supporting Actress award for her role in Bilanguang Puso. She was active in film until her death in 1993. Among her last roles was as Lola Basyang in the 1986 Regal Films fantasy movie, Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Chichay and Vilma Santos

• 1980 - Yakapin Mo 'ko, Lalaking Matapang - Chichay played the grandmother to Vilma Santos, Lito Lapid is Vi's leading man.
• 1974 - Happy Days Are Here Again - A collection of film segments of the big three - LVN Films, Premiere Productions and Sampaguita Pictures, Chichay was in Fred Montilla's segment playing the titular role, "Bondying" while Vilma Santos, now a teen idol, was in the musical segments with her fellow teenstars, Edgar Mortiz, Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III.
• 1963 - King and Queen for a Day - Still a childactor, Vilma Santos played supporting to lead stars, Dolphy and Chichay.

Related Reading:

• The greatest comedians of all time
• Dolphy. Chiquito at iba pang Komedyante ng Pilipinas-huwag mo akong patawanin Part 2
• Nood Po Tayo, part 10 (Philippine Movie Comediennes 1 of 2)
• Small wonder Ryzza dreams big
• Remembering departed stars
• Mr Kasintahan (Video)
• Biyenang Hindi Tumatawa (Video)
• Senyorito at ang Atsay (1962) (Video)

Golden Ging (Videos and Music)

Released Date: 20 January 1964

Basic Information: Directed: Cirio H. Santiago, Teodorico C. Santos; Story: Mars Ravelo; Screenplay: Teodorico C. Santos; Cast: Vilma Santos, Jose Padilla Jr., Olivia Cenizal, Carol Varga, Ramon D’Salva, Aruray, Etang Discher, Georgie Quizon, Ponga, Jose Garcia, Paquito Salcedo, Eva Montes, Marvin Molina, Pol Todd; Executive producer: Adela Santiago; Cinematography: Lito Padrino; Film Editing: Demetrio De Santos; Production Design: Bert Amazar; Theme Songs: “Ulila” composed by Levi Celerio, performed by Vilma Santos

Plot Description: Ging is a poignant story of a poor gifted girl, trying to make both ends meet by singing and dancing in crowded streets and cafeterias. - Komiklopedia (READ MORE)

Special Film: Ging (1964)

“...Ging (1964) was directed by Cirio Santiago and Teodorico Santos. Although it was made in the old-fashioned way of making films (the flashback scenes in particular), the material used here is timeless – especially since there are more street children in our midst now more than ever. As far as the showbiz scene is concerned, there are still a lot of heartless impresarios today exploiting young talents in the business. But what really made “Ging” a delight to watch was the performance of the very young Vilma Santos. Even at the early age, it was clear that she was already brimming with talent. Vilma, apparently, was born into this world to perform, entertain and make people happy. She was utterly convincing in the dramatic scenes and thoroughly graceful in her musical numbers. Listang-lista – as we’d say in the vernacular. Even then, she was already living up to her showbiz title of “Star for All Seasons” because her performance in “Ging” is not only brilliant, but timeless as well..." - Butch Francisco, People’s Journal 04 March 1999 (READ MORE)

Source: gobitz69

FAIR USE NOTICE (NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE): This site contains copyrighted materials the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to preserve the film legacies of actress, Vilma Santos, and to make her career information available to future generations. We believe this is NOT an infringement of any such copyrighted materials as in accordance to the the fair dealing clauses of both the Canadian and U.S. Copyright legislation, both of which allows users to engage in certain activities relating to research, private study, criticism, review, or news reporting. We are making an exerted effort to mention the source of the material, along with the name of the author, performer, maker, or broadcaster for the dealing to be fair, again in accordance with the allowable clauses. - Wikipedia (READ MORE)

Araw-araw, Alive ang Bahay nina Vi

Naku, Mommy! Totoong nakakapagod! Pero happy naman ako. Iyan ang sabi ni Vi nang minsang magcomment ako tungkol sa sitwasyon nila ngayon ni sa bahay na nilipatan sa Bel Air, Makati. Buhat nang malipat kasi sila roon, araw-araw ay lagi silang may bisita. Parang laging may party roon, bagama't wala ng usual trappings ng isang party. Its just that the house never seems to sleep. Ano't nagkagayon ngayon kina Vi? -Well, baka sabi nila'y free to accept visitors na ako, -biro ni Vi. Biro lang sa ganang kay Vi. But many are saying that, that is the reason nga. Wala na silang inaalala ngayon. Light-hearted na silang nakakapasyal doon. Ang mga bumibisita ngayon kay Vi ay mga kaibigan nito. Ilan na'y sina Manny de Leon, Zaldy Zshornack, Ike Lozada, Divina Valencia, Annabelle Rama at marami pang colleagues niya sa showbiz. Siyempre, may ilan ding chess ang pakay. Tulad ni Jojit Paredes at ni Les McCoy. Ang dalawang ito'y higit na malimit ang pagdalaw kay Vi. Ang Americano, basta't may pagkakataon, kahit sa Clark Field siya magmumula, ay hindi sagabal at dadalaw kay Vi. Marami na ring movie press people na dumalaw kay Vi. And boy! Always fun sila basta't naruon. Nagi-stay in pa. Nagsu-swimming, nakikupagkuwntuhan, etc. And they are always weelcomed.

Tulad nang nasabi ni Vi, happy naman siya't pinapasyalan siya ng kayang friends. Kahit pagod sa trabaho, very accomodating siya. Love ko ang mga tao. Lalo na't mga kaibigan ko. Anumang pagod ko'y nawawala kung makapiling ko sila. Of course, hula rin nami'y ang ibang nagpapasyal doon, bukod sa pagdalaw kay Vi, ay para magusyoso rin ang bahay na nilipatan nito. Ang always, hanga sila sa bahay. Ganda kasi, malaki pa. At mababait ang mga taong nakatira roon. Very hospitable. Ganyang talaga ang Santos family saan man sila mapadako. But kung alive man lagi ang Santos household doon, hindi naman madalas. Happy vibrations lang ang mapupuna. Laging bright ang atmosphere. Lalo na't kung naroon sina Vi at Mama Santos. Natutuwa naman ako't nakikita kong masaya ngayon si Vi. Di mo ba napapansing lagi siyang lively ngayon? Parang wala nang problema. Madalas ko ngang tinutukan ng: Aba, kumare! Nagagalak nga ako't nasisiyahan sila sa pagdalaw sa amin. At sa ganang akin, they always welcome here. Mga kaibigan namin sila. Yep, luvs! Halos araw-araw nga'y may bisita sina Vi sa Bel Air. Kasi, it is a happy place. It is not a house, it is a home. - Cleo Cruz, Bulaklak, No. 164, 21 Aug 1974

Cleo Cruz, Vilma Santos' publicist in the early part of her movie career, Vi normally calls her, "Mommy" or Mommy Cleo. Now retired from entertainment journalism, Cleo Cruz is reportedly now living in the United States. She referred Vi's followers in many of her columns and articles as "Luvs." - RV

Vilma Santos: The Big Girl With a Big Heart!

She was not to thrive on controversies. 'Yan si Vilma Santos. Dala ito marahil ng kanyang napakaagang pagkakapasok sa paga-artista. Gayon pa man she has not been spared with some. Near-clashes with issues affecting her standing in the field of entertainment ay dumarating din sa kanya. Sa paminsan-minsang pagkanti sa kanyang enviable na katayuan bilang artista, unconclusive para sabihin nating she does it with tact...sa dahilang di na niya kailangan. She does not have to crade issues for reasons na wala naman siyang dapat ipaliwanang sa ibang mga puna sa kanya. Having maintained her "sweet image" personality sa kanyang mga followers and foes alike, isang napakalaking achievement ito para sa isang artistang naging katungali sa larangan ng popularidad ang isang kinikilalang very formidable showbiz supergirl. Much too busy before the camera, tutoong napakahirap magkaroon ng pagkakataong makapanayam siya within ultimate gusto. But we have always been broadminded about such perchance happenings. Kahit na between "breaks," ni hindi namin siya ginambala. Knowing fully well the gruelling eksena na katatapos lang niyang harapin, its but fair na kinakailangan niya ang magpahinga, though momentarily.

However we came upon a beautiful idea kahit na di namin siya masyadong nakakuwentuhan. Her showbiz life was an open book. Di kailangan ang manaliksik. Appraisal was well at hand, Gayunman, we sidetracked to dwell on mere heresays. Facts ang maing pinagbabasihan, mostly emanating from people close to her al gayon din sa mga taong naging asiwa sa kanyang pagiging that popular. It is an accepted tenet na kapag ang isang tao ay naging successful sa kanyang hanapbuhay, the natural trend ay ang pagiging usual target ng mga puna...nakasisira ang otherwise. In her little more than a decade of involvement with showbiz, isang bagay ang naging very obvious sa kanya. Ang vigorous growth niya sa pagiging artista didn't flourish through controversy. However, she has had near-clashes with some. To mention some of those 'drop-in-the-bucket' napag-uusapan, napagtapunan namin ng pansin ang kanyang closeness sa kanyang reel and real ka-loveteam na si Edgar Mortiz. Ang dalawa raw are more than just mag-ka-loveteam. That they have been married daw in some off-Philippine shore. Ang nasabing rumor however died a natural death. On its own, din na kailangan pang ikaila ito by either Vi or Bot kung totoo which it is not.

They look it as just one of those laughing matters among showbiz people. Now the talk has taken its own course, to oblivion. Action speaks louder than words, at naipakita nina Vilma na with a slight dash of denial, they have proved themselves capable of being burdened with the untruth. Time justified it for them. At kamakailan lamang ay nagkaroon ng issue ang kanyang pagsusuot ng very "unsweet" attire sa kanyang latest vehicle na "Lipad, Darna, Lipad." Nagkaroon ng divided concern ang iba't ibang panig na nakapaligid kay Vilma. Dapat daw ba niyang tanggapin itong role na ito? Ang if so, kailangan daw ba niyang magsuot ng tights o hindi? Trifling matter possibly, but definitely, ikinabahala ng marami. However, this issue has been resolved upon. Sinusulat namin ito'y nasa finishing touches na ang "Lipad..." Realism has been injected sa kapasiyahan na rin Vilma. She didn't wear tights nor body-fits. Naging acceptable na rin sa kanyang mga fans ang inaakala nilang taamang desisyon ng kanilang idol. Vilma on the other hand is one girl na di man lang namin nakitang unsmiling. She had a ready smile for everyone. Winsome in everyway, very enjoyable to talk with ang young actress na ito.

Recently, nagkaroon siya ng kaunting problems with a certain press release. However it has been threshed out even before it has magnified itself into harmful proportions. Nuong huli namin siyang nakaharap sa shooting ng "Lipad..." sa mismong El Dorado Subdivision sa Antipolo, kapuna-puna ang kasipagan ni Vilma. And she can take risks too. Immeasurable ang kanyang industry at dedikasyon sa kanyang propesyon. Di niya alintana ang pagod. Sa kabila ng matinding pagod sa panayang shooting, she finds time to smilingly greet her many well-wishers who flocks daily to the set. We wonder not. Kung naipaparis man si Vilma kay Susan Roces sa ngayon. Vilma can well be placed as having started her career at an earlieer age while Susan had started hers at a blooming age. However, the comparison ends there. Susan had maintained her sweet stature as Vilma had up to now. Vilma definitely has a long, long way to travel sa kanyang career. Marami pang trivalities ang kanyang harapin. At kailangang maging handa siya. Knowing Vi, we are sure she can pass at with flying colors. For one Vilma never has panicked sa harap ng mga problema. Hindi niya kailanman maging ugali na takasan ang ano mang problema. She faces them squarely. - Tito Nards, Kislap, No. 273, 22 Mar 1973

Tito Nards is a Filipino movie reporter, writer, columnist who were part of Vilma Santos' circle of movie supporter in the early part of her film career. Although he was not identified fully with Vilma Santos, he regularly reports about the latest Vilma Santos news. His weekly colum and articles, mostly written in Tagalog were published by Mars Ravelo magazine, an illustrated comics-magazine. - RV</>

Money and Vilma Santos

Have you ever stop to wonder kung paanong ginagasta ni Vilma Santos ang "limpak-limpak" na salaping kinikita niya? Marami ang nagsasabi na 'talagang masuerte ang batang yang si Vi. Kahit na ano ang hilingin niya ay kayang bilhin...Sunod-sunod ang pelikula na halos P100,000 per picture ang bayad sa kanya...hindi naman mahilig sa night clubbing! Kayang kayang magbuhay reina n'yan!" Kung iisipin nga ang inaakalang kitang ito ni Vilma, ay madaling isipin ang ganito. Kumikita, hinahangaan, pinupupog ng fans, at minamahal ng maraming kabinataan, pambihira na nga ang suerteng pamoso ngayon kay Vi. Puede na ngang magbuhay reina, ngunit sabi ng kanyang family, "Vi is a professional sa kanyang gawain, ngunit isa lamang siyang karaniwang tao sa loob ng tahanan. Kapatid lamang naman siya. Marahil kung tatratuhin namin siyang parang reina, ay siya ang ma-iiwas sa amin at siya pa ang maiirita!" Sa mga pakikipanayam noon kay Vilma ay napatunayan ang ganitong attitude niya. The only time na mistulang reina ang trato kay Vi ay tuwing matutulog ito. Lahat sila ay sinisikap na huwag siyang magambala sapagkat batid nilang pagod na pagod siya at mahalagang mahalaga na siya ay makapagpahinga nang husto.

Batid nilang napakademanding ng career ni Vi, na walang oras na iginigalang basta't kailangang tapusin ang pelikula, at si Vilma, kalimitan na kahit na may sakit ay sinisikap na tapusin ang sariling commitment. Sa sandaling mabatid na ready na siya o gising na, mistulang central park ang silid niya sapagkat doon nakikilumpon ang mga kapatid na kung tulog siya ay sa silid naman ng mga parents nila naglilipon. Hindi na yata mauubusan ng balitaan, tanungan, at biruang magkakapatid, at si Edgar Mortiz na tumutungo rin doon kapaga batid na gising na si Vi o nakikibantay kapag tulog ito. That's right, Vilma Santos is just big sister to Maritess, 14, Winnie, 11 and Sonny, 8 and plain younger sister to Emmelyn, Vi's older sister. At ganito rin siya sa gastusan. Si Vi, tulad ng mga kapatid ay ang allowance lamang niya ang ginagasta. Binibigyan siya ng P200 a week ng ina, ng kalimitan ay binabahagi pa rin sa mga kapatid tulad nang magtopnotcher si Maritess sa klase. Binigyan niya ito ng P20.00 bilang premyo. Dito ay kinukuha pa rin niya ang pambile nang ilang damit at di dahil sa pinagdadamutan ina kundi Vi does not ask. Pinaghuhusto ang kanyang allowance. Magrebelde kaya si Vi sa ganitong pasunod ng mga magulong, gayong mapagmamalaki naman niyang siya ang kumikita na rin tulad ng father at mother?

Minsan ay tuwang tuwa na ikinuwento ni G. Amado Santos na father ni Vi, napakasuwerte raw nilang mag-asawa. Imagine raw ng minsan ay masayang masaya na umuwi si Vi kasama ng ina, buhat sa pamimili. "Ay nadaya ko si Mama! Siya ang nagbayad ng blouse na ito. Ang sweet sweet po naman ng mama ko!" at walang higit na pinupopog ng halik ang ina. Nangiti lamang...silang mag-asawa sa pagsasalimuot ay sana manatiling gayong kabait ang anak nila. Kung tutuusin ay sa kinikita ni Vi ay kahit ano kaya niyang bilhin, ngunit higit siyang maligaya na mapabilang sa mga mahal na kapatid. Tutungo roon at siyang bumubili. Batid nilang dahil sa pelikula kailangang ni Vi ng pambihirang mga damit at kagamitan. Lahat nang ito ay ipinauubaya ni Vi sa ina. Parang siyang-siya siya that there is somebody else to take care of things for her, someone who had known her all her life. And because she respects her mother's business accumen, Vi and Mrs Santos used to sit up nights, making plans and later on making it up with the rest of the members of the family. Hanggang sa mga sandaling ito, hindi pa nagre-resign o nagre-retire si Mr. Santos sa kanyang gawain sa isang booking office. Sa kanyang pakiwari, itinuturing pa hanggang ngayon ni Vi na isang privilege na ang mapabilang sa kanyang mga kapatid at mapamahal sa mga ito.

Isa na ring kaligayahan niyang isipin na siya ay pinagagastusan ng kanyang parents. Lahat ng kinikita ni Vi ay pino-program ng kanyang mga parents. Namimili sila ng lupa, noong nagsisimula siya (mga 9 na taon gulang) namili na rin ng bahay at ang balak pa rin pumasok sa isang negosyo na malaki ang maitutulong sa suliranin ng tourism sa bansa, ang pagpapatayo ng gusaling puedeng makatawag sa housing problems sa ngayon. At sa mga Santoses, mula pa kay Vi...na siyang nagpasiya nito...may kabuhayan silang lahat, may bahagi sa kanilang pinagsikapan, sapagkat sila ang family who lives and loves together...lahat ay galak sa kasiyahan sa mga tagumpay ni Vi sapagkat itinuturing nilang kanilang tagumpay rin tio at si Vi naman ay walang atubili ng pagtanggap ng kanilang mga tulong at kalinga. Vi knows what money can do for their family but it has not yet occured to her what it can do for her only! Vi has never been placed in a position na inisip niyang siya ang workhorse...because she now makes the decisions. The whole household is made to revolve around her and the demands of her profession, without losing sight at the idea that she is a member of a whole and not the whole thing. Father and mother are the principal personalities in the vortex and Vi is just another daughter, able to make full use of her profession. And this is what makes life beautiful for Vi, being fullfilled as a professional and yet remaining a daughter of a family, "belonging" to someone, that "sense of belonging" providing her the security so essential to people in her profession. - TSS Magazine, No. 169, 08 Feb 1974

Mga "Kakuwanan" ni Vil sa Bahay

Dalagang-dalaga na si Vi. Dyan. Maging sa kilos ay hindi na sugar n spice in everythin' nice. Deliciously adult na. Ngunit, seems na hindi niya completely ma-shake-off ang teenage kakuwanan niya. Kahit anong pilit niya, they always come back. Kaya't sa kanila, madalas ay napapakamot na lang ng ulo ang mga kasambahay niya. For instance, kung minsa'y magigising si Vi ng ala-5 ng umaga (What an unholy hour!). Ang gagawin pupunta sa kusina at maghahanap na kung ano ang puwede niyang lutuin. (Yup, luvs, yes read right.) O kundin man magluluto, basta't mag-iimbento siya ng putahe. Tulad ng minsan, Mommy, kabukas-bukas ko ng refrigerator, I saw mga naging mansanas, papaya, avocado. Sabi ko kay Marie (Balbacui) na ilabas lahat. Maya-maya, hiniwa-hiwa na namin ang fruits. 'Tapos pinakuha ko ang mayonaise, leche condensada. Siya. Pinaghalo-halo ko na! Then ibinalik ko sa refrigerator. After one hour, sabi ko'y tamang-tama nang kainin. Tinikman ko, aba'y may nalasa ba naman akong mapait-pait. Alam mo bang ano iyon? 'Yun pala, hindi natalupan ang avocado! Patay! Speaking of the refrigerator, kahit na si Vi ang nagbukas nito, pagdating niya mula sa trabaho, bago siya matulog at basta nasa bahay siya every now and then ay ginagawa niya ito. Wala namang purpose. Basta't sisilip lang sa loob!

At si Vi basta't kumakain lalo na kung naka-kamay, panay ang back sa mga daliri niya. Para bang ang lahat ng kinakai'y licking' good. At sa pagdila niya sa mga daliri, laging kalingkingan ang inuuna. It is always that way. At si Vi, basta't ganado sa kinakain, kausapin mo nang kausapin, no pansin ka. Para bang ang concentration niya'y nasa pagkaing lahat. Lalo na't kung butong pagkuwan. Nakakaubos siya nito ng isang supot. Kulay suka na ang labi, arya pa rin ng kukot ng butong pakuwan. Let's say naman na mula 10 piyem hanggang alas-3 ng umaga'y nakatulog na si Vi. Babangon iyan, magso-shorts at skipper at lalabas ng bahay, maglalakad na sa paligid-ligid ng kanilang bahay. After one hour, uwi siya uli, suot uli ng pajama at bagsak uli sa kama. Maya-maya, tulog na. Parang walang anumang ginawa. May gabi pa si Vi na laging inaabangan ng mga kasama sa bahay na gawin niya. At kung hindi gawin nito, dissapointed sila. Iyon bang bago umalis, lahat ng salamin ay daraanan at sisilip doon. Hindi para manalamin lang. Basta't naging habit na niya iyon. Oh yes, luvs. Palagay nating sinumpong si Vi na magluto (o mag-concot ng anumang makakain...niya), at magma-manjong o magbibinggo o anuman ang ilang kasambahay niya, ipatatanong kung gusto ng mga itong matikman ang kanyang lulutuin. At pag hindi pinansin ang pagtatanong niya ay siya...pag nakaluto na siya at saka the group voice their desire na sampolin ang niluto ni Vi...sorry na lang. Hindi na sila patitikman. Iirapan pa niya ang grupo. Dalaga na nga si Vi. Ngunit, hindi pa rin niya maiwawaksi ang ilang teenage kakuwanan niya. Maybe, that's why she looks as young as always. - Cleo Cruz, Bulaklak, No. 164, 21 Aug 1974

Cleo Cruz, Vilma Santos' publicist in the early part of her movie career, Vi normally calls her, "Mommy" or Mommy Cleo. Now retired from entertainment journalism, Cleo Cruz is reportedly now living in the United States. She referred Vi's followers in many of her columns and articles as "Luvs." - RV