Vilmanians sent us the latest copy of their official organ, “The Vilma Santos Newsletter,” a special one entitled “The Nostalgia-Retro Issue, From Sweet 16 to the Golden Years.” This is a must that all Ate Vi fans should have. Published once every two months, the editor is Marcus Peter Lee and the staffers are Eric Nadurata, Mar Garces, Franco Gabriel, Charles Gomez, Allan Trambulo, with Eddie Lozano and Fr. Juancho Gutierrez as contributing writers. It traces Ate Vi’s life and career from the 60′s to the present, complete with photos from her past houses and movies. There are rarely seen posters of films like “Ging,” “Edgar Loves Vilma”, “Vilma Veinte Nueve,” “Lipad Darna Lipad,” “Pakawalan Mo Ako,” “Rubia Servios,” “Batya’t Palo-Palo” (with FPJ), “Burlesk Queen,” “Sinasamba Kita,” and many more. Fans can also obtain all sorts of trivia and information about their idol. We’re amazed at all the details about Ate Vi’s career that her fans have gathered through the years, including quotes from our review of her past movies we ourselves don’t remember anymore. In their next issue, they promise to feature Ate Vi’s winning the Plaridel Award in U.P. There are several Internet e-groups and sites about Ate Vi. The first was “Vilma Santos Star for All Seasons” Yahoo group on July 26, 2000, followed by the VSR e-groups on March 26, 2004, then the Vision e-group founded by Allan Trambulo in April of 2004, and the VSFanClubCanada that is the youngest among them. For the most comprehensive website dedicated to her, visit Eric Nadurata’s www.vilmasantos.net that contains her biography, filmography, latest news about her and other tidbits.
Written by Mario Bautista, People’s Journal, July 11, 2005
Salamat kay Marcus Peter Lee (aka Rendt) na nagpadala ng kopya sa amin ng Vilma Santos newsletter na galing pa sa Canada. Nagulat nga kami dahil sa isyung ‘yon ng newsletter, nostalgia ang konsepto nito. Take note na kumpleto sila ng posters ng lumang movies ni Vilma Santos tulad ng Ging, Edgar Loves Vilma, Lipad, Darna, Lipad, Pakawalan Mo Ako, Rubia Servios, Magkaribal, Sister Stella L, Vilma Veinte Nueve, Batya’t Palu-Palo, Nakakahiya, Palimos ng Pag-ibig, Sinasamba Kita at Burlesk Queen. Maging ang lumang photos ni Ate Vi na malusog pa ang mga pisngi, makikita sa newsletter. Lalo na ‘yung fans day nito sa bahay sa Magallanes. Trip down memory lane talaga ito and worth keeping! Maging ang sinulat na review ni Butch Francisco sa Ging na ipinalabas sa Channel 9, naitago ng followers niya! To think na lumabas ‘yon nu’ng March 4, 1999 sa People’s Journal. Truly, very commending ang ginawang ito ng mga followers ni Ate Vi lalo na ang editorial staff ng babasahin. At this point, aba, mahirap nang makuha ang mga kopya ng mga bagay na ‘yon na may kinalaman kay Vilma Santos. Salamat, salamat, salamat! O, ‘yung next isyu, huwag kaming kalimutang padalhan, huh!
Sinulat ni June Nardo Abante, July 10, 2005
