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Inner Vilmanians - "...After three consecutive terms as provincial governor, the Star for All Seasons successfully mounted her Congressional bid and bagged the seat during the May 9 elections. Her transfer to Batasan Complex got many other lawmakers show their inner Vilmanians as they asked for selfies with the popular actress..." - Politikos Luzon, 25 December 2016
Advocating for the LGBTQ Filipinos - “...The Philippines should not condone an environment where the LGBT community is treated with contempt and violence by their fellow citizens while authorities empowered to protect them look the other way or, too often, even join in the abuses...” - Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Reported by Charissa M. Luci, 22 December 2016, Manila Bulletin
Fan-tastic Raymund - "...Fan ako ni Sharon, fan ako ni Vilma, fan ako ni Juday. When I first met Sharon, she already knew I was a photographer so I asked her to sign a cassette tape, she asked me, why? Sabi ko kasi fan po ako. Same with Vilma Santos, I asked her to sign one of her movie posters, she asked me how I got it. Sabi ko, kasi fan po talaga ako. I shoot these people because I really love them...” - Raymund Isaac, Reported by Yummie Dingding and Edwin P. Sallan, InterAksyon, 17 December 2016
35 and Gorgeous - “...Hindi ko alam kung saan mag-uumpisa pero ang FAMAS po ay isa sa pinagkakautangan ko po ng loob, kung bakit hanggang ngayon, nandirito pa rin ako sa industriya, after so many years. Again, it’s really hard to be 35 and gorgeous pero sa totoo lang po, nu’ng una akong mag-umpisa sa industriya, I was 9-years old at Trudis Liit, under Sampaguita Pictures at ang unang-unang best child actress award ko po, ang FAMAS po ang nagbigay sa akin. At nauna rin po akong nanalo ng best actress sa FAMAS, if I remember it right, Dama de Noche (1973), directed by Emmanuel Borlaza at ka-tie ko po noon si Tita Boots Anson Roa. And who would think, after so many years, nabigyan din ako ng Hall of Fame and after that, they gave me, Circle of Excellence kaya po napakalaki ng utang na loob ko sa FAMAS at ngayon po ay binibigyan din ako ng pagkilala bilang presidential awardee. Sa totoo lang po, aminin man natin o hindi, ang FAMAS po ay isa nang institusyon. Ang FAMAS po, everytime na may artista, bata pa ako hanggang ngayon kapag nagpupunta ako sa mga probinsya, kapag ikaw ay pinuri-puri na isang magaling na artista, ang sasabihin nila, pang-FAMAS ‘yan so ‘yung recognition o pagkilala na ibinigay n’yo sa akin, napakahalaga ho nito para sa akin. Ito ay pagpapaalaala sa akin na sa napakaraming taon, hanggang ngayon, ay nandirito pa rin ako sa industriyang ito, ang industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino. Kahit ako ngayon ay nagsisilbi na rin sa ibang industriya, now that I am a public servant, hindi ho matatanggal sa puso ko ang pagiging artista..." - Batangas Representative Vilma Santos-Recto, Reported by Jojo Gabinete, Abante, 06 November 2016
Happiest and Saddest - "Christmas is always about the family. My happiest was the first time I celebrated the holidays as a mother, after I gave birth to my son, Luis [Manzano] in 1981. The saddest Christmas was after my father (Amado) passed away over two decades ago. My dad died on Nov. 6, just three days after my birthday (Nov. 3). This year, I’ll make sure to spend the holidays with my loved ones, of course!" - Vilma Santos, Reported by Bayani San Diego Jr., Philippine Daily Inquirer, 24 November 2016
Human and Woman - “...Just don’t forget that she’s still human, at isang babae...Lahat naman tayo gusto nating marinig at malaman kung ano ang totoo. Pero sa proseso, let’s still consider our subjects to be humans like us and yes sa kaso nga ni Sen. de Lima, babae pa rin siya who needs respect..." - Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Reported by Ambet Nabus, Bandera, 29 November 2016
Nag-a-assist, Kaya Nakaka-shoot - “...Kami kasi ni Vilma, when we do scenes together, bigayan talaga. Para kaming winning bastketball. May nag-a-assist kaya nakaka-shoot. That is how we work. Sa Relasyon, sa kanya talaga ‘yung death scene. I gave that to her. Pero ang paborito kong eksena du’n, ‘yun improve scene namin. Yung ayaw niya akong paalisin, kasi nga, we learned that her character was pregnant. Gustong-gusto ko si Vi du’n, ang galing niya du’n. To this day, I cannot forget the expression on her face sa eksenang ‘yun...Naku, hirap na hirap ako sa movie na ‘yun. Kasi nga that time, kahihiwalay lang namin ni Nora, tapos malapit kami ni Vilma. So, ‘yun ang first layer of tension. Tapos, nasa movie rin si Sandy Andolong. She just came from her studies in New York that time at crush na crush ko siya...Sabi ko nga kay direk Ishma (the late Ishamael Bernal), ‘Bernie, what are you doing to me? Are you trying to kill me?’ Hahahaha! So many women, so little time. Hahahaha!...” - Christopher De Leon, Reported by Alwin Ignacio, Abante Tonite, 20 November 2016
Dramatic Queen - "Angelica Panganiban has become one of the best actresses in Philippine showbiz, according to award-winning movie director Maryo J. De Los Reyes. De Los Reyes, who is working with Panganiban for an upcoming Star Cinema film, said the "That Thing Called Tadhana" star should inherit the title of "Dramatic Queen" from Vilma Santos, based on her recent performances --both in television and in the silver screen. "Kasi she can do comedy, drama, a little bit sexy --she can do everything," De Los Reyes gushed about Panganiban. "Siya iyong dapat i-elevate na natin na superstars na. Kasi kailangan i-akyat natin sila na. Panahon na kasi lahat tayo, tumatanda. We need space in the industry to move everybody kasi andami na ring mga bata na gustong pumasok. So we have to push..." - ABS-CBN News, 28 Oct 2016
Rep. Vi may poser?! - "...Parang may poser si Batangas Representative #VilmaSantosRecto sa Twitter. At mabilis siyang mag-react sa mga isyu. Nang tanungin ko si Luis Manzano kung may Twitter account ang mommy niya walang sagot ang TV host/actor. Konti pa lang ang followers ng nasabing account. Unless talagang si Rep. Vi ito at nag-uumpisa pa lang siyang maging active sa social media..." - Salve V. Asis, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 15 October 2016
Forest of the Heart - “...The time was 1970. That guy Jimmy had been waiting at the editorial offices of the Makabayan Publishing Corporation, publisher of the Weekly Nation, one of three leading magazines during the period. He did take time to wait, three, four hours maybe, so as to get an appointment for Luis Nepomuceno, producer of the Nepomuceno Productions of which he was the PRO, with the entertainment editor of the Weekly Nation — named Mauro Gia Samonte. Vic Rivera’s advice had borne fruit. I had kept reading and writing until, at long last, in 1965 I had my first-ever short story published in the Weekly Graphic, “Forest of the Heart.” That story would, a decade later, form the core of the screenplay of “Tag-Ulan Sa Tag-Araw,” the Vilma Santos-Christopher de Leon blockbuster film that I would write for direction by Celso Ad. Castillo. And the performance of the movie would tee me off in a career, both in screenwriting and in film direction, successful enough for Tatay to say he had not waited in vain. He got the pleasure of being included together with Nanay in one of the movies I directed. But didn’t I say, “If I were a fish”? I did, indeed. And as a fish, I was gasping for breath when Henry Sy suddenly dealt the Philippine film industry a death blow by banning adult movies in SM theaters, which comprise 80 percent of movie exhibition outlets; and adult movies were what the Philippine cinema was mainly about..." - Mauro Gia Samonte, Manila Times, 11 October 2016
Emmanuel H. Borlaza Received #Luna's Lifetime Achievement Award - "...For his lifelong involvement in Philippine cinema, foremost in the fields of directing and scriptwriting since starting his career in Sampaguita Pictures in the 1960s; for the treasure trove of outstanding films he directed through several decades and his handling of box-office actresses in unforgettable cinematic gems, including 24 films he directed for Vilma Santos; for directing other actresses in films which eventually installed them in the enviable list of box-office and award-winning actresses, including Sharon Cuneta in Bituing Walang Ningning and Bukas Luluhod ang mga Tala, Alma Moreno in Eva Fonda 16, Snooky Serna in Blusang Itim and Maricel Soriano in Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow, to mention a few; for serving as chairman of the board in the Directors’ Guild of the Philippines, Inc.; for serving since 2010 as acting chairman or deputy chairman of the Movie and Television Rating and Classification Board in his personal effort to guide the directorial prerogatives of his co-directors as well as the other members of the film industry..." - Luna Awards Citation, FAP Web, September 20, 2016
Luna Honours Vi - "...For her outstanding career as an actress which has spanned more than five decades since she was discovered by Sampaguita Pictures for the title role in Trudis Liit where she won the FAMAS best child performer award in 1963; for persistently winning the Luna Awards of the Film Academy of the Philippines where her four best actress trophies still stand as the most wins for an actress, actually just short of another trophy to enter the Luna Awards Hall of Fame; for her best actress awards were for Ishmael Bernal’s Relasyon (1982); Laurice Guillen’s Dolzura Cortez Story (1993); Chito Rono’s Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998); and Chito Rono’s Dekada ’70 (2002); for being declared during her career as the Star for all Seasons, once holding the title of Grand Slam Queen for her various roles which garnered awards upon awards and rendered her the longest reigning box office queen of Philippine cinema; for pursuing another role, aside from being an actress, in Philippine politics and public service, serving as Mayor of Lipa City from 1998 to 2007 and governor of Batangas from 2007 to 2016, and for being elected representative of the lone district of Lipa, Batangas in the last elections...." - Luna Awards Citation, FAP Web, September 20, 2016
Dahil sa Industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino - "THE Film Academy of the Philippines started out giving its own award in 1983, meant to be local version of the Oscar or Academy Awards as it comes from people from the film industry itself. It used to be called the FAP Awards but it was changed to Luna Awards in 2005. Due to a lack of budget, there were no awards night in 2008 and 2010 and then they stopped giving it after 2013. We’re glad it’s now revived again and a very simple and austere awards night was held for the 2016 Luna Awards at the QC Sports Club last Sunday...A highlight of the evening is the Golden Reel Award given to Batangas Rep. Vilma Santos who was there to receive her trophy in person. She said in her acceptance speech: 'Gusto ko lang ipaalam, sa inyong lahat na lagi kong sinasabi sa interviews ko bilang isang public servant, na hindi ko mararating kung nasaan man ako ngayon kundi po dahil sa industriya ng pelikulang Pilipino. Kahit na ako ay isang Congresswoman na, mahigit kalahati ng puso ko ay nasa industriya pa rin ng Pelikulang Pilipino. Malaki po ang ibig sabihin ng award or recognition na ibinigay sa akin ngayon kasi ang ibig sabihin lang nito ay hindi ninyo ako nalilimutan kahit sa ngayon ay nagsisilbi rin ako sa ibang field na, bilang isang public servant...” - Mario Bautista, Journal, 20 September 2016
Manny Asuncion's Memorable TV Special - "...Lino Brocka, who would later become National Artist for Film, was then one of Cecile’s theater novices who took over the management of the company. Manny recalled that when Lea Productions offered Cecile a directorial break for film, she passed on the project instead to Lino. On record, that’s how Lino got his first big break via Wanted: Perfect Mother. Manny, on the other hand, got his writing job for TV in the early ’70s when Lino ventured into long-running drama anthologies such as Hilda with Hilda Koronel as mainstay; Babae, and the horror Anino. Director Marcial Sanson also commissioned him to write for such drama anthologies as Cristina for Tina Revilla, Ito Ako Pinky for Pinky de Leon, and Kutob. Very memorable to him was the TV special directed by Sanson titled Pag-ibig, Pahimakas Ng Isang Manlalakbay in which Vilma Santos played the Japanese girlfriend to the character of Dr. Jose Rizal. Manny has written only one screenplay though unbilled for director Fyke Cinco titled Kahit Ang Mundo Ay Magunaw, with Pilar Pilapil and Christopher De Leon in the lead as lovers. Anyway, after Kesehoda’s film showing focused discussion group followed at a donut house along Roces Avenue, moderated by director Johnny Jose Cruz on problems affecting Filipino migrants in Australia..." - George Vail Kabrisante, Manila Times, 26 August 2016
Rep. Vi on Tax-Exempt Bonus - "...An employee who renders overtime work puts in additional hours of work and requires greater physical and mental effort. Instead of being able to rest early and spend more time with the family, the employee is forced to extend the working hours to achieve management's goals. Thus, it is only fitting that the employee be properly compensated for additional work hours rendered...This, in turn, would trigger demand for more goods and services, and thereby stimulate activities in the industrial and service sectors and generate more taxes...This not only limits the full enjoyment of monetary benefits due the employee for putting in more hours of work but also diminishes the value of the additional physical and mental effort contributed..." - Lira Dalangin-Fernandez, InterAksyon, 19 August 2016
Todos Los Santos - “...I want to be challenged with stories and materials na magpapalawak ng pag-intindi ko sa art o sining ng paggawa ng pelikula. I also want to work with co-actors na mahahawahan ako ng kanilang galing — like Ate Vi at Ma’am Charo at marami pang iba. ‘Yan ang wish ko talaga. Since Santos naman sila pareho — Ate Vi at Ma’am Charo, mano bang gustuhin ninyo akong makasama para Todos Los Santos na po tayo!...” - Noel Ferrer, Abante Tonite
On Meeting Congresswoman Vi - "...They actually invited me for dinner tapos iyun nga, she was kind enough, asked me how I was. Tapos iyon, she advised us just to be happy and as long as wala kaming ginagawa masama, just go on with our lives...Sobra pero sobrang bait niya so nakakatuwa, kasi pagpasok ko pa lang sa bahay nila, sobrang welcome na ganyan. So I can attest na sobrang mabait si Congresswoman Vi..." – Alexa Villano, Rappler, 27 July 2016
Simple Dress for Powerful Women - "...Bukod sa unconventional shots ng internationally-acclaimed na si Direk Brillante Mendoza na magkakaiba ang naging impresyon, pinag-usapan din ang mga kasuotan ng ilan sa ating celebrities na dumalo sa kauna-unahang State of the Nation Address ng ating pangulo, si Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte. Ang dress code na ipinalabas ay dapat isang business attire pero puwede rin naman ang Filipiniana dress basta sa mga babae ay hindi ito lalampas sa kanilang tuhod. Perfect example dito ay si Vice President Leni Robredo na suot ang isang Filipiniana-inspired outfit. Ito rin ang kapansin-pansin sa Star for All Seasons na si Ms. Vilma Santos na naka-skirt lamang at cream blouse na parang isang barong ang material. Kitang-kita ang kasimplehan sa dalawang very powerful women na ito na walang intensiyong magpa-impress..." - Glenn Regondola, Abante Online, 27 July 2016
Blocked - “...For me, it was clear that they broke up already when Luis started courting me and babae ako, it happened to me before. I wouldn’t do that to any girl...It hurts ‘pag sinasabi nila na for lack of a better term, ‘Ahas ka.’ Kasi labas ako sa kanila and what happened between the two of them. So ‘yung amin I think dapat labas na rin do’n. Para sa akin, malinis ang konsensiya ko, malinis ang puso ko. I would never, ever destroy a relationship. Problema na nila ‘yun kung gusto nila mag-usap about it or clear anything with each other. Huwag nila akong isasali at huwag niya akong isasali kasi alam niya sa puso niya na hindi totoo...Actually si Luis kasi he kept on calling me and texting me saying sorry about what’s happening right now. What he did was he asked for my Instagram password and then he took over my account and then he blocked them one by one for me. Alam kasi niya na masakit ‘pag gano’n. ‘Yung alam mo namang hindi totoo tapos sinasabi ng ibang tao eh hindi naman nila alam ‘yung whole story...” - Boy Abunda, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 20 July 2016
Cougar Rhian - "...In Sinungaling Mong Puso which will be directed this time by Ricky Davao, Rhian reprises the role of Clara, while Rafael and Kiko are Roman and Jason, respectively. They were originally played by Batangas Congresswoman Vilma Santos-Recto, Gabby Concepcion and Aga Muhlach. In the story, Rhian is Clara, a woman who fell head-over-heels in love with Roman (Rafael). Roman turned to be very different from the man she fell in love with. Clara was physically and emotionally-abused by Roman. Because of the cruelty she experiences with her husband, she slowly gravitated towards Jason (Kiko)—who is ten years younger. She will eventually have an affair with him. "Cougar ang dating ko," she tells us. "Dun nga sa pictorial, kailangan emote na emote ako as cougar. Sabi ng mommy ni Kiko (former actress Cheska Diaz), ay, ang gandang cougar.I am very excited kasi I want to be better and more daring and more exciting. You know gusto ko 'yung mga fans, may bago pa ring aabangan although I’ve been in the industry for a while. I’m gonna do my best at ipakita sa kanila yung kakaibang Rhian...” - Eugene E. Asis, Journal, 8 July 2016
RIP, Eddie- "...#EddieVillamayor was a teen star in the ‘70s and was seen in the films Alkitrang Dugo and Minsa’y Isang Gamu-gamo. He was linked to another teen star then, Winnie Santos, sister of popular actress Vilma Santos. But many fans did not approve of the budding relationship as the rivalry between the two sisters –Nora and Vilma – was very intense then. In the latter years, nothing was heard about Buboy, although, for the most part when he was alive, he stayed with Nora Aunor until the latter left for the US in the late 90s. Recalling the time The Standard spoke to the superstar, she said that she was a bit disappointed that none of her children (adoptive) had paid Buboy a visit in the hospital since his confinement..." - The Standard Showbitz, 29 June 2016
New Film for Vi? - “...Actually when we had a meeting, nagulat ako na siya ‘yung binanggit na aktres. Sabi ko, ‘Are you sure about this? My gosh! Naka-work ko na si Superstar (Nora Aunor), tapos ngayon ka-work ko naman si Ate Vi na favorite ni mommy. I was beyond happy not only for myself but naisip ko, my gosh, my mom will definitely come home for this. Ako, swerte ko lang. I’m very thankful,” pagbabahagi ni Jasmine...I’m happy kasi that’s always been my goal. I want to be known as an actress, not just for my name or the sister or just another talent..." - Jasmine Curtis, Reported by Boy Abunda, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 23 June 2016
Bing Loyzaga’s Success - “...For me, to be able to have four projects with FPJ is my biggest trophy. To be able to do, gosh, how many projects with Sharon Cuneta are my trophies. To have a movie with Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon, ako ’yung third party, is another trophy. And then I was able to do a movie a couple of years back with Nora Aunor, that’s a trophy. I may not have a best actress award but I have memories with great actors and actresses and movies that will last even when I’m gone. I don’t need an award to tell me how good I act. I will say peak ng career ko was every time I had a project with legends...” - Irish Christianne Dizon, The Philippine Star, 18 June 2016
The New Leader - "...She (#VPLeniRobredo) is aware that she will take one of the most senior positions and the chairman is the highest position but yung day-to-day activities are handled by the party president. So that will be decided by the party as a whole," President Benigno Aquino III told reporters Friday. But I'm sure she's aware that she will be getting one of the two most senior positions. And of course, we have to ask her preferences for this. We recognize the value of each individual within the party. We don't force anybody to do it...Traditionally after elections, the LP has a change of leadership. And normally it gravitates to the high, the most senior public official we have. So I would not want to admit it, pero I will be classified siguro as an elder of the party..." - RG Cruz, ABS-CBN News, 17 June 2016
Worst and Wooden...Director! - "...Nagmistulang bitter ang award-winning movie director na si #MikedeLeon dahil sa kanyang statement na “I consider it my worst film, a mere piece of anti-Marcos propaganda demagoguery with the most extreme wooden acting.” Ang Sister Stella L. ang tinutukoy ni De Leon, ang critically-acclaimed 1984 movie ng Regal Films. Tila nagpapakontrobersyal si De Leon dahil walang maniniwala na “wooden acting” ang performance ng mga bida ng pelikula, sina Vilma Santos, Jay Ilagan, Laurice Guillen, Tony Santos at Gina Alajar. Kung talagang wooden acting ang pagganap ng mga nabanggit na artista, may malaking pananagutan si De Leon dahil hindi niya napaarte ang kanyang mga artista na pawang mga award-winning actor. At kung isa sa worst film niya ang Sister Stella L., bakit gustong-gusto ni De Leon na i-restore ng Asian Film Archive (AFA) ang pelikula na kanyang nilalait? Again, si De Leon pa rin ang dapat sisihin dahil sa panlasa niya, gumawa siya ng pangit na pelikula. Sinabihan ni De Leon si Mother Lily ng, “Matanda na ako, matanda ka na rin, hindi ka pa ba nagbabago?” pero malinaw sa pahayag ng nag-aalburoto na direktor na patungkol din sa sarili niya ang kanyang mga sumbat sa producer ng Sister Stella L..." - Jojo Gabinete, Abante Online, 17 June 2016
Congresswoman-elect Vilma Santos Recto on Showbiz Retirement: “I grew up in this industry. Acting is my true love. I will see to it that I get to do a movie project at least once every three years. While being a public servant is my priority, I’m lucky that the people of Batangas still allow me to practice acting once in a while.” - Marinel R. Cruz, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 25 May 2016
LGBT Supporter? - “...Yes, I read about her in the papers. I saw her on TV (Geraldine Roman of Bataan)...Sure! Ever since, I’ve been close to the LGBT. I’ve been supporting from way, way back...My concerns are those about women and children, and also about Local Government Units (LGUs)…yung mga kailangan ng mga probinsya, ng mga bayan at mga barangay. In my 18 years as public servants, I have witnessed the problems of the LGUs, so I would fight for them once I am in Congress...” - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, 13 May 13, 2016
Best Actress for Mother Role - “...Which local actress best portrays a mother role?” This was one of the questions covered by a recent online survey for mothers by the shopping website Lazada. The number of respondents was not mentioned in the survey, which was conducted among the members of the Lazada Super Moms group and the mom consumers on Lazada’s main Facebook page. It showed that most of the respondents are #Vilmanians at heart, with 69.8% of them saying that she is the best representation of a mother in television and film. She edged out #SharonCuneta (15.4%), #DawnZulueta (10.6%) and #JaclynJose (4.2%)..." - ABS-CBN News, 05 May 2016
Still UnConforted Women - "...Well, years back, Star Cinema was all set to do one, based on the memoirs of Lola Rosa (Henson), comfort woman or sex slave in Pampanga during World War II. It would have starred Vilma Santos in the title role. But director Marilou Diaz Abaya backed out the last minute as she and Star Cinema couldn’t agree on the huge, huge budget. But it was an amicable “parting.” More than 70 years after World War II, the number of comfort women is slowly but surely vanishing. And they have yet to receive apology and just compensation from the Japanese goverment. So while there’s still time, why not do a movie on comfort women, tell their untold sufferings under the hands of Japanese soldiers? The movie doesn’t have to be based solely on the memoirs of Lola Rosa, the rights of which is owned by Star Cinema. Expand the scope to include other comfort women. There are other directors who can do justice to the project. Mel Chionglo, Joel Lamangan, Gil Portes, Laurice Guillen, Adolf Alix, Brillante Mendoza, among others...Vilma Santos remains the top choice to play the lead role in the comfort-women movie. Now that her term as Batangas governor is about to end, she’ll have more time in her hands. Sure, she is likely to be the next congresswoman of Lipa. But then the schedule of a lawmaker isn’t that hectic..." - Ronald Constantino, Tempo, 19 Apr 2016
Rubia's Writer - "...Her “Unforgettable Legal Stories” earned her a following and much more. She had three compilation books published and had three movies made based on her cases. One movie, 1978’s “Rubia Servos,” boasted a script by Mario O’Hara, a cast led by Vilma Santos and Philip Salvador, was directed by Lino Brocka, was a box-office hit and even won a Famas award. Mendoza remembered being thrilled when she saw her name on screen. “Lino Brocka came to my office to give me my royalty,” she added. In 2012, Mendoza resumed writing her “Unforgettable Legal Stories” for the Sunday Inquirer Magazine and, later, Woman Today magazine. She, too, had to adapt to the times: “People now have a really short attention span. I have to learn to write shorter.” She’s not writing them right now, but looks forward to doing so again in the future. She would love to see a telenovela produced based on the cases, which is why she made sure her contract gave her the rights for TV and movies..." - Ruel S. De Vera, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 28 March 2016
Continuity Sa Batangas - "...Isa lang po ang hihilingin ko, ang continuity. Kailangan po ‘yung tuloy-tuloy tayo kasi sa experience natin, pag may isang administration tapos naiba, maiiba rin ang prayoridad. Magu-umpisa na naman tayo sa A...Ngayon araw na ito, nakikiusap ako sa inyo, hindi para sa akin ‘yung patunay natin ng pagkakaisa dito sa lalawigan ng Batangas at alam ninyo na gusto natin ituloy ang mga programa sa Batangas..." - Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez, GMA News, 16 March 2016
Carlo's Mommy - "...Excited na raw si Carlo Aquino para sa teleseryeng We Will Survive na pinagbibidahan nina Pokwang at Melai Cantiveros. Ngayon lamang makagagawa ang aktor ng proyekto na magaan lamang ang tema. “Siyempre masarap ‘yung pakiramdam kasi isa ‘to sa mga una kong ginawa na feel good lang. Hindi siya drama-drama so excited ako kasi this is a first for me,” bungad ni Carlo...Samantala, nangangarap ang aktor na muling makasama sa isang pelikula si Vilma Santos na kanyang nakatrabaho noong 1998 sa Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? “Gusto ko ulit makatrabaho si Mommy V. Siguro comedy-drama na parang Everything About Her na feel good sa umpisa tapos pabigat nang pabigat. Parang comedy-comedy na may punchline-punchline, tapos may drama na may hugot,” pagtatapos ng binata..." - Boy Abunda, Pilipino Star Ngayon, 26 February 2016
Famous Alumni - It is undeniable that one of our more famous alumni is Vilma Santos-Recto. She is currently serving her third term as Governor of the province of Batangas (Luzon) and was former three-term Mayor of Lipa City, Batangas. A multi-awarded actress who was able to cross-over to politics she is now a multi-awarded local government official. In 2012, Governor Vi was conferred the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award by President Benigno Aquino. As mayor-elect of Lipa City, Vilma Santos-Recto requested for a Special Course (“crash course”) on Local Governance which she attended with her core staff. In the period after every election, CLRG would always encounter inquiries such as “Dito po ba yung in-attend-an ni Vilma Santos?” (Is this the place where Vilma Santos took a course?). With her sheer star power and consequent good performance in local governance, the governor may have been an unwitting endorser of our programs. CLRG continues to be proudly associated with our alumna. - UP-NCPAG (University of the Philippines - National College of Public Administration and Governance
Tagos na Prodyuser - "...Matagal naming nakakuwentuhan ang dating modelo-turned movie producer-writer-actress at Sydney, Australia-based na si Via Marquez-Hoffman, nakatatandang kapatid nina Melanie Marquez at Joey Marquez nang ito’y mag-dinner sa Toki Japanese Restaurant in Bonifacio Global City recentlykasama ang nakababatang kapatid na si Joey Marquez at non-showbiz girlfriend nitong si Malou at dalawa pang kasama. Tinanong namin si Via kung wala na ba itong balak na muling bumalik sa pagpu-produce ng pelikula tulad noong `80s kung saan siya nakapag-produce ng ilang klasikong pelikula tulad ng “Hindi Mo Ako Kayang Tapakan” at “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit” in 1984, “Gamitin Mo Ako” in 1985 at “Tagos Sa Dugo” in 1987 na pinagbidahan ng Star for All Seasons na si Vilma Santos opposite Michael de Mesa and Miguel Rodriguez na dinirek ni Maryo J. de los Reyes. Iba na kasi ang panahon ngayon at iba pa rin ang takbo ng industriya at baka i-divorce na ako ng asawa ko,” natatawang pahayag ni Via. Bukod sa pagiging producer, isa ring writer si Via at siya ang nagsulat ng story ng “Tagos ng Dugo” at “Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit” at meron pa umano siyang mga bagong sinulat na materials..." - Aster Amoyo, Journal, 11 February 11, 2016
Humble Ralph - "...He helped me become a radio announcer, obtain a job in the government service and hold an important position...I would perhaps ended up begging for alms in Quiapo, Manila, like many others. But each time I try to express my thanks, he would simply say that whatever I have accomplished was due largely to my own effort, that his role was not all that significant. He's always like that. Helpful yet humble. He goes about working without making noise, not much for grand discourse...Yet, he never calls attention to it...That's why I am glad for having Senador Recto in the roster of Partido Galing at Puso. Sapagkat meron siyang galing, at merong siyang puso (He has the savvy, and he has the heart)," Del Rio said. "Though blind, I can see a bright future under an administration that has heart..." - Ronnel Agor Del Rio, written by Ernie Reyes, InterAksyon, 10 February 2016
Vilmanian Toto - "...It’s been almost four years since Chair Eugenio “Toto” Villareal took over as head of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board (MTRCB), but he refuses to take full credit for the general perception that the MTRCB has become a more accessible and proactive government agency under his watch. “Our projects are just a progression of my predecessor’s achievements,” he told us when we met him and former GMA 7 executive Butch Raquel for a quick lunch recently—a meeting that has demystified the board chief for us. Chair Toto is candor personified. He doesn’t lace his answers with barren niceties and patronizing pronouncements to boost his “stock.” In fact, he regaled us with fun facts (about why films in the Philippines open on Wednesdays) and enlightening but little-known trivia about the movie industry (the public and private aspects of the controversial Metro Manila Film Festival or MMFF) he has sworn to support. A tantalizing revelation: He’s a certified Vilmanian. “I became a lawyer because of ‘Sister Stella L,’” he disclosed. “I was only 5 or 6 when Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos were the queens of Philippine show biz—and helpers at home would throw slippers at each other to defend their idols (laughs)...” - Rito P. Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 10 February 2016
Vi on Director Joyce Bernal - “...I have been in this profession for almost fifty years. And yet I cannot say I can do everything myself. I have my own idea about the character but I prefer that someone guides me for better results. In cinema, it is not everyone for himself. You have to work closely with the director, with the scriptwriter, with your co-actors and even with your production designers. But of course you rely more on your director who has the bigger vision of how the story should be told and how the character should evolve. Like I have a complicated character in this film. This CEO is everyone’s idea of an ‘impakta’ (evil personified). She can meet all deadlines, she can hurdle all obstacles and in the end, she even tries to meet life’s own deadlines on her own terms. I can relate to this character in another level. I am gracious and pleasant most of the time but I am a different person when I have had enough. The movies honed me but I have also learned a lot as a public servant. You don’t get fat paychecks as public official but you savor the trust the people has given you. When you leave that role for a while to face the camera, you are on your own trusting your own instinct of what the role should look like...We were good co-workers on the set. I learned a lot from her that after this film is wrapped up, I‘d like to meet her in another setting. I want her to be my friend...” - Pablo Tariman, Catanduañes Tribune, 07 February 2016
Uber-Bitch - "...Vilma Santos has fun with her role, and she looks terrific. We do take issue with the scenes in which her character telegraphs to the audience that she's not as bitchy as they think she is. As one who is extremely familiar with the species, a bitch does not care whether you like her or not. In fact an uber-bitch would prefer to be loathed so that she doesn't waste time pandering to the tender feelings of people she doesn't give a shit about. You know what words a bitch finds irritating? "You're nice naman pala." "Hugot" lines do nothing for us, but there is one line in the movie we especially like. In one scene, Vivian gets nauseous and starts to throw up on her bed. Jaica grabs Vivian's designer bag and dives across the bed to catch it. "Kunin mo na rin yung Balenciaga bag ko," Vivian says, deadpan, "Doon ko gustong sumuka uli." Bitch, that's a bitch..." - Jessica Zafra, Interaksyon, 05 February 2016
Vilmanians may Katuturan - "...Papansinin lang namin, mukhang napakasipag ng fans ni Vilma Santos sa paglalabas sa social media ng mga pictures ng pilahan sa mga sinehang naglalabas ng kanyang pelikula. Mayroon din silang ginawang blocked screening, ibig sabihin may schedules ng pelikula sa isang sinehan na kanilang biniling lahat ang tickets at sabay-sabay silang nanood. Hindi lang daw sa Metro Manila ang mga blocked screenings, kung di ganoon din sa mga probisiya. May mga pagkakataon pa raw na ang tickets sa blocked screening ay ipinagbibili nang mas mahal, para kumita pa rin sila at magamit sa kanilang mga charity works. Iyan kasing mga Vilmanian, gumagawa rin iyan ng sarili nilang charity works kahit na noong araw. Para naman masabing ang kanilang samahan ay hindi puro tilian lang kung di may katuturan din. Higit sa lahat, napapatunayan nila na may bilang pa sila, hindi kagaya ng iba na malakas lang ang sigawan pero pipito lang naman..." - Ed de Leon, Pang-Masa, 02 February 2016
Vi on writing a “tell-all” memoir - “...It will be complete...I will start on my days as a child actress, then go on to when I started growing up and survived my awkward stage, how I re-invented my career by doing daring roles (Burlesk Queen, etc.), how I got married and had children, how I became a public servant…tell all nga, eh!...I asked my constituents’ permission before I started work on the movie...Sabi nila, ‘Okey.’ Na-miss na rin daw nila ang pagiging artista ko...” - Ricky Lo, The Philippine Star, 24 January 2016
Angel on working with Vilma Santos (The Unendited Reply!) - "...Super!...hindi ko alam kung ano ba?!...masakit ba yung tiyan ko o natatae ba ako sa nerbiyos...hindi ko talaga alam, kaseh napakaoverwhelming yung feeling ko kagaya nang paulit-ulit kong sinasabi nagpapasalamat ako dahil ang dami kong natutunan sa kanya, ang dami kong nakita na ah kaya pala siya mahal ng tao, ah kaya pala siya tumatagal sa industriya na ito...kasi ganuon siya ka-professional, ganuon siya kabait sa lahat ng tao, pantay-pantay iyan at ganuon siya ka-sincere, walang halong echos, mabait talaga siya, na tutoo, walang halong kaplastikan or for show lang talaga, totoo talaga siya...makikita mo na isa siya sa pinaka-hard-working na tao na nakilala ko, pagdating sa pamilya, binibigay ko ang oras ko sa pamilya ko, automatic siya talagang pamilya-pamilya, trabaho trabaho binibigay niya ang oras niya pero kapag pamilya no compromises talaga siya kapag pamilya, kailangang nasa pamilya ako..." - as interviewed by Ate Charon, YouTube Channel, 19 January 2016
Xiam Lim: Everything Is Learning - “...Magpapasalamat lang ako ulit sa Star Cinema for giving me the chance to give it everything I’ve got. And pasalamat din ako kay Direk Joyce for giving me trust. Kasi, hindi po lahat naniniwala sa akin, aaminin ko naman po, eh, marami kayong naririnig...Sa inyo po ako humugot ng lakas. And it’s part of learning. Tulad ng sabi ni Tita (Vi), it’s part of learning, everything is learning. And when you stop learning, I think, that’s the time you die. Everything is a learning process...So, nagpapasalamat lang po ako sa Star Cinema, kay direk for believing in every scene that I do, and sa inyo pong lahat. Bigyan n’yo man po ako ng good write-up, bad write-up, I’m very thankful for everything. Maraming salamat po...” - Vinia Vivar, Pang-Masa, 19 January 2016
Sensitive and Nurturing - “...You have to know your priorities because people’s lives are on the line!...Based on my 18-year experience in politics, I like the decisiveness of male politicians. But, women are sometimes more effective because we’re more nurturing. We have that ‘soft touch,’ because that’s how we run our homes, which makes us more sensitive to the needs of others!...” - Rito P. Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 16 January 2016
Erik Matti on Angel Locsin - "...Kasi alam na ni Angel ang nilalaman ng puso ni Darna...Now, by starting anew again, whoever she is, kung sino man ang mapili, we need to have the character imbibe sa tao na 'yun, the character of Darna and Narda, dalawa 'yun eh. And for such a big movie, ang bigat na burden 'yun...Ang tagal na naming nagmi-meeting ni Angel, tapos, all of the sudden, na may ganung news, siyempre nagulat ako...Akala ko nga nung nalaman ko na hindi na puwede si Angel ay hindi na matutuloy ang Darna, dahil lang dun. But of course we have to push forward and we don't want to frustrate the audience. That's why ABS-CBN, particularly Star Cinema, immediately decided to make the teaser, so that everyone will be assured na matuloy ang Darna, kahit na ganun ang nangyari kay Angel..." - ABS-CBN News, 14 January 2016
Vilma Santos on German Moreno - "...Ang memmorable kasi kay Kuya Germs, kahit na sabihin mo na mahal niya si Nora that the respect na ibinibigay niya sa akin as a friend, as an artist laging nandiyan and for that ina-appreciate ko 'yon...alam mo everythime na nag-uusap lang kami, ang lagi niyang sinasabi sa akin, palagi ay iyong anak niya, ang anak niya and then at the same time, isang mahay niya ay ang Vera-Perez family at definitely itong mga batang tene-train niya...and isang malaking frustration niya ay, kasi gusto niyang ibalik iyong That's Entertainment...pagkatapos nito iyong mga uusbong at mga newcomers medyo mahirap-hirap, hindi ganuon kadali iyong may isinasakripisyong buhay just to train new people kasi ganun kahamahal ni kuya Germs ang industriya..." - GMA News Online, 12 January 2016
Extra-special Experience - “...It’s a homecoming of sorts...I was Lipa’s first female mayor, but the experience was extra-special, because it was my first time to dabble into politics and they accepted me, even despite their reservations! It’s high time for me to repay its residents’ kindness, especially now that I have learned so much about leadership and governance...I was dubbing for ‘Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?’ when I finally agreed to run (in 1998). I prayed to God and asked for white flowers from Him and got them on the last day of the filing of certificates of candidacy! I cried, because I knew that it was going to change my life! When I won, I turned to Ralph (Recto, her senator husband) and said, “I won, paano ’yan (what now)? I was lucky I had Ralph to show me the ropes and lay the cards on the table. He presented me with different options and enumerated the sacrifices I would have to make that instead of getting pampered and served (as I’m used to, as an actress), I would have to do the serving (as a politician)! I took a crash course in Public Administration at UP (University of the Philippines) and asked about things I knew nothing about. It’s been 18 years since, but while it hasn’t gotten easier, I must say that it’s a fulfilling job because the position allows you to change people’s lives for the better...As for the vice presidential post yes, I was asked to make a go at it. But I don’t want to do something I can’t give my full attention to, because I also have my immediate family to dote on and take care of. I’m a hands-on mom and wife I want to be there when (her youngest son) Ryan needs my advice about what to wear to the prom, or take care of the grocery list when Luis drops by to have dinner with us on certain Sundays. I am effective as a government official because I put a premium on the indispensability of a close-knit family! If I go national and serve the country’s 100 million people, where does that leave my family? I can’t sacrifice them just to satisfy my political ambition. I can serve people better if I’m also effective as a mother and wife that’s my priority!...” - Vilma Santos, as reported and written by Rito P. Asilo, Philippine Daily Inquirer, 8 January 2016
FOR COMPLETE LIST OF VILMA SANTOS 2015 NEWS LINKS, CLICK HERE