AKTOR Nominates Vilma Santos-Recto for the
Order of National Artist

AKTOR Nomination for National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts

1. Vilma Santos graced the Philippine cinema as a 9-year old adorable tyke starring in her first solo movie, Trudis Liit which won her the Famas child best actress award in 1963. Indeed, the child prodigy was destined for greater heights.
2. Five years later, she won Best Supporting Actress in 1968 (San Beda) and Famas Best Actress for Dama de Noche in 1972, the youngest to win Best Actress. This early victory is a sign that she will become one of the most acclaimed actresses of Philippine Cinema.
3. Vilma Santos eventually became a teen sensation. After appearing in hit teen flicks, her star became even brighter when she appeared in her first Darna movie Lipad Darna Lipad. The movie, which is considered the best Darna movie ever made, broke box-office records in 1974, which eventually started the Darna franchise in motion pictures. She appeared in three more blockbuster Darna movies namely, Darna and the Giants (1973), Darna and the Planet Woman (1976) and Darna at Ding (1980). Vilma Santos playing the iconic female superhero on the big screen has made her without question, the quintessential Darna.
4. Vilma is a formidable box office star. She can carry a movie without equally famous co-stars. She can appear in a movie with any actor and the movie will still be a hit. Her crowd-drawing power is undeniable and continues up to this day. While it is a fact that Vilma Santos and her arch-rival Nora Aunor have had films that competed at the box-office, it is Vilma Santos who emerged victorious because she continues to be a box-office star until today. Many of her films broke office records which is the reason why she has been awarded Box-Office Queen and named the highest paid actress for many years. Vilma’s box office record is irrefutable. She had broken box office records with Lipad Darna Lipad, Sinasamba Kita, Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan , Burlesk Queen , Rubia Servious , Anak. According to Wikipedia, Vilma is the longest reigning Box Office Queen in the history of Philippine Cinema.
5. The Vilma - Nora rivalry wasn’t just about box-office supremacy; it was also about making important films and playing meaty roles on the screen. Both of them have been directed by the country’s best directors such as Ishmael Bernal, Lino Brocka, Mike De Leon, Mario J. Delos Reyes, Marilu Dias Abaya, Chito Roño, to name a few. But what makes Vilma Santos stand out and more versatile than her closest rival is that she can portray various characters coming from different social classes and she is known for her many acting styles. Her chameleon like ability to transform into different characters shows her versatility as an actress. Vilma is the only actress in Philippine Cinema whose critically-acclaimed and award-winning films are also certified blockbusters, which the most difficult thing to pull off and this remains unequaled and unrivaled in Philippine Cinema.
6. From winning her first Best Child Actress award in 1963 when she was 9 years old and Best Supporting Actress in 1965 when she was only 11 years old to being elevated to FAMAS HALL OF FAME, the first and the youngest to do so. Vilma also won GRAND SLAM BEST ACTRESS, winning in four Best Actress trophies from four legitimate award-giving bodies: Gawad Urian, FAMAS, Catholic Mass Media and Film Academy of the Phiippines for her stellar performance in Relasyon. Vilma is also the MOST AWARDED ACTRESS by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino winning 8 Best Actress awards from the Gawad Urian, winning 3 of them in a row for her performances in Relasyon, Broken Marriage, and Sister Stella L. The new millennium saw Vilma Santos continue to reap awards and accolades, here and abroad for her performances in Anak, Ekstra, Everything About Her, and When I Met You in Tokyo.
7. Of all the actors in Philippine Cinema, Vilma Santos is the only with 7 of her films winning the Gawad Urian Best Picture: Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak (1976), Broken Marriage (1984), Sister Stella L. (1985), Pahiram ng isang Umaga (1990), Ipagpatawad mo (1992), Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa (1999), and Dekada ’70 (2003). This is solid proof that Vilma Santos has appeared in excellent films that had been awarded Best Picture by most respected award-giving body for cinema in the Philippines—the Gawad Urian.
8. Vilma Santos also produced films under her own VS Films. This film production outfit produced the 1979 Gawad Urian best Picture, Pagputi ng Uwak, Pagitim ng Tagak directed by Celso Ad Castillo. This ultimately shows that Vilma Santos is a producer of excellent films. VS Films also produced the following: Mga Rosas sa Putikan, Coed (co-produced with Bancom Audiovision), and Halik Sa Paa, Halik Sa Kamay.

9. Vilma Santos won various international awards which gave pride to the country.
   Among them are:

   1999

   Best Actress

   Brussels International Film Festival

   Bata, Bata Paano Ka Ginawa

   2015

   Best Actress

   Dhaka International Film Festival

   Ekstra

   2021

   Best Actress

   Manila International Film Festival

   When I Met You In Tokyo

10. Many of her films have been exhibited and recognized in international film festivals:

    2002

    Makati Cinemanila International Film festival

    Dekada ‘70

    2014

    LA Jolla Independent Film Festival Award of Merit

    Ekstra

    2015

    World Fest Houston Platinum Award

    Ekstra

    2015

    New York Festival, Bronze Award

    Ekstra

    2015

    Madrid International Film Festival, Best Actress Nominee

    Ekstra

    2015

    Silk Road Film Festival, Ireland, Best Actress Nominee

    Ekstra

11. Vilma Santos’ body of work displays her wide range as an actress. She takes on very challenging roles like no other thespian, then and now. Her films have also become the gold standard for women empowerment as she portrays intelligent, strong, brave, resilient, and triumphant female characters.
12. Vilma Santos has endured and continues to be relevant up to this day at age 70 making her the longest reigning movie queen. Her recent film When I Met You in Tokyo won her the Metro Manila Film Festival as well as the Manila International Film Festival Best Actress award. One of her greatest strengths is longevity. Being one the most sought-after actresses for 60 years is a feat that is unrivaled and unmatched by anyone.
13. Vilma Santos has conquered television with top-rated programs like Ayan Eh!, Dulambuhay ni Rosa Vilma, VIP, and Vilma. Her show Vilma has won awards such Best Variety Show and Best Variety Show Host. The show earned rave reviews such as a citation from the New York TV And Film Festival.
14. Her other accomplishments for television include Emee Arards for TV Most Effective Actress for Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma (1972), PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Musical Variety Show Host for Vilma (1987 & 1988), and Best Actress in a Single Performance for Maalaala Mo Kaya: Regalo (2006).
15. Vilma recorded several albums and singles that topped the nation’s charts. She won two Awit Awards in 1971: Sixteen (Best Single) and Something Stupid with Edgar Mortiz (Best Mini Album).
16. The legacy of Vilma Santos is unparalleled. She is also a good role model to her peers, colleagues, and the younger generation. She has succeeded and has done very well in her every endeavor as artist, leader, and public servant.
17. Her foray into politics was very successful. She has won as Mayor, Governor, and Congresswoman. This shows that Vilma Santos truly embodies the idea of an empowered woman. She did not only win in every election, she is also considered one of the most trustworthy politicians in the country.