Vilma Santos is one of the most timeless and best-known actresses produced in the Philippines. She puts up a strong front whenever she participates in a movie film festival. She started as Trudis Liit, a child star.
She is also known for playing a wide range of award-winning roles. Her versatility and box-office draw as an actress made her one of the most bankable stars of her time. Despite her pursuit of politics, she remained in a limited capacity as an actress.
To celebrate her illustrious career, we’re compiling four (4) of her best movies to date!
Dekada 70:
Dekada 70 follows the life and struggles of Amanda Bartolome and her children during the Martial Law era. Her husband, played by Christopher De Leon, is cut from the cloth of old-fashioned masculinity. PBA odds are, Amanda had not hoped that her sons would be wrapped up in the radicalization of a whole generation, thanks to the tumultuous political landscape of the 1980s. As a mother, Amanda learns to endure and fight and push back – and believe in the things that influenced her children, too.
Vilma Santos is supported by a stellar cast that includes Piolo Pascual, Christopher De Leon, Marvin Agustin, and Danilo Barrios.
Dekada 70 celebrates the unity of womanhood in the fight for change and freedom – and the truth that parents cannot truly own their children, as children have become their people.
Anak:
Anak was released in 2000 – two (2) years before Dekada 70. Rory Quintos also helms this drama piece. Anak tells the story of an absent mother, Josie, and her wayward child, Carla. She works abroad in Hong Kong because she knows she can make more abroad than while staying in the Philippines. However, her return to the Philippines is greeted by the guardedness of her two younger children, Michael and Daday – and the coldness and defiance of none other than her eldest daughter and child, Carla, played by Claudine Barretto.
The song Bato Sa Buhangin is featured in the movie, alongside Joel Torres’ portrayal of grief and depression, following Josie’s first departure. Carla struggles to let her mother in her life while simultaneously having tried to protect and raise her younger siblings by herself – and her bad behavior: burgeoning sexuality, drug use, and a lot more.
Sister Stella L:
Sister Stella L is about a nun who becomes radicalized during a labor strike. Mike De Leon directed the movie, which made some of Vilma Santos’ lines immortal. Sr. Chayong Battung and Sr. Mary Pilar Versoza’s experiences helped mold the story.
Although the film was not commercially successful, critics enjoyed it. It has also become a classic and is slated for further restoration.
T-Bird At Ako:
In T-Bird At Ako, Vilma Santos plays a dancer who seeks the help of a masculine lawyer (Nora Aunor). The true enemy in this film is the patriarchy – which can be felt in the hidden layer of compulsory heteronormativity in the dynamics between Vilma and Nora’s characters. The movie was written by Portia Ilagan and directed by Danny Zialcita. The original ending had been changed to accommodate the public sentiment about sexuality for the period.
Wrapping Up:
This wide range of films showcases Miss Santos’s versatility and heart whenever she plays her roles. She is a true chameleon and deserving of her star power and hype.
Disclaimer:
CBD:
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The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act) outlaws the recreational use of cannabis products in India. CBD oil, manufactured under a license issued by the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, can be legally used in India for medicinal purposes only with a prescription, subject to specific conditions. Kindly refer to the legalities here.
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Gambling:
As per the Public Gambling Act of 1867, all Indian states, except Goa, Daman, and Sikkim, prohibit gambling. Land-based casinos are legalized in Goa and Daman under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act 1976. In Sikkim, land-based casinos, online gambling, and e-gaming (games of chance) are legalized under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules 2009. Only some Indian states have legalized online/regular lotteries, subject to state laws. Refer to the legalities here. Horse racing and betting on horse racing, including online betting, is permitted only in licensed premises in select states. Refer to the 1996 Supreme Court judgment for more information.
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