If you’ve been in PH since Christmas, chances are you’ve been caught in the wave of love for Philippine cinema, thanks to an amazing lineup of 10 films participating in the ongoing Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 (check out KUBO’s MMFF guide to what to watch first). One of its biggest draws is the return to the big screen of some of Pinoys’ all-time favorite stars, including Vilma Santos-Recto.
The entertainment legend and former governor of Batangas, fondly called Ate Vi, made her big screen comeback after years of hiatus with the romantic film When I Met You In Tokyo, the official entry of JG Productions to the ongoing 49th MMFF. When I Met You In Tokyo went on to win 4th Best Picture, FPJ Memorial Award, Best Float, and Best Actress for Ate Vi in MMFF’s awards night, Gabi ng Parangal, last Dec. 27. It is a heartwarming, feel-good movie about two OFWs who become frenemies-turned-lovers amidst breathtaking sceneries in Japan.
In an exclusive interview with KUBO, the Star for All Seasons talks about playing the character Azon opposite her all-time favorite leading man, Christopher de Leon, who portrays the role of Joey. “I am an OFW in this movie, to be specific a chambermaid…who met Joey, also an OFW. Azon and Joey believe that love has no boundaries…that love has second chances despite both characters being seniors,” explains Ate Vi, who is now 70. “When you watch this movie, you will feel good, fall in love, and celebrate love, despite the simplicity of its story.”
We asked what made her accept another movie role, and she replied, “I accepted the project because of the simple love story between seniors. There is no hysterics in terms of the script compared to my previous projects. And of course, with my perennial love team partner for more than 40 years, no other than ‘Yetbo’ Christopher De Leon, what else can I say, I had to accept it—especially my role as an OFW who worked hard for their family… I hope some OFWs can relate to this movie.”
When I Met You In Tokyo is the 25th movie together of the formidable Vilma-Christopher loveteam since their pairing started in the ‘80s, so we asked Ate Vi what she thinks makes their tandem loved by Pinoy moviegoers all these years. “Well for more than 40 years, me and Yetbo were given a chance to be directed, inspired, and motivated by award-winning directors in Filipino movies and National Artist directors,” she explained. “We are also lucky to be given the best scripts and relevant roles, which made our movies box office [hits]. Primarily, these are the reasons why our love team lasted up to these days.”
When asked what makes the Vilma-Christopher loveteam different now, she answered, “Our love team today is more mature compared to our previous projects. In When I Met You in Tokyo, we made an ‘improvisation’ wherein we are not just acting and portraying the role, we are both involved in the storyline and directing. In fact, Boyet is our associate director.”
When I Met You In Tokyo is now showing in PH cinemas nationwide until Jan. 7. If you won’t be able to catch it in PH, you just might get the chance at the Manila International Film Festival in Los Angeles, USA in 2024, which all MMFF 2023 entries will participate in. If you want to watch more Vilma films, whether or not you can catch her latest in PH or the US, you can still take a trip down memory lane with this list of 10 all-time favorite classic Vilma films that portray Philippine culture and sentiments:
1. Darna (1973, 1975, 1980)
When you think of Darna, more often than not, Vilma Santos comes to mind, even though she’s not the first to portray the role. Why? Because among the actresses who donned the red and gold iconic two-piece suit of the Pinoy superheroine, it is only the Star for All Seasons who wore it in a movie not once, but four times! Ate Vi played the Mars Ravelo character in the films Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1973), Darna and the Giants (1973), Darna vs. the Planet Women (1975), and Darna at Ding (1980).
2. Sister Stella L. (1984)
This critically-acclaimed Mike de Leon film follows the journey of Sister Stella Legaspi, a young nun whose mundane life as a guidance counselor inside the convent changes when she gets invited to join a labor strike at an oil factory. Soon, the initial invitation becomes a full-fledged involvement, as the street nun now desires change after witnessing oppression and even getting kidnapped with her ex-beau, journalist Nick Fajardo (played by the late Jay Ilagan). This Regal Films production earned a grand slam record for the Star for All Seasons.
Watch Sister Stella L on IWantTFC or on Regal Entertainment’s YouTube channel:
3. Relasyon (1982)
The all-time favorite Vilma-Christopher movie of Ate Vi, this Ishmael Bernal masterpiece tells the story of planetarium guide Marilou (Vilma), who will risk everything just to be with her boyfriend, a married man named Emil (Christopher). When they move in together, Marilou soon realizes that the state of her relationship with Emil is far from what she hoped for. Despite all the conflicts, confrontations, and complications in their relationship, Marilou believes what they have is true love. Unbeknownst to them, fate will intervene in their lives to lead them in the right direction.
When KUBO asked which among the films they made together is her favorite, Ate Vi said that “Relasyon is my favorite Vilma-Christopher film. This movie garnered so much attention, [and] I got my [first] Grand Slam [win] as Best Actress. [But] definitely, there are other movies we made which I am so proud of up to this day. These movies are meaningful movies about relationships and relevant depiction of characters.” A grand slam in Philippine showbiz means the artist won in the same category that same year in three major award-giving bodies: Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS), Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP/LUNA), and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (URIAN).
You can catch Relasyon on Regal Entertainment’s YouTube channel:
4. Dekada ‘70 (2002)
Set during the Martial law years, this award-winning film is based on the novel by Lualhati Bautista. Featuring the formidable tandem of Vilma and Christopher playing the couple Amanda and Julian Bartolome, the film follows the sufferings and sacrifices that the Bartolome family had to endure during the dictatorship years. The situation gets complicated when their eldest son, Jules (Piolo Pascual), becomes an activist, experiences torture, and gets imprisoned. Unfortunately, the family is set to face another misfortune with the untimely death of one of their children. Under the direction of Chito Roño, Dekada ‘70 earned numerous awards, including double grand slam wins for Piolo as Best Supporting Actor and Vilma as Best Actress.
Dekada ‘70 is available on AppleTV.
5. Anak (2000)
In this film by Director Rory Quintos, Vilma plays Josie, an OFW mom who has to work abroad, giving up being with her family just to provide a better life for her children. When she returns home after years of working as a nanny in Hong Kong, Josie is surprised to receive the cold shoulder from her children. Understanding their sentiments, Josie makes an effort to bring back the love of her children. She managed to win them back except the eldest, Carla (Claudine Barretto). It took a lot of conflicts and confrontations before Carla opened up to her mother.
Anak is available for streaming on IWantTFC.
6. Bata, Bata… Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998)
With Director Chito Roño at the helm, this Lualhati Bautista novel-turned-movie is an inspiring and socially relevant film focusing on the unconventional life, love, and family of women’s rights advocate Lea (Vilma), who has two children from two different men. The story highlights individuality, female empowerment, freedom, and a mother’s great love for their children. The movie also unveils how lack of communication and compromise affects true and valuable relationships. This award-winning box office hit earned another grand slam streak for Vilma. The film also stars Albert Martinez, Ariel Rivera, Carlo Aquino, and Serena Dalrymple.
Watch the restored version of the film on IWantTFC.
7. Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story (1993)
This highly acclaimed film is based on the life of AIDS victim Dolzura Cortez. The movie chronicles Dolzura’s (Vilma) life before she discovers her illness until she meets one of her ex-boyfriends, Paulo (Christopher), an AIDS researcher who encouraged her to share with the public her experience. Dolzura, who helped spread AIDS awareness in the Philippines, passed away in 1992. Dahil Mahal Kita is an award-winning film written by Ricky Lee and directed by Laurice Guillen.
Watch Dahil Mahal Kita for free on OctoArts Films Youtube channel:
8. In My Life (2009)
Filmed in New York City, this multi-awarded Olivia Lamasan masterpiece follows the intertwined lives of Shirley (Vilma), her gay son Mark (played by Vilma’s real-life son Luis Manzano), and his partner Noel (John Lloyd Cruz). Shirley is a self-righteous librarian who flies to her son in the US to escape the demands of her daughters who want to sell the property they are living in. In New York, she discovers the challenges of Pinoys living abroad. Since her son is often busy, she gets help from Noel, who patiently attends to all her needs despite her exasperating attitude. However, the relationship of Shirley and Noel turns sour when she accidentally discovers what the gay couple is hiding from her. This funny and tear-jerking film presents the flawed character of a mother who thinks she knows what’s best for her family; but in the end, Shirley tries to change and accept the people around her.
Watch In My Life on IWantTFC.
9. Everything About Her (2016)
Cancer doesn’t care if you are a beggar or a billionaire; it hits you anytime, anywhere. This is what happens to Vivian Rabaya (Vilma), a powerful businesswoman who discovers she has stage 3 cancer in this heartwarming and award-winning Joyce Bernal film. But for Vivian, what’s more painful than cancer is the love and care she never had from her estranged son, Albert (Xian Lim), who now lives in the US. She then hires Jaica (Angel Locsin), a nurse from a poor family, who will do anything to help her patient recover.
Watch Everything About Her on Netflix and Prime Video.
10. Mano Po 3: My Love (2004)
Another award-winning film featuring the Vilma-Christopher love team is the third instalment of the Mano Po series, an official entry at the 2004 MMFF. The film won the festival’s Best Picture, with Vilma and Christopher winning Best Actress and Best Actor, respectively. The heartbreaking film follows the love and life of Lilia, a Filipino-Chinese businesswoman and anti-crime crusader who unexpectedly meets her ex-boyfriend, Michael, after 25 years. The couple discovers the truth about their separation and tries to rekindle their love. The burden lies on Lilia, whether she will leave her family to find her happiness or sacrifice the man she truly loves for the sake of her children.
Mano Po 3 is available on Netflix and IWantTFC, and you may also watch it on Regal Entertainment’s YouTube channel:
