Vilma Santos meets fans ‘for all seasons’ and signs books at the MIBF 2025
On September 12, Friday, fans of all ages, from Gen X to Gen Z, flocked to support the Star for all Seasons and Batangas Governor Vilma Santos-Recto and eagerly bought copies of her new book, “Vilma Santos, Icon: Essays on Cinema, Culture, & Society.” Hosted by the UST Publishing House, Vilma Santos’ Manila International Book Fair book signing event at the SMX Convention Center turned into a celebration of her decades-long career and her strong influence on Philippine cinema, culture, and society.
The event featured a warm Meet & Greet and a heartfelt booksigning session by the industry legend herself. The scholarly anthology, edited by Prof. Augusto Antonio Aguila, co-director of the UST-CCWLS, and Asst. Prof. Lito Zulueta, a resident fellow, includes nineteen articles by respected academics from the country’s top universities. Published by UST Publishing House, the book reflects Vilma’s legacy in the Philippine industry and her wide-ranging roles as an actress, a public servant, and a cultural icon.
This photo is courtesy of MIBF | Facebook
During the event, Ate Vi expressed her heartfelt gratitude. She also shared how her artistry in acting and her political career are intertwined. Ate. Vi said, “Well, siguro I’m one actor who’s very lucky to be able to do mga relevant movies. Nabigyan ako ng chance to do good movies, meaningful movies. At karamihan ng mga nagawa kong pelikula, if you notice, ay sumunod sa panahon. I started young, may love team, hanggang naging adult, hanggang naging nanay, naging madre pa, naging OFW sa Anak. So naging superhero, Darna…”
Vilma reflected on her evolution as an artist and public servant, emphasizing how her roles in film served as mirrors of society, “Yung aking mga roles sa pelikula, nagamit ko ngayon na ako’y naging isang public servant kasi kahit paano sa tagal ko sa industriya naging salamin at ‘yung mga roles ginampaman ko naging salamin ng lipunan.” She also expressed her gratitude for a career that has spanned over six decades. “The good thing is sa more than six decades ko na sa industry at least kahit paano puwede ko masabi na yung character ko as Vilma Santos the person and Vilma Santos the artist and now as a public servant, nag-evolve. Hindi ako nag-stagnate. So kung doon lang I think I’m very, very lucky and I should be very thankful sa lahat ng kaibigan ko sa industry and of course to my Vilmanians.”
@randomrepublika Star for All Seasons #VilmaSantos made time last Friday to meet and greet her fans and book buyers at the #MIBF2025. VILMA SANTOS, ICON: ESSAYS ON CINEMA, CULTURE & SOCIETY is a scholarly anthology that features nineteen (19) articles by academics from the country’s top universities. Prof. Augusto Antonio Aguila and Asst. Prof. Lito Zulueta are the editors and this book is published by the UST Publishing House. #VilmaSantosRecto #ManilaInternationalBookFair2025 ♬ original sound – randomrepublika
The Vilmanians, a passionate fan base, are proactive in celebrating her legacy. Vilma delightedly shared, “Sabi nila, it’s about time naman na meron ka ng libro. So, they’ve thought of unang-unang itong scholarly book and may plano rin silang filmography and then ang coffee table book.”
When asked by a Thomasian student writer how it feels to be celebrated as a cinematic and cultural icon, beyond her movie star status, Ate Vi responded, “I’m speechless. I don’t know how to explain it. It’s a fulfillment. It’s an achievement. Working in this business of serving our movie industry for more than 60 years, ‘yung longevity lang nito, sa haba ng panahon, is already an achievement. Hindi lahat nabibigyan ng gano’ng pagkakataon. So, I think I should be very grateful na up to this day, kaharap ninyo ako, still as an artist. Kaya lang ngayon naging public servant pa. So it’s really, I’m very grateful. Definitely it’s a fulfillment and achievement. Malaking bagay ito sa buhay ko.”
Looking back at her roles, Ate Vi fondly noted that, “Kasi to be honest, lahat ng ni-review nila doon ng mga pelikula ko, halos lahat yun ang paborito ko. Kasi yun ang mga pelikula ko na cinoconsider na ginawa ko as the woman, halos lahat na nandoon. So yun lang happy na ako, yung lumabas ng pagpapakita ng sa lipunan, ano ba ang isang tunay na babae.”
On the power of cinema in today’s digital era, Ate Vi firmly believed, “I think so. That’s why if you notice there are a lot of actors or artists in the movie industry who tried entering politics. Tama ba? Maybe because sanay din kami sa tao, diyan kami lumaki. Ang kinicater naming audience, tao rin, it’s the same thing. Politics is the same thing. It’s just when you’re there, iba rin ang intriga. You get me? Parang sa akin, pareho ko naranasan, parang mas bearable ang intriga sa showbiz. Politics is different. ‘Pag ito hindi ka pa nasanay sa takbo ng panahon ay hindi mo alam kung saan ka pupulutin. Damned if you do, damned if you don’t. As long as you are sincere in serving our people, especially those people who gave their trust in you, at naibalik mo yun at sinabi nila salamat sa serbisyo mo, fulfillment na yun. Walang camera yun and that’s priceless. At naranasan ko yun. Maraming salamat,” Vilma shared, her voice tinged with emotion and genuine humility.
Ate Vi’s words and her presence at the book signing event celebrated her milestone and reinforced her belief in the power of cinema and public service. She continues to be a source of inspiration, showing that a career built on integrity, passion, and service can last generations.
Ate Vi continues to humanize her status as an icon, one who has woven her artistic talents with her commitment to Philippine cinema, culture, and society.
