Vilma Santos


Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos is a Filipino actress and politician. Known for her versatile work on screen, she began her career as a child actress in the 1960s and was one of the biggest box-office draw from the 1970s to early 1980s. Her accolades include a Dhaka International Film Festival Award, thirteen FAMAS Awards, eleven Gawad Urian, and five Luna Awards. She served as the Mayor of Lipa from 1998 to 2007, then as Governor of Batangas in 23rd and 25th congress. She also served as the representative for Batangas' 6th district from 2016 to 2022, and as the Deputy Speaker of the [House of Representatives of the Philippines|House Deputy Speaker] from 2019 to 2022.

Acting career

Vilma Santos is widely considered the most lastingly successful Filipino film and television actress of all time. She was adjudged the greatest movie actress of the Philippines for the years 2000 to 2020 by the Philippine Entertainment Portal for her continued portrayal of a wide range of award-winning roles as well as for being a consistent box-office draw despite being in the industry for nearly six decades. Vilma's venture into politics made her semi-retire from showbusiness in the late 1990's yet she still emerged as the actress with the most number of best actress awards so far in the 21st century. According to the Film Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences Awards, she is the most awarded actress in acting history.
She started her acting career when one of her uncles, who was a cameraman at Sampaguita Pictures, convinced her to try out for the movies. Initially, Sampaguita Pictures had planned a child star role for her in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina. When Santos was in the studio, she noticed a long line of little girls. Thinking that that line was the line for her audition, she decided to queue in. The long line turned out to be for an audition for Sampaguita Pictures' offering Trudis Liit.
When it was her turn to audition, she was asked by the panel to sing, dance and cry on cue. She got the part of "Trudis Liit" for which she received the FAMAS Awards Best Child Performer award for 1963.
She was cast in Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso, Maria Cecilia, Kasalanan Kaya?, Iginuhit ng Tadhana and later in its sequel Pinagbuklod ng Langit.

Political career

Mayor of Lipa City

In 1998, she entered politics and ran for mayor of Lipa City, Batangas where she won three consecutive elections, becoming the city's first female mayor.
In 2005, the University of the Philippines Diliman conferred on her the Gawad Plaridel Award for her achievements and contributions both as an actress and a public servant. In the same year she was conferred an honorary doctorate degree in humanities by the Lipa City College. She was again honored in 2006 by UP Diliman as one of the four awardees in UP's First Diwata Awards.

Governor of Batangas

Santos ran for governor of Batangas in the 2007 Philippine general election. She was proclaimed Governor-elect on May 21, 2007, after garnering 475,740 votes against incumbent Arman Sanchez's 344,969, becoming the first female governor of the province. She was reelected to her second term as Governor of Batangas in 2010, defeating incumbent Santo Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, who substituted her husband Arman Sanchez who died a few weeks before the election. She was re-elected to her third and final term as Governor in 2013.
On September 19, 2012 President Benigno S. Aquino III presented the Presidential Lingkod Bayan Award, considered the highest honor that a public servant can receive in the Philippines, to Governor Rosa Vilma Santos-Recto. She was cited for daring to fight the toughest battles of the Province of Batangas and for addressing the persistent overcrowding in Taal Lake to improve water quality and prevent fish kills.

Member, House of Representatives

After her election for her third and final term as Governor of Batangas, speculations circulated that Santos would run for the national level. However, she declined every offer to run for a higher level. She decided to run as the first representative of the newly formed 6th District of Batangas, would comprise only the City of Lipa. Santos-Recto won by a landslide, defeating Bernadette Sabili.
She is co-author of the SOGIE Equality bill, Magna Carta for Day Care Workers, Maternity Leave Increase bill, Cancer Awareness bill, expanded Senior Citizens bill, and Post-graduate Education for Teachers bill.
In September 2018, she switched from the Liberal Party, where she was a member since 2009, to the Nacionalista Party.
On July 10, 2020, Santos became one of the 11 representatives who voted favor to grant ABS-CBN's legislative franchise.

Governor of Batangas (Fourth term)

Santos successfully ran again for governor of Batangas in the 2025 Philippine general election. Her son Ryan Christian Recto won the seat for the Batangas's 6th congressional district but Luis Manzano lost for the vice governor against the outgoing governor Hermilando Mandanas.

Personal life

Vilma Santos-Recto is married to Finance Secretary Ralph Recto. They have one son, named Ryan Christian. She also has one son, Luis Manzano from her previous marriage to Edu Manzano.

Awards in film

YearAward-giving bodyCategoryNominated workResult
1963FAMAS AwardsBest Child ActressTrudis LiitWon
1968San Beda College AwardsBest Supporting ActressKasalanan Kaya?Won
1972FAMAS AwardsBest ActressDama de NocheWon
1975Bacolod City Film FestivalBest ActressNakakahiya?Won
1977Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressBurlesk QueenWon
1978FAMAS AwardsBest PicturePagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak Won
1978Gawad UrianBest PicturePagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak Won
1981Cebu City Film FestivalBest ActressKarmaWon
1981Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressKarmaWon
1981FAMAS AwardsBest ActressPakawalan Mo AkoWon
1982Catholic Mass Media AwardsBest ActressRelasyonWon
1982FAMAS AwardsBest ActressRelasyonWon
1982FAP AwardsBest ActressRelasyonWon
1982Gawad UrianBest ActressRelasyonWon
1982Let's Talk Movies AwardsBest ActressRelasyonWon
1983Gawad UrianBest ActressBroken MarriageWon
1984Gawad UrianBest ActressSister Stella L.Won
1987Catholic Mass Media AwardsBest ActressTagos ng DugoWon
1987FAMAS AwardsBest ActressTagos ng DugoWon
1987Movie Magazine AwardsBest ActressTagos ng DugoWon
1987Cinemascoop AwardsBest ActressTagos ng DugoWon
1988FAMAS AwardsBest ActressIbulong Mo sa DiyosWon
1989PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressPahiram Ng Isang UmagaWon
1989Gawad UrianBest ActressPahiram Ng Isang UmagaWon
1989Movie Magazine AwardsBest ActressPahiram Ng Isang UmagaWon
1989Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressImortalWon
1989Channel 2 Viewers' Choice AwardBest ActressImortalWon
1991Gawad UrianBest ActressIpagpatawad MoWon
1991Movie Magazine AwardsBest ActressIpagpatawad MoWon
1991Intrigue Magazine Reader's Choice AwardBest ActressIpagpatawad MoWon
1992New Fame Magazine Readers' Choice AwardBest ActressSinungaling Mong PusoWon
1992FAMAS AwardsCircle of ExcellenceSinungaling Mong PusoWon
1993Manila Film FestivalBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993Gawad UrianBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993FAP AwardsBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993Movie Magazine AwardsBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993Intrigue Magazine Readers' Choice AwardBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993New Fame Magazine Readers' Choice AwardBest ActressDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1993FAMAS AwardsCircle of ExcellenceDolzura Cortez StoryWon
1998Film Desk of the Young Critics CircleBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1998Gawad UrianBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1998FAP AwardsBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1998PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1998Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO AwardsBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1998Siasi, Jolo Critics AwardsBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
1999Brussels International Film FestivalBest ActressBata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa?Won
2000Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO AwardsBest ActressAnakWon
2000PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressAnakWon
2002Film Desk of the Young Critics CircleBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002Gawad UrianBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002FAP AwardsBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO AwardsBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002Gawad TANGLAW AwardsBest ActressDekada '70Won
2002Cinema One's RAVE Awards Critic's ChoiceBest PerformerDekada '70Won
2002Cinema One's RAVE Awards People's ChoiceBest PerformerDekada '70Won
2002CineManila International Film FestivalBest ActressDekada '70Won
2003S MagazineActress of the YearDekada '70Won
2004Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressMano Po 3Won
2004Gawad Suri AwardsBest ActressMano Po 3Won
2004Gawad TanglawBest ActressMano Po 3Won
2004PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressMano Po 3Won
2009MTRCB Film AwardsBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2009Gawad Suri AwardsBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2009Gawad TanglawBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2009PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2009Gawad GenioBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2009GMMSFBest ActressIn My LifeWon
2013Cinemalaya Film FestivalBest ActressEkstraWon
2013Gawad TanglawBest ActressEkstraWon
2013Golden Screen AwardsBest ActressEkstraWon
2014Dhaka International Film FestivalBest ActressEkstraWon
2015International Indie FestAward of Merit Special Mention as Lead ActressEkstraWon
2015New York Film and TV FestivalBronze World MedalEkstra Won
2015Worldfest Houston International Film FestivalPlatinum Remi Ekstra Won
2015Worldfest Houston International Film FestivalBest Foreign Language FilmEkstra Won
2017PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressEverything About HerWon
2017Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO AwardsBest ActressEverything About HerWon
2017GEMS Best ActressEverything About HerWon
2017EDDYS Entertainment Editors' AwardsBest ActressEverything About HerWon
2017GMMSFBest ActressEverything About HerWon
2017EdukCircle AwardsMost Influential Film Actress of the YearEverything About HerWon
2017PEPFemale Movie Star of the YearEverything About HerWon
2023Metro Manila Film FestivalBest ActressWhen I Met You in TokyoWon
2024Manila International Film FestivalBest ActressWhen I Met You in TokyoWon
2024GMMSFBest ActressWhen I Met You In TokyoWon
2024FAMAS AwardsCircle of ExcellenceWhen I Met You In TokyoWon
2024WCEJAWorld Class Best ActressWhen I Met You In TokyoWon
2024PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressWhen I Met You In TokyoWon
2025Platinum Stallion National Media AwardsBest ActressUninvitedWon
2025FAMAS AwardsCircle of ExcellenceUninvitedWon
2025GEMS Best ActressUninvitedWon
2025Gawad PASADOBest ActressUninvitedWon
2025Gawad TanglawBest ActressUninvitedWon
2025PMPC Star AwardsBest ActressUninvitedWon

  • 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence
  • 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence
  • 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence
  • 1989 – FAMAS Hall of Fame
  • 1990 – PMPC Star Awards Darling of the Press
  • 1990 – Gawad Urian Aktres ng Dekada '80
  • 1997 – FAP Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 1998 – FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 1999 – PMPC Star Awards Special Citation for winning at the Brussels Int'l Film Festival
  • 1999 – Natatanging Artista ng Taon
  • 2000 – Gawad Urian Aktress ng Dekada '90
  • 2000 – Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2000 – Pelikula At Lipunan Special Award
  • 2002 – Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2004 – Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw
  • 2005 – PMPC Star Dekada Award in Acting
  • 2005 – Feminist Centennial Filmfest – Outstanding Achievement in Film Acting
  • 2005 – GAWAD PLARIDEL for Outstanding Achievement in Film
  • 2005 – GMMSF All-Time Favorite Actress
  • 2005 – Gawad Suri Award for Exemplary Film Practitioner
  • 2006 – First Pioneer Filipino Animation Awards – for Darna, given by the United Animation Inc. and United Staffing Registry Inc.
  • 2006 – University of the Philippines Diwata Awards
  • 2008 – 25th PMPC Star Awards Lifetime Achievement Awardee
  • 2008 – Fil-Am Visionary Legend Award
  • 2009 – 7th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Lifetime Achievement Awardee
  • 2009 – FAMAS Exemplary Achievement Awardee
  • 2009 – Cinema One Original Filmfest Legend Award
  • 2011 – Golden Screen Awards Movie Icon of our Time Awardee
  • 2011 – Gawad Tanglaw Artista Ng Dekada
  • 2012 – Yahoo Awards Major Impact
  • 2014 – Cinema One Numero Uno Icon Award
  • 2015 – NCCA Ani ng Dangal for Ekstra
  • 2016 – FAMAS Presidential Award
  • 2016 – FAP Golden Reel Award
  • 2017 – Gawad Tanglaw Presidential Jury Award - Best Film Performance
  • 2017 – PMPC Star Awards for Movies Ginintuang Bituin ng Penikulang Pilipino
  • 2017 – Natatanging Gawad Urian
  • 2019 – Gawad Pasado Best Actress Hall of Fame, Anak, Dekada 70, Everything About Her
  • 2019 – MMFF Best Actress Hall of Fame
  • 2019 – PMPC Star Awards for Movies Natatanging Bituin ng Siglo
  • 2019 – SPEED Awards for Movies – Eddys Icon Awards
  • 2021 – PEP Greatest Movie Actress for the Years 2000-2021
  • 2022 – MMFF Marichu Vera Perez Memorial Award
  • 2023 – FDCP Sining Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2024 – GAWAD DANGAL - Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2024 – PMPC - Dekada Award
  • 2024 – EdukSine- Pinay American Style - Gawad Alamat ng Sineng Filipino sa Harap ng Camera
  • 2024 – CCP Cine Icons Series - Anak - UST - Award of Excellence
  • 2024 – CCP Cine Icons Series - Anak - SPUQC - Certificate of Appreciation
  • 2024 – FDCP - Tagos ng Dugo - Cinematheque - Certificate of Appreciation
  • 2024 – FDCP - Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? - Metropolitan Theater - Certificate of Appreciation
  • 2025 – Asian Torch of Excellence Award - Hall of Fame
  • 2025 – Southeast Asian Achievement Awards - Most Outstanding Showbiz Personality and Public Servant of The Year 2025
  • 2025 – Manila International Film Festival - Lifetime Achievement Award
  • 2025 – Gawad PASADO – Hall of Fame
  • 2025 – PMPC Star Awards – Female Star of the Night

Awards in television

YearAward-giving bodyCategoryNominated workResults
1972Emee Awards for TVMost Effective ActressDalambuhay ni Rosa VilmaWon
1975PATASOutstanding ActressDalambuhay ni Rosa VilmaWon
1975PATASOutstanding Television PerformerThe SensationsWon
1987PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Musical Variety Show HostVilmaWon
1988PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Musical Variety Show HostVilmaWon
1991PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Drama SpecialOnce There Was a LoveWon
2006PMPC Star Awards for TVBest Actress in a Single TV PerformanceMaala-ala Mo Kaya: "Regalo"Won

Discography

Albums

  • 2000 – Anak Soundtrack
  • 2005 – ''Vilma''

Songs/covers