In her 60 years in showbiz, Vilma Santos has already built a legacy as a movie and television star. But even more than that, she has built a community where compassion and support are present, as well as memories to be shared with her fervid fans called Vilmanians and the people she has worked with.

Some might wonder why the Star for All Seasons is loved and venerated by many. Much of the reason is her kindness that simply shines through anywhere she goes. In the second episode of her Anniversary Special titled “Anim na Dekada… Nag-Iisang Vilma,” fans and colleagues share how the iconic actress touched their lives in many, many ways.

Many artists have Vilma’s name written on their bucket list. But once this dream collaboration happens, some of these actors and new breed of directors are left awestruck that they can’t act or give instructions to her face. “Nahihiya sila na sa isang baguhang direktor tuturuan ang isang Vilma Santos,” she related. “Of course not, ‘pag nasa shooting tayo, artista ako at ikaw ang kapitan. Susunod ako sa gusto mo.”

Then, she looked back on her loveteam era, which she considers a momentous time, following her ‘awkward stage’ when she was cast in an international film titled “The Longest Hundred Miles.” When asked how she dealt with leading men trying to make a move on her, she retorted, “They will try. I mean, flirting is there. Nasa sa’yo na kung i-entertain mo o hindi.”

Her first loveteam partner was Jay Ilagan until she was teamed up with Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz, who saw her in the ABS-CBN hallway and picked her as a loveteam partner right there and then. Together, they were pitted against Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III’s tandem known as “Guy and Pip.” Vilma had fun during her loveteam days when they would travel around the country to mingle with fans.

Then, there was Christopher de Leon. With all the leading men she has worked with, there was something about her magic with Boyet that always gets to people, even if their partnership was purely professional. Vilma, or Ate Vi, chalks it up to chemistry.

Christopher, who was in the audience, recalled their first meeting on Vilma’s variety show (titled Vilma!) until they did their first movie together. “She was nice to work with and very pleasant.” One of their remarkable films is “Relasyon” directed by National Artist for Film Ishmael Bernal, who required improvisation in most of their scenes including Christopher’s death scene.

The story of how they mounted it is so colorful. Vilma remembers the panic when Direk Ishmael didn’t cut the scene, but that’s when she learned to listen to her instinct as an actress and be on her toes. She dialled the phone as instructed beforehand, Direk Ishmael answered, inspiring genuine emotions in her. This scene, Vilma believes, was one of the reasons she got her first grand slam, or winning Best Actress in four major award-giving bodies.

Vilma and Christopher imparted that spontaneity gets easier when actors are fully invested in the character’s backstory. Add to that, the so-called chemistry. They just know how to react to each other’s adlibs, as if they are genuinely connected. If anything, this can teach younger stars that the best scenes only happen with teamwork.

“Importante sa mga artista na you support each other. Huwag tayong pabida dito. Lahat tayo bida rito. So, when it’s his scene, give it to him, support him. When it’s my scene, support me naman,” pressed Vilma. Teamwork also means making sure they both look good on screen, especially in kissing scenes, which they meticulously discuss before the take.

Vilma’s versatility is fascinating. One moment she’s acting, then, she’s dancing and hosting the next. She also ventured into politics, first, as a Mayor of Lipa City. What happened was different sectors wooed her to file for candidacy. However, she didn’t want to take risks in unfamiliar territory. Showbiz was the only world she knew. When people insisted, she asked for a sign through prayers: a white flower, any kind. The next morning, she woke up to a bunch of white daisies at the altar and the helper told her it was from the farm from which she was a regular customer. She phoned her husband Ralph Recto and told him she is filing for candidacy on that day.

After winning, she enrolled in a short course on Public Administration at University of the Philippines Diliman to familiarize herself with the new world she just conquered. From being a Mayor, she became Congresswoman and Governor. But the learning process never stopped since. She interacts with other people, especially her constituents, and humbly asks questions when needed. Vilma’s political career lasted 24 years, which makes her believe that she must have done something right.

“When I became Mayor, nag-aral ako, doon ka lang din nalaman ‘yung fulfilment na nagtatrabaho ako direkta sa tao, nakakatulong ako, nagpapasalamat sa iyo, walang camera. Doon ko naramdam ‘yung fulfilment bilang isnag public servant, na meron pala akong kayang gawin,” she mused.

At that point in the interview, Tito Boy divulged that Vilma was invited to run either as Senator or Vice President in the last elections. But, instead, she completely retired from politics. Was it because she felt dead tired of working 24 years for the public? Was it because she isn’t interested in a national post? Or, was it about not wanting to steal the spotlight from her husband Senator Ralph Recto?

“In a way, it’s all of the above,” she admitted. “In a way medyo napagod din ako kasi talagang binigay ko ‘yung serbisyo ko. It’s really a sacrifice. If you really want to help, hindi gano’n kadali. At saka kasi ‘pag nagserbisyo ako, direkta, eh. I really go to the people. Hanggang huling isla ng Batangas napuntahan ko just to show them na I am here. And that’s not easy. That’s physically tiring, draining.”

She looked back on the time when she won as Governor but Ralph lost in the Senatorial race. Vilma turned emotional as she brings to mind how people would up come up to her, congratulating her while her husband was defeated.

“I felt so bad instead of maligaya ako. I felt so bad for my husband. He’s my mentor. He’s the one guiding me. If I made good as a public servant, it’s because of him,” she related that Ralph doesn’t get tired of teaching her the ropes of politics. In the succeeding elections, the tables turned as Ralph won as well.

When someone is as passionate as Vilma is, working nonstop since the age of 9, one may wonder where she gets the unwavering tenacity and strength from. For Vilma, the answer is her fans – the Vilmanians. These are the people who grew old with her. She said some of her fans had her picture inside their caskets when they passed away. And she’s proud to reveal how Vilmanians supported her projects in Batangas City.

At this point in the episode, some Vilmanians – the veterans and new breeds – imparted their messages for their idol and how she has inspired them through the years. These people expressed appreciation for Vilma treating them like family and her big-heartedness that made a huge impact in their lives. One of these Vilmanians revealed that the Star for All Seasons sent help when their family suffered from a calamity.

It’s important for Vilma to connect to her fans, which is why she ventured into vlogging, which she had to learn from scratch with the help of her son Luis Manzano and daughter-in-law Jessy Mendiola. The most fulfilling thing about vlogging is reading fans’ comments telling her how she made their day.

Her influence extends even to the young generation, thus, upcoming artists dream to work with her. That night, some of these upcoming stars had the chance to ask questions to Vilma. In the Q&A, she mentioned that acting runs in her blood as she’s the granddaughter of movie star Carmen Rosales, who reigned supreme in Philippine Cinema from the ‘30s to the ‘50s. It was Carmen who taught her that an artist has a responsibility to look good for her audience, meaning to be presentable at all times.

Vilma exudes humility whenever she gives credit where it is due. She discussed that actors must learn how to appreciate the hard work of those behind the cameras because success only happens with teamwork.

She also reminded these young stars to control their ego, especially when popularity starts to chase them, “Kasi sa totoo lang, you’re only as good as your last movie. Maaaring sikat na sikat ka ngayon pero bukas meron ng bagong uusbong. So, dapat mong pag-aralan sa sarili mo, first, is how to respect yourself and learn how to respect other people lalo na ‘yung pinagkakautangan mo ng utang na loob.”

She continued, “Don’t stop honing your career. Hindi ka hihinto. Hindi ibig sabihin na sikat ka ng artista, pinagkaguluhan ka na o nagka-award ka na, okay na ako dito. No. Every day is a learning process.” Vilma, for instance, still has a lot on her bucket list even after 60 years in the industry. She wants to work with newcomers and even direct a movie. There was a time she was burned out with repeating roles, so she redirected her vision and thought of new things to offer to her viewers. Combined all these and you get the secrets to longevity.

Exactly 23 years ago, Vilma has worked with one of the finest actresses in the country – Claudine Barretto. Their film “Anak” is now etched in the annals of Philippine movie history. Twenty-three years later, the lessons it presented remain relevant to Filipino society, and most of the scenes are still remembered to this day.

Claudine graced the show to share her experience working with Vilma, which she described as a dream come true. It was so surreal that she held back during their intense confrontation scene, which they filmed from 5am to 2pm.

“My main concern was paano ako lalaban sa idol ko? Siyempre ‘pag idol mo, ayaw mong masaktan, ayaw mong madapuan ng kahit ano tapos biglang itutulak mo. I remember nakakailang takes na kami hanggang sinabi na ni Direk Rory [Quintos] sa akin, ‘Clau, nagsasayang na tayo ng oras. Gawin mo na.’ No’ng sinabi ni Ate Vi na, ‘Just do it. Huwag mong isipin na ako ‘to,’ doon lang talaga namin nakuha,” Claudine narrated, adding that their verbal sparring involved improvisations as well.

Vilma was asked what she remembers about the movie. She echoed Claudine’s story and also praised the younger actress for being a generous co-actor, “Wala naman sa kanya ‘yung camera pero umiiyak siya talaga just to motivate pa ako. Kaya gano’n din siguro ‘yung acting ko kasi hindi naman siya naka-close up, eh. Pero she was really crying. Kaya ‘yung acting ko galing sa puso kasi I really saw her as my daughter. Ganu’n siya kagaling umarte at sumuporta.”

“Claud, not because you’re here. Pero sa totoo lang, ‘pag tinanong ako kung sinong maco-consider natin na isa sa pinakamagagaling na artistan na nakasama ko, not because you’re here – Claudine Barretto. And I told you that,” Vilma talked to Claudine.

An evidence of Vilma’s ability to connect with others is that her co-stars turn into family. Things turned emotional when Claudine thanked Vilma for saving her life twice. “I will forever be grateful kasi there were times na I was really down and siya ‘yung unang tumatawag, siya ‘yung nagre-reach out, and siya lang ‘yung nakakaintindi. Siguro sa laki ng respeto at pagmamahal ko sa kanya, God used her para magkaroon ako ng paniniwala ulit sa sarili ko, to love myself again.”

Claudine tearfully went on, “Kasi kung kaya akong mahalin ng isang Vilma Santos, kaya kong mahalin sarili ko… Because of you, my children still has a mom.”

And, finally, in the final moments of the interview, Vilma revealed where her moniker “Star For All Seasons” originated, saying it was first used by a columnist in his article and she embraced it since.

There is certainly a skill to being a star, and Vilma has mastered it through the years.

Happy 60^th anniversary, Ate Vi!