Vilma Santos

Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto (born November 3, 1953) is a Filipino actress and politician serving as the Governor of Batangas since 2025, having previously held the position from 2007 to 2016. Known for her versatile work on screen, she began her career as a child actress in the 1960s and was one of the a major box-office draw in the 1970s and 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 the representative for Batangas' 6th district from 2016 to 2022, and as a 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 (FAMAS), 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 (1963). 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 (Little Trudis).

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 (1964), Maria Cecilia (1965), Kasalanan Kaya? (1968), Iginuhit ng Tadhana (1965) and later in its sequel Pinagbuklod ng Langit (1969).

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 (honoris causa) 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 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 (Anti-discrimination 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 has family roots in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija.

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

Electoral history

Filmography Television Year Title Role 1963–1964 Larawan ng Pag-Ibig 1970s Ayan Eh! The Sensations Dulambuhay ni Rosa Vilma 1982–1986 VIP (Vilma in Person) Herself 1986–1995 Vilma Host 1987 Palibhasa Lalake Episode GuestDarnaDarna (voice) 1988 Lamat sa Kristal 1991 Once There Was a Love 1997 Katuparan Kamandag sa Puso 2007 Alay ni Da King: A Fernando Poe Jr. Special HostTalk ToonsEpisode Guest 2009 Vilma: A Woman for All Seasons (Documentary Special) Host 2010 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Regalo Daisy Hernandez 2011 Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal Contestant 100 Days to Heaven Tagabantay 2015 ASAP 20 Herself 2023 Anim na Dekada… Nag-iisang Vilma It's Your Lucky Day Guest co-host 2026 Kapamilya Deal or No Deal Herself/Contestant (with Jessy Mendiola; won ₱125,000)

Film Year Title Role 1963 Trudis Liit TrudisAnak, ang Iyong Ina! King & Queen for a Day Duwelo sa Sapang Bato Aninong Bakal 1964 Ging Ging Larawan ng Pag-ibig Naligaw na Anghel Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso 1965 Sa Baril Magtuos Maria Cecilia Morena Martir Kay Tagal ng Umaga Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story) Imee Marcos 1966 Hindi Nahahati ang Langit Hampaslupang Maton Ito Ang Dahilan Batang Iwahig Ito Ang Pilipino 1967 The Longest Hundred Miles Maria 1968 De Colores Kasalanan Kaya? Eagle Commandos Sino ang May Karapatan? 1969 Pinagbuklod ng Langit Imee MarcosPag-ibig Masdan ang Ginawa Mo My Darling Eddie The Jukebox King 1970 Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Patroness of Bicolandia) Guest Mardy Young Love VilmaI Do Love You Songs and Lovers Bulaklak at Paru-ParoMy Pledge of Love VilmaLove Is for the Two Of Us From the Bottom of My Heart The Young Idols VilmaSixteen Because You Are Mine Love Letters Vilma Ding Dong Sweethearts Give Me Your Love Mga Batang Bangketa I Love You Honey Edgar Loves Vilma Vilma Mother Song Sapagka't Sila’y Aming Mga Anak Vilma, My Darling VilmaNobody's Child May Hangganan ang Pag-ibig! Baby Vi ViRenee Rose Renee Rose 1971 My Love at First Sight The Sensations VilmaAngelica Angelica The Wonderful World of Music Young Lovers VilmaIkaw Lamang Our Love Affair Teenage Señorita I'll Be Loving You... Eternally 1972 Aloha My Love Don't Ever Say Goodbye Inspiration Vilma Dulce Corazon Dulce Corazon Little Darling Vilma Remembrance Sweet Sweet Love Kundoktora Dama de Noche Rosanna / Armida Takbo, Vilma, Dali! Vilma Hatinggabi Na, Vilma! Vilma Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma Rosa Vilma Dalagang Nayon Leron-Leron Sinta Beth 1973 Tsismosang Tindera Now and Forever Vilma Lipad, Darna, Lipad! Narda / Darna Cariñosa Dyesebel at ang Mahiwagang Kabibe Dyesebel Anak ng Asuwang Wonder Vi Wonder Vi Ang Hiwaga ni Maria Cinderella Maria Ophelia at Paris Ophelia Darna and the Giants Narda / Darna 1974 Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica Vilma Phantom Lady Phantom Lady Kampanerang Kuba Andang / Sandra Batya't Palu-Palo Stella Twin Fists for Justice Biktima Dolores Mga Tigre ng Sierracruz Kamay na Gumagapang Tok Tok Palatok Vivian Volta Vivian Volta Kill... The Carnappers Guest Happy Days Are Here Again Guest King Khayam and I Princesa Gracia 1975 Basta't Isipin Mong Mahal Kita Nakakahiya? Ibong Lukaret Ningning Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa Guest: Linda (segment 5) Teribol Dobol Maria Teresa 'Maritess' Labrador Vilma Veinte-Nueve Vilma Karugtong ang Kahapon Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw Nanette Darna vs. the Planet Women Narda / Darna 1976 Hindi Nakakahiya Part II Mga Reynang Walang Trono Big Ike's Happening Guest Let's Do the Salsa Mapagbigay ang Mister Ko Bertang Kerengkeng Berta Bato sa Buhangin Barbara "Bamba" Montinola Mga Rosas sa Putikan Nag-aapoy na Damdamin Makahiya at Talahib Aurora 1977 Pulot-Gata (Pwede Kaya?) Baby Abueva Susan Kelly Edad 20 Susan Kelly Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon Terry Masarap, Masakit... Ang Umibig Burlesk Queen Chato / Czarina 1978 Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig Bakit Kailangan Kita... Simula ng Walang Katapusan Amorseko Kumakabit, Kumakapit! Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak Julie Monserrat Kampus Suzette Sandejas Mga Mata ni Angelita Guest Huwag Hamakin: Hostess Guest Promo Girl Disco Fever Pag-ibig Ko sa Iyo Lang Ibibigay Ikaw Ay Akin Sandra Aragon Rubia Servios Case No. 63572 Rubia Servios 1979 Coed Swing It... Baby! Marilen Pinay, American Style! PX Magkaribal Rock, Baby! Rock! Halik sa Paa Halik sa Kamay ChristineBuhay Artista Ngayon Modelong Tanso Judy 1980 Good Morning Sunshine Darna at Ding Darna / Narda Miss X Filomena Cruz Candy Guest Yakapin Mo 'Ko, Lalaking Matapang Ang Galing-galing Mo, Mrs. Jones Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya Romansa Langis at Tubig Cory Jarlego 1981 Ex-Wife Pakawalan Mo Ako Anna Hiwalay Karma Sarah 1982 Relasyon Maria Lourdes 'Marilou' Castañeda No Other Love Guest Role Sinasamba Kita Divina T-Bird at Ako Isabel Never Ever Say Goodbye Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? Lily The House in the Woods Cristy 1983 Ayaw Kong Maging Querida Paano Ba ang Mangarap? Lisa Broken Marriage EllenMinsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan Helen 1984 Adultery (Aida Macaraeg) Case No. 7892 Aida Macaraeg Sister Stella L. Sister Stella Legaspi Alyas Baby Tsina Elena Duavit Charot Guest 1985 Muling Buksan ang Puso Cristy Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick Rose 1986 Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow Corina Palimos ng Pag-ibig Fina Payaso Guest 1987 Tagos ng Dugo Josefina 'Pina' Ramos Regala Ibigay Mo sa Akin ang Bukas Marie Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin Cathy Santillan Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? Estella Takot Ako, Eh! Guest 1988 Bukas Sisikat Din ang Araw Guest: Sandra Ibulong Mo sa Diyos Monica Quijano 1989 Pahiram ng Isang Umaga Juliet Espiritu Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre Jocelyn Alih Imortal Natalia Avila/Alexandra Avila/Lara Alonzo-Lopez 1990 Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) Guest: Lea Bustamante Once There Was a Love Kapag Langit ang Humatol FloridaHahamakin Lahat Lucinda 1991 Ipagpatawad Mo Selina Esquivel 1992 Sinungaling Mong Puso Clara Engkanto Guest: Inang Kalikasan 1993 Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story Dolzura Cortez Ikaw Lang Celina 1994 Lipa Arandia Massacre Helen Arandia Nag-iisang Bituin Cecille Relaks Ka Lang, Sagot Kita Atty. Vera Villaverde 1996 Ikaw ang Mahal Ko Miling 1997 Hanggang Ngayon Ika’y Minamahal Margot 1998 Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? Lea Bustamante Ang Erpat Kong Astig Guest: Presiding Judge 2000 Anak Josie Agbisit 2002 Dekada '70 Amanda Bartolome 2004 Mano Po III: My Love Lilia Chiong-Yang 2006 D' Lucky Ones Herself (Guest) Regalo Daisy Hernandez 2009 In My Life Shirley Templo 2012 The Healing Seth 2013 The Bit Player Loida Malabanan 2016 Everything About Her Dr. Vivian S. Rabaya 2023 When I Met You in Tokyo Azon2024UninvitedLilia Capistrano / Eva Candelaria

Awards in film

1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Child Actress) 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Lead Actress) 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Producer) 1989 – FAMAS Hall of Fame 1990 – PMPC Star Awards Darling of the Press 1990 – Gawad Urian Aktres ng Dekada '80 (Actress of the Decade '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(Actress of Decade '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 (Films Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?,(1998), Anak (2000), Dekada 70 (2002), Everything About Her (2017) 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

Year Award-giving body Category Nominated work Results 1972 Emee Awards for TV Most Effective Actress Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma 1975 PATAS Outstanding Actress Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma 1975 PATAS Outstanding Television Performer The Sensations 1987 PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Musical Variety Show Host Vilma 1988 PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Musical Variety Show Host Vilma 1991 PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Drama Special Once There Was a Love 2006 PMPC Star Awards for TV Best Actress in a Single TV Performance Maala-ala Mo Kaya: "Regalo" 1998 – Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award – Star Awards for TV

Discography Albums 2000 – Anak Soundtrack 2005 – Vilma (CD, collection of 23 songs)

Songs/covers 1969 – "Sixteen" 1969 – "Da Doo Ron Ron" 1969 – "Wonderful to Be in Love" 1969 – "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus" 1970 – "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do" 1970 – "Something Stupid" 1970 – "Bring Back Your Love" 1970 – "You're All I Want for Christmas" 1970 – "I Wonder Why" 1971 – "Abadaba Honeymoon" 1971 – "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby" 1971 – "Dry Your Eyes" 1971 – "Love, Love" 1971 – "It's Been a Long Long Time" 1971 – "Baby Cakes" 1971 – "I Love You Honey" 1971 – "Then Along Came You, Edgar" 1971 – "Mandolin in the Moonlight" 1971 – "Sealed with a Kiss" 1971 – "Tweddle Dee" 1971 – "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head" 1971 – "Don't You Break My Heart" 1971 – "Wonderful World of Music" 1971 – "You Made Me Love You" 1971 – "The Birds and the Bees" 1972 – "Rick Tick Song" 1972 – "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)" 1972 – "My Boy Lollipop" 1973 – "Palung-Palo Ako" 1973 – "Walang Umiibig" 1974 – "Tok Tok Palatok" 1974 – "Isipin Mong Basta't Mahal Kita" 1974 – "Batya't Palu Palo" 1974 – "Mamang Kutsero" 1976 – "Mga Rosas sa Putikan"

Awards in music Year Award-giving body Category Nominated work Results 1971 Awit Awards Best Single "Sixteen" Best Mini-Album "Something Stupid" with Edgar Mortiz