Vilma Santos has been nominated by AKTOR PH, a group composed of Filipino actors as led by its chair Dingdong Dantes, for the prestigious National Artist Award.
Established in 1972, the Order of National Artist (ONA) recognizes Filipinos who have made significant contributions to the development of Philippine arts.
It has 7 categories, including Music (singing, composition, direction, and/or performance), Dance (choreography, direction and/or performance), Theater (direction, performance and/or production design), Contemporary Arts (painting, sculpture, printmaking, photography, installation art, mixed media works, illustration, graphic arts, performance art and/or imaging), Literature (poetry, fiction, essay, play-writing, journalism and/or literary criticism), Film and Broadcasting/Broadcast Arts (direction, writing, production design, cinematography, editing, camera work, and/or performance), Architecture, Design and Allied Arts (architecture design, interior design, industrial.
Vilma is nominated in the category of Film and Broadcasting/Broadcast Arts, which already includes the likes of Lamberto Avellana (film and theater), Gerardo de Leon (film), Lino Brocka (film), Ishmael Bernal (film), Eddie Romero (film and broadcast arts), Fernando Poe Jr. (film), Manuel Conde (film and broadcast arts), Kidlat Tahimik (film and broadcast arts), Ricky Lee (film and broadcast arts), Marilou Diaz-Abaya (film and broadcast arts), and Nora Aunor (film and broadcast arts).
In nominating Vilma, Dingdong and his group cited the Star For All Season’s “unparalleled versatility” as actor, portraying numerous film characters with aplomb, including, among many others, a socially conscious nun (“Sister Stella L,” 1984), a burlesque star (“Burlesk Queen,” 1977), a terminally ill individual (“Because I Love You: The Dolzura Cortez Story,” 1992, “Pahiram ng Isang Umaga,” 1989), and a rape survivor (“Rubia Servios,” 1978).
Dingdong also mentioned how she has won a great number of awards and honors from prestigious local and international bodies, including the Gawad Urian, FAMAS, Catholic Mass Media, the Metro Manila Film Festival, PMPC Star Awards, the EDDYS and more.
He also pointed out her vast contributions to the country as public servant, noting how it has earned for her the prestigious Presidential Lingkod Bayan award, the highest honor given to a public servant here.
Said Dingdong, “Vilma Santos is more than just a celebrated actress; she understands that her influence and status can be powerful catalysts for positive change. Her transition from movie star to public servant underscores her dedication to using her platform to serve and uplift her fellow citizens, proving that her talents extend far beyond the screen.”
“She is a huge inspiration not only to us, actors, but also to a lot of people outside the industry. It’s about time.”
Note her nomination must be recommended by both the Cultural Center and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts.
The award is bestowed by virtue of Presidential Proclamation.
