Screened recently at the University of Santo Tomas’ Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati Building Auditorium was Chito S. Roño’s “Dekada ’70.”
It was held as part of a mini film festival celebrating Vilma Santos-Recto dubbed, “Vilma Santos: Woman, Artist, Icon – A Retrospective.”
Other films that were screened at the same event were “Bata, Bata Pa’no Ka Ginawa,” “Ekstra,” “Tagos Sa Dugo.”
Vilma was present during the screening of “Dekada ’70.”
She actually came early along with “Dekada ‘70” co-star Tirso Cruz III.
Note the two are working together again for “Uninvited,” Mentorque Productions entry to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.
During the talkback session, Vilma admitted surprise relating her lines in the film.
“Nakalimutan ko, ngayon ko lang uli na-realize kung gaano kabigat ang mga linya ko sa pelikula,” she said. “Nakakatuwa na may ganito, na napapanood ng bagong henerasyon ang isang pelikulang malapit sa puso ko.”
As to playing Amanda Bartolome in the film, she related, “I’m proud to have portrayed roles that showed the heart and grit of the Filipino woman.”
“Yun naman talaga ang gusto ko, to uplift, empower, inspire Filipino women in whatever I do.”
Looking back, she admitted how her portrayals in such films as “Dekada ‘70” helped form her mindset as public servant.
“Nakatulong ng malaki sa pag-develop ng aking pag-unawa sa working class sector, mga taong araw-araw na itinataguyod hindi lang ang mga sarili nila kung hindi pati na ang buong pamilya to better their lives.”
During the same event, the UST Press announced that they are working on a series of books relating the Star For All Seasons.
The first of these is a “scholarly written book” about the actress as edited by Dr. Augusto Antonio Aguila, with foreword by Very Rev.Fr. Richard Ang OP, Rector Magnificus of UST.
