By Annalyn S. Jusay
Published Oct 27, 2025 06:42 am
Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto thanks everyone for her awards (Facebook)
Star For All Seasons and Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, fondly called "Ate Vi" by most, has been in the showbiz limelight since she was 10. After six decades and counting, she shows no signs of slowing down.
Last Saturday, Oct. 25, Ate Vi was honored with the Best Actress recognition for "Uninvited" at the 27th Gawad PASADO Awards given by the Pampelikulang Samahan ng mga Dalubguro - a national organization of film educators, teachers, and academics from various schools and universities in the Philippines.
In the event held at Manila Tytana Colleges, she was also inducted into the Hall of Fame for being recognized as Best Actress by Gawad Pasado five times. She was previously cited for her performances in "Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?" (1998), "Anak" (2000), "Dekada ’70" (2002), and "Everything About Her" (2016).
Asked what keeps her relevant after more than six decades in the business, Ate Vi attributes her attitude and work ethic.
“Hindi ako natakot to reinvent myself, to learn more. Just because I won Best Actress, does that mean I'm the best? Of course not. You're only as good as your last film. After that, there's someone better than you," she pondered.
Ate Vi pointed out that the lessons she would like to impart to others in the industry are the following: "non-stop learning, willing to take the risk, love your career because it will love you back. The same people you meet on the way up are the same people you will meet on the way down, so learn to be grateful to everyone around you."
Even after playing nearly every imaginable character in six decades of acting, the veteran actress still has dreams to fulfill.
“May dream pa ako na gusto kong gumanap na isang Muslim,” she shared. “‘Yung ginagawang kultura ng isang Muslim. At ‘yung pagiging mentally challenged, although baka mukha ng awkward sa edad ko. (I still dream of playing a Muslim woman and portraying their culture, and maybe a mentally challenged person, though that might look awkward at my age.)"
Although her focus now is serving the province of Batangas, Ate Vi admitted to always missing her first love.
Ate Vi with officers of Gawad Pasado, composed of film educators from leading universities.
“I will be serving Batangas for three years, pero sana kahit maka isang pelikula, ipapakiusap ko sa mga Batangueño. Nami-miss ko rin, hinahanap ng katawan ko talaga. (I’ll be serving Batangas for three years, but I hope to make at least one film. I miss it; it’s something my body really longs for)," she said.
Now in her second term as governor, Ate Vi said she has learned to impart a modern style of governance.
“Sa trabaho namin ngayon, there’s no such thing as ‘tomorrow is another day,’ kasi yesterday is the deadline,” she explained. “With technology now, pag babagal-bagal ka, walang mangyayari. Lahat dapat fast-track (In our work now, there’s no such thing as ‘tomorrow is another day,’ because yesterday is already the deadline. With today’s technology, if you’re slow, nothing gets done. Everything must be fast-track.)"
One of her major initiatives is "Capitol on Wheels," a mobile government office that brings public services directly to the people. “Kami na ang lumalapit sa tao. Hindi na sila pipila at magugutom para sa ayuda. Enough of that,” she said proudly.
(We’re the ones going to the people now. They no longer have to queue and go hungry just to receive assistance. Enough of that.)
Ate Vi on corruption
Addressing the corruption scandals that plague Philippine politics, Ate Vi stated that the issues make her feel bad.
"At the end of the day, ang nahihirapan ay ‘yung tao. Pero dapat resolbahan. I am not being self-righteous here, okay? Pero since naging public servant ako, ang isang natutunan ko, up to this day, ang sinusunod ko lang ay tatlo. Unang-unang, follow the law. Secondly, be accountable to your people. And third, be transparent. No shortcuts. Yan lang yan. (At the end of the day, it’s the people who suffer. But it must be resolved. Since I became a public servant, I’ve followed only three rules: follow the law, be accountable to your people, and be transparent. No shortcuts. That's it.)
And her advice to fellow leaders? “Lessen the greed. Enough.”
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