Vilma Santos refused offer to head Film Academy of the Philippines

Vilma Santos. Image: INQUIRER.net/Anne Pasajol

Vilma Santos-Recto stressed that while she did not accept the offer to lead the Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) as its director general, she is more than willing to extend her help and support for the film industry in her own ways.

The Star for All Seasons disclosed this after she was asked if she was offered to lead the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) after Tirso Cruz III’s resignation as its chairperson.

Santos talked to the members of the press during the opening ceremony of the Barako Fest 2024 in Lipa City in Batangas on Thursday, March 14.

“With modesty aside, they were asking me to lead the Film Academy of the Philippines; FDCP, hindi. Wala na rin si Pipo,” she said. 

“Pero kasi ngayon, ‘yung sa show business, since ako ay isa nang pribadong citizen ngayon, parang ang naging adbokasiya ko ngayon after ‘When I Met You in Tokyo’—in fact, even [during] ‘When I Met You in Tokyo’—[ay] maibalik lang ‘yung mga tao sa sinehan,” she continued. “Kasi namatay e, lalo na nung nag-pandemic. Namatay ang mga sine talaga so ‘yon ang naging adbokasiya namin.”

Speaking about her reason for turning down the offer, the veteran actress said she currently prioritizes “paying back” those who have been supporting her in show business and even during her stint as a public servant.

“Hindi ko man tinanggap ‘yung maging director general ng Film Academy, nandito ako para sumuporta sa kanila. Tawagan lang ako, all the time nakasuporta ako,” she noted.

Santos further revealed that she has received numerous film offers but that she is now very particular with the projects she involves herself with.

“‘Yung mga movies naman, ang dami kong script sa bahay ngayon. May mga offers pero hindi ko naman kayang gawin lahat. I’m taking my time,” she said.

“Gagawa na lang ako ng pelikula [‘pag] ‘yung gusto ko—a movie that will challenge me again. Pero kung magiging katulad lang ng dati, hindi na muna,” she added.

“Kasi 35 years old na ako,” she continued, joking. “Gusto ko naman kahit paano ay makapag-enjoy sa sarili, my family, my apo…. So, time management lang. Hindi ako nagmamadali.”

Promoting Batangas through films 

Beaming with pride as a Batangueño, Santos also expressed hopes of featuring what the province has to offer—most especially its kapeng barako—through movies.

“Siguro later on, given a chance, that’s why even the fest na meron kami, Barako ‘yung ipinangalan. Given a chance, step by step,” she stated. “Tingan natin kung even the coffee industry, kaya nating ipagmalaki pa through social media or maybe even in the movies.”

During the event, Vilma then gave emphasis on how the three-day Barako Fest was organized to promote tourism in the province, and with much consideration of the interest of the youth.

Santos was with Ryan Christian Recto—her son with her husband, finance chief Ralph Recto—during the event.