The award most memorable for Ate Vi

Vilma Santos-Recto

Having grown up in show biz because of my mom, Inday Badiday, I’ve seen celebrities in their unguarded moments. So I can tell who the real ones are or, as we say in showbiz parlance, “totoong tao.”

Ate Vi (Vilma Santos) tops my list in that aspect. Even without all the accolades, she’s award-worthy just being her down-to-earth, wonderful self. Vi’s nomination as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts is long overdue.

The move was spearheaded by Aktor: League of Filipino Actors headed by its chairperson, Dingdong Dantes. Santos’ nomination is also endorsed by 27 other organizations. In Dong’s speech about Ate Vi and her body of work that spans six decades, all the superlatives were not enough to describe the Star for All Seasons’ achievements, impact and legacy.

When Dong enumerated the roles that Vi has portrayed, everyone knew all her movies that he was referring to and some even blurted out the titles. That’s how iconic Ate Vi and her films are. With or without a National Artist recognition, Vilma Santos has always been a national treasure.

Here’s my chat with Ate Vi:

If you could nominate any of your colleagues to be named National Artist, who would it be?

I don’t think I’m in a position to do that. But there are definitely many industry colleagues of mine who are deserving of such an honor. I am speechless with gratitude to Dong and the rest of Aktor, the various groups and my coactors for their vote of confidence.

Among all your awards, which one surprised you the most?

I never expect to win, so every award is a welcome surprise. But the most memorable one was for “Burlesk Queen” in 1977. That was when I felt that I could finally be called an “aktres.” Burlesk Queen almost swept the awards of the Metro Manila Film Festival that year.

What’s more important to you, box-office success or winning an award?

I’m blessed that I have achieved both. When you are new in the biz, you aim to win awards to get noticed and gain respect. It’s a way of making your mark. But in order to have staying power, you must have box-office success. That’s the secret of longevity in the industry.

Barbie Forteza (left) and David Licauco —BARBIE FORTEZA/ INSTAGRAM

Charming rom-com from ‘BarDa’

Even if Barbie Forteza and David Licauco are not a couple, their “BarDa” love team is no scheme. They are genuinely fond of each other sans malice. The duo clicks, on and off-cam.

Their very first movie together, “That Kind of Love” (TKOL), which is now showing in cinemas, does not disappoint. Barbie plays a love coach named Mila who helps a top honcho, Adam (David), navigate the dating scene.

Their tug of war of emotions has the “feels” of the hit K-drama, “What’s Wrong with Secretary Kim?” For extra “kilig” factor, some of their scenes were shot in famous K-drama locations in Korea.

Watching the charming film made me yearn to travel back to my giddy high school girl days. Aside from mastering the art of making the audience swoon, BarDA also nailed their dramatic scenes and verbal jousting.

Divine Aucina, who portrays Mila’s “beshie,” delivered her hilarious punch lines effectively. My favorite scene is the one where Mila and Adam were about to cross the street in Seoul. It’s sort of symbolic because they were at the crossroads of their relationship. Will they pursue their professional ties or cross the line to romance?

As a hopeful romantic, TKOL hit my heart bull’s-eye. It reminded me that we must not keep on looking elsewhere for something we already found. (The TKOL team would like to thank Digital Out of Home Inc.).

Dingdong Avanzado —DINGDONG AVANZADO/INSTAGRAM

Dingdong Avanzado’s 37th anniversary concert

I’ve been friends with Dingdong Avanzado since his “Tatlong Beinte Singko” days. That’s his hit song about red pay phones which were the “in thing” back then. I even watched his first major concert at Folk Arts Theater.

Fast-forward to today. Dingdong is celebrating his 37th year in the biz via the concert, “The Original Prince of Pinoy Pop,” on July 19, 8 p.m. at The Theatre at Solaire (call Ticketworld.com).

Dingdong’s guests include Jessa Zaragoza, Pablo (of SB19), Jayda, Khimo, JM dela Cerna, Marielle Montellano, LA Santos and Randy Santiago. After almost four decades, Dingdong still rocks.