Why Vilma Santos thinks starring in reality show ‘too bold’ for Pinoy taste

Santos attended the recent “Cultural Wednesdays” event organized by the Foreign Service Institute at the Department of Foreign Affairs. —MARINEL CRUZ

While award-winning veteran actress Vilma Santos said she is now open to making more movies and TV projects, she draws the line at doing a reality show that will also feature other members of her family, similar to the American reality series “The Kardashians.”

“I was offered to do a sitcom with my son Lucky (Luis Manzano) by the team of Cory (Vidanes, ABS-CBN COO for Broadcast), but we still did not agree on the theme. We want to wait and see first. But I don’t think I’m ready to do a reality show—like ‘The Kardashians,’ for example—because I still need my privacy. It’s too bold for me. I’m not as brave nor as open as they are to show everything to the public. We’re Pinoys, and we have family values, and I think it’s more important that we promote them,” Vilma told Inquirer Entertainment shortly after her appearance in an event held on Wednesday at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in Pasay City.

Vilma did let on that she is “leaning toward” doing a film with writer-director Dan Villegas, confirming a post on the Facebook account of Dan’s production outfit Project 8 Projects, that she also reposted.

“Everyone knows that I have negotiations with Dan. I told them that when I shoot something, I don’t want to feel pressured because it would be something that we want to submit for the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival). I told them, ‘Let’s just do one good film.’ I’m leaning toward doing it because I like the story, it’s a thriller. I like making that switch, especially since I just did a romantic movie,” the actress said.

Vilma was last seen in the romantic drama “When I Met You in Tokyo” (WIMYIT), for which she won two best actress trophies. She admitted to getting “a lot of good scripts,” but said she wanted to take her time before agreeing to doing anything again. “I believe in perfect timing. I’m at a point in my career when I can already say I will do only movies that I like to do, that I know will challenge me. That’s my only consideration. I will not make a movie for the sake of having something to show during the MMFF. Modesty aside, I’ve already graduated from that,” she declared.

Vilma added that she is very pleased that WIMYIT topped the Netflix chart two days after it premiered on the streaming platform. “I’m very proud of this movie. It may be a simple one, but it carries a very important message. If you are able to get it, then we’ve already won. It tackles forgiveness, hope, second chances, and how important love is. I ask the audience to watch it again and again until you are able to absorb the meaning of the movie,” she pointed out.

Public service

The monthly DFA event attended by Vilma is called “Cultural Wednesdays,” and is organized by the Foreign Service Institute. The actress said she was happy to share her experiences as an artist, who has been working in the industry for over six decades, as well as a public servant and a homemaker. “I want to serve as an inspiration to our new blood. I know they will be able to learn a lot from my experiences. I always point out that this is a product of blood, sweat and tears. I started at age 9. It wasn’t an overnight success. It’s been a long learning process. I made sure to learn from good people, directors and colleagues,” she began.Vilma was also asked about her plan to return to public service. To this, she said: “If the Lord says, ‘yes, go ahead,’ then I won’t mind serving Batangas again. It’s actually the religious sector there that’s asking me to return. This time, it would be easier for me because I already know what to do. It will only take a little adjustment. It’s just that, I really want to be able to make more movies, or even just one more. I always make sure to have guidance when I make a decision, that’s why I’m really praying about it.”

She added that she is also unsure whether her sons, Luis and Ryan Christian, are inclined to run in the next elections, but she knows that they have “the heart of a public servant.” Luis is her son with actor Edu Manzano, while Ryan is her son with husband and current Budget Secretary Ralph Recto.

“I always ask Lucky, ‘Are you ready to sacrifice your talent fee and your personal time?’ When I see that he is still having second thoughts, I tell him not to run. It’s no joke. You really have to give public service your time and effort. This happened to me, so I know. Lately, my sons have been attending Batangas-related activities on behalf of Ralph, and I see that they now have the heart for it. I guess this is because they are now more exposed to the realities of life,” she observed.

If her sons eventually decide on joining politics, Vilma said she would be their mentor. “I will guide them just like how Ralph mentored me. In my 24 years of experience, I know that having the heart of a public servant is important. You can’t work using only your mind. Also, winning the elections is not the end of it. They have to study once they become a legislator or a local government official. That’s the first thing I did,” Vilma said.