Tribute takes Ate Vi ‘back in time’

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Vilma Santos —ARCHIVO 1984

Vilma Santos could hardly contain her excitement when she led the ribbon-cutting of Archivo 1984’s exhibit staged in her honor.

“It’s the first time I get this kind of tribute. It gives me goosebumps seeing my old pictures and other memorabilia of my films,” she gushed.” “It feels like I traveled back in time. I have never seen some of the photos on display.”

Ate Vi chided Marti Magsanoc, my cousin who owns the art gallery, if she could “make arbor” even just one of her priceless mementos. According to Marti, all items in his Vilma Santos collection are for sale. Interested Vilmanians may inquire through Archivo 1984’s Facebook page.

Ate Vi particularly liked the candid black-and-white blow-up photo taken while she was fixing her belt on the set of “Darna.” The Star for All Seasons was filled with childlike wonder as she looked closely at every photo, poster, magazine cover, newspaper clipping and vinyl record.

Ate Vi is the sum total of all those moments and memories preserved at the “Vilma Night” exhibit. Even if she can no longer relive the past, the exhibit made her recapture the joys of days gone by in her illustrious career. Viva la vida, Rosa Vilma!

Here are quotes from Ate Vi:

When I did “Sister Stella L,” I was just acting out my role. But when I became a public servant, it made me realize the relevance of that movie about the struggles of workers.

“Burlesk Queen” almost made it to the Cannes Film Festival. It did not materialize, so it was not meant to be. My dream is that our films, not necessarily mine, can penetrate the Oscars someday. If the Koreans were able to achieve that, so can we.

My next movie has a dark story. It will be directed by Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone. I refuse to feel pressured if our movie will make it to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) and for me to win best actress again like I did in last year’s MMFF for “When I Met You in Tokyo.” At my age, I don’t let pressure get to me. What matters is we finish a good film worthy to be called a masterpiece.

There are plans that I might portray Mother Lily Monteverde in her biopic. Kim Chiu and Bea Alonzo might play Mother Lily in her younger years. It’s hard to imitate Mother, but I’m game if the project will be planned out well. It will be my way of paying homage to the late great matriarch of our show biz industry to whom I owe a lot.

It’s the golden year of MMFF this December. I hope it will surpass the success of last year’s festival that made a killing at the box office. Sana bumalik na ang passion ng audience for watching movies in the cinema, not just during MMFF season. Let’s not allow streaming to take over. Watching movies in the theaters with the whole family is a great bonding time.

“Makahiya at Talahib,” with Rudy Fernandez, is my only movie that I did not do the dubbing for. Sometimes, my movies where I don’t expect to win a best actress award are the ones that make me bag a trophy.

I want to help restore old classic films (not just mine) any way I can. Films that make us proud to be Pinoy. So future generations can watch them. It’s unfortunate that some of my old films like “Lipad, Darna, Lipad” are not in the archives. The master copy is gone. Too bad because, for me, that’s the best Darna movie ever!

‘HyGab’ keeps the giddiness going

Gwy Saludes’ “University” series now has over 650 million reads on Wattpad. After the success of the series adaptations of “The Rain in España” and “Safe Skies, Archer,” the version of the third book “Chasing in the Wild” is now streaming on Viva One. It will keep the giddiness going. It is topbilled by Gab Lagman and Hyacinth Callado.

Opposites attract as the fun-loving engineering student and basketball team captain Sevi (Gab) meets Elyse (Hyacinth), a rich and spoiled management student and cheerleader from a rival school. As their love deepens, so does life’s challenges. Will adulting make them grow up together or grow apart?

Hyacinth Callado (left) and Gab Lagman —VIVA ENTERTAINMENT

Here are quotes from Gwy (G), Hyacinth (H) and Gab ( GL):

G: There’s pressure to maintain the audience appeal that the first two books had. This third installment is different because it has a sport element.

H: My character Elyse taught me many things about myself. I’m not the sporty type, so I never thought I could do cartwheels and other cheerleader moves as Elyse does. She also made me channel my inner girly self because I am more into earthy than kikay stuff.

GL: Since Marco Gallo and Heaven Peralejo are with us in the series, Hya and I are thankful that they are guiding us. Their love team, called “MarVen,” is established already. Hya and I look up to them, but we would rather not be compared to them so we can follow our love team’s own path.

G: It’s always exciting to watch the characters I created in my book come to life onscreen. I’m part of the creative team to make sure the essence of the story I wrote is retained and the actors stay true to the characters. Hya and Gab fit the roles of Elyse and Sevi. It’s just the way I envisioned them to be.

H: I’m grateful to Gab because I feel safe with him. The closer we get, the luckier I feel to be teamed up with such a cool and supportive guy.

GL: It’s the biggest project for Hya and me, so naturally, there’s pressure. But pressure is good because that means the series is important to us. So, we must push our boundaries and step out of