Vilma Santos’ chances as National Artist for Film

To beat the deadline for the submission to the selection of the 2025 Order of National Artist (ONA) or the National Artist Award on June 30, 2024 being a Saturday, a weekend non-working day, Dingdong Dantes’ Aktor PH hastily filed a recommendation or nomination for Vilma Santos (mostly addressed as Vilma Santos-Recto as an official society if not formally acquired name) to qualify to the Order.

But even before the filing of the godson and head of Aktor PH on behalf of his godmother and colleague as a candidate to the highest award in the arts department, Vilmanians and their cohorts would drumbeat and campaign as a National Artist title for the actress.

This informal announcement, naturally, gathered and still gathers mixed reactions from the public, warm bodies and netizens alike.

There are pros and cons to the issue of Vilma as NA (pun not intended as initials of Nora Aunor who was earlier proclaimed as National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts and Vi›s perennial rival to the Queen of Philippine cinema) coming from all quarters but most conspicuous, interesting and attractive are the ones coming from the critics, on the one side, and defenders of the two actresses, on the other.

For instance, former Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP), film critic and international film festival organizer as Filipino American Cine Festival (FACINE) in San Francisco, USA Mike Feria, also known as his real identity as Mauro Feria Tumbocon, Jr. would emphasize that the National Artist is not like an election.

Mike reposted in his Facebook wall 

the General Guidelines of the Selection process which include a reminder of the rigorous final selection of the nominees who would then be submitted to the President of the Philippines for review and eventual approval.

“The President has the power to remove, but not add a name. Pwede bawas, huwag dagdag (Removal is allowed but not inclusion).

“REMEMBER: This is an honor/award of merit. Huwag pangunahan ang (Don’t preempt or pre-judged) National Artist sa pamamagitan nang walang-kamatayang (by means of incessant) press release. Mga true artists of various disciplines take part in deliberations. Hindi yan madadala ng politicking o kampanya na parang eleksyon (That cannot be swayed by campaigning as in election),” reiterated Feria.

Is Mike insinuating the campaigning of pro-Vilma through piles of publicity or PR materials?

Meanwhile, entertainment journalist JC Nigado—a known Ate (a term of endearment to an elder sister or old woman by blood or affinity) Vilma supporter would rebut in his metaphorical or satirical notes in her favor without mentioning the NA issue and bordering on the edge of the actress as at ultimate artist.

We changed the all caps (capital) words of JC into a lower case, for uniformity.

To wit: “Hala! May nagtatanong (Someone’s asking): Ano raw ang (What is) ‘Shakesperean mindset’ at bakit kay (and why with) Ate Vi? To be or not to be:

“Simple lang yun, & walang gimmick, gaya ni (It’s simple and no gimmick like) Ate Vi. Si Lino rin ganun, eh (is like that as well) & Marlowe & Balzac & Madonna & The Beatles, siyempe (of course) & Kubrick & Kurosawa & Nolan & Miyasake & Zila & Ravelo & Celso Ad & FPJ et al.

“Wow! The Shakespearean mindset & Vilma Santos started centuries, nay, millenniums. Ago with the geeks, specifically Aristophanes, Sophocles & Euripides, and then, Shakespeare popularized his theater thing. Now, Vilma Santos, unbeknownst to herself, is still advancing it. How? ‹Tis on.”

Are the aforementioned statements of JC his answers to Mike’s proposition?

Your guess is as good as mine.

My take, though, is that the National Artist Award, is dynamic and evolving even if it has solid criteria and I hope Vi is given the chance to be heard.

It will be a tough battle for the Star for All Seasons and her achievements as an actress.

If relatability to the Filipino audience is a gauge, Santos stands a chance especially her diversified Filipino characters in “Sister Stella L.,” “Dekada ’70,” “Bata. Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?” “Broken Marriage” and a lot more.