Ricky Lee Reveals New Film Written Especially for Vilma Santos After Star Awards Hall of Fame Honors
VILMA SANTOS – National Artist Ricky Lee has confirmed that he has written a new film made especially for Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto, as both screen legends were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the 42nd Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) Star Awards for Movies in Manila.
Santos received the Hall of Fame honor as Movie Actress, capping a career that has earned her ten best actress trophies from the PMPC. Lee was enshrined as Movie Screenwriter after 11 wins over the years.
Asked after the ceremony about the project he and Santos discussed on stage, Lee did not hold back. “Yes, oo. Sabi niya, ‘Tuloy na natin.’ Yes. Para sa kanya talaga ‘yung project,” he said. In English: she told him to go ahead with it, and the project is truly meant for her.
Lee said the idea was built around the Star for All Seasons from the start. “Bago ko isinulat, alam kong si Vi na ang gaganap. Ito talaga ‘yung character around her,” he said, meaning he knew Santos would play the role before he began writing.
He said the script took months to write and promises something fresh for the actress. “Iba, e. We made sure na iba. And I made sure na wide ‘yung range ng gagawin niya roon sa pelikula,” Lee said. “Proud ako sa nagawa ko for her, at masaya ako sa nasulat ko for her.” No title, producer or release date has been announced yet.
“Tutuloy pa rin po ako”
In her acceptance speech, Santos joked about what the Hall of Fame might imply. “Ang Hall of Fame, parang hindi magandang pangitain. Parang hindi niyo na ako kikilalanin. At saka isa pa, parang may usapang edad,” she said with a smile. She quickly made clear she is not stepping away from movies. “Tutuloy pa rin po ako kahit na anong edad ko,” she said, which means she will keep going no matter her age.
Santos traced her career back to age nine at Sampaguita Pictures and thanked the studios and producers who trusted her along the way. She singled out Regal Films and Viva Films for lifting her up when, in her words, she was “literally financially down.” She also thanked her fans. “Kasama ko na kayong tumatanda! Pero nandiyan pa rin kayo,” she said.
Lee, for his part, said the honor will not slow him down. “Napakahalaga ng karangalang ito na Hall of Fame para sa akin pero hindi ibig sabihin, titigil na akong magsulat ng pelikula,” he said. He added that he will keep holding free scriptwriting workshops for aspiring writers.
Hopes for the Bernal movie
Santos was also asked if she would want to join the film on the late director Ishmael Bernal that Lee and director Jerrold Tarog are putting together. “Sana naman… Gagawin nila. Sana, sana,” she said, crediting Bernal for much of her success. “Karamihang achievements ko, galing kay Bernal.” Lee said she would be more than welcome.
The Hall of Fame night also had other highlights, which we covered in Maricel Soriano and Maris Racal Tie for Best Actress at 42nd Star Awards.