Yet another reason why she’s the Star for all Seasons

Actress par excellence Vilma Santos-Recto continues to prove she is truly the Star for All Seasons even without trying to.

On Thursday, at the grand and final media conference of “When I Met You in Tokyo” — her much-awaited Metro Manila Film Festival entry and reunion movie with iconic leading man and fellow acclaimed actor Christopher de Leon — Ate Vi was larger than life, both literally and figuratively.

Though under the weather, revered actress Vilma Santos didn’t miss the finale media conference of ‘When I Met You in Tokyo,’ attending via Zoom as her leading man Christopher de Leon (seated, second from left) and the rest of the cast watched her, in awe of her dedication and professionalism. 

How so? At the panel interview in Ortigas Center’s The Crowne Plaza Galleria, she appeared on a giant screen via Zoom, looking every bit the beautiful and classic movie star that she is, albeit under the weather.

As professional as ever, the full-time showbiz balikbayan — who is excited and eager to be back in the industry following a lengthy, unblemished and successful political career in Batangas — made sure to be “present” at the gathering she closely planned with her producers (JG Production’s Rowena Jamaji, Santos, Rajan Gidwani and Redgie Magno) even if “Tokyo’s” rigorous nationwide promo schedule already took its toll on the well-loved Ate Vi.

Believe it or not, she and “Yet-Bo” as Ate Vi playfully calls her favorite leading man, held fan meets, guest appearances and special events across Luzon, Cebu and Davao to spread the word about their “age-appropriate” rom-com drama, which hardly any other cast of this year’s MMFF entries had done.

“I’d like to apologize to all of you that I couldn’t be with you in person today, but I wasn’t going to miss this for anything,” Ate Vi, who was clearly having a difficult time speaking with throat and nasal congestion, said sincerely.

She shared how much she enjoyed reconnecting with fans and making new ones via road trips and air travel, just like the old days when Ate Vi was the undisputed box office queen throughout the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s until she entirely devoted her time and focus to successive elective offices.

Out of a dizzying barrage of engagements, she only missed appearing at The Eddys in late November, feeling exhausted from a packed provincial blitz, and this culminating media conference-cum-thanksgiving party with the press.

Gina Alajar, Christopher de Leon and Lotlot de Leon 

Cassy Legaspi and Darren (formerly known as Espanto

Cacai Bautista, Lynn Cruz and Gabby Eigenmann 

“I’m sorry Yet-bo you’re on your own today,” At Vi thoughtfully continued, “but hanggang sa dulo, magkasama tayo at tuloy ang laban!” she joked. (“But to the very end, I promise you we’re in this fight together.”)

Everyone was mesmerized by the Star for All Seasons — her cast mates Gina Alajar, Lotlot de Leon, Cacai Bautista, Lynn Cruz, Gabby Eigenman, John Gabriel, Darren and Cassy Legaspi, among others included — for her sheer dedication to the project, even if she deserved to rest and recuperate.

Hoping to join the Parade of Stars today through Camanava, here are the reasons why Ate Vi defied the doctor’s orders to stay in bed: Firstly, because she truly believes audiences of all ages will fall in love with the simple and heartwarming story of Azon and Joey who meet in Tokyo and fall in love in their 60s; and because she is one with the rest of the movie industry who are doing everything they can to get people back to the cinemas anew by Christmas.

“With such a great lineup of movies and stars for the MMFF, I hope and pray for everyone’s support for our beloved movie industry. We promise you something totally different from Boyet and myself. None of the heavy drama we used to do but a film that will move just the same. You won’t regret it, so please watch ‘When I Met You in Tokyo’ on December 25 and after our movie, all the rest of the entries of this beautiful festival.”

“When I Met You in Tokyo” is directed by Rommel Penesa and Conrado Peru.