The University of Santo Tomas (UST) hosted a special screening of the film “Dekada ’70” last November, offering a serious look back at a turbulent era in Philippine history. The event, part of a series celebrating the career of the iconic Vilma Santos, highlighted the film’s enduring power to spark dialogue and reflection, even 22 years after its initial release.

Life Imitating Art

Vilma Santos, the country’s Star for All Seasons, who portrayed the unforgettable character Amanda Bartolome in the film, shared how deeply the role impacted her. Dekada ’70 was a mirror reflecting the realities of countless Filipinos during the martial law period. Santos, with her remarkable ability to inhabit her characters, found herself profoundly affected by Amanda’s journey. The experience echoed her roles in other impactful films like “Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa” and “Sister Stella L,” further solidifying her commitment to portraying strong, complex women on screen.

The lines between fiction and reality often blurred for Santos. “Sa immediate family ko, talagang ang priority ko is being a mom. Palagay ko, mom nga bago asawa eh.  Kasi your husband will understand you. I guess, ang number one sa ‘kin mga anak ko, my immediate family. I want the best for them. And it’s true. May dialogue dito kanina, kung napanood niyo – ‘Handa akong pumatay para sa mga anak ko!’ Totoo ‘yan. Pagka-mother ka na, it’s a cliche, but it’s very true. Ayaw mong nasasaktan ang anak mo. If they’re feeling bad, parang sinasabi mo, ‘Sana ako na lang.’ Pag may nararamdaman sila, ‘Sana ako na lang.’ So, ang pakiramdam ko dito, sa pagkaka-portray ko kay Amanda Bartolome dito, sa palagay ko dikit na dikit oto sa pagka-nanay ko kina Lucky [Luis Manzano] at kay Ryan [Recto]. At sa bunso ko, kay Secretary Ralph Recto,” she shared, drawing laughter from the crowd with her affectionate jab at her husband, Senator Ralph Recto.

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From Reel to Real

Santos’ journey into the world of politics further deepened her understanding of the social issues she portrayed on screen. Serving as Governor of Batangas, she experienced firsthand the struggles and aspirations of everyday Filipinos. This experience, she explained, enriched her portrayal of Amanda, a mother grappling with both personal and societal challenges. “Anyway, going back, I felt like a nanay also, a fulfilled nanay sa mas malaki kong pamilya sa Batangas. At naging governor ako so naging  nanay ako ng lalawigan. Alam ko ‘yung pangangailangan na inilalapit sa iyo at may nagagawa kang maganda sa kanila. I really cannot explain the fulfillment. Parang nabubuo ‘yung pagkatao mo unti-unti.”

The Legacy of “Dekada ’70”

The UST event also served as the perfect occasion to announce the forthcoming publication of three books on Vilma Santos by the UST Publishing House. These books will delve into her illustrious career, offering scholarly analyses, stunning visuals, and a comprehensive filmography.

Reflecting on her enduring legacy, Santos shared, “Kapag may nagagawa kang maganda, na hindi pampelikula, o napasalamatan ka, na alam mong napakinabangan, nabubuo pa lalo ang pagkatao mo. You know, at the end of the day, I think the magic word is legacy. Kasi ‘yung kabuuan ng pagkatao mo, ‘yun ang pinakaimportante. At the end of the day, especially when you’re maturing, or let’s face it, when you’re growing old na.”

“Dekada ’70” remains a powerful film that continues to spark important conversations about family, society, and the roles women play in a patriarchal world. To experience this cinematic masterpiece for yourself, you can find it on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpHfXPEhILM

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And don’t forget to catch the movie icon in her latest film, “Uninvited,” showing at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival until January 7, 2025.

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