Vilma Santos achieved a rare feat during the 80's which was never accomplished by any other performer, male or female. In 1983, Santos hit the grand slam by winning Best Actress in all the award giving bodies for her performance in Ishmael Bernal's Relasyon (Regal Films, Inc., 1982). Although the first trophy she got during the decade was from the FAMAS for Pakawalan Mo Ako (MVP Pictures, Inc., 1981), Santos really delivered her best performances in Relasyon, Sister Stella L. (Regal Films, 1984) and Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga (Regal Films, 1989). Playing the part of Marilou, a sympathetic mistress in Relasyon, her performance was consistently good from start to finish. In fact, she was brilliant in the film's small moments, especially in that seemingly insignificant scene where she tried to dismiss persistent suitor Junjun (Jimi Melendez). In Mike de Leon's Sister Stella L., the growth and development of her character was clearly evident. especially in her transformation from a non-partisan religious to a highly politicized nun who gets involved in a labor dispute. In Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga, Ishmael Bernal's very competent handling of the material, coupled with Santos' intelligent portrayal of Juliet, a terminally ill cancer victim, saved the film from becoming a glorified soap opera. Her other fine fine performances during the 80's were displayed in films like Broken Marriage (Regal Films, 1983), Tagos Ng Dugo (V.H. Films, Inc., 1987) and Saan Nagtatago Ang Pag-Ibig? (VIVA Films, 1987) . Santos' most underrated performance during the decade undoubtedly was in Lino Brocka's Adultery Aida Macaraeg Case No. 7892 (Regal Films, 1984). Her sympathetic portrayal of an adulteress could easily have won for her nominations in all the award giving bodies, except that the film was overshadowed by the more prestigious Sister Stella L. which was also released during the same year.
Overshadowed by Vilma Santos during the 80's was Nora Aunor who undisputedly was the brightest star of the 1970's. Aunor, however, still gave some really outstanding performances particularly during the decade's first half. For instance, she started the 1980's with her sensitive portrayal of a faithful alalay in Brocka's Bona (NV Productions). In 1982 it wasn't a miracle that she was proclaimed Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress for playing the part of Elsa, a young woman who claimed to have witnessed an apparition in Bernal's Himala (Experimental Cinema Of The Philippines). 1984 was another banner year for Aunor. Although she only made three movies that year, she was outstanding in all three. 'Merika ( Adrian Films), Condemned (NV Productions / Golden Dragon Films International) and Bulaklak Sa City Jail (Cherubim Films) which won for her four acting trophies. Of the three films she finished in 1984, Aunor came out best in 'Merika. Her appearance in the film was memorable because for the first time she played a completely different part, so unlike the usual api-apihan roles she churned out in the past. Playing the role of Milagros Cruz, a Filipino nurse in the U.S., Aunor attacked her role with quiet sensitivity that proved to be so refreshing and breathtaking as some of the American sceneries featured in the film. Another sensitive Nora Aunor portrayal was in Mario O'Hara's Bakit Bughaw Ang Langit? (Four Seasons Films, International), the movie that launched Dennis Roldan to stardom in 1981. In the 1985 Metro Manila Film Festival, Aunor gave a vivid portrayal of Amy Mercado, a singer on her way down in the commercial venture I Can't Stop Loving You (Regal Films). Although she managed to rise way above such pulp material, it was sad that her beautiful performance in the film was ignored by critics and film reviewers who refused to take this Elwood Perez film seriously. In 1989, Aunor only made one film, Bilangin Ang Bituin Sa Langit (Regal Films), her fiery performance in the movie won for her three acting awards from the Film Academy Of The Philippines URIAN and FAMAS. Despite the emergence of young superstars Maricel Soriano and Sharon Cuneta during the decade, Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos remained the Actresses of the 1980's.
10:57 AM
Hi Jojo,
Nora Aunor has been consistently excellent in the 70s and 80s but she's developed a bit of a "mannered acting" during the 90s (the same thing's happened to Christopher de Leon). That said, she's great in Naglalayag...
Vilma it's the other way around. I think that she got better and better through the years. I didn't like her at all in her early films.
Regards,
RSE
1:27 PM
I have to admit that Vilma was indeed ahead of Nora in terms of acting awards in the 80's. She was the first grand slam Best Actress winner for Relasyon, and won three URIAN awards in a row. Nora on the other hand still turned in fine performances in the films mentioned in the post but was never really recognized by most award giving bodies during that decade but nevertheless, both were still the Best Actresses of the 80's.
10:15 AM
Hi Jojo,
I wish that they make an indie film together. A small and quiet character driven piece would be ideal. :-)
Regards,
RSE
10:53 AM
Hi Ron,
Vilma was offered the lead female role in Raya Martin's Independencia but chose to make In My Life instead. Nora will soon be filming Reclusion Perpetua for Lav Diaz. The idea of the two of them starring in an independent production would be great but I don't think it will happen anytime soon.
11:14 AM
Hi Jojo,
Wow! Great news regarding Reclusion Perpetua...I can't wait...
Regards,
RSE
1:47 PM
Naku oo nga, I'm still keeping my fingers crossed. Hopefully by January makapag-shooting na...
10:47 AM
Jojo,
This is another good piece. Ang galing mo talaga.
I do agree with you that Vilma was 'bigger' than Nora in the 80s in terms of box-office results, however, kung body of work ang pag-uusapan, Nora had more outstanding performances during this decade than Vilma. Other than the ones you mentioned, Nora was great in Kung Ako'y Iiwan Mo, Nakaw na Pag-ibig, Minsan May Isang Ina. Mga Uod at Rosas, Gaano Kita Kamahal. She was way better than the 'politician' in T-Bird at Ako. Nora showed also more versatility. She was effective in comedies like Totoo Ba Ang Tsismis. I am just frustrated na mas pinaboran ang maingay na acting ni Vilma during the 80s kaya mas marami siyang 'awards'. I also beg to differ na si VS ang unang grandslam winner. In 1977, 2 lang ang award giving bodies and Nora won both Urian and Famas for 3 Taong Walang Diyos. Opinyon ko lang naman ito. (Sana, hindi ako halata). I hope you are doing well. Ingat.
3:39 PM
Maraming salamat Nino! Nora's body of work in the 80's, although great wasn't recognized by most award giving bodies. They preferred Vilma's showier performances in most of her films during the decade. Vilma was indeed the first grand slam Best Actress winner in 1982 since nung manalo si Nora in '76 dalawa lang ang award giving bodies which was also the Manunuri's first year. When they say grand slam it meant winning at least four major acting awards. In Vilma's case she was named Best Actress by all the award giving bodies that year resulting in a grand slam win.
5:04 AM
Hi Jojo! T bird at Ako is one of my favorites,the witty dialogue and Nora & Vilma's scenes together were so exciting to see,to see them delivering Zialcita's kilometric lines was so refreshing,as the last one they were together in a scene,it was on ly a "titigan scene" diba.I liked Nora's performance in Tbird as well in BONA & Bulaklak sa City Jail,wonder when will i see them again.I have Tbird in vcd and still watch it evry now and then.
8:10 AM
Hello Dexter!
T-Bird At Ako is the only movie Nora and Vilma made where they had numerous scenes together. In Pinagbuklod Ng Pag-Ibig, they had to shoot their scenes separately and although they were in Ikaw Ay Akin, Nora and Vilma only appeared in a handful of scenes together including that long, quiet end sequence. T-Bird At Ako wouldn't have come into fruition if Vilma didn't win Best Actress at the 1981 MMFF after a bet with Danny Zialcita. Thankfully she did and kept her promise to make the movie.
10:42 AM
you mentioned also sharon cuneta as a superstar in the 1980s but to be honest, i find her an ordinary actress. never in league in with those 3 plus gina alajar, though she may not be a superstar but she is exciting.
5:53 PM
Sharon was indeed a Superstar or for lack of a better example, a Megastar in the mid 80's but I wouldn't consider her an actress of Maricel's caliber. Gina Alajar along with Jaclyn Jose are both amazing actresses who also gave memorable performances during the decade.