MANILA, Philippines — Social media users debate online whether or not the award-winning actress and politician Vilma Santos-Recto, otherwise known as the “Star for all Season” should be named as a national artist.
Santos-Recto was nominated for the “National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts” category by Dingdong Dantes, president of Aktor (League of Filipino Actors) during a press conference held at The Manila Hotel last Friday, June 28.
According to Dantes, Santos-Recto has made “incomparable works” for the past six decades and is a “paragon of professionalism, a cultural champion and nation-builder.”
However, a series of parley made rounds online following the announcement of Santos-Recto’s nomination.
In a Facebook post, Wilfredo Garrido said instead of vying for the award, Santos-Recto should instead “give way” to other actors who spent their whole lives in the industry.
He likewise told Santos-Recto, who is now a step away from getting the national artist award, that the award will only “tarnish” her reputation and has urged the veteran actress to run for the midterm elections in 2025.
“A National Artist award will not add to her fame. It will only tarnish her reputation,” he said.
“Vilma Santos should instead run for Senator where she will do better than Robin Padilla, he added.
‘Enduring legacy’
Meanwhile, in a separate post, one social media user supported the nomination and touted the acting career of Santos-Recto as an “enduring legacy.”
“Her significant contributions to Philippine cinema, and her unwavering dedication to philanthropy make her a true national treasure,” the Facebook user said.
“Proclaiming her as a National Artist would be a well-deserved recognition of her exceptional contributions to the arts and the nation,” she added.
Several organizations including academic, government, entertainment, non-profit, and overseas groups have expressed their support and endorsement of Santos-Recto’s nomination for the award.
Santos-Recto entered the entertainment scene at the age of nine. Among the many films she starred in were “Dekada ‘70” and “Bata, Bata… Paano Ka Ginawa?”
In addition to her acting career, Santos-Recto was renowned for her public service. She served three terms as the mayor of Lipa City from 1998 to 2007 and three terms as the governor of Batangas City from 2007 to 2016.
