MULRI-AWARDED actress and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos has undoubtedly played a gamut of challenging roles on the big screen.

From a nun (Sister Stella L), to a mistress (Relasyon), to an AIDS victim (Dolzura Cortez), to a suffering mother (Anak) to a mermaid (Dyesebel).

Over the weekend, Vilma was presented with a retrospective of her works on the big screen presented in Vilma Night, an exhibit of posters, never-before-seen photos, magazines, even vinyls of her rare recordings all in her six decades in the industry.

“When I became a public servant, I’m used to presenting exhibits for different people, but for the first time I’ve experienced, ako ang binigyan ng ganito,” Vilma said. “First time I’ve experienced ako ang binigyan ng tribute.”

When she entered the site of Archivo Gallery in Makati, Vilma had goose bumps when she saw the rare exhibit of her old pictures some even in her sexiest outfits or videos from her Vilma TV show.

She had a thrill seeing her posters and photos in classic films like Maryo J. De los Reyes’ Tagos ng Dugo (1987), Butch Perez’s Haplos (1982), Celso Ad Castillo’s Burlesk Queen (1977).

“I feel so honored that I was given this kind of tribute and I truly, truly feel so elated. Again, from the heart, thank you for this tribute.”

Snippets of 20 of Vilma’s most memorable films were shown to the guests and Vilma had a chance to reminisce when she worked on those films.

From Iginuhit ng Tadhana: The Ferdinand Marcos Story (1965) to Dyesebel (1973) to Darna and the Giants (1974) to other memorable works, Vilma had the chance to fondly look back at what happened and shared trivia about those films.

Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw (1975), Burlesk Queen (1977), Ikaw ay Akin with Nora Aunor (1978), Romansa with Edu Manzano (1979), Langis at Tubig (1980), Ang Galing, Galing Mo, Mrs. Jones (1980).

“I also played a dancer in Ang Galing Galing Mo, Mrs. Jones, directed by Cirio Santiago,” granted Vilma. “Tinulad nila ‘yan sa Burlesk Queen.”

Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981). “I was pregnant there with Luis,” Vilma shared.

T-Bird at Ako with Nora Aunor (1982), where she donned a tangga as instructed by her director, Danny Zialcita. Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan (1982).

“In order for me to compete with Nora Aunor, gusto nila akong pakantahin na wala naman akong ilalabas sa kantahan, sinayaw ko na lang,” Vilma stressed. “I preferred dancing than singing.

“I made films where I really danced, Disco Fever under Lea Productions (1978), Rock, Baby Rock with Junior (1979). Even Burlesk Queen (1977) sa ending, I studied that dance.”

Relasyon (1982), where Vilma got a best actress grandslam. “I first did that film after giving birth to Lucky,” Vilma recalled.

Broken Marriage (1983) gave her an Urian best actress, followed by Alyas Baby Tsina (1984), megged by National Artist Marilou Diaz-Abaya.

Sister Stella L (1984) directed by Mike de Leon, Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow (1986), Palimos ng Pag-ibig (1986), Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig (1987) with Tonton Gutierrez, Ricky Davao, Alicia Vergel.

Vilma lamented that one of her underrated films was Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig, where Tonton played a retardate and won a grandslam best supporting actor award.

Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989) is Vilma’s last film with National Artist Ishmael Bernal.

“When I did Sister Stella L, ang feeling ko artista lang ako,” said Vilma. “But later on, when I became more mature and I became a public servant, that was the only time I realized ang ganda pala ng movie.

“This is about workers who are fighting for their rights. That was how meaningful and relevant the movie was. In the end, when you mature, that was when the realization came in. I’m so proud of that film.”

One of the films that was overlooked, Vilma pointed out, was Rory Quintos’ Anak (2000).

The veteran actress lamented how some of her memorable films don’t have any copy in our film archives. Like Lipad, Darna, Lipad (1973) or Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978) which she produced under her VS Films.

“We finished Pagputi ng Uwak with Celso Ad Castillo my director, in a total of three years, but you cannot equal the prestige the film gave to VS Films,” Vilma disclosed.

“There are so many other films that I can be proud of up to this generation, but it’s just so unfortunate that we cannot find a copy. Sayang. I’m so blessed that I was given a chance to do those films.

That meant a lot to my career.”

Expectedly, Vilma still wishes to do a lot of other projects. “Expect a dark movie next year,” she said. “From When I Met You in Tokyo, a very simple love story, there is a 360-degree turn with my next project, a dark film that’s very challenging with directors Antoinette Jadaone and Dan Villegas.”

Vilma’s friends in the industry graced the event, including showbiz couple Tirso Cruz III and Lyn Ynchausti, Agot Isidro, Vilma’s sister Evelyn, the owner of the Archivo Gallery, Dr. Marty Magsanoc.