The Manila City Council passed a resolution endorsing the nomination of renowned actress and Deputy Speaker Vilma Santos-Recto for the Order of the National Artist Award for film and broadcast.
Councilors Pamela Fugoso-Pascual and Johanna Maureen Nieto-Rodriguez, the principal authors of Resolution No. 53, Series of 2021, cited Santos-Recto's "monumental" contributions to the film industry, as well as her achievements in the government.
The Manila-born actress, who is currently the 6th District Representative of Batangas, has starred in over 200 movies. In her career, she has worked with directors who later became national artists such as Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, and garnered awards and recognitions from distinguished award-giving bodies like FAMAS, URIAN, FAP, UP Gawad Plaridel Award, MMFF, Star Awards, and PMPC.
"Mrs. Vilma Santos-Recto is not only one of the finest actresses of her generation but also the epitome of inclusive leadership in public service for being a Presidential Lingkod Bayan Awardee as savior of Taal Lake, the First Woman Mayor of Lipa City, and the Governor of Batangas, as well as the first elected Representative of 6th District of Batangas where she has authored significant pieces of legislation for the welfare of Filipino families," the Resolution, dated March 8, read.
"The City of Manila, being the birthplace of the Star for All Seasons, takes pride in supporting her nomination to become a National Artist for Film and Broadcast inasmuchas she also possesses Godliness, humility, hard work and all the best virtues the Manileños are known for," it added.
Manila Mayor Francisco "Isko Moreno" Domagoso, a former actor, also expressed his support to Santos-Recto's National Artist award bid.
"Hindi pa ako pinapanganak, malaki na ang contribution niya sa industriya (She already made big contributions to the industry even before I was born)," he said in his Capital Report on Friday, March 12.
"Marapat lamang at napapanahon na na si Congresswoman Vilma Santos ay maging National Artist na (It is only right and timely for Rep. Vilma Santos to become a National Artist)."
Santos-Recto, who was a guest in Domagoso's Capital Report, thanked the Manila City Council for their support and vowed to continue to make contributions in the film sector and in public service.
"Ano man pong mangyari dito, tatanawin ko na napakalaking utang na loob ang binigay niyo po sa akin bilang isang artist na napabilang sa nominasyon na maging national artist, maraming maraming salamat po. Hindi ko po kayo makakalimutan (Whatever happens, I will be indebted to you for supporting my nomination to be a National Artist, thank you very much. I will never forget you)," she said.
"Hanggang ngayon po, hanggang saan ako makarating, ano man ang mayroon ako ngayon bilang isang artist, bilang isang family woman, at bilang isa pong public servant, utang na loob ko po ito sa industriya ng pelikula. Sila po lahat ang nagturo sa akin ng mga personal experiences ko na nagagamit ko ngayon bilang isang public servant, kung paano nagiging effective at totoong leader (Whatever I achieve, whatever I have now as an artist, a family woman, and a public servant, I owe it all to the film industry. It taught me my personal experiences that I am able to use now as a public servant, that I can learn from to become a true leader)," she added.