E had lunch with Vilma Santos and a a select group of writers at Le Souffle in Rockwell. Before this, her fans from all over the world, led by Jeannie Wong of California , sent us a list of questions they want to ask her and here are Ate Vi's answers.
 
What's next after being Mayor of Lipa?
 
"They want me to run as governor pero ayoko. Lipa is just one city. With Batangas, you have an entire province at mahirap 'yon. Hindi ko kaya maging ina ng isang buong probinsiya. I still have a 9-year-old son, Ryan, so priority ko pa rin ang family ko."
 
Will she do a new movie for the 2006 Metro filmfest?
 
"I don't know. Star Cinema has a project for me, a light comedy as the mother of three gays. The title is 'Flores de Mara', but I'm not sure kung matutuloy."
 
Describe a day in the life of Vilma Santos.
 
"Basta I'm going to Lipa, I wake up very early. Mondays, 4 a.m., I'm awake na as I have to leave our home in Green Meadows at 6 a.m. so I can be in Lipa in time for office. The rest of the day is spent with my constituents. Mahirap maging mayor, pati sakit ng ngipin ng mga tao, nilalapit pa sa iyo. "
 
How do you relax?   

"When I'm not doing anything, I just stay home and watch TV."
 
What books have you read lately?
 
"I just read the three 'Chicken Soup for the Soul' books."
 
What was the last movie she saw?
 
"I just saw 'King Kong'. Sa local, I just made a commercial with Direk Cholo Laurel and he lent me a copy of his 'Nasaan Ka Man'."
 
What kind of music does she listen to?
 
"I still go for the mellow touch, especially 70s music."
 
Has she finished the episode she's taping for "Maalaala Mo Kaya" and when will it be shown?   

"Tapos na 'yon. There are remaining two sequences kasi inulan kami on the last taping day, but I'm no longer involved in those scenes. It's the first time I work with Direk Olive Lamasan. It took sometime to finish it as it will be shown for two consecutive weeks. It's based on the true story of a woman from Batangas named April and I star with Ricky Davao and Maja Salvador. I think hindi nila pinalabas noong Christmas as it's so dramatic. Masyadong nakakaiyak. I don't know yet when they'll show it."  

Would she like to do another regular TV show, even a limited engagement like 'Vilma Tonight'?
 
"I tried. Nahihiya na nga ako sa ABS kasi hindi na natuloy. GMA-7 offered 'Magpakailanman' to me but I begged off in deference to Charo Santos kasi makakalaban nga ng 'Maalaala Mo Kaya' at sa ABS ako tumango. The problem is I am not available to do it. Pero malay natin, last term ko na, baka matuloy rin."   

Would she like to do a movie with Sharon Cuneta, Judy Ann Santos, Edu Manzano, and her son Luis?
 
"If given the chance, why not? I'm looking forward to working with Sharon as I've worked with Maricel Soriano, and with Judy Ann as I've worked with Claudine Barretto. About my son, I heard they're doing a movie entitled 'I Love You, Lucky', pero nakikiusap akong huwag nilang gamitin 'yon at baka gumawa kami ng movie ng anak ko, di mas bagay naman sa amin, di ba?"
 
Paano ba magmahal si Sen. Ralph Recto kay Ate Vi?
 
"Both of us, malawak. Broadminded. Twenty years na kami and never kami nagkaroon ng malaking problema because we know how to give and take. We respect each other, that's very important." In their wedding video, Sen. Ralph said that when a woman gets married, she should be submissive to her husband. Is she submissive to him?   

"You know what, sila (she points to her Ate Emilyn and girl friday Aida Fandialan), they call me Etang Discher (a famous contravida in the 50s), kapag sinasagot-sagot ko na si Ralph. I'd say we treat each other as equals pero alam ko naman when to bend o bumaba sa husband ko."   

Will Sen. Ralph allow her to do a movie with Edu where they'll have a kissing or bed scene?

"Nag-guest na ako in Edu's 'OK Fine' and like I've said, Ralph is broadminded, so okay lang 'yon." Does she feel pressured when Sen. Ralph says he wants to have a baby girl with her? Does she consider adoption? "No, I don't feel pressured. At this point, wala sa isip ko'ng adoption kasi I still have a 9-year- old son to take care of. Baka later, I don't know."   

Do they still have sex often?
 
"Ha-ha-ha! Dito, talo, eh. Laging may kumakatok, o may dumaraan o nagri-ring ang phone. That's why we go abroad once a year. Doon, panalo. We go as ordinary people. We don't notify the consuls kasi aasikasuhin pa kami. We carry our own luggage and just enjoy ourselves. Heaven."   

Everyone says she raised Luis well. Did she tell him to give donations to needy couples in "Game KNB"?
 
"No. I myself didn't know about that dahil hindi naman niya kinuwento sa akin. I just found out about it when Kris mentioned it in 'The Buzz'. So I called up my son and he said he just felt he has to share his blessings. I'm really proud of my son. Mabait talaga. Bumili ng condo, I was ready to let go, pero sa bahay pa rin namin natutulog. I should share the credit of raising him with Edu kasi si Edu naman talaga ang gumastos sa buong education niya."
 
Lipa is celebrating its fiesta and tonight, Mayor Vi will be dancing the rigodon de honor at the town plaza with one of Lipa's noted patrons, Danny Dolor. "Without Danny, kulang kami sa panggastos and we're thinking kung saan kukunin ang P50,000 sa budget namin. He suddenly said, ako nang bahala diyan. He's really such a big help."
 
Jojo Lim, president of Vilma Santos Solid Philippines, dropped by Le Souffle to give us a copy of the magazine they have made for their idol. A comprehensive compilation of rare photos showing Ate Vi in various stages of her illustrious career, film reviews, movie and TV ads, it is a must-have collector's item not only for Vilmanians but all those interested in local films. They are also selling Vilma T-shirts to raise funds for their future undertakings.

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