Vilma Santos wins anew; named MIFF Best Actress in the US
The Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, is savoring the sweet taste of success even outside the United States. Apart from the sold-out screenings in Los Angeles, Ate Vi once again emerged victorious as Best Actress at the 2024 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) for the film When I Met You in Tokyo.
This marks the second win for the seasoned actress for the said movie, co-starring with the Philippine Drama King, Christopher De Leon. She previously clinched the Best Actress title in December 2023 at the Metro Manila Film Festival, where When I Met You in Tokyo was also an official entry.
The Metro Manila International Film Festival, which ran from January 29 to February 2, 2024, aims to showcase Filipino films on the global stage. At the awards night held at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, Ate Vi's longtime on-screen partner, Boyet, received the recognition on her behalf. The event took place on Friday night in the United States on Friday, February 2, 2024 (Saturday morning in the Philippines), attended by other big names and personalities in Philippine showbiz.
Expressing her joy and gratitude, Ate Vi released a personal video on her Instagram account. The veteran actress, currently in Lipa, Batangas, with her family, took the opportunity to thank and convey her message. She said, “Maraming, maraming salamat po sa karangalang ibinigay po ninyo sa akin bilang Best Actress sa pelikulang When I Met You in Tokyo. Sa inyo pong lahat, maraming, maraming salamat po.”
In addition to the jury, Ate Vi had a special shoutout to her producers, Weng Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani, the directors, and her colleagues in the film. She gave tribute to her leading man and associate director, Boyet, saying, “Of course, to my associate director, Mr. Christopher De Leon, maraming, maraming salamat. Bru, para sa atin 'to. Andito si bruha. Yet, thank you, thank you very much.”
Bruha and Bruho were the playful nicknames or terms of endearment of the characters played by Ate Vi and Boyet in the film.
Ate Vi saved the best for last when she extended her gratitude to the audience and supporters of the film in America. Ending her speech, she added, “And I'd like to take this opportunity to thank all our kababayans sa LA. Sa mga nanood po ng When I Met You in Tokyo, I learned na sold out po lahat ng tickets at nagustuhan po ninyo ang aming pelikula. Again, mula sa puso, sa inyong mga kababayan ko sa Los Angeles, maraming, maraming salamat po. Sa lahat po ng mga bumati, sa mga Vilmanians, to all my Vilmates, to all my friends, maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbati.”
She shared the honor with everyone and exclaimed, “Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino. Love you! Salamat.”
HERE ARE THE FILIPINO CELEBRITIES WHO ATTENDED THE MANILA INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AWARDS NIGHT:
When I Met You in Tokyo is set to have international screenings on February 11 at The Space Moderno Cinema in Rome, Italy, and on February 18 at Citylife Anteo, Milan, Italy. In the US, the film will still be available for viewing at CARCO Theater in Renton on February 17 and Bremerton HS Performing Arts on February 18 in Washington, DC.
