One of the brightest stars in Philippine entertainment, Star for All Seasons and currently Governor of Batangas Vilma Santos-Recto, will be celebrating her birthday on November 3.
Ate Vi, as she is most commonly known, started her career with Sampaguita Pictures as a child actress, in the film Trudis Liit (Little Trudis), where she received the FAMAS Best Child Performer award in 1963.
She made more movies after that, including Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso (1964), Maria Cecilia (1965) and Kasalanan Kaya (1968). As an adult, she appeared in highly acclaimed movies such as Sister Stella L (1984), Imortal (1989), Burlesk Queen (1977) and was the fourth actress to play Darna in Darna, Lipad, Darna!
Her last movie was Ekstra in 2013.
Even though successful in her movie career, Vilma decided to enter politics in 1998 and ran for mayor of Lipa City, Batangas. She won three consecutive elections, becoming the city’s first female mayor.
In 2007, she was proclaimed Governor of the province of Batangas, and reelected again in 2010. She is also the first female governor of the province.
Vilma has two sons, Ryan Christian Recto and actor/model/TV host Luis Manzano (with actor Edu Manzano). She is now married to Senator Ralph Recto.
Other prominent personalities celebrating their birthdays this Thanksgiving month are:
November 1 – Former Mrs. RP-USA winner Arlene Lindalop;
November 2 – Former San Francisco top fashion designer Encarnito “Ito” Curata, and caregiver Myna Padilla Bautista;
November 3 – New Haven Health and Hospice owner Eunice Bejar Lee;
November 5 – Actor Gabby Concepcion, former Miss Philippines Earth winner Melissa Sokukawa, and Fil-Am basketball cager J Taylor;
November 6 – Kapuso singer/actress Jolina Magdangal;
November 8 – ABS-CBN Vice President for Entertainment Deo Edrinal, Comedy Queen Ai-Ai delas Alas, actress Angelica Panganiban, actor Rafael Rosell and balladeer Basil Valdez;
November 9 – Eat Bulaga co-host and actress Pauleen Luna, actress Janice de Belen, comedienne Tuesday Vargas, actor Rafael Rosell, and San Francisco lawyer Ted Laguatan;
November 10 – Pittsburg party planner Susan Tanedo;
November 11 – Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay;
November 12 – Actor Dennis Trillo;
November 13 – Singer for All Occasion Tess Gregorio, international wine distributor Ronald Villar, and San Bruno community leader Alma de Leon Scott;
November 14 – Former Mrs. RP-USA winner Leilani Vinegas of Fairfield, and San Francisco Entertainment Commissioner and Pistahan organizer Al Perez;
November 17 – Businessman Gilbert Henry Lee;
November 18 – Medical Link Provider Executive Director Remy Acedillo, and actor/swimmer Enchong Dee;
November 19 – Antioch community leaders Joselito and Margarita Cabrera;
November 20 – Actress Shaina Magdayao;
November 21 – Catherine Liwanag, mother of Asian Journal – Northern California editor Malou Liwanag-Bledsoe;
November 24 – ABS-CBN News Bureau Chief Ging Reyes;
November 25 – Former Bb. Pilipinas Universe winner and actress Bianca Manalo and actor Randy Santiago;
November 26 – Singer Sheryn Regis, who is now residing in Texas;
November 28 – Senate President Franklin Drilon;
November 30 – San Francisco veteran photographer Bonifacio Valera, and entertainment producer Sunny Tila.
Happy birthday to all celebrants!
