Real Talk
What Today’s Artists Can Learn from Vilma Santos’ Showbiz Career
Vilma Santos celebrates 60 years in showbiz and she recently shared words of wisdom with today’s generation of aspiring actors.
Vilma Santos is one of the celebrities that we can associate with the word longevity, having started her career as a child actress. Dubbed Star for All Seasons, Vilma transitioned from being an actress to a politician and now as a vlogger. She is also a mother to two kids and is now a grandmother with the arrival of her granddaughter Rosie, the daughter of Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola.
She recently celebrated 60 years in showbiz with a two-part special on ABS-CBN called Anim na Dekada … Nag-iisang Vilma. In the interview, she got to share not only her life story but lessons that today’s youth can learn from.
Here are some important pieces of advice Vilma shared especially when it comes to working ethics.
Treat your fans right because they are like family
For Vilma, her fanbase—the Vilmanians—is not just fans. She considers them like her family.
“Yung pagmamahal na ibibigay sa inyo ng inyong mga tagahanga, ibalik niyo. Dahil hindi kayo tatagal kung wala sila. Sila ang magdadala sa inyo,” the former Batangas mayor and legislator reminded the personalities present at the event.
Moreover, she shared one important reminder that she got from one of the most popular actresses of her time, Carmen Rosales, who is her grandmother.
“Siya ang nagturo sa akin na ang artista ay may responsibilidad sa kanyang publiko,” she shared. “Dapat hindi ka lumalabas sa publiko na kung anu-ano lang ang itsura mo. It is your responsibility sa audience or fans mo to look good, hindi fully made but presentable.”
Be professional with your work
Vilma started her career at 9 years old and for a time, acting was just like playing. But as one grows older, maturity kicks in.
“You will learn professionalism and I think that’s the most important sa career natin as an artist. And ang pinaka-importante din na natutunan ko is how to appreciate people around you. No man is an island. Even if you do good, may pelikula kang kumita, kumita iyon hindi lang dahil sa iyo. Kung hindi sa pamilya na nakasama mo.”
Don’t take your work for granted
One of the challenges in showbiz is longevity and Vilma admits that she also went through it. “I guess the most important thing is don’t take your work for granted.”
She mentioned that there are times when fame can get through one’s head. That’s why it’s important to learn how to control the ego.
“At the end of the day, you’re only as good as your last movie. Maaring sikat na sikat ka ngayon pero bukas may bago ng uusbong. So ang dapat mong pag-aralan sa sarili mo is how to respect yourself, learn and uulitin ko, learn to respect other people.”
Never stop learning
Just like any other profession, acting is non-stop learning. Vilma urged everyone to keep on learning because she herself learns a lot every day.
“I’m still dreaming up to this day. Gusto ko maging director. I still want to do something interesting na pelkula. There was a time in my career na napagod ako. Gusto ko na din mag-quit at napagod na ako,” she revealed.
“But when it’s in your blood, hahanap-hanapin mo iyon,” she added, mentioning that she would love to work with the new breed of actors and directors.
Practice the craft
For Vilma Santos to last long in showbiz, it just shows that hard work and perseverance matter. Just like in any other field, her words of advice are applicable to all walks of life. After all, learning is continuous and for you to achieve, you have to prove you have what it takes to last in your work.
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