# Vilma Santos

Rosa Vilma Tuazon Santos-Recto (born November 3, 1953) is a Filipino actress and politician. In a career spanning over seven decades, she is recognized for her versatility in acting across various genres of film and television in the Philippines.
She began her career as a child actress in the 1963 film Trudis Liit, for which she won her first FAMAS Award (Best Child Performer). She won the FAMAS Award for Best Actress for her dual role in Dama de Noche (1972). She has portrayed the superhero Darna in four films beginning with Lipad, Darna, Lipad! (1973). Santos produced Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978), which won both the FAMAS Award for Best Picture and the Gawad Urian for Best Film.
As a politician, Santos served as governor of Batangas for three consecutive terms and as mayor of Lipa for also three consecutive terms. She was elected as the Representative of the 6th District of Batangas which comprise only the City of Lipa in 2016. She was encouraged by various political parties to run for the Senate in 2019, but refused to do so. She also served as a House Deputy Speaker from 2019 to 2022 and as the Representative of Batangas' 6th district from 2016 to 2022.

## Acting career

Vilma Santos is widely considered the most lastingly successful Filipino film and television actress of all time. She was adjudged the greatest movie actress of the Philippines for the years 2000 to 2020 by the Philippine Entertainment Portal for her continued portrayal of a wide range of award-winning roles as well as for being a consistent box-office draw despite being in the industry for nearly six decades. Vilma's venture into politics made her semi-retire from showbusiness in the late 1990's yet she still emerged as the actress with the most number of local best actress awards so far in the 21st century.
She started her acting career when one of her uncles, who was a cameraman at Sampaguita Pictures, convinced her to try out for the movies. Initially, Sampaguita Pictures had planned a child star role for her in Anak, Ang Iyong Ina (1963). When Santos was in the studio, she noticed a long line of little girls. Thinking that that line was the line for her audition, she decided to queue in. The long line turned out to be for an audition for Sampaguita Pictures' offering Trudis Liit (Little Trudis).
When it was her turn to audition, she was asked by the panel to sing, dance and cry on cue. She got the part of "Trudis Liit" for which she received the FAMAS Awards Best Child Performer award for 1963.
She was cast in Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso (1964), Maria Cecilia (1965), Kasalanan Kaya? (1968), Iginuhit ng Tadhana (1965) and later in its sequel Pinagbuklod ng Langit (1969).

## Political career
### Mayor of Lipa City

In 1998, she entered politics and ran for mayor of Lipa City, Batangas where she won three consecutive elections, becoming the city's first female mayor.
In 2005, the University of the Philippines Diliman conferred on her the Gawad Plaridel Award for her achievements and contributions both as an actress and a public servant. In the same year she was conferred an honorary doctorate degree (honoris causa) in humanities by the Lipa City College. She was again honored in 2006 by UP Diliman as one of the four awardees in UP's First Diwata Awards.

### Governor of Batangas

In 2007, Santos-Recto was on her third and final term as Mayor of Lipa and was barred for seeking another term. She became a reluctant candidate for Governor of Batangas as her brother-in-law, incumbent Vice Governor Richard Recto, is seeking the governorship.
On March 5, 2007, during the regular flag-raising ceremony at the Lipa City Hall, Santos-Recto ask for a week to decide if she will run or not. This was attended by thousands of her supporters not only in Lipa but from different towns in Batangas. On March 12, 2007, she made her final decision, running for Governor of Batangas despite having her brother-in-law as her rival, including incumbent governor Arman Sanchez and former police chief Nestor Sanares.
On the day of her filing of her candidacy, Richard Recto decided to withdraw his candidacy and run for Congress instead.
Santos-Recto was proclaimed Governor-elect of Batangas on May 21, 2007, after garnering 475,740 votes against incumbent Arman Sanchez's 344,969, becoming the first female governor of the province. She was reelected to her second term as Governor of Batangas in 2010, defeating incumbent Santo Tomas Mayor Edna Sanchez, who substituted her husband Arman Sanchez who died few weeks before the election. She was re-elected to her third and final term as Governor in 2013.

### Member, House of Representatives

After her election for her third and final term as Governor of Batangas, speculations circulated that Santos-Recto would run for the national level. However, she declined every offer to run for a higher level. She decided to run as the first representative of the newly formed 6th District of Batangas, would comprise only the City of Lipa. Santos-Recto won by a landslide, defeating Bernadette Sabili.
She became chairman of the Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation. However, she was removed from the post by the House leadership for her rejection of the reimposition of capital punishment. She is the vice chair of the Committee on Globalization and WTO and the Committee on Local Government. She is also a member of the committees on Basic Education and Culture, Cooperatives Development, Information and Communications Technology, Interparliamentary Relations and Diplomacy, Labor and Employment, Poverty Alleviation, Public Works and Highways, Southern Tagalog Development, Ways and Means, Welfare af Children, and Women and Gender Equality.
She is co-author of the SOGIE Equality bill (Anti-discrimination bill), Magna Carta for Day Care Workers, Maternity Leave Increase bill, Cancer Awareness bill, expanded Senior Citizens bill, and Post-graduate Education for Teachers bill.
In September 2018, she switched from the Liberal Party, where she was a member since 2009, to the Nacionalista Party.
On July 10, 2020, she is one of the 11 representatives who voted favor to grant ABS-CBN's legislative franchise. in which she supported the network's cause for the people and culture. ABS-CBN is also responsible for the restoration of some of her films as well as preservation, which includes Kapag Langit ang Humatol, Anak, Haplos, and Dekada '70.
Although she's eligible to run for a third term, and due to speculations that she might run for a national post, Santos-Recto decided not to seek another term to give way to her husband to run in the same position, nor run in any position in the 2022 elections, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

## Personal life

Vilma Santos-Recto is married to Senator Ralph Recto. They have one son, named Ryan Christian. She also has one son, Luis Manzano from her previous marriage to Edu Manzano.

## Filmography
### Television

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1963–1964 | Larawan ng Pag-Ibig | |
| 1970s | Ayan Eh! | |
| 1970s | The Sensations | |
| 1970s | Dulambuhay ni Rosa Vilma | |
| 1982–1986 | VIP (Vilma in Person) | Herself |
| 1986–1995 | Vilma | Host |
| 1987 | Palibhasa Lalake | Episode Guest |
| 1987 | Darna | Darna (voice) |
| 1988 | Lamat sa Kristal | |
| 1991 | Once There Was a Love | |
| 1997 | Katuparan | |
| 1997 | Kamandag sa Puso | |
| 2007 | Alay ni Da King: A Fernando Poe Jr. Special | Host |
| 2007 | Talk Toons | Episode Guest |
| 2009 | Vilma: A Woman for All Seasons (Documentary Special) | Host |
| 2010 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Regalo | Daisy Hernandez |
| 2011 | Kapamilya, Deal or No Deal | Contestant |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Tagabantay |
| 2015 | ASAP 20 | Herself |
| 2023 | Anim na Dekada… Nag-iisang Vilma | Herself |
| 2023 | It's Your Lucky Day | Guest co-host |

### Film

| Year | Title | Role |
| 1963 | Trudis Liit | Trudis |
| 1963 | Anak, ang Iyong Ina! | |
| 1963 | King & Queen for a Day | |
| 1963 | Duwelo sa Sapang Bato | |
| 1963 | Aninong Bakal | |
| 1964 | Ging | Ging |
| 1964 | Larawan ng Pag-ibig | |
| 1964 | Naligaw na Anghel | |
| 1964 | Sa Bawat Pintig ng Puso | |
| 1965 | Sa Baril Magtuos | |
| 1965 | Maria Cecilia | |
| 1965 | Morena Martir | |
| 1965 | Kay Tagal ng Umaga | |
| 1965 | Iginuhit ng Tadhana (The Ferdinand E. Marcos Story) | Imee Marcos |
| 1966 | Hindi Nahahati ang Langit | |
| 1966 | Hampaslupang Maton | |
| 1966 | Ito Ang Dahilan | |
| 1966 | Batang Iwahig | |
| 1966 | Ito Ang Pilipino | |
| 1967 | The Longest Hundred Miles | Maria |
| 1968 | De Colores | |
| 1968 | Kasalanan Kaya? | |
| 1968 | Eagle Commandos | |
| 1968 | Sino ang May Karapatan? | |
| 1969 | Pinagbuklod ng Langit | Imee Marcos |
| 1969 | Pag-ibig Masdan ang Ginawa Mo | |
| 1969 | My Darling Eddie | |
| 1969 | The Jukebox King | |
| 1970 | Our Lady of Peñafrancia (Patroness of Bicolandia) | Guest |
| 1970 | Mardy | |
| 1970 | Young Love | Vilma |
| 1970 | I Do Love You | |
| 1970 | Songs and Lovers | |
| 1970 | Bulaklak at Paru-Paro | |
| 1970 | My Pledge of Love | Vilma |
| 1970 | Love Is for the Two Of Us | |
| 1970 | From the Bottom of My Heart | |
| 1970 | The Young Idols | Vilma |
| 1970 | Sixteen | |
| 1970 | Because You Are Mine | |
| 1970 | Love Letters | Vilma |
| 1970 | Ding Dong | |
| 1970 | Sweethearts | |
| 1970 | Give Me Your Love | |
| 1970 | Mga Batang Bangketa | |
| 1970 | I Love You Honey | |
| 1970 | Edgar Loves Vilma | Vilma |
| 1970 | Mother Song | |
| 1970 | Sapagka't Sila’y Aming Mga Anak | |
| 1970 | Vilma, My Darling | Vilma |
| 1970 | Nobody's Child | |
| 1970 | May Hangganan ang Pag-ibig! | |
| 1970 | Baby Vi | Vi |
| 1970 | Renee Rose | Renee Rose |
| 1971 | My Love at First Sight | |
| 1971 | The Sensations | Vilma |
| 1971 | Angelica | Angelica |
| 1971 | The Wonderful World of Music | |
| 1971 | Young Lovers | Vilma |
| 1971 | Ikaw Lamang | |
| 1971 | Our Love Affair | |
| 1971 | Teenage Señorita | |
| 1971 | I'll Be Loving You... Eternally | |
| 1972 | Aloha My Love | |
| 1972 | Don't Ever Say Goodbye | |
| 1972 | Inspiration | Vilma |
| 1972 | Dulce Corazon | Dulce Corazon |
| 1972 | Little Darling | Vilma |
| 1972 | Remembrance | |
| 1972 | Sweet Sweet Love | |
| 1972 | Kundoktora | |
| 1972 | Dama de Noche | Rosanna / Armida |
| 1972 | Takbo, Vilma, Dali! | Vilma |
| 1972 | Hatinggabi Na, Vilma! | Vilma |
| 1972 | Tatlong Mukha ni Rosa Vilma | Rosa Vilma |
| 1972 | Dalagang Nayon | |
| 1972 | Leron-Leron Sinta | Beth |
| 1973 | Tsismosang Tindera | |
| 1973 | Now and Forever | Vilma |
| 1973 | Lipad, Darna, Lipad! | Narda / Darna |
| 1973 | Cariñosa | |
| 1973 | Dyesebel at ang Mahiwagang Kabibe | Dyesebel |
| 1973 | Anak ng Asuwang | |
| 1973 | Wonder Vi | Wonder Vi |
| 1973 | Ang Hiwaga ni Maria Cinderella | Maria |
| 1973 | Ophelia at Paris | Ophelia |
| 1973 | Darna and the Giants | Narda / Darna |
| 1974 | Vilma and the Beep Beep Minica | Vilma |
| 1974 | Phantom Lady | Phantom Lady |
| 1974 | Kampanerang Kuba | Andang / Sandra |
| 1974 | Batya't Palu-Palo | Stella |
| 1974 | Twin Fists for Justice | |
| 1974 | Biktima | Dolores |
| 1974 | Mga Tigre ng Sierracruz | |
| 1974 | Kamay na Gumagapang | |
| 1974 | Tok Tok Palatok | |
| 1974 | Vivian Volta | Vivian Volta |
| 1974 | Kill... The Carnappers | Guest |
| 1974 | Happy Days Are Here Again | Guest |
| 1974 | King Khayam and I | Princesa Gracia |
| 1975 | Basta't Isipin Mong Mahal Kita | |
| 1975 | Nakakahiya? | |
| 1975 | Ibong Lukaret | Ningning |
| 1975 | Dugo at Pag-ibig sa Kapirasong Lupa | Guest: Linda (segment 5) |
| 1975 | Teribol Dobol | Maria Teresa 'Maritess' Labrador |
| 1975 | Vilma Veinte-Nueve | Vilma |
| 1975 | Karugtong ang Kahapon | |
| 1975 | Tag-Ulan sa Tag-Araw | Nanette |
| 1975 | Darna vs. the Planet Women | Narda / Darna |
| 1976 | Hindi Nakakahiya Part II | |
| 1976 | Mga Reynang Walang Trono | |
| 1976 | Big Ike's Happening | Guest |
| 1976 | Let's Do the Salsa | |
| 1976 | Mapagbigay ang Mister Ko | |
| 1976 | Bertang Kerengkeng | Berta |
| 1976 | Bato sa Buhangin | Barbara "Bamba" Montinola |
| 1976 | Mga Rosas sa Putikan | |
| 1976 | Nag-aapoy na Damdamin | |
| 1976 | Makahiya at Talahib | Aurora |
| 1977 | Pulot-Gata (Pwede Kaya?) | Baby Abueva |
| 1977 | Susan Kelly Edad 20 | Susan Kelly |
| 1977 | Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon | Terry |
| 1977 | Masarap, Masakit... Ang Umibig | |
| 1977 | Burlesk Queen | Chato / Czarina |
| 1978 | Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig | |
| 1978 | Bakit Kailangan Kita... | |
| 1978 | Simula ng Walang Katapusan | |
| 1978 | Amorseko Kumakabit, Kumakapit! | |
| 1978 | Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali | |
| 1978 | Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak | Julie Monserrat |
| 1978 | Kampus | Suzette Sandejas |
| 1978 | Mga Mata ni Angelita | Guest |
| 1978 | Huwag Hamakin: Hostess | Guest |
| 1978 | Promo Girl | |
| 1978 | Disco Fever | |
| 1978 | Pag-ibig Ko sa Iyo Lang Ibibigay | |
| 1978 | Ikaw Ay Akin | Sandra Aragon |
| 1978 | Rubia Servios Case No. 63572 | Rubia Servios |
| 1979 | Coed | |
| 1979 | Swing It... Baby! | Marilen |
| 1979 | Pinay, American Style! | PX |
| 1979 | Magkaribal | |
| 1979 | Rock, Baby! Rock! | |
| 1979 | Halik sa Paa Halik sa Kamay | Christine |
| 1979 | Buhay Artista Ngayon | |
| 1979 | Modelong Tanso | Judy |
| 1980 | Good Morning Sunshine | |
| 1980 | Darna at Ding | Darna / Narda |
| 1980 | Miss X | Filomena Cruz |
| 1980 | Candy | Guest |
| 1980 | Yakapin Mo 'Ko, Lalaking Matapang | |
| 1980 | Ang Galing-galing Mo, Mrs. Jones | |
| 1980 | Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya | |
| 1980 | Romansa | |
| 1980 | Langis at Tubig | Cory Jarlego |
| 1981 | Ex-Wife | |
| 1981 | Pakawalan Mo Ako | Anna |
| 1981 | Hiwalay | |
| 1981 | Karma | Sarah |
| 1982 | Relasyon | Maria Lourdes 'Marilou' Castañeda |
| 1982 | No Other Love | Guest Role |
| 1982 | Sinasamba Kita | Divina |
| 1982 | T-Bird at Ako | Isabel |
| 1982 | Never Ever Say Goodbye | |
| 1982 | Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? | Lily |
| 1982 | The House in the Woods | Cristy |
| 1983 | Ayaw Kong Maging Querida | |
| 1983 | Paano Ba ang Mangarap? | Lisa |
| 1983 | Broken Marriage | Ellen |
| 1983 | Minsan Pa Nating Hagkan ang Nakaraan | Helen |
| 1984 | Adultery (Aida Macaraeg) Case No. 7892 | Aida Macaraeg |
| 1984 | Sister Stella L. | Sister Stella Legaspi |
| 1984 | Alyas Baby Tsina | Elena Duavit |
| 1984 | Charot | Guest |
| 1985 | Muling Buksan ang Puso | Cristy |
| 1985 | Doctor, Doctor, We Are Sick | Rose |
| 1986 | Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow | Corina |
| 1986 | Palimos ng Pag-ibig | Fina |
| 1986 | Payaso | Guest |
| 1987 | Tagos ng Dugo | Josefina 'Pina' Ramos Regala |
| 1987 | Ibigay Mo sa Akin ang Bukas | Marie |
| 1987 | Asawa Ko Huwag Mong Agawin | Cathy Santillan |
| 1987 | Saan Nagtatago ang Pag-ibig? | Estella |
| 1987 | Takot Ako, Eh! | Guest |
| 1988 | Bukas Sisikat Din ang Araw | Guest: Sandra |
| 1988 | Ibulong Mo sa Diyos | Monica Quijano |
| 1989 | Pahiram ng Isang Umaga | Juliet Espiritu |
| 1989 | Arrest: Pat. Rizal Alih – Zamboanga Massacre | Jocelyn Alih |
| 1989 | Imortal | Natalia Avila/Alexandra Avila/Lara Alonzo-Lopez |
| 1990 | Iputok Mo... Dadapa Ako! (Hard to Die) | Guest: Lea Bustamante |
| 1990 | Once There Was a Love | |
| 1990 | Kapag Langit ang Humatol | Florida |
| 1990 | Hahamakin Lahat | Lucinda |
| 1991 | Ipagpatawad Mo | Selina Esquivel |
| 1992 | Sinungaling Mong Puso | Clara |
| 1992 | Engkanto | Guest: Inang Kalikasan |
| 1993 | Dahil Mahal Kita: The Dolzura Cortez Story | Dolzura Cortez |
| 1993 | Ikaw Lang | Celina |
| 1994 | Lipa Arandia Massacre | Helen Arandia |
| 1994 | Nag-iisang Bituin | Cecille |
| 1994 | Relaks Ka Lang, Sagot Kita | Atty. Vera Villaverde |
| 1996 | Ikaw ang Mahal Ko | Miling |
| 1997 | Hanggang Ngayon Ika’y Minamahal | Margot |
| 1998 | Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa? | Lea Bustamante |
| 1998 | Ang Erpat Kong Astig | Guest: Presiding Judge |
| 2000 | Anak | Josie Agbisit |
| 2002 | Dekada '70 | Amanda Bartolome |
| 2004 | Mano Po III: My Love | Lilia Chiong-Yang |
| 2006 | D' Lucky Ones | Herself (Guest) |
| 2006 | Regalo | Daisy Hernandez |
| 2009 | In My Life | Shirley |
| 2012 | The Healing | Seth |
| 2013 | The Bit Player | Loida Malabanan |
| 2016 | Everything About Her | Dr. Vivian S. Rabaya |
| 2023 | When I Met You In Tokyo | Azon |
| 2024 | Uninvited | Lilia / Eva Candelaria |

## Awards in film

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Result |
| 1963 | FAMAS Awards | Best Child Actress | Trudis Liit | Won |
| 1968 | San Beda College Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Kasalanan Kaya? | Won |
| 1972 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Dama de Noche | Won |
| 1975 | Bacolod City Film Festival | Best Actress | Nakakahiya? | Won |
| 1977 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Burlesk Queen | Won |
| 1978 | FAMAS Awards | Best Picture | Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (as producer) | Won |
| 1978 | Gawad Urian | Best Picture | Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (as producer) | Won |
| 1981 | Cebu City Film Festival | Best Actress | Karma | Won |
| 1981 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Karma | Won |
| 1981 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Pakawalan Mo Ako | Won |
| 1982 | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Actress | Relasyon | Won |
| 1982 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Relasyon | Won |
| 1982 | FAP Awards | Best Actress | Relasyon | Won |
| 1982 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Relasyon | Won |
| 1982 | Let's Talk Movies Awards | Best Actress | Relasyon | Won |
| 1983 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Broken Marriage | Won |
| 1984 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Sister Stella L. | Won |
| 1987 | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Actress | Tagos ng Dugo | Won |
| 1987 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Tagos ng Dugo | Won |
| 1987 | Movie Magazine Awards | Best Actress | Tagos ng Dugo | Won |
| 1987 | Cinemascoop Awards | Best Actress | Tagos ng Dugo | Won |
| 1988 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Ibulong Mo sa Diyos | Won |
| 1989 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga | Won |
| 1989 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga | Won |
| 1989 | Movie Magazine Awards | Best Actress | Pahiram Ng Isang Umaga | Won |
| 1989 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Imortal | Won |
| 1989 | Channel 2 Viewers' Choice Award | Best Actress | Imortal | Won |
| 1991 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Ipagpatawad Mo | Won |
| 1991 | Movie Magazine Awards | Best Actress | Ipagpatawad Mo | Won |
| 1991 | Intrigue Magazine Reader's Choice Award | Best Actress | Ipagpatawad Mo | Won |
| 1992 | New Fame Magazine Readers' Choice Award | Best Actress | Sinungaling Mong Puso | Won |
| 1992 | FAMAS Awards | Circle of Excellence | Sinungaling Mong Puso | Won |
| 1993 | Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | FAP Awards | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | Movie Magazine Awards | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | Intrigue Magazine Readers' Choice Award | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | New Fame Magazine Readers' Choice Award | Best Actress | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1993 | FAMAS Awards | Circle of Excellence | Dolzura Cortez Story | Won |
| 1998 | Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1998 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1998 | FAP Awards | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1998 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1998 | Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO Awards | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1998 | Siasi, Jolo Critics Awards | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 1999 | Brussels International Film Festival | Best Actress | Bata, Bata...Paano ka Ginawa? | Won |
| 2000 | Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO Awards | Best Actress | Anak | Won |
| 2000 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Anak | Won |
| 2002 | Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | Gawad Urian | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | FAP Awards | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO Awards | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | Gawad TANGLAW Awards | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | Cinema One's RAVE Awards Critic's Choice | Best Performer | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | Cinema One's RAVE Awards People's Choice | Best Performer | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2002 | CineManila International Film Festival | Best Actress | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2003 | S Magazine | Actress of the Year | Dekada '70 | Won |
| 2004 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Mano Po 3 | Won |
| 2004 | Gawad Suri Awards | Best Actress | Mano Po 3 | Won |
| 2004 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress | Mano Po 3 | Won |
| 2004 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Mano Po 3 | Won |
| 2009 | MTRCB Film Awards | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2009 | Gawad Suri Awards | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2009 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2009 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2009 | Gawad Genio | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2009 | GMMSF | Best Actress | In My Life | Won |
| 2013 | Cinemalaya Film Festival | Best Actress | Ekstra | Won |
| 2013 | Gawad Tanglaw | Best Actress | Ekstra | Won |
| 2013 | Golden Screen Awards | Best Actress | Ekstra | Won |
| 2014 | Dhaka International Film Festival | Best Actress | Ekstra | Won |
| 2015 | International Indie Fest | Award of Merit Special Mention as Lead Actress | Ekstra | Won |
| 2015 | New York Film and TV Festival | Bronze World Medal | Ekstra (As Producer) | Won |
| 2015 | Worldfest Houston International Film Festival | Platinum Remi (Comedy) | Ekstra (As Producer) | Won |
| 2015 | Worldfest Houston International Film Festival | Best Foreign Language Film | Ekstra (As Producer) | Won |
| 2017 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | Gawad Sineng-Sine PASADO Awards | Best Actress | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | GEMS (Guild Of Educators, Mentors And Students) | Best Actress | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | EDDYS Entertainment Editors' Awards | Best Actress | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | GMMSF | Best Actress | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | EdukCircle Awards | Most Influential Film Actress of the Year | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2017 | PEP | Female Movie Star of the Year | Everything About Her | Won |
| 2023 | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | When I Met You in Tokyo | Won |
| 2024 | Manila International Film Festival | Best Actress | When I Met You in Tokyo | Won |
| 2024 | GMMSF | Best Actress | When I Met You In Tokyo | Won |
| 2024 | FAMAS Awards | Circle of Excellence | When I Met You In Tokyo | Won |
| 2024 | WCEJA | World Class Best Actress | When I Met You In Tokyo | Won |
| 2024 | PMPC Star Awards | Best Actress | When I Met You In Tokyo | Won |
* 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Child Actress)
* 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Lead Actress)
* 1983 – FAMAS Medallion of Excellence (Producer)
* 1989 – FAMAS Hall of Fame
* 1990 – PMPC Star Awards Darling of the Press
* 1990 – Gawad Urian Aktres ng Dekada '80 (Actress of the Decade '80)
* 1997 – FAP Lifetime Achievement Award
* 1998 – FAMAS Lifetime Achievement Award
* 1999 – PMPC Star Awards Special Citation for winning at the Brussels Int'l Film Festival
* 1999 – Natatanging Artista ng Taon
* 2000 – Gawad Urian Aktress ng Dekada '90(Actress of Decade '90)
* 2000 – Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2000 – Pelikula At Lipunan Special Award
* 2002 – Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2004 – Natatanging Gawad Tanglaw
* 2005 – PMPC Star Dekada Award in Acting
* 2005 – Feminist Centennial Filmfest – Outstanding Achievement in Film Acting
* 2005 – GAWAD PLARIDEL for Outstanding Achievement in Film
* 2005 – GMMSF All-Time Favorite Actress
* 2005 – Gawad Suri Award for Exemplary Film Practitioner
* 2006 – First Pioneer Filipino Animation Awards – for Darna, given by the United Animation Inc. and United Staffing Registry Inc.
* 2006 – University of the Philippines Diwata Awards
* 2008 – 25th PMPC Star Awards Lifetime Achievement Awardee
* 2008 – Fil-Am Visionary Legend Award
* 2009 – 7th ENPRESS Golden Screen Awards Lifetime Achievement Awardee
* 2009 – FAMAS Exemplary Achievement Awardee
* 2009 – Cinema One Original Filmfest Legend Award
* 2011 – Golden Screen Awards Movie Icon of our Time Awardee
* 2011 – Gawad Tanglaw Artista Ng Dekada
* 2012 – Yahoo Awards Major Impact
* 2014 – Cinema One Numero Uno Icon Award
* 2015 – NCCA Ani ng Dangal for Ekstra
* 2016 – FAMAS Presidential Award
* 2016 – FAP Golden Reel Award
* 2017 Gawad Tanglaw Presidential Jury Award - Best Film Performance
* 2017 – PMPC Star Awards for Movies Ginintuang Bituin ng Penikulang Pilipino
* 2017 – Natatanging Gawad Urian
* 2019 – Gawad Pasado Best Actress Hall of Fame (Films Bata Bata Paano Ka Ginawa?,(1998), Anak (2000), Dekada 70 (2002), Everything About Her (2017)
* 2019 – MMFF Best Actress Hall of Fame
* 2019 – PMPC Star Awards for Movies Natatanging Bituin ng Siglo
* 2019 – SPEED Awards for Movies – Eddys Icon Awards
* 2021 – PEP Greatest Movie Actress for the Years 2000-2021
* 2022 – MMFF Marichu Vera Perez Memorial Award
* 2023 – FDCP Sining Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2024 – GAWAD DANGAL - Lifetime Achievement Award
* 2024 – PMPC - Dekada Award
* 2024 – EdukSine- Pinay American Style - Gawad Alamat ng Sineng Filipino sa Harap ng Camera
* 2024 – CCP Cine Icons Series - Anak - UST - Award of Excellence
* 2024 – CCP Cine Icons Series - Anak - SPUQC - Certificate of Appreciation
* 2024 – FDCP - Tagos ng Dugo - Cinematheque - Certificate of Appreciation
* 2024 – FDCP - Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? - Metropolitan Theater - Certificate of Appreciation

## Awards in television

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 1972 | Emee Awards for TV | Most Effective Actress | Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma | Won |
| 1975 | PATAS | Outstanding Actress | Dalambuhay ni Rosa Vilma | Won |
| 1975 | PATAS | Outstanding Television Performer | The Sensations | Won |
| 1987 | PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Musical Variety Show Host | Vilma | Won |
| 1988 | PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Musical Variety Show Host | Vilma | Won |
| 1991 | PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Drama Special | Once There Was a Love | Won |
| 2006 | PMPC Star Awards for TV | Best Actress in a Single TV Performance | Maala-ala Mo Kaya: "Regalo" | Won |
* 1998 – Ading Fernando Lifetime Achievement Award – Star Awards for TV

## Discography
### Albums

* 2000 – Anak Soundtrack
* 2005 – Vilma (CD, collection of 23 songs)

### Songs/covers

* 1969 – "Sixteen"
* 1969 – "Da Doo Ron Ron"
* 1969 – "Wonderful to Be in Love"
* 1969 – "I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus"
* 1970 – "Breaking Up Is Hard to Do"
* 1970 – "Something Stupid"
* 1970 – "Bring Back Your Love"
* 1970 – "You're All I Want for Christmas"
* 1970 – "I Wonder Why"
* 1971 – "Abadaba Honeymoon"
* 1971 – "Bobby, Bobby, Bobby"
* 1971 – "Dry Your Eyes"
* 1971 – "Love, Love"
* 1971 – "It's Been a Long Long Time"
* 1971 – "Baby Cakes"
* 1971 – "I Love You Honey"
* 1971 – "Then Along Came You, Edgar"
* 1971 – "Mandolin in the Moonlight"
* 1971 – "Sealed with a Kiss"
* 1971 – "Tweddle Dee"
* 1971 – "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head"
* 1971 – "Don't You Break My Heart"
* 1971 – "Wonderful World of Music"
* 1971 – "You Made Me Love You"
* 1971 – "The Birds and the Bees"
* 1972 – "Rick Tick Song"
* 1972 – "Sad Movies (Make Me Cry)"
* 1972 – "My Boy Lollipop"
* 1973 – "Palung-Palo Ako"
* 1973 – "Walang Umiibig"
* 1974 – "Tok Tok Palatok"
* 1974 – "Isipin Mong Basta't Mahal Kita"
* 1974 – "Batya't Palu Palo"
* 1974 – "Mamang Kutsero"
* 1976 – "Mga Rosas sa Putikan"

## Awards in music

| Year | Award-giving body | Category | Nominated work | Results |
| 1971 | Awit Awards | Best Single | "Sixteen" | Won |
| 1971 | Awit Awards | Best Mini-Album | "Something Stupid" with Edgar Mortiz | Won |