Vilma Santos bags 10th Best Actress trophy; stays mum on National Artist calls

“Uninvited” emerges as Movie of the Year as Aga Muhlach, Dennis Trillo, and more win top prizes.

“Star for All Seasons” Vilma Santos-Recto achieved another milestone in her storied career after being named Best Actress at the 41st PMPC Star Awards for Movies. Her performance in the mystery-drama film “Uninvited” earned her a historic 10th Best Actress win from the Philippine Movie Press Club.

During her acceptance speech, Santos-Recto reflected on how meaningful the recognition still feels, even after decades in the industry. “Definitely, I feel so happy. Every time nabibigyan ka ng pagkilala, it’s a different high kasi kahit papaano na-acknowledge na you did something good. So sa PMPC, maraming, maraming salamat sa tiwala,” she said.

She was also asked about persistent calls for her to be proclaimed a National Artist—a sentiment widely shared by fans and film advocates. The award-winning actress, however, remained modest. “I don’t want to comment on that. With all the blessings that I’m getting, I’m very thankful already. I’m not aiming for anything. I just want to thank God for all the blessings,” she said.

Santos-Recto also teased that she has a new film project in the works. “Soon! May hinahanda and I think maganda ‘yong movie. Pero sasabihin ko na lang ‘pag it’s already final. But I’m looking forward to doing that movie—maganda!” she shared. When pressed if it was an international project, she replied with a laugh: “Medyo.”

Sharing the Best Actor trophy

This year’s PMPC Star Awards for Movies, held at the Makabagong San Juan Theater, gathered some of the entertainment industry’s biggest names. “Uninvited” dominated the evening, winning Movie of the Year and several major craft awards.

Aga Muhlach and Dennis Trillo shared the Movie Actor of the Year honor for their performances in “Uninvited” and “Green Bones,” respectively. Sunshine Cruz bagged Movie Supporting Actress of the Year for “Lola Magdalena,” while Harvey Bautista took home Movie Supporting Actor of the Year for “Pushcart Tales.”

Dan Villegas was named Movie Director of the Year for his work on “Uninvited,” which also won Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year.

Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin were hailed Movie Love Team of the Year for “My Future You.”

Complete List of Winners: 41st PMPC Star Awards for Movies (2025)

Major Categories

• Movie Actress of the Year — Vilma Santos (“Uninvited”)
• Movie Actor of the Year — Dennis Trillo (“Green Bones”) and Aga Muhlach (“Uninvited”)
• Movie of the Year — “Uninvited” (Mentorque Productions, Project 8 Projects)
• Movie Director of the Year — Dan Villegas (“Uninvited”)
• Movie Supporting Actress of the Year — Sunshine Cruz (“Lola Magdalena”)
• Movie Supporting Actor of the Year — Harvey Bautista (“Pushcart Tales”)
• Indie Movie of the Year — “AbeNida” (BG Productions International)
• Indie Movie Director of the Year — Louie Ignacio (“AbeNida”)
• New Movie Actor of the Year — Will Ashley (“Balota”)
• New Movie Actress of the Year — Kaila Estrada (“Un/Happy For You”)
• Movie Child Performer of the Year — Ryrie Sophia (“Mujigae”)
• Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year — “Uninvited”
• Movie Screenwriter of the Year — Ricky Lee, Anj Atienza (“Green Bones”)
• Movie Cinematographer of the Year — Pao Orendain (“Uninvited”)
• Movie Editor of the Year — Benjamin Tolentino (“Green Bones”)
• Movie Musical Scorer of the Year — Vincent de Jesus (“Isang Himala”)
• Movie Production Designer of the Year — Mic Tatad King (“Uninvited”)
• Movie Sound Engineer of the Year — Albert Michael Idioma, Andrea Teresa Idioma (“Topakk”)
• Movie Theme Song of the Year — “Ang Himala Ay Nasa Puso,” from “Isang Himala” (interpreted by Juan Karlos; composed and arranged by Vincent de Jesus)

Independent Film Categories

• Indie Movie Ensemble Acting of the Year — “Her Locket”
• Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year — Dennis Evangelista (“Lola Magdalena”)
• Indie Movie Cinematographer of the Year — Dan Villegas (“Kono Basho”)
• Indie Movie Editor of the Year — Gilbert Obispo (“AbeNida”)
• Indie Movie Musical Scorer of the Year — Divino Letada Dayacap (“Her Locket”)
• Indie Movie Production Designer of the Year — Brillante Mendoza (“Moro”)
• Indie Movie Sound Engineer of the Year — Allen Roy Santos (“Outside”)
• Indie Movie Theme Song of the Year — “Hamon,” from “Mamay: A Journey to Greatness” (interpreted by Gerald Santos; composed and arranged by Vehnee Saturno)

Short Film Categories

• Short Movie of the Year — “Ka Benjie” (Puregold CinePanalo, 2minDig Productions)
• Short Movie Director of the Year — Sigrid Andrea Bernardo (“May At Nila”)

Special Awards

• Takilya King — Alden Richards (“Hello Love Again”)
• Takilya Queen — Kathryn Bernardo (“Hello Love Again”)
• Movie Loveteam of the Year — Francine Diaz and Seth Fedelin (“My Future You”)
• Darling of the Press — Cecille Bravo
• Nora Aunor Ulirang Artista Lifetime Achievement Award — Alma Moreno and Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.

 

 

With all the blessings that I’m getting, I’m very thankful already. I’m not aiming for anything. I just want to thank God for all the blessings.

Vilma Santos

 

 

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