Vilma Santos amazed by film's timelessness
Forty-five years after it was shot, Regal Films’ Pinay: American Style has stood the test of time by remaining relevant to the times today as it was then.
The two-hour movie, directed by Elwood Perez and starring Vilma Santos in the titular role, was screened March 20 at Malacañang's Social Hall in celebration of National Women's Month.
The momentous event was graced by both director and star on invitation of Eduksine Production Corporation in collaboration with the Office of the President’s Gender and Development Focal Point System.
During a talkback session Following the screening, Vilma noted that the same issues confronting Filipino overseas workers then have remained valid today. She called the 79-year-old Mr. Perez a visionary director who was ahead of his time.
“Genius ka, Direk,” she quipped at one point.
Vilma recalled that she was only 25 in 1979 when she did the film, possibly the first Filipino movie shot for the most part in New York. She praised her co-actors, Christopher de Leon, Victor Laurel and Bembol Roco, for their laudable work on the film.
As director and star, Elwood and Vilma made a total of seven films together, starting with Lipad, Darna, Lipad in 1973.
The movie’s tremendous success at the box office spawned more hits in bold dramas that quickly followed it: Masarap, Masakit and Umibig (1977), Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali (1978), Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981), all under Sampaguita Pictures.
Three others, Magkaribal (1979), Pinay: American Style (1979) and Ibulong Mo sa Diyos (1988), were produced by
Regal Films.
Karen Jane Salutankrukover, CEO and founder and Ms. Gloria Topue, co-founder of Eduksine, said they picked Pinay: American Style for their Women’s Month celebration as the film celebrates women’s struggle for independence and selfsufficiency as portrayed effortlessly by Ms. Santos. Eduksine presented Ms. Santosrecto with Gawad Alamat ng Sine Filipino sa Harap ng Kamera for her outstanding contributions to Philippine cinema and her enduring legacy as an acclaimed actress.
Elwood, on the other hand, was awarded the Gawad Alamat ng Sine Filipino sa Harap ng Kamera in recognition of his visionary storytelling and innovative contributions to Philippine cinema, particularly for his groundbreaking work in "Pinay American
Style."
The Eduksine Cultural Ambassador Award was bestowed on Atty. Anna Liza G. Logano, head of the Office of the President Gender and Development Focal Point System, for her dedication to promoting Filipino culture and heritage.
Eduksine’s Women’s Month celebration commenced with a morning screening of "Siglo ng Kalinga (2023)," Dr. Carl Balita’s production of a Lemuel Lorca film narrating the history of the nursing profession in the country.
Eduksine was cited in 2023 by CEO Asia for pioneering a novel model of film access, thus enhancing cultural appreciation, education, and connectivity across the Philippines.