'Natuto na ako': Vilma Santos reveals falling victim to award-switching scam

MANILA, Philippines — Seasoned star Vilma Santos revealed that she was once robbed of an acting award.

The star of the upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2023 entry "When I Met You in Tokyo" shared this revelation in an interview with Pilipino Star Ngayon columnist Gorgy Rula. The interview was done for Pep Live with Rula and his fellow columnists Noel Ferrer and Jerry Olea. 

“Meron akong inantenan na isang awards night. At may nagsabi sa akin na Vi, ikaw ang Best Actress. If I’m not mistaken, it was Dindo Fernando who announced it," Vilma said, referring to the late actor. 

Vilma did not disclose when and which awards ceremony she attended. 

She recalled that she had just given birth to her firstborn Luis, who was born on April 21, 1981. Luis is her son with actor Edu Manzano. 

“Bagong panganak ako kay Lucky (Luis) nu’n, kasama ko pa nu’n si Eduardo (Edu Manzano) sa awards night. Akala ko ako, pero iba ‘yung nanalo. 

"Tapos pagdaan sa akin ni Dindo Fernando, inabot niya ‘yung papel sa akin. Ang nakalagay dun sa papel, Vilma Santos pero naka-erase. I mean nangyayari ‘yan. So, ano ‘yan, natuto na ako,” the actress said. 

Vilma's MMFF entry is her reunion movie with one of her popular screen partners, Christopher de Leon. 

"When I Met You in Tokyo" is one of the 10 entries at this year's MMFF, which opens on Christmas Day, December 25. 

RELATED: LOOK: Vilma Santos, Christopher de Leon start filming reunion movie in Japan