Rosa Vilma Santos embarked on her illustrious acting career at the tender age of nine, making her cinematic debut in the 1963 film "Trudis liit", which would later earn her the prestigious FAMAS best child actress award. This early success paved the way for a lifetime of accolades and recognition in the entertainment industry.
Her personal life has been marked by two marriages, the first to Eduardo Manzano with whom she shares a son, Luis Philip, whom she affectionately refers to as her "Lucky charm" due to the boost his birth gave to her career. However, this union ultimately ended in divorce.
In the mid-1990s, Vilma tied the knot with Ralph Recto, a wealthy politician who would later become a senator, and the couple welcomed a second son, Ryan Christian. This marriage would last a lifetime, with Vilma and Ralph forming a lasting bond.
As she entered her late 40s, Vilma made the unexpected transition from show business to politics, winning a seat as the mayor of her husband's hometown in local elections. She proved her detractors wrong by demonstrating that celebrities can indeed make effective public servants.
Throughout her illustrious career, Vilma has earned the nickname "Star for all Seasons" of the Philippine Movie Industry, a testament to her enduring talent and box office success.