Vilma Santos Set to Star in New Film: A Bold Collaboration with Mentorque Productions

MANILA, Philippines — Following their successful partnership on the Cinemalaya 2024 film “Kono Basho,” Mentorque Productions and Project 8 Projects are joining forces once again to produce a new film starring the beloved Vilma Santos. This exciting collaboration was confirmed by Santos in a recent media interview, including insights shared with The STAR.

The upcoming film is set to begin shooting this September and will be directed by the talented duo of Dan Villegas and Antonette Jadaone. Santos hints that this project will be a departure from her previous work, promising a unique experience for both herself and the audience.

“It’s going to be something different,” Santos stated, teasing a narrative that will push boundaries in storytelling. She emphasized that this film will contrast sharply with her last feature, the straightforward romantic tale “When I Met You In Tokyo,” which showcased her alongside veteran actor Christopher de Leon and earned her another Best Actress award.

“Expect a dark movie. (It’s) very challenging! Natsa-challenge ako sa character na gagawin ko (I’m really excited about the character I’ll be portraying),” she shared, expressing her enthusiasm for the role.

John Bryan Diamante, president of Mentorque Productions, expressed his long-standing desire to create a film for Santos. “After ‘Mallari,’ I felt that we were ready. When we talked to Ate Vi, wala kaming pakialam kung saan namin dadalhin (We didn’t care about where we would take this film). Ang pangarap lang namin ay gawan namin siya ng pelikula (Our only dream was to create a movie for her),” he explained in an interview with The STAR.

The production team approached Santos with a straightforward offer: “We told her, ‘Ma’am ‘wag na kami mag-pitch, sabihin mo kung ano gusto nyo (‘We won’t pitch anymore, just tell us what you want’). And that’s how it started,” Diamante recounted.

As anticipation builds, questions arise about whether the film will be completed in time for the 50th anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in December. However, Santos assured fans that she isn’t feeling any pressure regarding deadlines.

“Ayoko lang kasing magpa-pressure (I don’t want to feel pressured),” she remarked. “Whether we make it in time for the MMFF or not, basta gusto ko, kapag nag-shooting ako, I will feel comfortable (I want to feel comfortable when we start shooting).”

Santos emphasized that the focus is not on rushing or competing but on creating a quality film: “At my age, ayoko nang nape-pressure. So, ayokong ma-stress (I don’t want to stress myself out). What’s important is that we finish a good film that we can all be proud of.”

While many details about the film remain under wraps, the excitement surrounding this project is palpable as fans eagerly await what promises to be an unforgettable cinematic experience.