[COLUMN] Congresswoman and Star for All Seasons Vilma Santos heads list of November birthday celebrants

VILMA Santos-Recto, known to the Philippine entertainment world as the Star for All Seasons and now a congresswoman representing the province of Batangas, heads the list of prominent celebrities who are celebrating their birthdays in the month of November. Congresswoman Santos-Recto turns 67 on Wednesday, November 3.

The multi-awarded actress started her film career at a very young age when she was cast in the film “Trudis Liit” for which she garnered a Best Child Performer award in the 1963 FAMAS Awards.

Rep. Santos has garnered multiple Best Actress trophies from the major award-giving bodies honoring annual film performances in Philippine Cinema (FAMAS, FAP/Luna, Urian, PMPC) and has won recognition as producer and actress in local and international awards circuit and film festivals.

Rep. Santos-Recto first entered politics by winning the mayoralty of Lipa, Batangas and was reelected twice. She then ran for Governor of Batangas Province in 2007, winning against the incumbent (Arman Sanchez). Rep. Santos-Recto was successful in her reelection bids for governor in 2010 and 2013. In both cases, she became the first female to serve as Lipa mayor and Batangas governor.

After being termed out for the governorship of Batangas, Rep. Santos-Recto decided to run for Congress for Batangas’ 6th District which she won handily. Aside from working on different committees within the Philippine House of Representatives, she has co-authored bills tackling anti-discrimination, maternity leave, post-graduate education for teachers, senior citizen’s rights and cancer awareness.

Others celebrating their birthdays in November are:

November 1: Filipino parish priest Abraham Alonzo, former Mrs. Philippines-USA winner Arlene Lindalop

November 2: The late fashion designer Encarnito (Ito) Curata;

November 3: Star for All Seasons and current Congresswoman Vilma Santos, New Haven Health and Hospice (in Vallejo and Daly City) owner Eunice Bejar Lee;

November 4: Film/TV actress Angelica Panganiban;

November 5: Handsome actor Gabby Concepcion, ABS-CBN teleserye actor and model-swimmer Enchong Dee, former Miss Earth Philippines USA winner Melissa Sokukawa, Fil-Am basketball ace J Taylor;

November 6: Star Cinema actress Shaina Magdayao, singer-actress Jolina Magdangal;

November 8: Versatile recording artist Basil Valdez;

November 9: Actress/TV host Janice de Belen, singer-actress Tuesday Vargas, brilliant Filipino lawyer Ted Laguatan;

November 10: Actress and Eat Bulaga co-host Pauleen Luna-Sotto, actor-model Rafael Rosell IV;

November 11: Former Philippine Vice President Jejomar Binay (who will turn 79), Comedy Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas;

November 12: Singer for All Occasions Tess Gregorio, Knights of Columbus leader Pat Ancheta;

November 13: International wine distributor and executive Ronald Villar, San Bruno Filipina community leader Alma de Leon Scott;

November 14: Former Mrs. Republic of the Philippines-USA winner Leilani Vinegas of Fairfield;

November 18: Filipina caregiver/carehome owner Remy Acedillo;

November 19: Antioch community leaders Joselito and Margarita Cabrera;

November 24: ABS-CBN Channel 2 News Bureau Chief Ging Reyes;

November 26: Singer/director and TV host Randy Santiago;

November 28: Former Senate President Franklin Drilon, Ambassador Leoncio (Jun) Cardenas, 2009 Binibining Pilipinas Universe Bianca Manalo;

November 29: Actor/impersonator/Eat Bulaga co-host Paolo Ballesteros, TV executive Jeff Remigio;

November 30: San Francisco veteran photographer Bonifacio Valera, the late entertainment producer/promoter Sunny Tila.

To all celebrants, Happy Birthday! And to all my readers, Happy Thanksgiving to you and your beloved family!