Nora versus Vilma in the History of Metro Manila Film Festival

 

 

 

The 1978 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) will go down in the annals of history as the most talked about edition of the annual film fest.  Much has been written about the tension-filled battle for the Best Performer award  between Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos. It's now common knowledge that Nora emerged triumphant; and that Vilma was devastated  by her defeat she purportedly got so drunk and passed out. 

 

 

But Nora's victory in 1978 was just icing on the cake, so to speak.  Tracing the history of MMFF would reveal that Nora reigned supreme over her arch-rival. For 8 consecutive years--that is, from 1975 to 1982--when both actresses had their film fest entries,  Nora Aunor always got the upper hand forcing  Vilma Santos to take a backseat, almost all the time.

 

 

Let's take a comparative look at  Nora and Vilma's MMFF records:

 

*1975
NAME                RANK         ENTRY                                           TICKET SALES     

Nora Aunor            1             Batu Bato sa Langit                        P 10.9 million
Vilma Santos          7            Karugtong Ang Kahapon                 P 4.5 million

 

*1976
Nora Aunor            2            Minsa'y Isang Gamu-Gamo             P 10.5 million
Vilma Santos         10           Makahiya at Talahib                       P 1.0 million  

 

*1977
Nora Aunor            2            Bakya Mo Neneng                           P 14.0 million
Vilma Santos          1            Burlesk Queen                                 P 14.3 million 

*1978 

Nora Aunor            1             Jack 'n Jill   Third Kind                     P 20.3 million
Nora Aunor            2             Atsay                                              P 14.0 million   
Vilma Santos          5            Rubia Servios                                   P 6.5 million

 

*1979
Nora Aunor            1            Kasal-Kasalan Bahay-Bahayan         P 23.8 million
Nora Aunor            2            Ina ka ng Anak Mo                           P 18.5 million
Vilma Santos          9            Modelong Tanso                              P 1.5 million  

 

*1980
Nora Aunor            3           Kung Akoý Iiwan Mo                         P 13.8 million
Nora Aunor            5           Bona                                                 P 13.0 million
Vilma Santos          4           Langis at Tubig                                 P 13.5 million

 

*1981
Nora Aunor            2           Rock n Roll                                        P 12.8 million
Vilma Santos          9           Karma                                               P 3.0 million

 

*1982
Nora Aunor            1          Himala                                               P 35.8 million
Vilma Santos          9          Haplos                                               P 5.0 million

*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metro_Manila_Film_Festival

It's worth noting that;

 

In terms of gross ticket sales, Vilma edged out Nora only once but not without controversy. Vilma romped away with the best actress award for the film Burlesk Queen.  It could have been the sole saving grace for Vilma, unfortunately, hers was a tainted  victory when the festival organizer asked [them] to return the award.

 

Nora came back with a vengeance, knocking off Vilma in every aspect of the competition. She ensured her supremacy  over her rival not just once but thrice:  Nora won the best actress awards in 1978, 1979 and 1982-- and all of her film entries were the top box-office draw.

Once and for all, Nora Aunor proved that she's the undisputed Superstar.