Film & TV

When Gloria Romero Got Soaked in Red Wine by Vilma Santos

‘Kapag Langit Ang Humatol’ gave Filipino cinema one of its greatest mother-offs, featuring Vilma Santos and the late Gloria Romero, whose legacy lives on in the iconic performances that shaped an entire era

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gloria romero vilma santos
Photo from Cinema One/YouTube

Spoiler alert! There was a time when the Queen of Philippine Cinema, Gloria Romero, and the Star for All Seasons, Vilma Santos, went toe-to-toe.

35 years ago, in 1990, Romero and Santos starred alongside each other in the revenge drama, Kapag Langit Ang Humatol. It had all the beats of the scandalous radio show it was based on: unplanned pregnancies, evil mother-in-laws, and so much murder.

The film centers around the rich mahjongera Doña Octavia (Romero) whose sole purpose on earth is to plague her cowardly son Hector (Richard Gomez) and the maid he falls in love with and knocks up, Florida (Santos).

Long story short: the Doña and Florida do not see eye to eye. Fast forward a few decades later, and Florida has gone from being the pregnant maid to a fierce single mother and entrepreneur — while the Doña has lost all her money at the mahjong table. The two finally face off in a tense confrontation, a scene that is still hailed by fans of Romero and Santos as one of their most dramatic, over-the-top performances.

“Gusto mo?” Santos asks Romero, offering her a glass of red wine. When Romero ignores her, Santos doesn’t hesitate — she hurls the glass at Romero, soaking the older woman in red wine.

Romero, dripping wet, calmly retorts, “Hindi na ako dapat magtaka. Palagi ka namang ambisyosa.” Fury flashes in Santos’ eyes as she slaps Romero across the face.

gloria romero vilma santos
A drenched Romero. Photo from Cinema One/YouTube

This fiery exchange between Romero and Santos was just one of the many unforgettable moments in Romero’s illustrious acting career. The legendary actress, who passed away on January 25 at the age of 91, left behind a legacy defined by her unmatched ability to command the screen. Taking on roles from a feisty tobacco-chewing farmer in Dalagang Ilocana to the surprisingly progressive wife of a gay man in Rainbow’s Sunset, Romero continually showed her versatility, earning her the title of Queen of Philippine Cinema.

With a career spanning over six decades, Romero’s work has earned her numerous accolades, including multiple FAMAS awards and the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) award for Best Actress, making her the oldest actress to receive the honor. Her enduring presence on screen elevated every role she took on, cementing her as a true icon in the Philippines’ film industry.

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