It took Vilma Santos five years after her last film before she was able to do In My Life, a role which was offered to her a couple of years ago that she had to refuse due to her gubernatorial responsibilities. “Dapat ito two years ago pa naumpisahan. It took three years to prepare the script and then two years ago dapat naumpisahan na namin ito kaya lang kinausap ko sina Inang (Direk Olivia Lamasan) at Tita Malou (Santos, Star Cinema managing director) na hindi puwede kasi nanalo po ako sa pagka-gobernardor [ng Batangas]. At kung gagawin ko ‘yun at that time, wala pa akong one year na nananalo sa pagka-gobernador. Kinausap ko sila kung puwedeng makaisang taon lang akong governor bago natin magawa.” After one year, Lamasan and Santos approached her again to ask her if she was still interested in the movie which Ate Vi readily accepted.

Although Vilma has been a public servant for more than a decade now, she said that she can never leave her showbiz career behind. “Kahit po nasa pulitika na ako, hindi na maiaalis talaga ‘yung dugo kong artista talagang hinahanap ko at ‘pag nanonood ako ng TV, hinahanap ko siya, nami-miss ko siya talaga,” Ate Vi confessed. “Sa inyo (showbiz) ako lumaki. Wala pa si Lucky nasa inyo na ako. Eto na siya kasama ko pa rin bakit hindi ko pa mamahalin ang industry? I will always, always find time kahit ngayon na isa na akong public servant.”

Aside from portraying a very challenging role, the Star for all Seasons explained that having the chance to work with John Lloyd Cruz is one major factor which excited her about doing In My Life. “First of all, nagbigay sa akin ng interes when I learned that I will be working with John Lloyd in all honesty,” she stressed.  Ate Vi highly agrees that Lloydie is an actor with depth, as proven every time she watches him on TV.

In the film, Ate Vi plays the role of Shirley, a mother who only wants the best for her children. The character is her complete opposite in real life but she said that she was up to the play a challenging role. “The fact siguro ‘yung character ko dito lihis sa character ko sa buhay kasi siya dito ang feeling niya hindi siya mahal. Cold siya sa pagsi-share ng pagmamahal, laging may iniisip na negatibo. Ang feeling niya hindi siya mahal ng tao. Ang feeling niya hindi siya mahal ng pamilya which is kabaligtaran sa totoong buhay.”

In My Life opens in theaters on September 16.

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