Archivo 1984 Gallery hosts an immersive installation of Vilma Santos, inviting both die-hard “Vilmanians” and casual fans to a party electrified with nostalgia.
Lights dim, disco music swells, and suddenly she’s standing center stage, ready to dance—Vilma Santos, the Star for All Seasons.
This was the routine in Santos’ ’80s variety show "Vilma in Person," otherwise known as “VIP.”
The show always opened with a disco number. Santos glittering in the spotlight—surrounded by dancers sporting permed hair, shoulder pads, and neon tights—singing and dancing among flashing lights and smoke from dry ice.
This is the same tone set for the upcoming installation “Vilma Night” at Archivo 1984 Gallery opening this Saturday night.
Curated by long-time editor Jerome Gomez and the multi-hyphenate Erwin Romulo, the show is their childhood’s “idea of a Friday night.”
Now, give or take 40 years after, “Vilma Night” is a tribute to the star, with ephemera collected by Archivo 1984 owner Dr. Marti Magsanoc.
While set in a gallery, the event is arranged to be more of an immersive installation rather than a static exhibit, with a collection that features posters, music, moving images, and even a special Vilma drink mixed by a connoisseur.
Vilma Santos performs on stage with Eugene de los Santos
Vilma Santos with the dancers of “Vilma in Person”