Milagros Santos dies at 93

FILE: “Maraming Salamat po sa inyong lahat… We love you Mama.” (Photo: @rosavilmasantosrecto/Instagram)

Legendary actress and Batangeño politician Vilma Santos-Recto announces that her mother, Milagros Santos, has passed away in Batangas City on Monday, April 1 at the age of 93.

The news was announced on the official Facebook page of Milagros’ son, television host Luis Manzano, who called her “Mama Ganda,” while Vilma herself posted one of her last photos with her late mother captioned in Filipino, “Thank you to you all [mourning with us]. We love you, Mama.”

Milagros has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease for years, confined at the Mediatrix Hospital according to the Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP). Her remains can be viewed starting Wednesday, April 3 at the Loyola Memorial Chapels in Sucat, Parañaque City. On Sunday, April 7, her ashes will be placed at the columbarium at St. James Church next to her husband, Amado Santos.

Vilma, also known as “The Star for All Seasons” is mourning with her siblings Emelyn, Sonny, Tess, and Winnie. Their father, Amado Santos, passed away on November 6, 1986, when Vilma was 33 years old. Tess and Winnie are currently based in the United States and will be flying in for the wake.

Milagros is also survived by her grandchildren, Luis Manzano and Ryan Christian Recto.

Because of the passing of her mother, Vilma will be putting a halt to her campaign in Lipa, Batangas as she runs for a second term of the sixth district. Prior to her first term in the position, she ran to become the city’s first female mayor in 1998 and succeeded.

Last Christmas, Vilma opened up to The Philippine Daily Inquirer about how she found the importance of family amidst her time in Congress, stating, “Family comes first—that’s an important mantra for me. After all, how can you serve your constituents well if you can’t even take good care of your family?”