THE CONTROVERSIAL LOVE TEAM OF VILMA SANTOS & ROMEO VASQUEZ (Circa 1976-83)

Sometime in the mid 70s, matinee idol Romeo Vasquez returned to the movie scene after a long absence, his movie career in limbo after his failed marriage with popular actress Amalia Fuentes. His teamup with Vilma Santos somehow rekindled and revived his career. Their first movie together, Nag-aapoy na Damdamin in 1976 turned out to be a big hit. Despite their age gap, reel and real life sweetheart, Romeo, 34 and Vilma, 23, soon became the hottest love team, doing one hit movies after another. They became the talk of the town when the so-called "betamax" sex scandal surfaced. However, there's no truth to the rumor. I remember Ms. Marichu Maceda offering a P1 million reward to someone who could produce the said video clip.

The two appeared together in nine movies ---

1. Nagaapoy na Damdamin (HPS/ Dec.3, 1976)

2. Pulot-Gata (Puwede Kaya?) (HPS/ July1, 1977)
3. Dalawang Pugad Isang Ibon (LEA/ Oct.7, 1977)
4. Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig (TIIP/ Jan.19, 1978)
5. Bakit Kailangan Kita (LEA/ Feb.3, 1978)
6. Pag-ibig Ko Sa Iyo Lang Ibibigay (HPS/ Dec. 1, 1978)
7. Swing it Baby (LEA/ Mar.9, 1979)
8. Gusto Kita Mahal Ko Siya (TIIP/ Oct.3, 1980)
9. Ayaw Kong Maging Querida (TIIP/ Feb.18, 1983)

Left- "Nag-aapoy na Damdamin" (1976)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ with Aurora Salve, Walter Navarro, Romy Diaz, Ely Roque, Tintoy, Tita de Villa, Pepot, Ruben Tizon/ Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia

Left- "Pulot-Gata (Puwede Kaya?)" (1977)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ with Suzanne Gonzales, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Tange & Ruel Vernal/ Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia

Left- "Dalawang Pugad... Isang Ibon" (1977)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ Mat Ranillo III, Anna Gonzales, Anita Linda, Fred Montilla, Laila Dee, Mary Walter, Roldan Rodrigo, Ann Villegas/ Directed by Ishmael Bernal

Right- "Pinagbuklod ng Pag-ibig" (1978)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III/ Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia

Left- "Bakit Kailangan Kita..." (1978)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ with Ma-an Hontiveros, Laurice Guillen, Romeo Enriquez & Mary Walter/ Directed by Emmanuel Borlaza

Right- "Pag-ibig Ko Sa Iyo Lang Ibibigay" (1978)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ with Perla Bautista, Romy Diaz, Rodolfo 'Boy' Garcia, Nello Nayo, Dexter Doria, Ely Roque, Richard Romualdez/ Directed by Nilo Saez

"Swing It...Baby!" (1979)- Stars Romeo Vasquez and Vilma Santos/ with Amy Austria, Mike Monserrat, Tito, Vic & Joey, VST & Co., Sandy Garcia, Geleen Eugenio, Leo Dabao/ Directed by Al Quinn

Left- "Gusto Kita, Mahal Ko Siya" (1980)- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon/ with Rosemarie Gil, Ripp Rivera, Maila Gumila, Moonie Stevens, Cora Guinto/ Directed by Emmanuel Borlaza

Right- "Ayaw Kong Maging Querida" (1983)- Stars Romeo Vasquez, Vilma Santos, Carmi Martin/ with Norma Blancaflor, Elizabeth Poe, Ric Arellano & Atty. Milo Castelo/ Directed by Leonardo L. Garcia