D ear Ate Vi (Vilma Santos),
I can’t deny it anymore—I’m a Vilmanian! From the first scene of Uninvited, which I had the privilege of watching as part of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), I was captivated by your performance. Your portrayal of Eva Candelaria was nothing short of extraordinary. It was clear from the start that you were the heart of the film. When your character entered the ensemble, it became evident that there is truly only one Ate Vi—you completely owned the screen.
While the entire cast delivered commendable performances, none could outshine your commanding presence. Aga Muhlach was effective, though his portrayal occasionally veered into caricature, perhaps reflecting the god-like persona his character embodied. Nadine Lustre held her own but could have benefited from a more layered role. Gabby Padilla impressed as well, though the editing of her flashback scene felt somewhat jarring. The bodyguards, while essential to the plot, seemed underutilized. Only Nonie Buencamino and Tirso Cruz III matched your screen presence—but even then, your performance anchored the entire film.
Dan Villegas deserves praise for his vision, crafting a film that was visually stunning and emotionally gripping. However, some elements could have been polished further. The voiceovers occasionally felt overly expository, detracting from the film’s visual storytelling power. Similarly, the pacing was inconsistent—while the slow build-up worked in the beginning, the climax felt rushed, leaving me wishing for a more balanced rhythm.
Despite these minor critiques, the core of Uninvited remained your unforgettable performance, Ate Vi. It was no surprise that MMFF recognized your brilliance with a well-deserved nomination for Best Actress. The film also garnered several other accolades, including nominations for Best Cinematography (Pao Orendain), Best Supporting Actress (Gabby Padilla and Nadine Lustre), and Best Original Theme Song (“Hahamakin ang Lahat”), as well as winning Best Float. These honors reflect the collective excellence of the team, but your portrayal stood far above the rest.
Uninvited stayed with me long after the credits rolled and will continue to stay with me for a long time. I’m still in awe of your performance, Ate Vi. You were simply breathtaking! Napaniwala mo talaga akong kaya mong pumatay…sa tindi ng performance na iyon.