MANILA -- Vilma Santos was named best actress at the 2024 Manila International Film Festival (MIFF) for "When I Met You in Tokyo" held over the weekend in Los Angeles.

This was her second acting trophy for her comeback movie, which also gave her the best actress award last December at the Metro Manila Film Festival, where "When I Met You in Tokyo" was also an official entry. 

The Metro Manila International Film Festival, which ran from January 29 to February 2, aims to showcase Filipino films on the global stage.

At the awards night held at the Directors Guild of America on Sunset Boulevard, Los Angeles, California, Santos' longtime on-screen partner Christopher De Leon received the award on her behalf. 

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Expressing her gratitude, Santos, who is currently in Lipa, Batangas with her family, released a personal video on her Instagram account.

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A post shared by Vilma Santos Recto (@rosavilmasantosrecto)

“Maraming, maraming salamat po sa karangalang ibinigay po ninyo sa akin bilang Best Actress sa pelikulang 'When I Met You in Tokyo.' Sa inyo pong lahat, maraming, maraming salamat po,” she said, as she thanked the jury and her producers Weng Jamaji and Rajan Gidwani, the film's directors, and her co-stars.

Santos also gave tribute to her leading man and associate director: “Of course, to my associate director, Mr. Christopher de Leon, maraming, maraming salamat. Bru, para sa atin ‘to. Andito si bruha. 'Yet, thank you, thank you very much.”

She also extended her gratitude to the audience and supporters of the film inthe US. “I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all our kababayans sa LA, sa mga nanood po ng 'When I Met You in Tokyo.' I learned na sold out po lahat ng tickets at nagustuhan po ninyo ang aming pelikula. Again, mula sa puso, sa inyong mga kababayan ko sa Los Angeles, maraming, maraming salamat po. Sa lahat po ng mga bumati, sa mga Vilmanians, to all my Vilmates, to all my friends, maraming, maraming salamat po sa pagbati.”

“Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino. Love you! Salamat.”

“When I Met You in Tokyo" is set to have international screenings on February 11 at The Space Moderno Cinema in Rome, Italy, and on February 18 at Citylife Anteo, Milan, Italy.

In the US, the film will still be available for viewing at CARCO Theater in Renton (February 17) and Bremerton HS Performing Arts (February 18) in Washington, DC.