
Vilma has made more than 190 films to date. Some of her movies are Trudis Liit (1963); Kampanerang Kuba (1973); Darna and the Giants (1974); Burlesk Queen (1977); Pagputi ng Uwak, Pag-itim ng Tagak (1978); Relasyon (1982); T-Bird at Ako (1982); Broken Marriage (1983); Sister Stella L. (1984); Tagos ng Dugo (1987); Ibulong Mo Sa Diyos (1988); Pahiram ng Isang Umaga (1989); Dahil Mahal Kita (1993); Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa? (1998); Anak (2000); Dekada '70 (2002)
Vilma has won more than 30 acting awards including: 6 FAMAS Awards; FAMAS Hall of Fame; 4 FAP Awards, 8 Gawad Urian Awards; 1 Cinemanila Award; Cinemanila Lifetime Achievement Award; and 1 Brussels International Festival award
Some of her notable roles are that of Sister Stella Legaspi (Sister Stella L.), a nun who realizes her true calling amidst social injustice; Dolzura Cortez (Dahil Mahal Kita), the first publicized Filipino HIV/AIDS patient; and Lea Bustamante (Bata, Bata...Paano Ka Ginawa?), a woman with an abundant lust for life and love.
She is currently the Governor of Batangas province. Her last film was Mano Po III: My Love in 2004, but she just finished shooting 'In My Life' with son Luis Manzano and John Lloyd Cruz.