1977 was a turning point in Vilma's career as an actress as it marked her graduation from teeny-bopper movies to more mature vehicles via Celso Ad Castillo's masterpiece, Burlesk Queen. It was the top grosser at the Metro Manila film fest and romped away with all the major awards, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actress.
Vilma Santos was so nervous about filming her dance scene for the finale that she backed out of the three-fourths finished movie and went into hiding. She finally agreed to return days later. The director closed the set because Santos said there was no way she could film in front of a crowd of people. But she still had to drink several shots of brandy before the shooting to calm her nervousness. It then took almost seven nights, shooting straight to catch up on lost time and finish that sequence. Santos said after the first couple of days, she finally started to loosen up.
Vilma Santos agreed to do the film because she was trying to break away from her sweet, child/teen star image. Also, because her recent films hadn't done well and she needed a hit. But she discussed the role with her parents before accepting it. Her mother gave her approval, but only if the "sexy scenes were treated well."
"Burlesk Queen" went on to become one of the top films of the 70s and hailed and selected by the URIAN as one of the top 22 finest movies of that decade. It was one of the impotent films of Vilma Santos and director Celso Ad Castillo.
In an interview with ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project head Leo Katigbak, when asked about which films are selected for restoration, he mentions that some works of Celso Ad. Castillo, including Burlesk Queen, are beyond repair since there are no copies available of the film.