Judy Ann Santos is glad that ABS-CBN's remake of Mara Clara has been well received by viewers, based on data from both AGB Nielsen and Kantar Media.


During her launch as the newest Lactum endorser, Juday (Judy Ann's nickname) said that she is happy with the success of the teleserye that launched her to stardom.


"Oo naman kasi dun ako nakilala, e. Yun yung nagpakilala sa akin sa mga tao," she said about the TV series that aired for five years on ABS-CBN. Juday played the title role of Mara, which is now being portrayed by Kapamilya teen star Kathryn Bernardo. The kontrabida role of Clara was originally brought to life by Gladys Reyes and is now being reprised by Julia Montes.


"Sana kung ano ang success na binigay sa akin ng mga tao sa Mara Clara, yun din ang success na ibigay nila dun sa dalawang bata. Kasi I can see kung gaano nila pinaghihirapan yung trabaho nila, yung craft nila."


She also gave this advice to the teen stars of the show: "Wag muna kayo magbo-boyfriend ha?"


JUNIOR MASTERCHEF. Juday has been acting in teleseryes and movies for several years now. This time, she will add TV host to her resume.


She will soon host the Philippine version of Junior MasterChef, a cooking game show for kids aged 8-12 years old. It has been aired successfully in Great Britain and Australia and will be aired soon on ABS-CBN.

How is she preparing to to host the cooking show?


"Nagtatanong nga ako kay Ry [her husband Ryan]. Pinapanood ko nga sa kanya yung Junior MasterChef at humihingi ako sa kanya ng tips kasi hindi naman ako host. Sa presscon, pwede akong maging madaldal pero pagdating sa pagiging host, yung puso ko parang nasa kabilang kanto na! Natatakot na 'ko. Kinakalma naman niya ako at sinasabi niya kung ano ang dos and don'ts." 


Juday then revealed that they will start auditions this month. "Start na kami ng auditions ng March 31 then pipili ng 100 kids then bring it down to 50 then 20, I think.


"Excited ako kasi ang daming batang magagaling na nag-au-audition... Mahal na mahal ko itong show na 'to kasi pinapanood ko talaga ito. Nung buntis ako, nag-Youtube talaga ako [para manood]."


The actress-turned-TV host hopes to bond with the contestants of Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition. "Gusto ko mag-immerse sa mga bata pag napili na sila para maging kumportable sila sa akin," she says. 


Juday also revealed that she has been honing her cooking skills at home.


"Nagbalik ako sa culinary [school] and magle-lecture uli ako sa CACS [Center for Asian Culinary Studies] at may OJT ako for six hours sa iba't ibang restaurants."