Judy Ann Santos shared a beauty secret she picked up from her long-time best friend Gladys Reyes—the skin-care benefits of using calamansi.
In Maricel Soriano's vlog, uploaded on YouTube on March 1, 2025, the Espanto actress opened up about her enduring friendship with Gladys.
She also recalled how their bond grew stronger over the years, despite a minor falling-out when they first worked together on Mara Clara.
Following this, Judy Ann expressed her admiration for Gladys's complexion, "Napakaganda ng legs ni Gladys. Sobra! Pati kili-kili!"
Judy Ann revealed what she discovered about Gladys's skin-care routine:
"Si Gladys, nag-shooting kami, nag-taping kami ng Mara Clara sa beach...
"Ang tagal sa banyo, si Gladys! Ang tagal! Kinakatok ko na siya. [Sabi ko], 'Matagal ka pa ba?
"'Malapit na yung call time,' ganyan-ganyan. Pagpasok ko ng banyo, tapos na siya, ang daming kalamansi.
"Kinukuskus niya pala sa siko, sa tuhod, sa kilikili, sa leeg. Ganoon pala yun. Kaya wala siya... Kaya pantay na pantay [ang kulay]."
GLADYS REYES CALAMANSI SKIN CARE
In a short chat with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) via Instagram, Gladys said she learned the whitening properties of calamansi through her mom.
"It was my mom who started using calamansi on my skin when I was nine years old. Her sister who works in a hotel salon, yun po nagturo sa kanya."
For those unfamiliar, calamansi is a popular choice in skin care due to its high vitamin C content and antioxidants, which can help fight acne and aging.
However, its acidity can potentially irritate sensitive skin.
Fortunately, Gladys said "about three to five pieces" of calamansi helps to even out her skin tone effectively.
Adding to this, she also boosts her skin-care routine with "oatmeal with calamansi soap."
She continued, "I added non-invasive skin-care treatments from Clinique Esthetique."
Based on the clinic's Instagram account, Gladys has tried the Glow Peel Body treatment which exfoliates dead skin cells to reveal smoother, more radiant skin and boosts collagen production.
GLADYS REYES: SELF-LOVE IS NOT SELFISH
Gladys, who has kept her skin flawless for years, encourages fellow moms to practice self-love and self-care, emphasizing that they shouldn't feel guilty for taking time for themselves.
In a previous interview with the press, she said, "Alam niyo po, ang self-care and self-love is definitely not selfish!
"Kasi lalo na tayong mga mommies, paano tayo makaka-function ng maigi, di ba? Kung hindi natin aalagaan ang sarili natin?"
Gladys recalled experiencing mom guilt during her early years of motherhood.
However, she has since learned the importance of embracing "me time" and prioritizing self-care—not just for her own well-being, but for the benefit of her entire family.
She told the press, "Alam niyo, yun nga po yung mahirap, e. Sa totoo lang, when I just had Kristof, nung isa pa lang ang baby ko nun, isa or dalawa...
"Talagang merong times na minsan, nagi-guilty ako. Di ba minsan gusto mo man lang minsan i-pamper yung sarili mo, pero parang naisip mo, 'Ay teka, iniwan ko yung anak ko.'
"Minsan pupunta ka lang sandali sa salon para magpa-ano ng hair, di ba? O kahit papaano ma-feel mo lang o ma-refresh ka, pero parang magi-guilty ka.
"Pero mali pala yun. Kailangan, ikaw mismo, you take care of yourself, you take care of your skin, talaga yung totality yung sarili mo kasi nanay tayo e, lalo na e."
Gladys continued, "So paano tayo mag-aalaga ng mga anak natin, paano natin masu-supervise, ika nga, yung household kung ikaw mismo para ka nang magkakasakit.
"Sobrang latang-lata ka na tapos makikita mo pagdating mo sa salamin, 'Ay!'
"Hindi mo na nagugustuhan yung sarili mo kasi nga parang medyo napabayaan mo na yung sarili mo."
Concluding her discussion on self-love and skin care among moms, Gladys emphasized, "Hindi po selfish ang self-love and self-care."
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