Judy Ann Santos says winning as Best Actress at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival last November was unexpected, but a welcome surprise nonetheless.
The 41-year-old actress bagged the award for her performance in the movie Mindanao, which is directed by Brillante Mendoza.
The movie is an official entry to the 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
Judy Ann is the second Filipino to be awarded the said international award. Nora Aunor was the first recipient of the acting award for her 1995 film The Flor Contemplacion Story.
“Part of me hindi makapaniwala na pwede palang ma-experience ito,” said Judy Ann at the Mindanao pocket press conference held at Terrace Manila Restaurant in Quezon City last December 12.
“Posible palang matupad ang pangarap,” she beams.
She admits that she dreamt of being part of an international film festival, but she never thought she would get nominated, or even win.
“Siguro someday pwede ako diyan, pero hindi ko naman siya dinasal. Totoo ‘yan. Di ko siya dinasal,” she says about winning an international recognition.
“Dinasal ko makasama sa international film festival, pero hindi ma-nominate kasi parang sobra-sobrang hihingin kay Lord.”
Judy Ann didn’t get to attend the awards night. The ABS-CBN actress recalls that Brillante informed her that she won, while she was scrubbing the floor at her home.
“Of course, [nanghinayang na hindi nakapunta]. Sino bang hindi?
“Pero things happen for a reason.
“Baka pag ako ang andon tinawag ang pangalan ko, baka hindi na ako umabot sa stage, hinimatay na ako.
“O baka nag-breakdown ako sa stage.
“But that proud moment, pag aritsta ka pangarap mo ‘yon, e, makaakyat ka ng entablado ng ibang bansa at maiangat mo ang bandila ng Pilipinas.
“That is something na ang sarap ipakita sa mga anak ko.
“Baka naman may isa pa,” she quips.
If there is anything that Judy Ann realized after winning the international award, is that she is willing to wait for the right project.
“Syempre mas ginanahan [ako], hindi naman ako magiging plastic sa parteng ‘yan.
“Ginanahan akong magtrabaho, tumanggap ng mga projects, pero mas ginanahan din akong maging mapili kasi worth it naman pala na maghintay sa tamang storya, sa tamang project.
“Dinasal ko si Direk Brillante na makatrabaho ko siya.
“Dumating siya sa tamang panahon, nakaisip siya ng tamang storya para sa akin.
“We don’t know each other from before, ha.
“Naisip lang niya itong project na ito, perfect for me.
“We’ve never worked, ni hindi namin pinag-usapan na, ‘Gawa tayo ng pelikula.’ Walang ganon.”
Prior to Mindanao, Judy Ann’s last movie was Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes, together with Angelica Panganiban shown in January 2018.
What Judy Ann is most proud of as far as the award is concerned is the fact that she was able to make her country proud.
“Yung makapagbigay parangal sa Pilipinas, sobrang sapat na sapat na talaga sa kin,” she says.
But she is also hoping that Mindanao will do well in the box-office during its MMFF run.
But regardless what happens, Judy Ann is just grateful for a fruitful year: an international best actress trophy, an ongoing prime-time teleserye (Starla), business ventures, and a happy family life.
“Wala na akong pwedeng hingin pa: oras na lang sa pamilya ang gusto ko.
“I am so blessed and grateful.
“I have the people around me, who guide me and support me, I have all of you who root for this film as well, and who understand this film.
“I have so much support group.
“Parang kalabisan kung hihingi pa ako ng iba pa.
“Parang gusto kong isipin na meron yata akong magandang ginawa sa buhay ko para matanggap ko ito ng isang bagsak.
“Lahat ito bago sa akin at 41, na para akong 25, na para akong bata.
“Nae-enjoy ko siya, happy ako na may energy ako na ma-enjoy ko siya.
“Pag uwi ko, kinukwento ko siya sa mga anak ko.
“It’s one experience na I never saw coming,” she enthuses.