Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo in the room is more than an occasion. It is a happening.
In this instance, arriving at the PEP Headliner photo shoot last March 27, 2023, the award-winning actress made everyone in the room feel comfortable, instead of the other way around.
Judy Ann bantered with the photographer, glam team, and editorial team—and this went on during the pictorial in between camera clicks.
Judy Ann set the mood, light and easy, in a manner that sent the message, "Chill, guys, it's only me. "
She is a celebrity and a pro. And for all her friendliness and niceties, she was focused and all business for the job at hand.
She listened to the instruction of the photographer Jayson Vicente-Isaac, and once they started, Judy Ann gave every pose her best shot up to finish.
The pictorial and interviews went smoothly, with the editorial staff bearing in mind Juday’s request to wrap things up around 5:30 pm.
She wanted to be home by dinner time with her family.
The photo shoot went a little overtime, but Juday didn’t seem to mind. She would still make it to dinner with her family.
Judy Ann, who turns 45 on May 11, 2023, has it all figured out as an accomplished actress, a fulfilled family woman, and a woman at home in her skin.
And here she is, the quintessential Judy Ann Santos.
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JUDY ANN'S SUCCESS FORMULA
At the age of 8, Juday ventured into showbiz doing bit roles, also known as “extra.”
She joked about that, “I was never naman yung naging commercial model na bata, tapos bida agad. Lagi akong pamparami sa mga bata [extra].”
Eventually, Juday would become showbiz’s teen crème de la crème in the ‘90s. From then on, there was no way for her to go but up.
After almost four decades, 37 years to be exact, Juday has remained on top of her game as an A-list star and in-demand endorser.
“Now that I'm turning 45, I'm more at peace,” she said during the interview, which took place two and a half months before her birthday and showbiz anniversary.
“I know what I want and I know when to say no. Wala kasi ako non nung bagets ako,” she confessed.
“Sanay lang akong sumunod. Sanay lang akong pumunta sa trabaho. Sanay ako ng maraming ginagawa [all] at the same time."
JUDY ANN'S WORK ATTITUDE
A celebrity in her own right, Judy Ann has earned the respect of people from the industry—from bigwigs of TV networks, film production outfits, and brands to peers in the food industry, co-actors, and production staff.
Respect, according to Juday, has been her biggest achievement in her career.
She said, “Ngayon ko naha-harvest yung seed na tinanim ko sa pag-aartista ko mula bata.
"Pag nag-plant ka pala ng good seeds, and you maintain that attitude⌠when it's harvest time, people will actually respect your decision kasi you've been a good soldier to them."
Juday continued, âKasi yun talaga yung totoong priceless. May pains, may learnings, but, at the end of the day, na-realize ko na dito pala sa mundong ginagalawan namin bilang artista, respeto ang pinaka-importanteng maintindihan at maproseso ng kabataan.
âGiven naman na yung achievement ko is my family, my children, and of course where I am now.
âBut looking back, hindi naman ako makakarating dito without all the people na nakatrabaho ko at naging kaibigan ko along the way. And naging tunay na kaibigan ko.â
Sure she had her fair share of heartbreaks, and she acknowledged the difficulty of forging true friendships in the industry.
But she also stressed it wasn't impossible, "You just have to work for it. Work in a way na kikilalanin mo sila.
âMag-i-invest ka ng time and effort sa mga tao dito.â
JUDY ANN: 'TALENT OVER GOOD LOOKS'
There was a time during her teens when she was body-shamed because she was chubby; tabloids called her âsiopao.â
Growing up, she made a stand against body-shaming and broke the stereotype for leading ladies.
This, she said, has been one of her biggest contributions to the industry.
Juday elaborated, âParang nabuhayan ang mga tao na hindi lahat ng artista kailangan perpekto.
âNa hindi kailangan na sobrang mestiza, hindi kailangan yung sexy, hindi kailangan malaki ang dede."
She paused and quipped, "Parang ako lahat yun, ah.â
Juday emphasized that more important than good looks was to have talent, nurture that talent, work hard, and respect everyone in the set.
âHindi mo kailangan maging beauty queen para maging artista, pero kailangan mong i-value yung mga nagtatrabaho behind these movies and teleseryes."
âYou have to value each and every person that you're working with. Kasi at the end of the day, sila rin naman ang mga makakasama mo pag pabalik ka na, e."
JUDY ANN LIVING BY HER OWN RULES; FOLLOWING HER GUT FEEL
Juday has always been her own person, even when she was under the mentorship of her former manager, the late Alfie Lorenzo, fondly called Tito Alfie.
She cited an example when she went against the wishes of Tito Alfie that she should keep up with her pa-tweetums roles.
âSo nung nag-19 ako, tumanggap na ako ng mga [projects] na may smack, simply because I feel na I'm done doing rom-coms already.
âKailangan ko nang i-level up yung sarili ko, hindi lang sa karera ko. Ako mismo, as an artist, parang nauumay na ako na paulit-ulit yung ginagawa ko.
âIt doesn't matter kung tanggapin ng mga tao o hindi. May ganon lang ako. Paano ko kasi malalaman kung hindi ko gagawin? Kung matatanggap nila o hindi, di ba?â
She was convinced if people did not like her in this project, there was always the next one.
She said, âI always take those types of risks simply because I am longing for it.
"Gusto ko siya. Hinahanap ko siya. Hindi dahil gusto ng producer, gusto ng director.
âI always trusted my gut. So akala ng mga tao, nagre-reinvent ako ng sarili ko. Pero yung totoo, ginagawa ko lang yung gusto ko.
âAyaw ng mga tao magpagupit ako, nagpagupit ako. Kasi gusto ko magpagupit, e. Kasi ang dry na ng buhok ko, e.
âNagpapayat ako nung mga panahong tapos na yung mga press na kutyain akong aparador, siopaoâŚ
âKumbaga lagi akong taliwas sa gusto ng mga tao.â
Juday cited another instance that left a lasting impression on her.
While she was still doing the ABS-CBN teleserye Bastaât Kasama Kita (2003-2004) with Robin Padilla, her home network already assigned her another TV project, Krystala (2004-2005).
It was about a superheroine, and was as physically demanding as Bastaât Kasama Kita, which was an action-drama series.
She did both, with the taping for Bastaât Kasama Kita overlapping with her training for Krystala, which was not even on Juday's to-do list.
Reminiscing, Juday said, âPrinamis ko sa sarili ko na this will be the last project na tatanggapin kong hindi nakaplano sa utak ko.
âNung in-offer sa akin yung Krystala, patapos pa lang yung Basta't Kasama Kita noon, e. As in hindi talaga siya planado.â
But like a good soldier, Juday performed her duties as a network star.
It also taught her a valuable lesson on discernment when accepting a project.
She had a good feeling about the film Sabel (2004) when it was offered to her.
Written by National Artist For Film and Broadcast Ricky Lee and directed by Joel Lamangan, Sabel was different from Judayâs usual love-team-centered projects.
The film had a more mature subject matter that required Juday to show her bare back and perform a girl-to-girl kiss.
Juday proved she made the right decision, again going against the wishes of her manager, when she accepted the role.
She felt vindicated when Sabel won for her an Urian Best Actress trophy.
She said, âAt that time na-realize ko na, okay, after Sabel, then I was able to prove to myself na, âAh, okay, ito na nga yung tamang panahon na I have to trust my gut.â
âHanggang ngayon, yun yung pinagbabasehan ko.â
JUDY ANN ON LONGEVITY
Being in showbiz, which is notoriously peopled by two-faced denizens, the seasoned actress has always kept it real, making her relatable to the public.
Even in the age of social media, with most personalities always posting their most glamorous shots, or coming up with ways to go viral, Juday has chosen to always keep it real.
She pointed out:
"Hindi naman mahirap maging relatable kung authentic ka naman, e⌠na wala kang pagpapanggap na ginagawaâŚ"
She then shared a story about a snapshot of her accidentally dropping her phone, which she posted on Instagram.
A netizen remarked that Juday should not have posted the unflattering pic.
But the actress shrugged off the comment, âSabi ko, âWala, nakakatawa kasi siya, e.â
"Tawang-tawa ako, so parang gusto ko siya i-share. Bakit kailangan ng approval ng ibang tao?
âSiyempre, gusto ko i-post yung maganda ako, di ba? Pero okay naman din i-post kung pangit ka, kasi wala naman perfect na tao.
âI think when you are not faking things and you show who you are, your authenticity [shows]. Hindi siya mahirap kasi hindi naman siya inaarte.â
But she would put so much effort when it comes to her passions and projects.
She would do her best to make life easier for the people she works with, to make the fans happy, and to feel good about what she's doingânot primarily for likes or clicks or views.
There were times when Juday took long showbiz breaks for personal reasons, such as when she gave birth to Lucho in 2010 and to Luna in 2016.
She did wonder, would her public still be there on her return after those long breaks?
Nonsense.
Showbiz always welcomed Juday with open arms, every time.
Pondering, she said, âSiguro nga malaking factor din na hindi ako nagkaroon ng bad blood kahit na kanino sa production, sa ABS, sa maraming tao.
âKaya nung open na akong magsabi na, âWilling na po ako, puwede na po akong bumalik sa trabaho,â bukas agad sila. Kasi never naman akong naging sakit sa ulo sa set.â
Beyond being grateful, Juday said that for her part, she made sure to be thoroughly all there during her comeback.
âBago naman ako bumalik sa pagtatrabaho, tinrabaho ko muna yung sarili ko,â she emphasized.
"I have to feel good. It's not na nga look good, e. I have to feel good bago ako bumalik sa trabaho, kasi kailangan buo yung confidence ko when I face the camera again."
JUDY ANN's bankability
What Juday did not expect to happen so soon after giving birth to Lucho was a brand endorsement offer.
She recalled her story with her characteristic humor, âAfter I gave birth to Lucho, may mga endorsements kaagad na pumasok.
"Ako na nga ang nagsabi, âPuwede po wait? Kasi parang hindi pa po ako kasya sa door. Parang po akong kumain ng house.â
âSo okay naman sila doon, na okay lang na malaki ako. E, so, okay. Kung okay kayo diyan, di, okay ako.ââ
However, not just any brand can approach Juday for an endorsement deal; she has requirements.
Either sheâs been using the product and knows its claims to be true, or she has tested the product and given it her seal of approval.
She said, âI believe in commercials,â but as an endorser, she added a caveat, pointing out it would be her name and reputation at stake.
She elucidated: âKasi dahil nga paniwalain ako, ayoko namang magbigay ng false endorsement, advertisement sa ibang tao.
âKasi it should be my own experience. It shouldn't be the client's experience, kailangan, ako.
âIt's my word kasi na naaanklahan ng client, ng mga tao, ng agency.
"Ako rin mismo, I feel bad to endorse a product that I don't believe in just for the money.â
Juday said sheâs been inculcating in her kids the importance of credibility when it comes to endorsing a product.
Some of her endorsements have included her children, and even in those cases, Juday has to have their permission first.
âKapag ayaw nila, wala akong magagawa. Pag gusto nila, and then I'll ask them, âWould it be okay for you to endorse this product?â
âKasi mga bata iyan, ayaw namin silang nagsisinungaling.
âI find it unfair for the clients and for the people to endorse something that you do not believe in.â
LIVING THE LIFE JUDAY HAS ALWAYS IMAGINED
The actress was also candid enough to say that she is living the life that she has always dreamed ofâto still do what she loves doing, which is showbiz, and, at the same time, to be settled down.
She explained: âSiguro kasi yun yung inisip kong gusto ko at some point⌠when I get married and when I have a family.
"Alam ko na, e, na pag nagpamilya ko, I would lay low [sa showbiz]. Not because I have to, but because I want to."
âBecause I want to spend more time with my family. I want to see my kids grow up. I want to be there every step of the way.
âIt was a choice that I made even before I met Ryan,â referring to Ryan Agoncillo, her husband of 14 years.
AS A HOMEMAKER
Their three children are Yohan (18), Lucho (12), and Luna (7).
When she is not working, Juday focuses her energy on being a homemaker.
She says on a âregular day,â she is already awake at 5:00 a.m. preparing her kidsâ baon to school. She drives them to school.
When she arrives home, she prepares her husband Ryanâs baon for Eat Bulaga!, where he is a regular co-host.
When her kids are all in school and Ryan goes to work, Juday squeezes in her me-time.
âThen there's the time that I try to meditate, I try to do yoga⌠titignan ko na kung ano yung mga karne sa bahay para magluto, maghanda for dinner.
âAnd then I have a lot of downtime naman. Kumbaga, I could actually watch Netflix and learn more about cooking shows and the likes.â
Afterwards, she would pick up Luna from school and bring her to see Lucho play in his soccer game.
âPag-uwi ng bahay, it's either magpe-prepare na ako ng pagkain, or mag-order ako ng food for dinner.â
AS A WIFE TO RYAN
Having been married to Ryan for 14 years and having been together for 18 years, Juday said their relationship has evolved in those years.
âOf course, may mga pinagdaanan naman din kami⌠mga trials and challenges along the way before we got to a point na, âOkay, kalmado at settled na tayo.ââ
She highlighted the importance of talking things out.
âI guess having an open communication is always the right path to take. Just come up with a solution.
âKami, kasi nag-work sa amin yung, âPalamig muna tayo bago tayo mag-usap.â
âKasi may mga ibang tao na, or may mga ibang mag-asawa or partners na, hindi tayo matutulog hanggaât hindi ito naaayos.â
âHindi siya nag-work sa amin, kasi mas lalo lang lumalaki ang gap. Kasi pareho na kaming pagod, puyat, mainit na pareho yung ulo namin.
âSo, kailangan namin kumalma muna. Mag-cool down and gather everything na nasa isip namin bago namin pag-usapan.
âSo, as years go by, we still learn a lot of things from each other. We still try to understand so many things about each other.
"May mga tampuhan kami, may mga parts na lalo nung pandemic na nagkaka-bad trip-an kami. But it's just normal. I think you have to acknowledge the fact na may differences talaga ang bawat tao."
âRegardless kung magka-partner kayo o mag-best friend kayo, sadyang may differences lang kayo.â
AS A MOTHER
One thing that Juday really takes pride in is having raised good kids.
âKami ni Ry, almost every night pinag-uusapan namin na we have such good kidsâmarespeto silang mga bata, matataas ang EQ [emotional quotient], very obedient.â
If there are moments that they need to talk to their kids about anything, they avoid shouting.
Just like in their marriage, Juday and Ryan teach their kids the importance of open communication, and recognize the importance of listening to their kids.
âKung meron silang napansin na hindi nila gusto o sumama ang loob nila, they have to tell us, they have to communicate to us.
"We allow ourselves to apologize to our kids. Importante yun, e, na marinig ng mga anak mo na mag-sorry ka sa kanila. At the time, na alam mong ikaw yung may kasalanan."
âNa hindi sa lahat ng pagkakataon, porkeât magulang ka, laging ikaw lang ang tama.
âMay mga moments na nagkakamali kayo and when time comes that you have to apologize to your kid, you have to do that because then, they'll appreciate na, âAy, ang mommy ko, ang daddy ko, alam nilang nagkamali sila.â
âI think importante yun na ma-realize ng mga magulang ngayon na it's okay to make mistakes. Just acknowledge the fact that you made a mistake and you have to apologize to your kids.â
As for what future she wants for her kids, Juday gave a simple and typical motherly answer.
"Alam mo, ang goal ko na lang talaga ngayon is makita kong maka-graduate lahat ng mga anak namin.
"Of course, I'm excited kung anong magiging profession nila when they become adults.
"Kasi achievement mo yun bilang magulang na makita mo kung ano yung kinabukasan ng mga anak mo.â
JUDY ANN SANTOS: NOW AT HER HAPPIEST
At this point in her career, Juday said she wants to make projects that would excite her.
âI would accept it regardless kung gaano siya kahirap. Basta pag tumibok ang puso ko para sa isang project. It doesn't matter kung gusto siya ng mga manonood o hindi."
âTapos na ako dun sa pakiramdam ko sa part na gawa na lang ako nang gawa nang gawa nang gawaâŚâ
âNgayon parang I want to take my time, I want to enjoy each project I make, from the co-stars to the character, to my production staff, to my crew, to my directorâŚ
âParang gusto kong namnamin yung moment.â
She emphasized that she wants to make projects that her kids would be proud of.
âKasi proud naman akong artista ako, e. Hindi ikinahihiyang artista ako,â said Juday.
âI want them to understand that being an actor requires a lot of responsibilities. And if at some point they also want to go this route, they just have to understand na this is not a perfect world. There's a lot of responsibility on being on cam most of the time.â
She finds it flattering that people admire their family. But this, she explains, also requires effort.
Juday said that they are not the type to share everything on social media and prefer to keep some private moments amongst themselves.
For instance, during mealtime, using your phone at the table is not allowed unless it is an emergency.
She said these moments are also their bonding time.
âWe love having dinner ng magkakasabay kami kasi masarap kakwentuhan yung mga anak namin. Ang happy nilang kakwentuhan. Tawa lang kami nang tawa. Nakakakatuwa.
"Siguro ngayon ko lang ito sasabihin, kaya ko siguro nasasabi that I am at my happiest stateâmind, heart, and soulâkasi nakikita ko yung mga anak ko na lumalaki silang may pamilya sila."
"Lumalaki silang kasama nila yung nanay at tatay nila, and they're able to communicate and converse to us as parents and as barkada."
âSo yun yung gusto kong punuan ng maraming memories, yung mga anak namin, yung may ikukuwento sila sa mga anak nila, may babalikan silang tradition, may babalikan silang mga bagay na ginawa namin as a family.
âIt is something na hindi mo mao-order [online]. Alam mo yung overflowing joy and happiness na hindi mo naman siya alam before na ito pala yun.
"Ito pala yung pagiging nanay. Ito pala yung pagiging asawa, na regardless kung gaano ka kapagod, pag nakita mo yung mga anak mo na nagtatawanan lang kayo sa dinner table or sa dining table, ang sarap, ang sarap-sarap sa pakiramdam."
“I want to live longer to be able to experience this more and makita ko yung mga apo namin.
“Siyempre, bata pa sila, matagal pa mangayari yun, di ba?
"Pero, andun ako… yung, ‘Thank you, Lord.’”
PRODUCTION CREDITS:
SHOOT PRODUCERS: Karen Pagsolingan, Nikko Tuazon
INTERVIEW: Jo-Ann Maglipon, Bernie Franco
WRITER: Bernie Franco
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Igi Talao
PHOTOGRAPHER: Jayson Vicente-Isaac
PHOTOGRAPHER'S ASSISTANTS: Marlon Magracia, Eduardo Mitra Jr., Warren Damian, Jhayson Alih, Rico Papuan
STYLIST: Leanne Ledesma
STYLIST'S ASSISTANT: Claire Fernando
MAKE-UP: Gela Laurel
HAIRSTYLIST: Raven Dizon
VIDEO PRODUCERS: Rommel Llanes, Jino del Mundo
TIKTOK PRODUCER: Nikko Tuazon
Special thanks to Ralph Mercado and Rommel Gonzales
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