MANILA -- Who wouldn't want a glamorous life as a superstar, complete with the red carpet, adoring fans, and the spotlight?
In an industry where people continue to feed stars' egos, Judy Ann Santos, the Queen of Philippine Soap Opera, remains humble and never forgets her roots.
Despite having done some of the best teleseryes and movies and winning countless awards, Santos still feels like a regular person with doubts and a desire to evolve.
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Actress and producer Judy Ann Santos meets select press to promote her Metro Manila Film Fest 2024 entry “Espantaho.”
Photo by Josh Mercardo
“Sobra akong grateful. Sobra kong na-appreciate lahat ng mayroon ako ngayon. Kung hindi naman dahil sa popularity, diyan papasok ang endorsements and all, diyan ka makakaipon. Pero sa ugali, hindi ako naniniwala na sikat ako. Hindi ako naniniwala na reyna ako. May doubts pa rin ako sa sarili ko and I think that’s a good thing. Naniniwala akong tao ako na nagtratrabaho lang din ako,” she told ABS-CBN News during her press tour for Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry “Espantaho.”
Santos, who is regarded as an icon in the entertainment industry, spoke out over being referred to as such.
“Mukha naman akong tanga kung sasabihin kong hindi ako flattered. I want to think that it’s really positive na masabihan ka nang ganoon. Maaaring tumatak na ‘yung mga work mo sa kanila. For them to consider you as such as that, of course, I’m flattered. Gusto ko lang maging klaro na hindi ako ang nagbansag niyan sa akin. I appreciate it. Ayaw ko lang siyang itatak,” she shared with ABS-CBN News.
After so many years in show business, does fame ever change who she is? The "Espantaho" lead star and producer responded, “Feeling ko, hindi ako nabago ng fame for the simple reason na hindi ko naman alam na naging famous ako. Hindi ko naikabit sa utak ko na sikat na sikat ako hanggang ngayon. Hindi ko kahit kailan na sinabi ko sa sarili ko na, ‘Oh my God. Ayaw kong bumaba rito. Sobrang sikat ako baka pagkaguluhan ako.’ Hindi ko lang siya naramdaman. Nagtatrabaho ka lang. Kapag ang nasa utak mo ay nagtatrabaho ka lang, ‘yung fame ay bonus na lang.”
Talking about the concept of fame, Santos added, “Malakas makahunyango ang fame. Mababago at mababago ka. Kapag nalunod ka sa isang basong tubig and at the same time naunang malunod ang mga tao sa paligid mo kaysa sa ’yo, isasama ka nila or tatabunan ka nila.”
The actress then shared some advice on how to deal with stardom.
“You have to know your core. You have to know your foundation. You have to know kung ano talaga ‘yung values na gusto mo. Kung alam mo naman ‘yung pinanggalingan mo, kahit anong fame ang marating mo, hindi ka mababago niyan,” she told ABS-CBN News.
Acknowledging her background and her mother’s guidance, she added, “Malaking factor din na nagsimula ako from ground zero. Hindi naman ako nangarap na maging artista. Ang alam ko lang, kailangan kong kumita para may pambayad nang ganito, ganyan. Pero habang nagtratrabaho ako, nare-realize ko na masaya ‘yung mga ginagawa ko.”
Looking back on her career, Santos said the hit teleserye "Mara Clara" opened many doors for her, and that she would be nothing without the show.
“Nakakatuwang isipin na ganito pala kalawak ang gagawing legacy ni direk Emil Cruz. Utak at puso talaga ni direk Emil ‘yan from the theme song to the script to cast. Napakasuwerte namin ni Gladys (Reyes) na kami ang napili niya to do those main roles. It is all because of ‘Mara Clara.’ Totoo ‘yan. Kung hindi kami naging Mara Clara ni Gladys, maaaring hindi namin narating ‘tong lugar na ito,” she said.
And while she continues to guide her children's lives, Santos wants them to enjoy simple things in life and value education, because life isn't all about glitz and glamour.
“Basta maibigay lang nila sa amin na makapagtapos sila. Whatever they wanna do with their lives after, wala na kaming magagawa roon kasi adults na sila. ‘Yun ang ine-explain ko sa kanila na sana nagawa ko ‘yung pangarap ng nanay ko sa amin noon na makapagtapos kami. Ang edukasyon, hindi nananakaw. Material things, pera, and all, puwede ‘yang nakawin ng kahit na sino sa paligid mo,” she expressed.
“Ang dasal ko na lang talaga gabi-gabi ay magkaroon ng better future ang kids, magkaroon sila ng chance for a better life, magkaroon sila ng options in life, at makita namin kung ano ang professions nila ‘pag matatanda na sila. ‘Yung trabaho na really for them,” she added.
Santos is now promoting her MMFF 2024 entry "Espantaho" alongside director Chito Roño. She also co-produced the film with her Purple Bunny Productions.
“Worth it naman siyang sugalan," she said about co-producing the film with Quantum Films. "Hindi naman laging mangyayari na may pelikula kami ni direk Chito Roño. Plus, horror at MMFF pa. As an actor and as a co-producer, gusto naman nating kumita ‘yung pelikula at mapansin. Everybody did their best dito.”
Santos also confessed that she strives for perfection in all aspects of her work as an actress.
“Hindi talaga ako nakakampante sa bawat pelikulang ginagawa ko. Hindi lang siguro ako bilib sa sarili ko ‘pag dating sa trabaho ko. I think it’s a good thing kasi hindi ka kumakampante sa sarili mong trabaho kumbaga parati kang on your toes,” she admitted.
“Espantaho” also stars Lorna Tolentino, Chanda Romero, Janice de Belen, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Kian Ko, Archi Adamos with Eugene Domingo and Tommy Abuel in very special roles. It opens on Christmas Day, Dec. 25.
WATCH: Trailer for MMFF entry 'Espantaho' starring Judy Ann Santos, Lorna Tolentino
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