CAREER HISTORY
A child in a
battleground called showbusiness. Raw. Naive. Equipped only with the
will to act. And the determinatioin to perfect the craft. Facing
all challenges. Crossing all bounds.
At 6
She was first seen on television singing Sampung Mga Daliri, Kamay at
Paa... in a popular toothpaste commercial. And after being noticed
by ace director Elwood Perez, her 30-seconder TV ad became a 2-hour
exposure as she conquered the silver screen in films like Dyesebel,
Sa Puso Ko Hahalik Ang Mundo, Nasaan Ka, Inay, Regal Shocker the Movie,
Manila Boy, Impaktita and Madonna, Babaeng Ahas.
It was that overwhelming joy of being
able to do what has long been a dream that made this little girl endure
the busy schedule and tiring demands of the industry. And even though
showbusiness took away her childhood, there was no regret for she
considered acting as the best play of all.
At 8
From playing bit roles in different movies, television stepped in,
jump-starting her career by casting Judy Ann in a daily tearjerker, Kaming
Mga Ulila.
"Ang totoo niyan, hindi ako
talaga kasama sa original cast isiningit lang ako para raw pandagdag."
A career move that changed her life and
the entertainment industry as well.
"Kapag umiiyak ako noon,
pinipilit kong tumulo 'yung luha ko kaya pinipikit ko 'yung mata ko,
until sabi ni Direk Argel Joseph, baguhin ko raw dahil halatang pilit."
Reason why she mastered her craft of
shedding tears effortlessly and on cue.
"Tapos sa sobrang takot ko kay
Bella Flores, tuwing kasama ko siya sa eksena, nagtatago ako, kaya hindi
nila ako mahanap tuwing take na."
The best training ground which gave
birth to the phenomenal actress within her.
| The
blockbuster performance of Isusumbong Kita Sa Tatay Ko,
the monumental motion picture she co-starred with Fernando Poe
Jr., broke all records and is now considered Star Cinema's
all-time biggest hit placing Madrasta second. |
At 9
Fated to make it big, Judai got her first TV solo break in a primetime
drama series, Ula, Batang Gubat. Highly recognized and
admired for her "good-as-real" acting, this daily 30-minute
program brought her closer to the hearts of the masses.
"Hindi ko malilimutan na
nagsuot ako ng 2-piece skirt na wrap-around lang talaga.
Unforgettable rin 'yung nagbabaging ako na dumating sa point na humampas
'yung mukha ko sa puno kasi wala akong control."
Experiences which molded an upcoming
young star to her ful potential.
"Dito naging cowboy ako.
Nasanay ako sa putikan at sa gubat, nasanay ako sa lahat. Hindi
rin ako nagrereklamo dahil sabi ni Direk, iyan ang pinasok mong trabaho,
panindigan mo."
| Yesterday's
most promising discovery.
Today's
most successful young actress.
Tomorrow's
most admired celebrity.
|
At 12
Geared to make a mark in the daytime drama landscape, Judy Ann and her
"diary" created a big impact in the lives of Filipino viewers
engrossed with her secret identity. Her confrontation scenes with
co-star GLADYS REYES were among the show's unforgettable highlights.
"Doon ako natutong mag-routine
sa sabunutuan namin ni Gladys. At doon din ako mas natutong umarte dahil
ina-apply ko sa sarili ko 'yung role."
Mara Clara
was considered one of ABS-CBN's longest running and most successful
daytime drama series. Soaring hign in the afternoon strip for 5 years,
it garnered an incredible rating of 50% and an audience share of 89%
(Source: AC Nielsen, Metro Manila Household Ratings, 24 October 1995).
It was an outstanding achievement that took the show from daytime to
primetime and still hitting number 1 with a rating of 44% and an
audience share of 62% (Source: AC Nielsen, Metro Manila Household
Ratings, 14 February 1997).
"Bawat eksena dito maaalala't
maaalala ko dahil mahal ko 'yung show at dahil dito ako nakilala ng tao."
Picking up life's little lessons here
and there, Judy Ann wasn't quite well aware yet that she was already
slowly treading the path to stardom.
At 17
Television indeed brought out the best in her. She was not only a
good dramatic actress, but a versatile star as well. Fan clubs
were mushrooming everywhere as she treated them with her song-and-dance
stints in an afternoon variety program.
"Kahit parehong kaliwa ang paa,
natuto akong sumayaw at kumanta."
Breaking away from the
"victim" roles, Judai assumes the carefree and adventurous
"Diane" of Gimik. Candid and down-to-earth. A moment
where art imitates life.
"Enjoy talaga ako doon dahil
mas light ang mga eksena at mas nakaka-relate ako dahil akong-ako talaga
'yon. Through Gimik, natutuo akong gumimik! Dahil naging super close
kami ng mga co-star ko dito, barkada talaga."
A string of top-grossing flicks Sana
Naman, Kung Alam Mo Lang, Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita, Mara Clara the
Movie, Paano ang Puso Ko, Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay and Muling
Ibalik ang Taming ng Pag-Ibig placed her right where she should
be... on top.
At 19 Tagged
back then as Philippines' Soap Opera Princess, Judy Ann now has
rightful claim to being television's Queen of Drama Series. The
birth of Esperanza changed the lives of millions of Filipinos as
the whole country caught on with the "Esperanza mania".
And for two-and-a-half years of
unrivaled performance, this top-rating soap opera, which rated a
whopping 57% with an audience share of 79% (Source: AC Nielsen, Metro
Manila Household Ratings, 18 Feb 1999) placed her at the peak of her
career.
"Kung nasaan man ako ngayon,
naging malaking part talaga 'yung Esperanza. Pati na rin 'yung mga
nakapag-direct sa akin dahil natuto ako ng iba't ibang style at
techniques sa acting."
| Lauded
with triumphs.
Toughened
by time.
Honed
to perfection.
|
At 21
The time has come for today's Queen of Soap to reign supreme in
the Primetime Drama arena.
"Nakakatuwang isipin na may
drama anthology na ako. Pinangarap ko rin naman 'to, hindi ko nga lang
inaasahan na magkakatotoo. Excited ako at the same time kabado ako, kasi
baka hindi nila nagustuhan. Pero hindi naman siguro, dahil
pinaghihirapan at pinag-iisipan namin talaga ang bawat eksena."
Unveiling the true qualities of a real
actress and living up to her title as the Phenomenal Star of the New
Millenium.
"Masarap pala 'yung feeling na
may isang show na nakapangalan sa 'yo. Iba-iba 'yung director, iba-iba 'yung
istorya, iba-iba 'yung artista, lalo na 'yung matitira."
source:
JUDY ANN SANTOS, THE NEW DRAMA ANTHOLOGY PRINCESS
Teen Movie Magazine
