Despite being one of the brightest actresses of her generation, Judy Ann Santos credited her success not only to herself but also to others, especially her mother, Carol.
The actress was humbled by the praises from BRGY special guest host MJ Felipe during her recent interview on the TFC show.
“Wow, thank you po. Feeling ko naman kasi, Mars, hindi naman ito mangyayari ng ako lang. Malaking factor dito yung may malaki akong support,” Judy Ann explained.
She shared that having a team you can trust and collaborate with is a key factor in her journey.
“When it comes to my career in show business, I think it's very important that you have a team that listens to you. And also, very honest. Kumbaga, open. Hindi sila natatakot na magsabi rin sa'yo na, ay, ano po, parang dapat gawin natin to kasi ganyan,” she shared.
Judy Ann added that artists like her should always be open to new ideas and listen to your contemporaries, “You, as an artist, kailangan open ka rin sa ganon. Hindi ka pwedeng kabig lang nang kabig na dapat masunod ‘yung gusto ko. Eh, hindi nga tama.”
But most important of all, the actress notes that her mom was the one who motivated her the most to keep pushing and succeed. Her mother, Carol, worked in Canada to provide for their family years ago.
“I want to make mention. I think Mommy Carol really played (a huge part). See, yung inspiration naman in working really hard really came from my mom. The motivation to work hard was for her to come home and stay here with us. Yun talaga yung una kong naging motivation ng bata ako. Kaya lang naman talaga siya umalis to go to Canada, to provide, to provide and mapag-aral kami, and all,” the actress shared.
Judy Ann shared how proud she is of what she has accomplished for her mom, Carol.
“Nakabili na ako ng bahay, may negosyo na si Mommy, may kotse na rin ako, nakabili na ako ng ilang properties. ‘Yung ibang properties na in-acquire ko, kasama ko pa siya, ‘yung mga tumitingin. Parang, na-fulfill ko yung mga promises ko kay Ma,” Judy Ann told MJ.
In the meantime, Judy Ann wants her mom to enjoy life and live fully, assuring that she will always support her.
She went on, “Ngayon, ano ko lang kay Ma, go and travel. Hanggat kaya mo pa, hanggat gusto mo, go. Just tell me kung saan. Bigyan mo lang ako ng time mag-ipon.”
In her over thirty years in the entertainment industry, Judy Ann has earned numerous acting awards, including prestigious Best Actress accolades from the Gawad Urian in 2005, FAMAS Awards in 2007, and her most recent win as Best Actress at the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival for Espantaho.
She has also starred in several iconic teleseryes, including the original Mara Clara in 1992, Esperanza in 1997, and her most recent teleserye, Starla, in 2019.
—By Jemuel Tandoc