Among the Stars

Judy Ann's memories of her early days in the business are peppered with anecdotes about how she had to fight for recognition among the big leaguers and the stars of network-produced shows. Who would have thought that one day, she would become one of them? Or even become one of them?

Judy Ann isn't the type to trust people easily. She keeps to a close circle of friends, mostly because she is shy and doesn't want to expect too much. Over the years, she's learned that she's most hurt when she trusts most. Direk Joyce Bernal, with whom Judai had a little tampuhan back in 2007, has experienced the highs and lows of their friendship: "Si Joyce, si Ga [director Dante Nico Garcia, who's been her friend for nearly 15 years], nung nagkatampuhan kami, taon talaga bago nag-usap. Pero kahit di kami nag-uusap ni Direk Joyce that time, nagpapadala pa rin ako ng regalo kay Liam [Direk Joyce's daughter, who is Judy Ann's inaanak]. Masakit 'pag nagkatampuhan kayo dahil mahal mo 'yung tao. Pero hindi naman lahat ng tao, ganoon. Merong iba, madali akong nakapag-move on."

That what Judy Ann is like as a friend. Her friendships with showbiz's big leaguers are just as invested and precious, probably because she was once one of those who looked at them from a distance. She used to be outside the circle of big stars. When she did Magkapatid opposite Sharon Cuneta in 2002, she wasn't expecting to form a real bond with the Megastar, a bond that has lasted seven years now. Sharon, who also grew up in the business, is probably the one person who understands what Judy Ann went through, the only difference being that Sharon, unlike Judy Ann, did not experience the humiliation that Judy Ann did, being thrown out of a dressing room to give way to stars of network-produced shows, or hearing people laugh behind her back in the corridors. "Si Sharon, isa siya sa mga artista na di ko in-expect na magkakaroon ako ng very deep connection: isang malaking tao who would help you analyze things and help keep you grounded. Di alam ng tao na na-i-inspire ako, na na-re-refresh ako by a simple kiss or a hug from Ate. It's very precious, very sincere."

The actress is vocal about how much she admires Sharon's accomplishments in her career and personal life. "Marami akong natututunan kay Ate Sharon; (she's) very talented, she's a good mom, and she's a good wife. Hindi ko man masundan 'yung yapak niya, kahit man lang sana wisdom niya. Ako, masaya na ako na naging magkapatid kami sa pelikula at hanggang ngayon, ganun pa din 'yung turingan namin. Most prized possession na 'yun sa sakin," Judai explains.

The actress also considers Maricel Soriano (her co-star in I Will Survive in 2004) and the late Fernando Poe Jr. (Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko, 1999) as two other big stars who gave her invaluable advice.

FPJ, who Judai fondly calls Tatay Ron, reminded her to treat everyone fairly, and told her: "Sila rin ang makakasalubong mo sa paglingon or sa pagbalik mo."

Her Ate Marya, Ate Sharon and Tatay Ron all reminded her that she must pour her heart into what she is doing. "Sabi nila, mahalin ko lang 'yung trabaho ko, 'yun 'yung isa sa mga nakapagpapangiti sa akin," she shares. "I was able to work with these people. I was able to hear them out base sa personal experiences nila."

Taken from Starstudio magazine: Judy Ann Santos special issue