Paying It Forward

By Bernie Franco

Judy Ann gives back when and where it counts.

Judy Ann's other passion is charity work. She recently founded the Touch A Heart Foundation, where she fostered a group of Aetas in a Bataan community to provide educational, medical and agricultural assistance. She also has a housing project intended to help the so-called 'little people' in the industry.

Judy Ann just doesn't talk about it much. Like other celebrities who help out certain charities and charitable institutions, she feels uncomfortable talking about it. "It's payback time, and also, it's paying it forward," she says. "Kumbaga, kung ano 'yung maliliit na bagay na puwede kong maibigay, paunti-unti binibigay ko."

This desire to pay it forward is Judy Ann's way of thanking God for the opportunity to fulfill her dreams. Now that she's in a position to do so, she sees this as her turn to help fulfill the dreams of others.

Judy Ann has always had a soft spot for the little people in showbiz. Remember, this was the little girl who grew up finding father figure from among her directors, cameramen and utility men on the set of Kaming Mga Ulila, Ula, Ang Batang Gubat and Mara Clara. She had always felt a kinship, a special bond with them. Even when she started becoming a bigger star--and as the demands on her got heavier--she still kept the welfare of the 'little people' in mind. Even when the work got difficult, she learned not to complain because if she did, it would affect people who depend on her for their livelihood.

"Pinapahalagahan ko yung mga tao sa likod ng camera, mula sa utility, hanggang sa mga drivers. Hindi ako mareklamo, kasi kung may mga taong dapat magreklamo, sila 'yon. I rest whenever I want. Sila, they don't have any choice. What right do I have na magreklamo? Nakakahiya kay Lord kung magrereklamo ako. Na hindi ko i-consider yung fact na mas higit pa yung nararamdaman ko na comfort. Kaya kahit may sakit ako, nahihiya ako mag-pack up ng taping, dahil may mga tao na di susuweldo."

Taken from StarStudio Magazine: Judy Ann Santos Special Edition

The Joy of Cooking

By Bernie Franco

The drama princess discovers her passion for food and cooking.

Her interest in cooking was born at the same time that she started acting. Early in her showbiz career, she would often hitch a ride with the catering service bound for wherever they were shooting. "Wala akong sasakyan at sumasabay ako sa catering. Nagigising ako sa amoy ng ginigisang gulay at sa tunog ng mga kutsilyo hanggang sa nagkaroon na ako ng urge na tumulong," she shares.

In between takes, she would help the cooks with their work. "Ako yung naglalagay ng rekado at eight years old, ah!" she relates. "Hanggang sa natututo na ako. Nakikihalo na rin ako, tumutulong. Iba ang nararamdaman kong sense of achievement." Slowly--and despite her young age--Judai was seriously developing her interest in cooking that, years later, would turn into a full-blown passion.

It also runs in the blood. Her parents know how to cook. "Si Daddy, marunong magluto kasi Kapampangan siya. Ang mommy, magaling talagang magluto," she reveals.

Her helper and relative, Ate Binay--a good cook herself--has been a very big influence on her too. Judai saw how Ate Binay managed the kitchen. "Sumasama ako sa kanya sa palengke. Kaya hanggang ngayon, nare-relax ako kapag nasa palengke ako," she says. "Kasi bumabalik ako sa pagkabata."

As her showbiz career took shape, so did her love for cooking. It was therapy for her, a relief from the pressures of showbiz work. "Napansin ko sa sarili ko na kapag nagluluto ako, wala akong ibang iniisip. Hindi ako nasi-stress," the actress enthuses. "Pag humawak na ako ng kutsilyo at humarap sa kalan, wala nang puwedeng umistorbo sa akin."

Even when the demands of work have doubled, Judai never lost her zeal for cooking. "I would always find time. Kahit madaling-araw pa 'yan, magluluto ako. Kakailanganin kong magluto talaga," she emphasizes.

It was also in cooking that Judai found comfort in times of trouble. As a result, "Mas lalo akong na-in-love sa pagluluto 'nung time na nagkaka-problema ako."

Judai has friends in the industry who helped fuel this passion. "Kay Mother Biboy Arboleda (StarStudio Philippines Editor-in-Chief) ako tumatakbo pag may problema ako." Judai goes to Biboy's house where he prepares "comfort food" for her. "Ipagluluto lang niya ako ng pasta. Kinabukasan, lulutuin ko na yun."

Mylene Dizon introduced her to herbal ingredients for healthy eating. Maricel Soriano taught her a secret recipe for roast chicken. "Na-introduce ako sa malaking mundo ng pagluluto dahil sa kanila," she exclaims.

Judai's specialty is Japanese fried rice. It served to introduce her passion to her colleagues in ABS-CBN. "Nilako siya. Nagkaroon na ako ng buffet nito para sa ibang tao," she jokes. Among them were Boy Abunda, Kris Aquino and Star Cinema Managing Director Malou N. Santos. "Pagkatapos n'on, nagkaroon na ng request for me to cook Japanese fried rice, kaya tuwang-tuwa ako. It's another part of me which I could share with people." Some friends even request her to cook it for them when they're sick.

Judai's cooking charms work even on her fiance, actor Ryan Agoncillo. In their case, the cliché holds true: the way to a man's heart is his stomach. "Nagkaroon kami ng sukiyaki tapa with fried rice at nag-come up ako ng sarili kong recipe ng salpicao na nagustuhan niya. Puwede na nga akong mag-come up ng sarili kong cookbook dahil sa kakaluto ko."

And like the way she excels in acting, Judai has never settled for mediocrity in her cooking. She is now on her second course at the Center for Culinary Asian Studies. "I'm taking up Asian Cooking. Ito yung Asian introduction to everything: Thai, Chinese, Vietnamese and Japanese. 'Yung puspusang pag-aaral talaga on how they do it sa country nila."

Her first few attempts at cooking did not always turn out perfectly, but she struggled-- and is still struggling-- to excel. Learning how to cook is a process. "Of course, may mga palpak pa rin. hindi naman porke't nag-culinary ka, perfect na lahat. Ang dami kong moments na hindi ko puwedeng ma-satisfy sa ginagawa ko kasi ako, bini-beat ko pa rin ang sariling time ko, eh," she explains. "Gagawin ko yung best ko na ma-beat yung nauna kong record time."

Judai intends to go abroad to further her culinary studies so she become a full-fledged chef. "Ito lang ang matatapos kong kurso if ever. Not everybody has a passion for cooking. Pero ako, ito naman talaga ang passion ko, eh. Many people want to cook but not everybody has the talent."

Taken from Starstudio magazine: Judy Ann Santos special issue