Judy Ann returns to the kitchen

Plus: Edgar Allan Guzman joins powerhouse cast of MMFF entry “Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako”

“After I did Junior Master Chef, parang I wanted to do another hosting job since I am new in this field,” said Judy Ann at the press conference of Master Chef Pinoy Edition held last November 8. The Master Chef Pinoy Edition started airing last November 12 with the newest version of the popular cooking reality show giving ordinary people from different generations, places and economic backgrounds a chance to showcase their cooking prowess and overcome the challenges to reach their dreams,” Judy Ann says.

“The challenges will definitely be harder. We will be blunt in giving comments. To be a good chef, one needs to endure all the hardships. The kusina-serye also gets a fresh, new twist as it will highlight the amateur chef’s struggles, aspirations for their loved ones, and their goal to prove themselves,” she adds.

And since the contestants now are adults, all the more Juday feels nervous on her return to the hosting job. “It’s a different take on being a host. Sa Junior Master Chef, I was kind of nice kasi mga bata pero this time, I think kailangan ipakita ko ang aking serious side. Kailangan ipakita ko ang aking impakta side para medyo matakot sila,” she says with a laugh.

“I’ve got to be different here as a host. Of course, excited ako but I am also nervous kasi makikita ng mga tao ang ibang side ko when it comes to giving comments and tasting. May overall impact ang pagiging host.”

Is the drama in the contestants’ life a factor in choosing the winner?

“Hindi naman. Ang judging lang talaga ay ‘yung character mo, kung paano ka magluto, at the same time, paano ang creativity mo sa mga challenges. At saka kung paano ka makisama kasi bilang isang chef, it’s a total package. Hindi man maniwala ang mga tao sa sinasabi ko, pero totoo iyan,” Judy Ann explains.

“Saka super emotional ang takbo ng show kasi dito mo makikita kung gaano nila kagusto makasali sa isang kompetisyon. May kanya-kanya silang rason kung bakit nila gustong sumali tapos yung mga rason nila, maiisip mo na lang na totoo palang may ganitong rason kung bakit sumasali sa isang competition,” she adds.

As host and chef judge, Juday says a challenge she will face is how to maintain the balance between being firm with a decision and still being kind to a contestant.

Juday says she won’t be accepting other projects, especially teleseryes, while she is doing Master Chef Pinoy Edition. “We tape four times a week. There are only seven days in a week. Pag nag-shooting pa ako ng dalawang araw, paano pa ang pagiging ina ko? So my bosses at ABS-CBN understand. Seasonal naman ang Master Chef. After doing this, siguro pwede na ako gumawa ng movie or ng teleserye,” she says.

Juday is also excited to be a part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival as she joins Senator “Bong” Revilla and Vic Sotto in the movie “Si Agimat, Si Enteng and Me.”

“This is exciting. As for the best actress award, alam na naman natin kung kanino ito mapupunta (Nora Aunor is predicted by many as shoo in for the best actress trophy for Thy Womb). Ang gusto ko lang naman ay kumita ang movie at maging number one. Kasi pag hindi ito kumita at naging number two, baka sabihin ng mga tao ako ang dahilan. So huwag naman kaya samahan ninyo akong magdasal ng paluhod para maging blockbuster ang movie,” Juday says.

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Edgar Allan Guzman has started shooting for his episode entitled “PedrongWalang Takot” in the twinbill “Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang”  when Unitel Productions and TV5 decided to back out from the Metro Manila Film Festival.

But Allan still has reason to smile because he will be playing a special role in the potential Metro Manila Filmfest topgrosser “Si Agimat, Si Enteng at Ako”, which features an all-star cast and is produced by the combined forces of OctoArts Films, M-Zet Productions,  Imus Productions, GMA Films, and APT Entertainment.

“This movie is for the whole family who, just like my own family, make it a point to watch the adventures of Bossing Vic every Christmas. This movie is bigger because it also stars Senator Bong Revilla and Ate Juday (Judy Ann Santos) who rubbed on her luck on me,” says the two-time best actor winner (Cinemalaya and Golden Screen Awards for Ligo na U, Lapit na Me).

"Excited po talaga ako tuwing filmfest kaya sana tangkilikin ng mga Pilipino ang "SI AGIMAT, SI ENTENG AT AKO - kung saan nagsasanib pwersa lahat ng mga kapamilya, kapuso at mga kapatid," he adds.

Everything is doing good for Edgar. The TV5 series “Enchanted Garden” where he plays Molave,  a character from the enchanted world, is extended up to January. His latest single entitled “Hanggang Dito Na Lang” (a cut from his album Edgar Allan P.O. (Puro Orig) is still number one on WOWFM. Edgar is also in the cast of the all-new edition of “LOKOMOKO”, which airs every Saturday afternoon on TV 5.

He is nominated as Best Actor in a Play for his outstanding performance in BONA in Broadway World Philippines Awards.  To vote, just log on to – broadwayworld.com.

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‘Tan-ok ni Ilocano Festival of festivals’, Ilocos Norte’s biggest cultural festivity, returns to promote northern wonders this November 17 at Ferdinand E. Marcos Memorial Stadium in Laoag City.

Taking center stage is a myriad of festivities distinct to Ilocos Norte such as Empanada of Batac City, which shows off the recipe for the most popular Ilocano orange-colored fastfood, and Panag-Abuos of Banna, which recounts the art of harvesting ‘abuos’ or ant eggs to serve one of the most exotic delicacies.

Other participating festival contingents that reflect the province’s home-grown traditions are also present, such as the highlighting of the ceremonial dance, Tadek of Nueva Era, and the religious ‘ash marking’ echoed in the age-old Guling-Guling of Paoay. Livelihoods are also outlined such as the revelry of fishing vocation displayed in Dinaklisan of Currimao, while another, Amian Festival accents the seaside Windmills of Bangui, one of the most admired tourist attractions in the province.

This year’s ‘Tan-ok ni Ilocano’ is anticipated to gain a more massive crowd, with 23 participating contingents, each numbering at most 200, including dancers, propsmen and support staff. Visitors from outside the province are also expected to stream in during the event, encouraging Capitol officials to gear up the set with “a much wider audience space”.

For more information, visit www.facebook.com/INorteFestivalofFestivals or call the Ilocos Norte Provincial Tourism Office at 09175500946.