A game close to Judy Ann’s heart

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s very fun for the kids and at the same time very educational.” That’s Judy Ann Santos speaking about her latest Kapamilya TV show titled Bet On Your Baby, which will premiere on Oct. 19 after TV Patrol Weekend. Like her reality cooking shows, Junior Master Chef and Master Chef Pinoy Edition, the game show is very close to Judy Ann’s heart as she is a doting mother to Yohan, eight, and Lucho, two. It is another hosting stint that Judy Ann can easily get an A for an effortless and engaging work.       

“It’s a good bonding (activity) for the parents and the kids,” shares Judy Ann. “It’s different. Parents and soon-to-be parents will learn from the show like how to teach their kids about colors and how to interact with them.”

Whoever says that playing and learning cannot be mixed, better think again. All this is possible in Bet On Your Baby.

“The kids will just play, while the parents will figure out if their children can do the games,” says Judy Ann about the basic premises and mechanics of Bet On Your Baby. “The (challenges) are based on the games normal kids can do like playing football and card (stacking).” Every Bet On Your Baby game posts this question to parents: How well do you know your kids? This gauges the toddler’s success in carrying out the task. 

Why children age two to three and a half are tapped as players of the show?

“It’s the stage where kids listen to their mothers and become curious about what’s going on around them,” answers Judy Ann. “It’s the same age level where kids would ask: Will I do this or not?... This is the stage where they are in their peak of pagiging malikot… (and) when kids are most innocent.”

This innocence is what adults lack these days to appreciate the little joys of life — you know, stop and smell   the roses — and the child-like spirit to momentarily forget their daily cares and give themselves their well-deserved “Me” Day. This breather from work means spending quality time with family.

“I can work three straight days, but give me two free days,” says Judy Ann. “I need to make up for lost time with my children. If not, the call time should be at 11 a.m. So I’ll be up when Yohan goes to school. Si Lucho napapaliguan ko pa, nahihintay ko pa na sunduin siya ng lola niya. With that, I have the time to see my kids before I leave. I just need to see my kids in the morning. If I can’t catch up with them in the evening, at least I can see them the following morning. It is like, a day won’t pass without them seeing me or me seeing them. I feel sad and I feel something missing if I don’t see them before going to work. The hug and the kiss are my vitamins when I go to work in the morning.” Bet on Your Baby also advocates among parents to create strong connections with their children, nurturing relationships that gain trust and confidence.

As hands-on parents, Judy Ann and husband Ryan Agoncillo take turns in taking care of their kids and disciplining them. Judy Ann says that they don’t have cardinal rules at home. They just rely on the situation and on what happens. If in instances that one kid hurts someone, they will call the kid’s attention. But the cardinal rules will be defined once Yohan and Lucho reach their pre-teen or teen. These include “no girls or no boys allowed.”

Meantime, Judy Ann is on her toes to assist parents and children go through the fun challenges that await them in Bet On Your Bet. She can’t wait to say “Let the games begin” and can’t contain her emotion when kiddie players accomplish and fulfill different challenges. With that, it’s time to place one’s bet on one’s baby.