Entertainment

Judy Ann wants to work with Claudine

Chuck Smith - The Philippine Star

October 21, 2014 | 2:06pm

MANILA, Philippines – Judy Ann Santos revealed she dreams of doing a movie with Claudine Barretto someday.

Judy Ann and Claudine were two of the biggest stars of ABS-CBN as they headlined popular soap operas from the late 90s until the mid-2000s for the TV network.

But while Judy Ann continues to work for ABS-CBN, Claudine is currently in hiatus from showbiz after her contract with GMA-7 expired in 2012.

“I've been dreaming of working with Claudine. Hindi po ito paandar ha? Alam ng Star Cinema 'yan. Three years ago pa yata or two years ago ko pa nire-request yan, to have a movie with Claudine,” Judy Ann said during the press conference for her upcoming movie “T'yanak” on Monday.

She added, “Kaya I'm still hoping, I'm still hoping na sana someday matuloy pa rin. Wala pa namang katapusan ang lahat, di ba?”

But while her dream of working with Claudine may not be realized yet, the 36-year-old actress recently fulfilled one of the items on her showbiz bucket list: working with veteran directors Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga.

Judy Ann is part of Lore and Peque's reboot of the horror movie “T'yanak.” The movie first appeared in cinemas in 1988, starring then-young stars Janice de Belen and Lotlot De Leon. Aside from Judy Ann, the 2014 version also stars Solenn Heussaff, Tom Rodriguez, and Sid Lucero.

“T'yanak” is Judy Ann's first film in over a year, after 2012's “Mga Mumunting Lihim” and “Si Agimat, Si Enteng at si Ako.”

The movie will run in SM Cinemas from October 29 to November 4.

It was reported that she turned down movies “Mariquina” and “Maria Leonora Teresa” this year. But she explained she didn't turn the movie offers down; it was simply a matter of timing, adding she was focused on finishing her upcoming cookbook, as well as hosting the ABS-CBN game show “Bet on Your Baby.”

“Sadyang hindi siya para sa akin,” Judy Ann said.

Here is an excerpt of Judy Ann Santos' interview with entertainment reporters during the “T'yanak” press conference:

On her role in the 2014 reboot of Lore Reyes and Peque Gallaga's “T'yanak”

Judy Ann Santos: Maganda rin na sinusurpresa mo yung sarili mo. Ano pa ba yung pwede mong gawin, ano pa ba yung pwede mong i-push? Ito, suntok sa buwan na sana makagawa ako ng movie with direk Peque. Pasok ang suntok... Isa siyang desisyon na kailangan kong ipasok ang sarili ko.

On her box-office expectations for the movie

Judy Ann: Wala masyado. Hindi ako nage-expect ng malaking returns kasi limited lang yung cinemas namin. But then again, I'm hoping na more than the box-office returns, it's the experience na makita ng mga tao... Gusto kong makita talaga nila yung trabaho nina Peque more than sa trabaho ko. Kasi ito yung dapat nakikita nilang klase ng pelikula.

On producing films in the future?

Judy Ann: I'm praying not just for the movie to produce but for the patience, for the courage. And yung makakuha sana ako ng emosyon na pwede kong ibato kapag nag-produce ako ng pelikula. Kasi, ano yun e, test of everything yun, e—test of emotions, test of patience, test of yourself, kung hanggang saan mo kaya i-push ang mga tao. Yun ang gusto kong paghandaan. Pero syempre, maliban dun, yung pera muna.

On why she is still successful in showbiz

Judy Ann: Siguro it's because I accept change. Nag-a-accept ako ng mga pagbabago, ng mga sinasabi ng tao sa akin, batikos. Maganda man o hindi, I take it as a compliment kasi it's a way for me to branch out into other things.

Siguro andito lang ako sa stage na I have to prove to everyone, more than myself, na hindi porke't tumatanda ako pwede akong kalimutan ng tao. I will grow old gracefully. And at the same time, I will grow old na 'yung mga batang susunod sa akin, maganda yung path na tatahakin nila kung susundan nila yung path na susundan ko.

On plans of doing another soap opera after her 2013 series “Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala”

Judy Ann: Dapat may teleserye talagang naka-line up this November. Pero baka wala na akong pamilya kapag ginawa ko pa yan. Pwede bang next year na lang?

Feeling ko by next year, kung hindi pa kami ma-bless ng isa pang baby, then I'll be able to do a teleserye.

Lagi kong pinagdarasal na mabubuntis ako, yung happy pregnancy lang like the first one.