The comeback series of Judy Ann Santos will not be produced by her home network
Judy Ann Santos confirms that she is now shooting for her comeback series, which is helmed by Director Erik Matti. However, she is not yet allowed to divulge information about the project as she signed a non-disclosure agreement.
Santos caught up with FreebieMNL and other reporters during the February 7 press conference of her comeback movie, “The Diary Of Mrs. Winters.” There, Santos was also asked for updates about the series.
Since she’s not allowed to say anything about the show, she only dropped hints about the role. “It’s a very challenging character, napaka-challenging na character. Nakakaaliw ‘tong series na ‘to. It’s very different; that’s why I accepted the project. Sobrang ibang-iba talaga siya sa lahat ng teleserye na ginawa ko, and when I say lahat, lahat!”
Judy Ann Santos comeback series is not under ABS-CBN
FreebieMNL then asked Santos if her series will be produced by ABS-CBN. She quickly responds, “It’s not ABS. It’s under Reality Films,” talking about Erik Matti’s production company, Reality Entertainment.
She then brings up that she is no longer under contract with ABS-CBN. But as a sign of respect, she told ABS-CBN executive Cory Vidanes about the offer. Vidanes is ABS-CBN’s chief operating officer for broadcast.
Santos tells the press, “Wala akong contract with ABS as of now. But then again, I called up tita Cory para ipaalam sa kanya and magsabi lang na I’ll make a series outside ABS-CBN. Ipinaalam ko ng maayos kasi alam mo yung pakiramdam na wala man akong existing contract with ABS-CBN, yung pakiramdam ko lang na para akong namimindeho ng asawa. Kasi all my life, I’ve been doing all my teleseryes with ABS-CBN. Ito yung first time na gagawa ako ng hindi under sa kanila. So, parang feeling ko lang, medyo nagi-guilty ako so kailangan kong sabihin.”
In fact, Santos no longer has a contract while doing her two recent projects. These were “Starla” (2019) and “Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan” (2020).
Judy Ann Santos’ decision not to renew
Santos explains, “Well, actually, nung nag-expire yung contract ko with ABS, it’s something na hindi naman ako masyadong… parang okay lang kasi parang kailangan ko rin naman ng chance na ipahinga yung utak ko.
“With ABS-CBN naman, I have a very honest and open relationship with them when it comes to teleseryes or any project na inihahatag nila sa akin. When I was doing ‘Starla,’ wala na akong contract with ABS, then pandemic hit. Then, they gave me ‘Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan,’ which I am so grateful [for], considering na wala akong contract yet ako yung kinonsider nilang host.”
In fact, Vidanes appreciated Santos’ gesture to give her a heads up on accepting a project outside ABS-CBN. “Sabi nga niya, ‘Hindi naman kailangan, Juday, pero na-appreciate ko.’
“Ganun kasi ako, ayokong may nasasaktan ako along the way, especially when it comes to work. Parang feeling ko, hindi worth it na may tao kang matapakan para lang sa isang proyekto, para lang sa isang malaking talent fee or something.
“Not that I’m saying ang laki-laki ng talent fee ko sa series na ‘to, hindi ah. Maganda lang talaga yung character. Feeling ko lang yung respeto kailangan mong ibigay nang buo at tama sa mga taong bumuo sa ‘yo.”
Judy Ann Santos no longer wants exclusivity
Moving forward, Santos has made the decision that her contracts will be on a per-project basis as her priorities have shifted. From being a top-caliber actress, she is now a devoted wife to Ryan Agoncillo and mother to their kids. She also adds her business venture Angrydobo to her passions aside from acting.
She says, “Yes, that I could say na per-project basis ako ngayon. Buma-base kasi, dume-depende na talaga siya sa energy ko. 80% of my energy, I give it to my family and I love doing my job as a mom and as a wife. Yung 20%, yun na yung passion ko for acting, I have my Angrydobo.
“Pero ano na siya, kung saan tumibok ang puso ko at saka lang ako tumatanggap ng projects. Kasi namimiss ko rin naman umarte, hindi naman ako magsisinungaling at alam ni Ryan yan. Kasi dito ako lumaki, e. Imposibleng hindi ko mamiss ‘tong mundong ‘to.
“Pero siguro, kapag nagsimula kang umarte ng eight years old, di ba? Sa pagkakataong ito, deserve ko naman na sigurong piliin yung mga proyektong gusto kong gawin. Kasi for most of my life, didindiktahan ako kung ano yung dapat kong gawin—ito lahat yung pelikula kong gagawin, gusto ko yung partner o hindi, kailangan kong gawin.
“Tapos na ako do’n, napagdaanan ko na siya. Kung tumatanggap man ako ng projects ngayon, kasi talagang gustung-gusto ko. Hindi pampalapad ng papel pero pampabuo ng karera ko bilang isang artista.
Judy Ann is always a Kapamilya
When it comes to ABS-CBN, Santos says she always treasures their “no-brainer relationship” even without a contract.
“Parang no-brainer ang relationship ko with ABS. Yes, may mga misunderstandings kami along the way, hindi naman maiiwasan, and I think we all learned from these things. Yung ngayon lang siguro, sa estado ko bilang nanay, bilang asawa, bilang ako mismo as a person, kuntento ako sa kung saan man ako ngayon nandun.
“I am not asking for more, I am not asking for less. I’m settled where I am and gusto ko lang na mas hawak ko yung mga proyektong ginagawa ko, na ako yung nasusunod. Hindi dahil nagpapaka-diva ako, dahil yun lang talaga yung kaya ng powers ko.”
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