Judy Ann Santos will headline the horror movie “The Diary of Mrs. Winters”
Judy Ann Santos stages her movie comeback after four years!
She is set to headline the upcoming horror movie “The Diary of Mrs. Winters.” Sam Milby serves as Santos’ leading man in the film. Critically acclaimed director Rahyan Carlos is at the helm with national artist Ricky Lee as the film’s screenwriter.
“The Diary of Mrs. Winters” is produced by AMP Studios Canada and HappyKarga Films. It will be shot in Canada and in the Philippines.
On February 7, 2023, Santos faced select media through a mediacon at Limbaga 77 Restaurant, Diliman, Quezon City.
There, the actress touted as the “Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera” opens up about what made her say yes to the project.
The right material for Juday
According to Santos, she now chooses the projects she wants to do because of her main priority, which is to be a mom to her kids. It so happened that she was also looking for a horror project for her next film.
She says, “I was waiting for the right material and at the same time, siguro nandoon na rin po ako sa part na pinoproseso ko na yung bawat proyektong tinatanggap ko. If it’s worth it to be away from my family and from my children, if it’s worth the time and the effort. Kasi kung hindi, magluluto na lang ako sa bahay at aalagaan ko na lang yung mga anak ko, kasi yun ang talagang worth it para sa akin.
“With that being said, I was really praying for a good horror material. Kasi after ‘Tiyanak,’ and then I did ‘[Ang Dalawang] Mrs. Reyes,’ and then I did ‘Mindanao,’ na-realize ko, parang I was looking for a horror project that would challenge me.
“Si Direk Rahyan personally messaged me and when I learned that it was a collaboration with Sir Ricky Lee, I knew it was gonna be a good story. Knowing how good Direk Rahyan is, yun ang forte niya e, horror. Pinakagusto ko kasi ‘pag horror, yung good ang nananalo kaysa evil. Di ba, parang sa pangkalahatan naman, yun ang ending na gusto natin? Ayaw nananalo yung hindi mabuti.”
Why did Judy Ann Santos say yes?
However, it wasn’t an instant yes for Santos. She explains that she really has to consider many factors before giving the project a go.
She explains, “Ang naging clincher na sa akin why it took me a while to say yes and confirm my availability kasi sa Canada yung shoot and it will require me to be away from my kids for a long period of time.”
The film being set in Canada is vital to the story.
Now a mother of three, Santos has already set motherhood as her top priority. However, “The Diary of Mrs. Winters” is just something that would make her want to wear her actor’s hat again.
“Gusto ko talaga siyang gawin and, when I read the script, alam kong maganda siya and kailangan ko siyang gawin kasi sumikip yung puso ko at umikot yung tiyan ko. That’s how I base if a project is good. I have to do it kapag alam kong di ako makahinga sa ganda or tawang tawa ako habang binabasa ko.
“I know I’ll be able to deliver this character kasi navi-visualize ko siya kung paano siya nangyayari and I trust Direk Rahyan. With the online workshop that we did—it’s just online pero—magaan agad yung pakiramdam ko sa kanya. Malaking bagay kasi sa akin yung komportable ako sa lahat ng katrabaho ko.”
Judy Ann wants to overcome her fears
The project also opened a lot of questions that Santos wants to resolve within herself as she has fears she wants to overcome.
She says, “Excited ako to know and to understand if kaya ko ba, kung ito ba ay worth it. Marami akong questions, e. Tatalon ako sa isang proyektong hindi naman bulag, pipi, bingi pero punung puno ako ng trust sa production, sa cast, and all. So, kahit naka-blindfold ako, alam kong they got my back. That alone explains why I’m excited to do this.
“At the same time, I’m scared kasi I’ll be away from my husband, from my kids na something na hindi ko talaga ginawa. Hindi ko rin alam kung bakit ko siya gagawin! But I think that this project is really really worth it.”
She continues: “I dedicate this to my mom kasi I’m shooting in Toronto. Doon siya nagtrabaho, doon siya tumira ng mahabang panahon, and nandoon nanggaling yung trauma ko. So, it’s a full circle for me.”
Santos admits that her past experience caused her fear of snow and cold. Now, she has decided she’s ready to face that fear.
She shares, “I’m turning 45 this year and this is the perfect time for me to face one of my fears. May matindi akong trauma sa snow. Siguro, para sa iba, napakababaw. Sasabihin nila, ‘Ano ba naman, ang arte arte! Sa snow, natatakot.’
“Nasa Toronto kasi ako with my mom and ang feeling ko talaga wala na akong tenga. I was 14 years old. So, after that, ayoko na maka-experience ng snow. But our children, gustung-gusto nila maka-experience ng snow. Gusto ko ma-surpass yung takot na yun para ma-enjoy namin as family once na makakita uli kami ng snow.”
Banner Image Paulo Correa
