Judy Ann Santos, at 29, is a picture of a woman happy and fulfilled. And who wouldn’t be? In a business where stars and lovers-of-the moment fade into oblivion before they could fully capture the public’s adulation, Judy Ann is safely on top. She has a full schedule ahead of her, with more projects waiting at the wings.
______________________________________________________________________________________

Juday on top

Before she went to Palawan for the filming of her new project titled Ploning, she had just returned from a trip in the United States for the international premieres of her latest starrer (with boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo) Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, the official top-grosser of last December’s Metro Manila Film Festival. SSS duplicated the feat of KKK (Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo) which topped the 2006 MMFF.

Her tandem with Ryan in the soap opera Ysabella electrified the viewing public. When the creative team of ABS-CBN was thinking of a new project for Juday, they zeroed in on a project that was very close to her heart. For this reason, they prepared a teleserye that would showcase the culinary talent of the 29-year-old actress. It helped a lot that Juday was taking lessons as a chef. The production team thought of using her skills in the kitchen.

Not only did Judy Ann finish her culinary course from the Center for Asian Culinary Studies, she also graduated with honors after completing her four-month course. She was awarded a silver medal for Basic Skills in Cooking and a gold medal for Advanced Cooking Skills.

Judy Ann was very grateful for the chance to hone her skills in these two fields. She was both excited and pressured. She had to study doubly hard as a chef. It worked that Juday’s two passions were integrated in her new show. It showed that Juday is not only good in acting but in cooking as well. Ysabella was launched in time for her 20th anniversary in showbiz last year. This marks Judy Ann's fourth collaboration with director Rory Quintos and her second teleserye with boyfriend Ryan Agoncillo.

Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo banks on the onscreen chemistry of reel and real-life couple Juday and Ryan. Fans of these two lovebirds were thrilled to see their idols finally get "married" on the big screen—plus they got a sneak peek into the intimate moments of the "newlywed" couple. In addition, most Filipinos can relate to the dilemma of having meddlesome in-laws and well-meaning-but-omnipresent friends and relatives.

Judy Ann has come a long, long way since her acting debut in the 1986 tearjerker Kaming Mga Ulila. From the telenovela princess playing mostly martyr roles, to being the other half of three successful loveteams, she has become a multi-awarded screen actress known for embodying smart, fearless, and independent women.

Aside from her achievements in film and TV, Judy Ann has also ventured into other fields—as a singer (she has made three recording albums), endorser (she appeared in a number of advertisements for products she uses and believes in—even endorsing her preferred politicians), businesswoman (she owns the Kaffe Carabana restaurant in Quezon City), and chef.

But acting remains to be Juday’s top priority. She has reached a level where, even while her last soap is yet to end, another one is being meticulously planned already. The tandem that won supporters in Ysabella, that of Juday and Derek Ramsay (Ryan was the other leading man), is poised to make a comeback in Habang May Buhay. She will play a nurse in the new soap. Some of the scenes of this latest teleserye were even shot in the U.S. while she was doing the rounds of the SSS premieres.

The other half

Ryan Agonacillo is a big part of Juday’s fairy-tale like happiness. They have an easy chemistry, onscreen and much more so, in real life. He said he joined the shoot of Ploning to take pictures of his lady love, adding that he’s more of a photographer first and an actor-host second.

He is also set to host ABS-CBN’s new edition of the reality talent show, Pinoy Dream Academy.

There’s no doubt that the relationship of Ryan and Juday are going strong. And if he would have his way, Ryan would pick the month of May to tie the knot with girlfriend Juday. His parents were married in May, so were several of his relatives. He thinks that would be a nice month to get married.

Juday seemed to agree with Ryan, although the couple has yet to say which May (this year’s or the next?) they’re planning to tie the knot.

The couple hasn’t really discussed marriage yet (even after having been together for more than three years now), as they still enjoy living the single life. Nevertheless, the two are now very close to each other’s families.

Asked what her dream wedding is, Juday said, "A garden wedding, with people who I really love and who love me, people who are really close to me as guests. It will have to be solemn, very private."