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Judy Ann Santos Conquers Her Fears in The Diary of Mrs. Winters

by Alexa Villano
February 9, 2023

Judy Ann Santos says she accepted the film The Diary of Mrs. Winters because she wanted to overcome two of her biggest fears.

After taking a break from acting, Judy Ann Santos is back and one of her projects for the year is the film The Diary of Mrs. Winters, which will be shot partly in Canada starting this February.

At the media conference for the movie on Tuesday, February 7, Judy Ann, who has been busy balancing life as a mom, wife, and as a chef in her restaurant Angrydobo, shared that she accepted the project to face two of her fears from the past: cold and being away from her family.

Being away from her family

The actress, who is turning 45, said that she has reached the point she has to conquer her fears. “You reach the age that you have to face your fears already,” she explained. “You challenge yourself to things na parang kaya ko pa ba ito? Kailan ko pa ba gagawin kung wala na akong youth na natitira?”

Judy Ann felt it was time because she doesn’t think she’ll be able to do a film like The Diary of Mrs. Winters again in the near future.

“If I would be away much from my family, itong pelikulang ito lang. Sinasabi ko na po iyan kung sakali may mag-inquire lang at gagawa ng pelikula sa ibang bansa ito lang po sa ngayon. I want to put all my energy and focus on this project and just deal with this fear para lang matapos na.”

For the actress, the prospect of being away for a long time from her kids and husband Ryan Agoncillo is not easy. She explained that they are her routine.

“Thinking about that, nalulungkot na ako. Paano pa pag nandoon na ako sa realidad. Thank god may Facetime, thanks god may Whatsapp na libre,” she said.

Judy Ann Santos with her husband Ryan Agoncillo and their children — Source: officialjuday

A tribute to her mom

Judy Ann also adds that doing the film is her way of honoring her mom Carol who worked in Canada for a long time. “It’s also my way of understanding yung pinagdaanan ng mom ko noon. Gusto kong maintindihan yung suffering kasi na-appreciate ko kung bakit kailangan ni mommy to go to Canada.”

Moreover, as a mother herself, she is willing to sacrifice everything for the sake of her family. “Malalim yung pinaghuhugutan ng mga dahilan ko why I accepted this project. Maari sa iba wala, pero sa akin personal yung movie.”

“It’s more of so many things right inside my heart, my head, my soul. And I have to unfold this and realize and appreciate everything that I have now. Kung wala naman si mom, wala naman ako sa estadong ito.”

Asking for signs

Judy Ann explained the story of why she’s not fond of the cold. She recalled that she was in Canada in her early teens when heavy snow came and she never felt so cold in her life.

“Pakiramdam ko talaga akala ko wala na akong tenga. Nasa labas kami ni mommy nag-grocery nung naghintay kami ng bus sa bus station,” she narrated. “Syempre diba ngayon may mga heaters na mga waiting sheds. Noon naman talaga wala. At tsaka lamigin akong tao. Tapos sinasabi ng mom ko na huwag akong lalabas na basa ang buhok. Eh hindi ako nakinig.”

That experience eventually led her to look for a heater to thaw her hair, which she described as almost ice-like. It’s also a reason why she’s not fond of winter.

When the movie project was offered, she really sought for signs before accepting it.

“You’re praying for some challenge na ma-face mo yung fear mo and ma-challenge ka sa acting mo. And ano ba yung gusto mong regalo ngayong 37 years ka na sa business? Itong pelikula na sinulat ng National Artist na si Ricky Lee na na-set sa Toronto, Canada kung saan nagtrabaho ang nanay mo at nagsimula ang trauma mo. And yung takot ko na mahiwalay ako sa pamilya ko, sa mga anak ko, kumbaga nasa isang project na siya.”

“Yung sagot ko na lang talaga hinhintay. Ang tagal ko siyang pinag-isipan. Ang dami ko nang signs na hiningi and every single day binibigay niya. Lahat iyon binigay,” Judy Ann said.

The Diary of Mrs. Winters

The Diary of Mrs. Winters tells the story of of a Filipino bio-forensic assistant cleaner named Charity who found the diary of Mrs. Winters who committed suicide. She keeps the diary and later, a series of unfortunate events happen to the people close to her.

Aside from her return to film, the project also serves as Judy Ann’s reunion with Sam Milby, whom she co-starred in the teleserye Huwag Kang Mawawala. It serves as the return of Rayhan Carlos as well in the horror genre. The movie will include both Filipino and foreign cast.

The horror-suspense movie will be shot both in the Philippines and Canada and is scheduled for an international release this 2023.