It was no surprise during the recent Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal when Judy Ann Santos’s name was called for the Best Actress award winner but the Espantaho star admitted that even just being nominated was already a big blessing for her and their production.

“Parang dun pa lang panalo na kami. Again, napaka-cliche sabihin pero sa totoo, ang opinyon ng mga moviegoers is very honest eh. That alone is an award on its own. So thank you. Nakakataba ng puso. Maraming salamat,” she shared at the red carpet of the MMFF awards night held last December 27 in Parañaque City.

The 46-year-old actress said she is very much aware of all the feedback her film has been getting, and why has decided to be open-minded about all of it.

“I’m very, very happy sa lahat ng magagandang reviews ng tao, even the not so good ones, we welcome and we respect everybody’s opinion and it is what it is, ganun talaga. Yung mapabilang ka sa sampung pelikula sa 50th Metro Manila Film Festival is a gift on its own. I’m super happy to be here,” she said. 

After besting fellow Best Actress nominees like Aicelle Santos (Isang Himala), Francine Diaz (My Future You), Jane de Leon (Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital), Julia Montes (Topakk), and Vilma Santos (Uninvited), Juday made sure to give most of the credit to her co-stars and the team behind her film as well as her family.

“Masarap sa pakiramdam. Espantaho team, para sa ating lahat ‘to. Of course sa aming director Chito Roño, Chris Martinez, direk Jojie (Lorenzo), thank you for the trust. Hindi ko magagawa itong trabaho ko. Of course, to my nanay LT (Lorna Tolentino), tita Chanda (Romero), sa aking anak dito, si Kian (Co), this wouldn’t be possible if it weren’t for your great support. Acting is reacting. Naniniwala akong hindi ko magagawa ang trabaho ko kung hindi dahil sa inyo.

"Sa lahat ng kasama sa MMFF, sa sampung napakagagandang pelikula, dun pa lang, panalo na tayong lahat. Of course this award is for my inspiration, my guide, my rock, my husband Ryan (Agoncillo), to my three beautiful babies, Yohan, Lucio, and Luna. To my mom, my brother, and my sister, and to dear Lord, thank you po. Hindi ko naisip na makakarating ulit ako dito. Sa lahat po ng kapwa ko nominado, para sa aing lahat ito. To God be the glory. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino! Merry Christmas everyone,” she said onstage at the awards night. 

After a more than five-year hiatus from the big screen, Juday said she is looking forward to doing more acting pieces like Espantaho in the new year.

“Of course, more good projects, more time with my kids and my husband, and we’ll see. Kasi ayokong nagpa-plano. Mas maganda yung mga surpresa. Like Espantaho was a big surprise for me for 2024. It wasn’t part of the plan. So I guess parang ganun yung mangyayari. Ayoko na mag-plan and I’ll just go with my gut. Kasi ganun lang naman yung nangyari dito sa Espantaho and it worked. It was perfect. Hindi kami maraming cast but it’s a beautiful cast. I’m so proud of this project,” she shared.