Judy Ann Santos began her career performing as a child on film and television. Her first screen appearance was in a supporting role in the drama series Kaming Mga Ulila (1986) and she made her film debut with a minor role in Sana Mahalin Mo Rin Ako (1988), appearing alongside Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III. At age ten, Santos had her first leading role as the eponymous character in the children's television series Ula, Ang Batang Gubat (1988). She achieved wider recognition when she and Gladys Reyes played the titular roles in the drama series Mara Clara (1992). The show, which aired until 1997, became one of the longest running Filipino television series. It established her as a star and earned Santos a FAMAS Award for her performance in the 1996 film adaptation.

Following this breakthrough, Santos went on to play several lead roles on primetime television, including the soap opera Esperanza (1997), and the anthology series Judy Ann Drama Special (1999). She then played a woman born out of wedlock yearning for her father's acceptance in the drama series Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka (2001), an NBI agent in the police procedural series Basta't Kasama Kita (2003), and the title character in the superhero series Krystala (2005). For the last of these, she received a Star Award for Best Actress. Santos's film roles have also garnered praise from critics. As a woman with dissociative identity disorder in the psychological drama Sabel (2004), she won a Gawad Urian and Golden Screen Award for Best Actress. In 2006, Santos starred opposite Ryan Agoncillo as his feisty and outspoken wife in Jose Javier Reyess comedy Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, her biggest critical and commercial success to date. Santos was awarded with the FAMAS, Golden Screen, Luna, Metro Manila Film Festival, and Star Award for Best Actress.Sources for awards received by Judy Ann Santos for Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo: For awards received from Metro Manila Film Festival: For awards received from FAMAS: For awards received from Luna: For awards received from Star Awards: For awards received from Golden Screen Awards: The following year, she reprised her role in the sequel Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo (2007).

Santos starred in several high-profile directors' projects, including Joel Lamangan's period drama Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita (2004), Topel Lees supernatural horror Ouija (2007), and Jun Lanas psychological horror thriller Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam (2008). The 2010 medical drama series Habang May Buhay reunited her with Reyes of Mara Clara, and won her a KBP Golden Dove Award for Best Actress. She then served as a presenter in the Philippine editions of the reality television competition shows Junior MasterChef (2011), MasterChef (2012), and Bet on Your Baby (2013). Santos went on to play an abused wife seeking revenge in the domestic drama series Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala (2013) and the antihero in the drama series Starla (2019).

Alongside her screen work, Santos co-produced the independent film Ploning (2008). She also starred in the Brillante Mendoza–directed war drama Mindanao (2019). Both films were submissions for Best International Feature Film at the 81st and 93rd Academy Awards, respectively. For the latter, she garnered Best Actress wins at the 41st Cairo International Film Festival and the 45th Metro Manila Film Festival.

Film +Key Denotes films that have not yet been released + Year Title Role Notes 1988 Sana Mahalin Mo Ako Sa Puso Ko Hahalik ang Mundo 1989 Regal Shocker: The Movie Segment: "Aparador" Impaktita Kung Maibabalik Ko Lang Wanted: Pamilya Banal 1990 Dyesebel 1991 Madonna, ang Babaeng Ahas 1993 Silang Mga Sisiw sa Lansangan Manila Boy 1994 Father en Son 1995 Dog Tag: Katarungan sa Aking Kamay 1996 Sana Naman Kung Alam Mo Lang Mara Clara: The Movie Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita 1997 Kulayan Natin Ang Bukas Babangon ang Huling Patak ng Dugo Ako Ba Ang Nasa Puso Mo? Wow... Multo Paano ang Puso Ko? Sanggano Nasaan ang Puso? Babae 1998 Muling Ibalik ang Tamis ng Pag-ibig I'm Sorry My Love Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay Kasal-Kasalan (Sakalan) 1999 My Pledge of Love Gimik: The Reunion Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... Dito sa Puso Ko Esperanza 2000 Pera o Bayong (Not da TV) Cameo Minsan Ko Lang Sasabihin Kahit Isang Saglit 2001 Luv Text Mahal Kita... Kahit Sino Ka Pa! Bakit 'Di Totohanin 2002 Walang Iwanan... Peksman! May Pag-ibig Pa Kaya? Akala Mo Magkapatid Pakisabi Na Lang... Mahal Ko Siya Jologs Cameo Jeannie, Bakit Ngayon Ka Lang? 2003 Till There Was You Mano Po 2: My Home 2004 I Will Survive Sabel Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita It Nominated Best Actress 30th Metro Manila Film Festival2006 Don't Give Up on Us Miss Pinoy Umaaraw, Umuulan Cameo Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo it first new Best Actress 32nd Metro Manila Film Festival 2007 Ouija Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo 2008 Ploning Also Producer Mag-ingat Ka Sa... Kulam 2009 Oh, My Girl! A Laugh Story... 2010 Hating Kapatid 2011 My House Husband: Ikaw Na! 2012 Mga Mumunting Lihim Si Agimat, si Enteng Kabisote at si Ako 2014 T'yanak 2016 Kusina 2018 Ang Dalawang Mrs. Reyes Leading role2019 Mindanao 2024 The Diary of Mrs. Winters Espantaho Also executive producer, it Best Actress 50th Metro Manila Film Festival 2025 Ex Ex Lovers

Television +Key Denotes shows that have not yet been aired + Year Title Role Notes 1986 Kaming Mga Ulila 1988 Ula, Ang Batang Gubat 1992–1997 Mara Clara Mara Davis / Del Valle1996 Gimik 1994 Maalaala Mo KayaLiezlEpisode: "Sa Kandungan Mo, Inay"1997–1999 Esperanza Esperanza Estrera / Socorro Salgado1997 Wansapanataym Episode: "Ang Mahiwagang Palasyo" Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Agua Bendita"1999–2001 Judy Ann Drama Special An installment of the anthology series Star Drama Presents1999 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Karnabal"2001–2003 Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka 2001 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Basket" Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Pier 39"2003 Basta't Kasama Kita 2004 Krystala 2005 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Rosaryo"2006 Sa Piling Mo Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Swing" Komiks Presents: Inday Bote An installment of the anthology series Komiks Komiks Presents: Inday sa Balitaw Komiks Presents: Super Gee 2007 Ysabella Bida Ng Buhay Ko: 20 Years of Judy Ann Santos Television special2008 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Lason"2009 George and Cecil Pangarap ni Ploning Television special May Bukas Pa Guest role2010 Habang May Buhay Your Song Presents: Gimik 2010 An installment of the anthology series Your Song2011 100 Days to Heaven Guest role Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition Host2012 MasterChef Pinoy Edition Host2013 Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala Bet on Your Baby Host2014 I Do Host2015 Maalaala Mo Kaya Episode: "Ilog"2019 FPJ's Ang Probinsyano Guest role Starla 2020 Paano Kita Mapasasalamatan? Host 2022 Guest co-host 2026 Andrea Manuel TBA TBA

See also List of awards and nominations received by Judy Ann Santos

References

External links