Judy Ann Santos

Judy Anne Lumagui Santos, also known by the nickname Juday, is a Filipino actress, film producer, chef, and restaurateur who was born on May 11, 1978. Prolific across television and cinema in the Philippines, she is recognized for playing comedic and dramatic roles in both mainstream releases and independent films, frequently depicting impoverished and oppressed characters. Her accolades include awards from the Cairo International Film Festival, Fantasporto International Film Festival, Gawad Urian, Luna Awards, Metro Manila Film Festival, and FAMAS Awards.

Santos was born in Manila to bank officer Carolina Lumagui and businessman Manuel Dayrit Santos, and grew up alongside two older siblings. Her parents separated in 1986, after which the children remained with their mother until she moved to Canada three years later. The siblings stayed in the Philippines under the care of their nanny and relocated to Quezon City, where Santos completed her elementary and secondary schooling. She launched her acting career at age eight with a minor role in the 1986 television series Kaming Mga Ulila.

At age ten, Santos earned her first starring role in the 1988 children's television series Ula, Ang Batang Gubat. Her main career breakthrough occurred when she starred alongside Gladys Reyes in the soap opera Mara Clara, which premiered in 1992 and was later adapted into a 1996 film. She established herself as a leading primetime television star through main roles in drama series such as Esperanza in 1997, Sa Puso Ko, Iingatan Ka in 2001, and the 2003 police drama Basta't Kasama Kita. Additionally, her 1999 film Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko... became the first Philippine feature film to exceed ₱100 million at the box office.

In 2004, Santos took on more complex mature roles, earning critical acclaim and Best Actress wins at the Gawad Urian and Golden Screen Awards for portraying a woman with dissociative identity disorder in Sabel. She followed this with lead roles in the superhero series Krystala and the period film Aishite Imasu 1941: Mahal Kita. In 2006, she starred opposite Ryan Agoncillo in the blockbuster comedy Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, winning multiple Best Actress awards, and reprised her role in its 2007 sequel Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo.

Expanding into film production, Santos co-produced and starred in the 2008 independent drama Ploning. She later starred in the 2019 film Mindanao; both projects were chosen as the Philippine submissions for Best International Feature Film at the Academy Awards. Beyond acting and producing, she ventured into television hosting, presenting shows including Junior MasterChef Pinoy Edition, MasterChef Pinoy Edition, and Bet on Your Baby.

Following a four-month culinary course taken in 2007, Santos expanded her career into cooking and restaurant ownership. In 2015, she published the cookbook Judy Ann's Kitchen, which won a Gourmand International Cookbook Award. Santos is married to Ryan Agoncillo, with whom she has three children.