MANILA, Philippines – Actress Judy Ann Santos admitted she was still in disbelief after bringing home the Best Actress in a Leading Role award during the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal.

In an Instagram video posted on Sunday, December 29, the Espantaho star reflected on her win and expressed how elated she was about getting to be a part of the film festival’s history.

“Napaka-surreal pa rin ng mga pangyayari sa akin. Sa lahat naman ng awards night, sa maniwala man o hindi, ang pangkalahatan, may parte ng puso mo na hindi ka maniniwala, pero may parte ng puso mo na kumakapit na, ‘Sana, sana, Lord.’ Pero sa bawat awards night, anything can happen. Kasi sampung napakagandang pelikula. Sampung magagandang pelikula na may mga mahuhusay na artista, so, totoo e, kahit ano maaaring mangyari,” she said.

(Everything still feels so surreal. In all awards nights, believe it or not, in general, there’s a part of your heart that won’t believe it will happen, but there’s also another part of your heart that says, “Please, please, Lord.” But in every awards night, anything can happen because there are 10 beautiful films. Ten beautiful films that feature talented actors, so it’s true, anything can happen.)

Judy Ann was named Best Actress for her role as Monet in the horror film Espantaho. Directed by Chito S. Roño, the film follows Monet and her mother Rosa, who each end up falling in love with married men. One day, a painting suddenly appears on their doorstep after the burial of Pablo, the married man Rosa was involved with. After the last day of the pasiyam, people begin to disappear one by one, and the two women decide to investigate the mysterious incidents themselves.

“Ang cliché sabihin na mapabilang ka sa history ng MMFF 50. ‘Yun lang, alone, masarap nang pakinggan eh, masarap na sa puso. Pero ‘yung makapag-uwi ka ng ganito kabigat na award na may kasamang history, walang kapantay, walang kapalit,” the actress continued.

(It’s cliché to say that you became a part of MMFF 50’s history. That alone is already heartwarming. But being able to bring home a heavy award like this which carries history, nothing can match or replace that.)

The Espantaho star then thanked the people who made the MMFF possible.

“Maraming, maraming salamat po talaga. Binuhay ‘nyo ang pelikulang Pilipino. It really is history, so it’s good to be part of that history. Hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala, sa tunay na salita, na naiuwi ko [‘yung award]. Kasama ko siya sa pagtulog ngayon,” she said.

(Thank you very, very much. You gave life to Filipino film. It really is history, so it’s good to be part of that history. I still can’t believe it, to be honest, that I was able to bring home this award. I’m bringing it with me to sleep tonight.)

Judy Ann Santos previously won the Best Actress award for her roles in the MMFF entries Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo and Mindanao in 2006 and 2019, respectively.

The MMFF runs until January 7, 2025, in cinemas nationwide. – Rappler.com