After winning the Best Actress award at the recently concluded Gabi Ng Parangal of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Judy Ann Santos opened up about her thoughts on allowing her children to enter show business.
After winning the Best Actress award at the recently concluded Gabi Ng Parangal of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), Judy Ann Santos opened up about her thoughts on allowing her children to enter show business.
In a press interview, Santos addressed the positive comments about her only son, Lucho Agoncillo, who recently appeared on her cooking channel, Judy Ann’s Kitchen.
“Actually, nung lumabas si Lucho sa 'Judy Ann’s Kitchen,' nagulat rin kami sa reaksyon kasi nga pala last time siya nakita sa (show) bagets pa siya. Tapos pandemya pa and bochog pa ang itsura niya. Then nakita siya ulit — ibang-iba na, tumangkad. So, nagulat talaga kami, kahit siya, nahihiya,” Santos shared.
(Actually, when Lucho appeared in 'Judy Ann’s Kitchen,' we were also surprised by the reaction because the last time people saw him on the show, he was still a kid. Then the pandemic happened, and he still had a chubby look. But when they saw him again — he was so different, taller. So we were really surprised, and even he felt shy.)
Now turning 15, Lucho is more inclined toward sports than the entertainment industry.
“Si Lucho kasi very sports-minded. Feeling ko hindi pa niya masyado sineseryoso. May sasabihin ngayon, biglang mawawala. And ayaw niya ng ma-makeup. Hindi siya mahilig sa industriya; hindi niya type ang mga girls na ma-makeup,” Santos said when asked about her son’s interest in showbiz and potential crushes.
(Lucho is very sports-minded. I feel like he doesn’t take it (showbiz) seriously yet. He might say something now and then change his mind. And he doesn’t like wearing makeup. He’s not into the industry; he doesn’t like girls who wear heavy makeup.)
As a mother of three, Santos said she allows her children to try different things, including endorsement deals, but only under certain conditions.
“Si Lucho, isa sa mga anak namin, ang training sa mga kumukuhang endorsement sa kanila: you have to try it first. Kung hindi pa nila nasusubukan, kailangan sila ang mag-desisyon para sa produkto. Ayoko silang ma-feel na wala silang choice. From day one, may choice sila sa mga ginagawa nila, and dapat gusto nila ang produkto,” she explained.
(With Lucho, one of our children, the rule for endorsement offers is: you have to try it first. If they haven’t tried the product yet, they have to make the decision themselves. I don’t want them to feel like they don’t have a choice. From day one, they have a choice in what they do, and they should genuinely like the product.)
Santos also shared her belief that it’s still “too early” for her children to make big decisions, including pursuing showbiz.
“Alam mo kasi, nag-iiba ang ihip ng hangin. Sa ngayon kasi wala siyang interest. Mas ‘yung mga girls e,” she quipped.
(You know, interests change over time. For now, he has no interest. It’s more about the girls.)
However, if the time comes, Santos is open to letting her children join the industry — under one important condition.
“Basta ang usapan lang, dapat makapagtapos ng pag-aaral,” Santos emphasized.
(The only rule is they have to finish their studies.)
She also revealed why she prioritizes education: “Alam mo kung bakit ko pinu-push? Kasi hindi ako nag-college. Alam ko ‘yung pakiramdam na hindi ka maka-relate sa pinag-uusapan. Gusto ko may alam sila. Gusto namin ni Ryan, wide ‘yung education nila, ma-experience nila lahat. Matapos nila ang school nila para may confidence sila,” she said.
(You know why I push for this? Because I didn’t go to college. I know how it feels not to relate to certain conversations. I want them to be knowledgeable. Ryan and I want them to have a broad education and experience everything. We want them to finish school so they have confidence.)
