Mom Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo, ‘a better person’

JUDY Ann Santos, with the loves of her life: son Lucho, daughter Yohann and husband Ryan Agoncillo photo: Instagram

Actress-TV host Judy Ann Santos said motherhood has taught her patience and compassion.

“No matter how tired and sleepy I am, I tend to my kids. When you’re doing something for your children, you have that extra energy,” she told reporters during a press conference that announced her return to the drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)” after seven years. Her latest performance aired yesterday.

“I also feel that being a mom enhanced my sense of humor. My kids (daughter Yohann and son Lucho) both speak English well and it’s hard for me to catch up sometimes. Dinadaan ko na lang sa wit ang pagiging nanay,” Judy Ann quipped.

The 36-year-old actress said being a mom has also made her a better person. “I have a daughter so I try to teach her by example. I want to show her how a lady behaves in public. I also teach her basic hygiene, and try to discuss with her issues concerning boys.”

Responsible partner

She said she would often worry about her kids. “I never leave home without preparing their food. I make sure that, although I’m not with them, they know it was their mom who prepared everything for them,” she told the Inquirer.

The longest Judy Ann was away was when she worked on the last “Enteng Kabisote” movie. She felt homesick after being gone for only four days, she said. “And I wasn’t even out of the country then,” she added. “I feel guilty when I’m away and one of my children is sick. I’m just lucky because I have a very supportive and responsible partner.” Judy Ann is wife to TV host Ryan Agoncillo.

Judy Ann paid tribute to moms yesterday via the MMK episode about a mother who was separated from her four children. She said she had missed acting, after hosting reality shows like “Masterchef Pinoy Edition,” “Bet on Your Baby” and “I Do” for the past two years.

“I enjoyed [hosting] so much that I almost forgot about acting. When I read the script for this one, I couldn’t sleep for two days. I kept thinking of how I should tackle the character. I realized that I had to do it to be an inspiration to other mothers.”

Juggling time

Asked what she considered the toughest challenge as a mom so far, Judy Ann said: “I guess what’s hard is juggling your time for work, kids and husband. Motherhood has really changed me. I don’t consider situations at home difficult. When I’m with my family, I’m happy.”

Judy Ann said she would spend Mother’s Day (today) with her mom and in-laws by having brunch at Sofitel Manila. Her cookbook published by Anvil, “Judy Ann’s Kitchen,” will be launched there this month.

Dirty breakfast

The actress, who will celebrate her birth anniversary tomorrow, has been posting on her Instagram account photos of what she calls “dirty breakfast” meals.

She recounted, “It started one morning when Ryan rode his bike without eating breakfast first. He took a photo of his bike on the trail and labeled it ‘#dirtybreakfast.’ Another time, I served him and our friends breakfast and we started calling it that. I baked whole-wheat pancakes and biscuits. It’s actually an after-workout meal. It simply means that you can eat this even if you’re still dirty and haven’t had a shower. It’s that delicious.”

As to how she comes up with dirty breakfast meals, Judy Ann said she would often “use leftovers from the night before or any ingredients I have at home. I combine them and make a new meal.”

She said Ryan, who is currently taking up culinary arts, would often challenge her in the kitchen. “He has developed a fine palette. The challenge for me is to make a meal that he can analyze. He likes identifying the ingredients used. They are made up mostly of organic ingredients.”

She added: “According to research, it is better to feed the body organic food during breakfast.”

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