Judy Ann-Richard: A casting coup to watch for

MANILA, Philippines - Judy Ann Santos and Richard Yap are pairing up for the first time in the upcoming ABS-CBN primetime soap Someone To Watch Over Me. It’s one casting coup worth watching for. Still, their team-up is something the stars themselves never thought would be possible. 

“This is not to say I was surprised. But I never thought that it would be possible,” Judy Ann told reporters last Wednesday. “It’s very fresh, at least, because you’d never think we could be paired (in a show). I’m excited to see the result!”

For Richard, the project came to him unexpectedly just like his previous ones, best-known of which was the experimental-series-turned-longest-running-daytime soap Be Careful with My Heart. “We don’t know how viewers will take it… So, we hope to surprise all the televiewers. We hope to bring the same impact of the series that we did before,” he added.

The main cast of Someone To Watch Over Me was presented to the media last Wednesday following their first story conference for the teleserye to be produced by Dreamscape Entertainment. Incidentally, it was also the first time for Judy Ann and Richard to be introduced to each other. While Judy Ann is already familiar with Richard’s TV work, the actress admitted that like in any first meeting, there was a little nervousness and tension at the story-con, but it’s not something that can’t be easily remedied.

With Diether Ocampo, who’s making an acting comeback after being away from showbiz for almost two years, during which he got into an entrepreneurship program.

Asked how they intend to nurture their onscreen chemistry, Judy Ann said, “I believe that chemistry just happens. It happens through friendship, it happens through working with each other over time. We will work on it, but maybe not too much, because we might come across too serious. I guess we will just let it be.”

“I’m excited to know him better because we will be working thrice a week together. I don’t have any fears (working with him) since I don’t think he’ll bite (laughs),” Judy Ann quipped.

Richard, on the other hand, confessed to feeling some jitters when he got the word that he’d be sharing screen time with Judy Ann. “When I first learned about it, I was a little nervous because you’re working with the queen of teleseryes. I said, ‘Can I do this?’ Hopefully, I’ll do my best,” said the actor, who’s sporting a new look. He added that his character in Someone To Watch Over Me is ”not so far from the characters I’ve (played) before.”

Judy Ann has, of course, more than proven she’s a multi-faceted actress, crossing genres — from rom-com to heavy drama — back and forth. Her last ABS-CBN teleserye, however, was back in 2013, the domestic drama Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala that had her showing some martial arts training and self-defense skills. 

Richard, on the other hand, virtually became a household name as the widowed businessman Ser Chief in the lighter fare that was Be Careful With My Heart. He also became a source of fascination for showbiz pundits given his unconventional if not accidental route to stardom. 

Someone To Watch Over Me seems to carry over some of the finer points of their previous projects, as the directors as well as the cast members described the show as “light, heartwarming and touching.” At the same time, it promises action scenes, with Judy Ann cast as an NBI agent who, in the course of her job, meets a big-time businessman played by Richard.

Judy Ann also noted that like Huwag Ka Lang Mawawala that championed the anti-violence against women cause, Someone To Watch Over Me also promotes an advocacy — animal awareness. A dog named Kuya will have a special role in the series.

Richard also said of the show, “Actually, it’s not a very dramatic series. It’s more of a light, romantic and action-packed series.” This is, however, as far as the cast can share about the show, which is slated to premiere this summer.

With Someone To Watch Over Me marking Judy Ann’s return to teleseryes, her hosting — which was all she did on TV for the entire 2014 — might have to take a backseat. She’s going to tape three times a week and if she accommodates another hosting job into her schedule, the 37-year-old mom of two mused, “Baka di na ako makilala ng mga anak ko pag sinabay ko na sila.” Besides, it’s acting in teleseryes that she misses doing.

From left: Directors Onat Diaz and Trina Dayrit with cast members Loren Burgos, Tirso Cruz III, Eddie Garcia, Richard, Judy Ann, Diether, Michelle Vito and Paulo Angeles

Meanwhile, the actress, who maintains an active online presence, was also asked about her viral Instagram post that was deemed critical of the government at the height of the hot-button issue on the Fallen 44 tragedy. It will be recalled that presidential sister Kris Aquino took offense with it, although the falling out has since been patched up. When Kris reached out and texted her, “it was really relief. Napag-isipan pareho. I respect how she felt, I respect her opinion as a sister and as a person. Magiging sensitive ka rin,” she said, also opining that they had to go through it to “understand each other better.”

She also said she has no regrets over her post and sees nothing wrong with it. According to her, just because a personality speaks out on things she feels strongly about, it doesn’t mean she’s out to persuade others to share her beliefs.

“You’re just voicing out what’s in your head. Pilipino ka pa rin naman. It was an honest opinion from me. It was never my intention to create noise. At that time, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who thought about it, but it so happened that I was the one who made the post. (But) it doesn’t mean that I’m against someone.”

Calling comments by bashers that showbiz personalities have no business, let alone authority, commenting on political issues as “unfair,” Judy Ann said that she will not stop making posts that weigh in on similar issues. She explained, “Tao din naman kami. Lahat naman kami nagbabayad ng buwis, bumoboto. We also have the right to voice out our feelings, especially if it concerns the future of our kids.”

Nevertheless, she stressed that her opinions are brought about by situations, and not directed at a person. “Wala akong regrets sa ginawa ko,” she said. “Walang mali sa sinabi ko. Wala akong gustong saktan. I don’t see anything wrong or bad about what happened. It was an eye-opener for everyone. (Yes) may konting pag-iingat (regarding future social media posts). But you know me, if I want to say it, I will say it — especially during times when you’re vulnerable and you want to share how you feel, especially for your country.”

Richard, meanwhile, expressed his support for former co-star in Be Careful, Jodi Sta. Maria. The actress has made headlines recently following her boyfriend Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla’s “accidental” shooting incident. 

“I know that Jodi is very strong in her faith in the Lord right now. (Jodi) enjoy your strength in the Lord. Everything will be alright. I hope that Jolo recovers very soon from his wound and that he can also be stronger so that he can get through everything that’s happening to him,” he said. “Situations like that are tough, but I know she has a good support system. She can get through this.”

(Someone To Watch Over Me also stars Tirso Cruz III, Eddie Garcia, Loren Burgos, Michelle Vito, Paulo Angeles and Diether Ocampo, who’s making his TV comeback after being away from showbiz for almost two years).