Will Piolo & Juday work on a movie again?

MANILA, Philippines – It’s been a decade since Piolo Pascual and Judy Ann Santos had their last big-screen outing. That’s why, everyone was eager to know the possibility of them working together again in an acting project during the presscon-cum-grand launch of Sun Life Philippines’ latest campaign dubbed as Money for Life where Judy Ann was introduced as one of its newest ambassadors. The event saw Judy Ann reunited with Piolo, who is a long-time Sun Life ambassador, to promote financial security among Pinoys.

In separate interviews, Judy Ann and Piolo expressed willingness to do an acting project in the future.

“If given a project with the right story at the right time, why not? Kung hindi ako mukhang mascot pwedeng ngayon na (laughs). I always say nothing is impossible but give me time,” said Juday.

The actress cleared that there was no truth to the rumor about her and Piolo’s meeting for a movie project, saying, “I don’t understand where the issue came from but in all honesty, there was no meeting about any movie and there was no story con for a movie. No such thing took place. If it will happen, it will happen.”

Besides, Judy Ann doesn’t find any reason why she would turn down a project with Piolo, saying loud and clear that everything is fine between them. The Sun Life campaign is their first project together after a long time. 

“Our project with a cause,” said Juday, adding, “We’re okay. Whenever we see each other, we never fail to greet each other. We talked na casual lang when we met in ASAP. Perhaps, people just don’t see us na nagbabatian. We’re older now; we’re more mature.”

Piolo, for his part said, “Tawa lang kami ng tawa at walang ilangan whenever we see each other although we never get to communicate that much but we communicate through other people. Okay naman; we’re good and I’m excited because Sun Life got her to be part of the team, we get to work together.

“Juday and I have always been okay. If there was a problem before, we were able to address and talk about it. Of course, you cannot just set aside your relationship; ‘yung pinagsamahan n’yo.”

With Judy Ann and Piolo are Sun Life Grepa Financial, Inc. marketing head Gerry Tirona and Sun Life Philippines chief marketing officer Mylene Lopa

Piolo also said that Juday is a big part of his showbiz career. “We did a lot of movies and TV shows together so, napakalaki ng utang na loob ko kay Juday.

“I am happy seeing her today, it felt like before when I was just starting; nakakatuwa din because she’s still active in the business and so am I. Sana we get a chance to work together sometime soon.”

Asked if he is willing to act alongside Juday in either film or TV one of these days, Piolo answered in the positive and said he prefers doing a movie with Juday. In fact, he had already pitched a concept for it.

“I actually pitched it to her already through direk Joyce (Bernal) and I learned that she (Juday) liked it. Siguro yung time lang po.”

Even Juday cannot exactly tell yet when she will make an “official comeback” on TV and just said, “Maybe next year.”

She, too, revealed that her supposed TV project with Richard Yap which was set aside due to her pregnancy last year will no longer materialize. “Sayang, hindi natuloy but you know I’m very much grateful that Dreamscape allowed me to rest. They understand my situation. I think the concept of the (TV) series, with Richard as my partner, does not fit anymore kung ngayon pa gagawin. Maybe in due time, we will get another chance to be in a TV series.”

However, Juday will star in the indie titled Kusina which is one of this year’s entries to the Cinemalaya Filmfest. She will play the lead character Juanita whose life revolves around the kitchen and, often shows her love for her family through the various dishes she cooks. Thus, she is clueless of what her loved ones are going through only to find out later when everyone is already in deep trouble.

The role, Juday confessed is not at all easy. “It’s easier because I cook but it’s harder because it’s too sad to act it out. I’m too happy (with life) that I can no longer motivate well. And it’s been quite sometime since I did drama acting.

“I really had a hard time. Kinakabahan ako pag shoot ng heavy scenes, gusto ko mag-motivate pero natatawa ako kasi may naiisip akong masaya but after a awhile na-enjoy ko na sya. Nanibago lang ako.”

Meanwhile, Piolo and Juday shared that they feel more confident and secure knowing that they have sufficient funds no matter where life takes them and whatever life stages they may be in with Sun Life as their partner in securing their hard-earned money.

“I also teach my children to save so when they grow up, they already know how to handle their money,” Judy Ann related. “When I was still starting in showbiz, one of the first things I spent money on was a Sun Life insurance policy. At least one fourth of my earnings goes straight to my insurance.”

Piolo, on the other hand, said that he is not fond of splurging on material things. He spends his money wisely and sets aside some for his future. In fact, he humbly admits that Sun Life has helped him secure an amount more than enough to see him through his retirement years.

“Now that (my son) Inigo has become more independent and he’s earning his own money, my focus has shifted to my own health and well-being,” he said. “I guess it’s important to take care of our health because it’s only what we have kasi kung walang good health, how can you enjoy wealth,” added Piolo who has just returned from London where he took up a short course on Apologetics at Oxford University with Jodi Sta. Maria and Hayden Kho Jr.. Aside from the Sun Life event, Piolo is readying himself for various showbiz commitments. He, too, is preparing for the upcoming triathlon event next month in Cebu.

Equally-focused on her well-being is Juday who devotes time for some workout after giving birth to now six-month-old Luna.

“I’m back to my Cohen Diet but not strictly following it yet since I’m still breastfeeding Luna. Nag-Cohen ako in order to watch my food intake; para mas lesser ‘yung seasoning sa pagkain. I also swim twice or thrice a week in the morning then I do walking and cardio (exercises) pero paunti-unti lang ayoko din biglain yung katawan ko since I had Caesarean (delivery). I’m taking my time. I don’t want pressure to get to me kasi pag ‘yun na ang pumasok sa kin hindi ko na s’ya ma-enjoy so ine-enjoy ko yung moment na mataba ako, hahahaha.”

Juday never denied experiencing moments of insecurity with her physical appearance. Thanks to her husband Ryan who never fails to support her in battle against the bulges. “He’s very supportive when it comes to my workout and food intake. Parang sexy pa rin ako hahahaha.”

Are they planning to have another baby?

“If it’s God’s will, why not? But if I reach the age of 45 at wala na, we’re pretty much okay with our three kids.”

(Other celebrities tapped to promote Sun Life Philippines’ Money for Life are ABS-CBN chief content officer Charo Santos-Concio and Matteo Guidicelli.)