Senate hails Judy Ann Santos for best actress win in Fantasporto Film Fest

Judy Ann Santos. Image: Instagram/@ryan_agoncillo, @officialjuday

The Senate adopted on Monday, June 2, a resolution commending Judy Ann Santos for winning the best actress plum at the 45th Fantasporto Film Festival in Porto, Portugal.

Senate Resolution No. 1320 was filed by Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who underscored how the actress’ victory “not only fills the nation with immense pride and joy but also brings hope to Philippine cinema, which continues to struggle with low audience turnout, online piracy, and the influx of Hollywood franchises.”

The veteran actress received the award for her performance in the Chito S. Roño-helmed film “Espantaho” (Scarecrow).

“I would like to thank the jury of Fantasporto for the recognition. It is with great pride and honor that I represent my country which is the Philippines and share this award with my director, Chito Roño, our writer Chris Martinez, and my producer, Atty. Joji [Alonso], and of course my ‘Espantaho’ team, my husband, and three children, they have always been my inspiration,” she said during her acceptance speech at the awards night held last March at the Batalha Centro de Cinema.

Santos is the fourth Filipino to have won the accolade, following Barbie Forteza for “Laut” (2016), Ian Veneracion for “Ilawod” (2018), and Cristine Reyes for “UnTrue” (2020).

Meanwhile, the Senate also adopted Resolutions 1336 and 1351 expressing the chamber’s sympathy and condolences on the deaths of Pilita Corrales and Ricky Davao.  /ra