Judy Ann Santos-Agoncillo is redefining what it means to age gracefully in the spotlight.
During her endorsement reveal as the newest face of Bioten Hyaluronic Gold held on July 15 at Whitespace in Makati City, the 47-year-old actress candidly opened up about beauty standards, aging, and her stance on cosmetic enhancements.
“I’m never against it,” she said when asked about undergoing cosmetic procedures. “I respect anyone who wants to go under the knife because that’s them. That’s what will make them feel confident and happy. It’s a decision that only they should face.”
While she hasn’t had surgery herself, Santos admitted she’s thought about it. “I also don’t rule out the possibility that maybe in the future I will decide to have enhancements as well, but I don’t think I can bear the surgeries, probably non-surgical options like laser or injections,” she shared.
Santos, who once endorsed products like shampoo in her early career, said she never imagined being tapped by a beauty brand at this stage in her life.
“Hindi ko talaga naisip na may darating pang chance for me… Suntok sa buwan na ‘to,” she said. “I’m 47 already and I’m not really known to be an ambassador of any beauty brand.”
She admitted that for many years, she tried to keep up with routines and standards. But these days, she prioritizes honesty, health, and simplicity.
“Before, I used to be so hard on myself. Parang napakatamad mo, Juday. Ayaw mo kumilos… And then I realized, okay lang. I need to be kind to myself,” she said.
“Feeling ko, deserve ko naman ‘yung mga tamad days. And it’s okay,” she added.
Part of her self-care routine is sticking to a healthier lifestyle—cutting out caffeine, starting her day with lemon water, and doing juice cleanses from time to time. “For you to be able to feel good and to look good, you have to take care of your gut,” she emphasized.
Asked about bashers, especially those who target physical appearances, Santos responded with calm and confidence. “People will always find ways to hurt you, to see your faults, especially if they don’t really know you. So I don’t have the energy to take those negative comments,” she said. “My realization was if they made an effort to bash me, it means they watch my films, so thank you. I don’t need to fight them with fangs and all that. I just kill them with kindness. Because that’s just who I am.”
And as someone who has spent nearly four decades in show business, she’s proud of where she is. “I have been acting for nearly four decades now. At this point in my life, I feel I have to be more responsible about the roles that I take on and the opportunities that I explore,” she said. “I try to find a balance between being open to anything while also making sure that these opportunities align with who I am today.”
When it comes to growing older, Santos embraces it fully: “I was never bothered by aging. Actually, I’m excited to get older. Probably because I’m eager for the wisdom that I will continue to earn, and to grow old with my children and husband.”
She added, “Aging is something that I think we all should look forward to because it will happen; it’s inevitable.”
“Positive aging for me is accepting your falls, your mistakes, and just doing the best you can to shift gears in whatever phase of life. I find ways to be optimistic because, for me, it’s something you cannot control.”
Though her current focus is family and wellness, Santos continues to thrive professionally. She is currently working on two cookbooks while juggling restaurant duties, Judy Ann’s Kitchen, and upcoming acting projects Call My Manager and Bagman.
Still, she makes it a point to create space for herself. “Most of the time, I give it to my family, to my kids. And there’s always a day in a week that I give to myself.”
