Santos’s breathtaking performance in the 2004 Joel Lamangan film has scored her nominations and victory in various local award-giving bodies.
It’s quite an understatement to say Judy Santos is a brilliant actress, for she is a phenomenon.
Since her sensational rise to superstardom via the iconic soap opera Mara Clara, she has forged a path to a phase in her career where she is the queen among queens.
It’s not surprising she later became the Queen of Teleserye and the Young Superstar. Even now, after nearly three decades in the industry, she remains a quintessential royalty, whose success sprawls across the realms of television and film. At one point, she was a platinum-selling recording artist—I mean, can you believe that?!
Well, you should, as she got awarded a platinum certification.
In films, Santos’s feats are mind-blowingly massive. She has won every single top acting accolade from all grand-slam award-giving bodies. Her performance in Sabel (2004), the film that gave her a Gawad Urian Best Actress trophy, is no less spectacular.
In Sabel, the award-winning actress played a woman trying to find her place in the middle of a loss and a victory.
Portraying the titular character, Santos gave her all to showcase the emotional journey of Sabel, whose traumatic tragedies in life transformed her into an entirely different human being.
Sabel is a provocative drama that bravely challenged established societal norms and perspectives about family and womanhood. Sabel talks about woman empowerment when being a woman at that time–both scary and challenging.
Santos found ease in breathing life to a scarred and embattled human being like Sabel was a victim of rape and mistrial.
The actress didn’t surprise how she meticulously took on the role, compellingly portraying it by capturing its very soul, its tragedies, and the horrible consequences of her actions and those around her. Sabel ultimately becomes a journey of redemption and the victorious restoration of one’s humanity.
Master screenwriter Ricky Lee wrote the story and got directed by award-winning director Joel Lamangan. The film also stars some of the brightest talents in the movie industry, including Wendell Ramos, Iza Calzado, and Sunshine Dizon.
Browse through the photo gallery below to see the nostalgic set of photos from the 2004 Metro Manila Film Festival entry, and share your thoughts in the comment section:
