‘Nakakatulala’: Judy Ann Santos in disbelief over shutdown of ABS-CBN, her home of 28 years

Judy Ann Santos (left) made her showbiz breakthrough in 1992 via the iconic ABS-CBN series ‘Mara Clara.’ Instagram: @iamgladysreyes, @chrisopherroxas

MANILA — Local superstar Judy Ann Santos said she is in disbelief over the government closure of ABS-CBN, her professional home of nearly three decades, and questioned the ill timing of shutting a prime source of entertainment and information amid a pandemic.

“Nakakalungkot, nakakapanghina, nakakatulala,” Santos wrote on Instagram, as ABS-CBN ceased its TV and radio operations in compliance with the National Telecommunications Commission order on Tuesday.

“Dalawang bagay ang hindi ko inakalang mangyayari sa buong buhay ko: ang maranasan ang ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) at magsara ang naging bahay at buhay ko mula 13 years old ako,” she said.

Santos, 41, made her showbiz breakthough via the ABS-CBN series “Mara Clara” in 1992. Her succession of screen roles since then have made her a showbiz icon, who is now dubbed the “Queen of Pinoy Soap Opera.” Her most recent teleserye, “Starla,” concluded in January.

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“Maraming mas dapat pagtuunan ng pansin sa mga panahong ‘to. Maraming nangangailangan ng tulong mula sa gobyerno. Maraming natutulungan ang kumpanyang bumubuhay sa puso ng mga tao sa panahong ‘to sa pamamagitan ng mga programang pwedeng magpalibang at pansamantalang makalimutan ang mga problemang pinagdadaanan nating lahat,” she said.

Addressing the government, Santos asked: “Bakit po? Bakit ngayon? Hindi po bang mas importanteng magtulungan tayo at magkaisa kahit pansamantala na muna habang may kinakaharap tayong mas malaking kaaway? Hindi po ba dapat sama-sama nating ginagawa ang puwede nating maggawa para makapagsilbi sa mamayang Pilipino?”

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, ABS-CBN has led the wide-reaching fundraiser “Pantawid ng Pag-Ibig,” which has so far gathered P350 million and delivered relief to 2 million Filipinos.

“Hindi ko naiintindihan kung may iilang tao ang nagbubunyi ngayon dahil nakuha at nagawa nilang maipasara ang ABS-CBN. Mas marami po kayong taong nasaktan at tinanggalan ng trabaho sa panahong lahat ng tao ay nag aalala kung paano bubuhayin ang mga pamilya nila,” Santos said, referring to the 11,000 employees of ABS-CBN whose livelihood have now been put at risk.