MANILA -- Kapamilya star Judy Ann Santos is poised to make her long-awaited comeback to small screen as the President of the Philippines in the upcoming series “The Bagman,” starring Ajro Atayde. 

Her last TV series was the fantaserye "Starla" in 2019.

“Ngayon na lang ulit ako gumawa ng series. Nandiyan excitement, nervous, cold feet. Hindi ko alam saan ako magsisimula, I will play it by ear. Para ulit ako nag-aaral, Grade 1. Lahat bago sa akin. Ibang-iba ang production ngayon sa bago ng pandemya,” Santos said in an interview during the story conference of the action-drama series. 

“The Bagman” is a spin-off of the socio-political series of the same title and is co-produced by ABS-CBN International productions, REIN Entertainment, Nathan Studios, and Dreamscape Entertainment. 

“I am very blessed to be given this role again. This was all unexpected. We are all doing this because we love the story, we have a very good story. I am really looking forward to working with Tita Judy Ann and John Arcilla. And I will be working with my sister Gela for the first time, as well. I didn’t even know, this was a surprise,” Atayde said. 

“'Yung cast masasabi mo pinag-isipan. Swak sa bawat character ang bawat artista. Very seldom makabuo ka ng ganoong ensemble that gives high respect to the industry. If only to put another fingerprint in the industry, matatawid namin 'to sa ibang bansa, bitbit ang Pilipinas,” Santos said. 

According to Sylvia Sanchez, who runs Nathan Studios, Santos as the president in the eight-part series was non-negotiable. 

“Dream project ng anak ko ang makasama ang isang Judy Ann Santos. Wala kami ibang gusto makuha kung hindi ikaw lang. Walang option two. Noong nalaman na busy ka, sabi ni Arjo, sabi niya, 'Gusto ko si Tita Judy Ann.' Kasi sa 'Esperanza,' kinukuha ni Arjo ang script natin ng 'Esperanza.' Pero imbis na role ko, role ni Esperanza ang ginagaya niya. Humaharap sa salamin, ginagaya ka. Ikaw ang peg, ang inspiration. Hindi ito pwede matuloy kung hindi ikaw, kasi pinangarap ka ng anak ko. Thank you sa pagtangap mo dito,” the veteran actress told Santos at the story conference. 

“They were really willing to wait for me… Nakaka-overwhelm 'yung trust na binigay sa 'kin ng production. Of course, may pressure para sabihin nila na ako lang nakikita nila gaganap bilang president of the Philippines. It is something na hindi ko nakita, 'di ko gusto paniwalaan. I'm sure meron naman. Noong mabasa ko script, it was very interesting, the role was interesting, it was very challenging. And to be able to work with Arjo, John Arcilla, and new productions, it is something to look forward to,” Santos said. 

The actress also admitted she finds her new role is challenging.

“The pressure is really strong but it is a good thing. Kailangan harapin mga bagay na uncomfortable ka, to go out of your comfort zone and do something new,” Santos explained. 

“Na-stress ako. Kasi unang una, paano ko gagampanan pagiging presidente ng Pilipinas? Paano ko ito isasabuhay? I like na basically in a real world, in a perfect setting, you would have wanted a president like her. Hangga't maari naghahanap tayo ng presidente na pwede magbigay ng kapayapaan at maganda na plano sa bansa. Parang for a change ano nga naman. Nakakaintriga gawin. Willing to do the work, the research,” she added. 

According to Santos, she was also moved to take on the role as it was one of the last projects that the late Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal pitched to her. 

“I offer this 'Bagman' to Deo. Ang trabaho na ito ay para kay Deo,” she said. 

Director Ruel S. Bayani, head of ABS-CBN International Productions, meanwhile, reiterated that the project is a tribute to the legacy of Endrinal. 

“We are lovingly dedicating this project sa memory ni Deo, sa kanyang vision, sa kanyang desire for innovation, narrative, scripted drama. As we all know, responsible siya bakit nagkaroon ng 'Bagman' sa iWant. After two successful seasons, now we are bringing it to the international production side because we have big plans for the IP, we want to grow it, and develop it. Kasama siya sa planning stage nito, at kahit wala na siya gusto natin ipagmalaki niya ang finished project,” Bayani said. 

Bayani also highlighted that the production is part of ABS-CBN’s “grand vision” not just to create quality content for ABS-CBN but to “champion Filipino talent and bring premium Filipino drama” across the globe. 

“It is to inspire other production companies so in the future we will have more quality content from the Philippines. As we continue to inspire other people, mas lalo tayo makakagawa ng mas ambitious, mas magaganda pang production. Just like how ABS-CBN has influenced for so many years and so many decades. Ang success ng ABS-CBN hindi ginagawa just for them, it is for the entire industry. We want more storytellers who succeed, more recognition, more representation, and we want to see it in the near future. Sabi nga lahat ay makikinabang lahat magbe-benefit,” the director said.