JUDY Ann Santos stifles the urge to yawn even if she lacks sleep. Yes, she's a delicate waif but you notice that there's something fiery and adventurous underneath all that coolness. In fact, she loves scuba diving, and mountain and wall climbing.

"Adventurous lang ako kapag kasama ko ang kuya (Jeffrey) ko. Mahilig kaming mag-mountain climbing. Umaakyat kami sa Mount Banahaw every Holy Week. I like rough sports. Ayoko ng tennis, mas gusto ko 'yung may nararating akong bundok. Nag-gi-gym ako sa Power Up thrice a week para pumayat," Judy Ann shares.

Her initial dream of donning a fishtail to play Dyesebel probably motivated her to lose weight. But now that she's slim, she would rather be a heroine like Gabriela Silang instead. "Bakit walang gumagawa ng pelikula tungkol sa mga national heroes natin na babae? Puro sina Jose Rizal at Emilio Aguinaldo lang ang ginagawan nila ng istorya. Gusto kong maging si Gabriela Silang kasi strong ang personality niya. Gusto kong ipakita sa tao na ang babae may sariling paninindigan!" she says with conviction.

Playing the underdog and shedding buckets of tears in "Esperanza" and "Mara Clara" has endeared Judy Ann to the masses, but she really prefers to deliver witty and bubbly lines. She enjoyed doing "Isusumbong Kita sa Tatay Ko" with Fernando Poe Jr. because it was a feel-good film.

"Next year, I want to do more feel-good movies," she says. My favorites are 'Romy and Michelle' and 'Austin Powers.' 'Sleepless in Seattle' is romantic. Kahit hindi nagkikita sina Meg Ryan at Tom Hanks, nararamdaman mo yung kilig. Nakaka-relate ako doon sa radio scene nila sa 'Sleepless,' and the fact that yung anak ni Tom Hanks yung gumagawa ng paraan para magkita sila ni Meg (Ryan.)," Judy Ann grins.

A self-confessed homebody, Judy Ann collects candles and pig figurines for her new home at Commonwealth. She hates being disturbed, especially when she's resting.

"Kapag nagpapahinga ako, ayokong tumanggap ng bisita o phone calls. Siyempre sanctuary ko ang kuwarto ko--simple at homey. Gusto ko sa bahay isang tingin mo lang, kita mo na lahat. Ayoko 'yung maraming divisions.

"Dapat six rooms lang siya pero pinadagdagan ko ng isa pang room for my extra things--mga damit na hindi ko na nagagamit. Hindi pa kompleto ang mga gamit ko. Sabi nga nila, bago mo ma-kompleto yung gusto mo sa isang bahay, aabutin ka ng taon.

"Kapag nasa bahay ako, natutulog ako o nag-e-aerobics. Minsan nagluluto ako ng pasta o nagpri-prito--depende sa mood ko. Kapag nasa bahay lang ako, hindi ako naliligo. Maliligo lang ako kapag matutulog na ako sa gabi. Sometimes I can be a joker and be very cheerful. Other times, I just listen to other people when they talk."

At 21, Judy Ann still fantasizes about being Cinderella and finding her Prince Charming soon. She wants somebody responsible and understanding. "There's no such thing as an ideal guy! Walang perfect na tao. Sa umpisa, you'd think na perfect ang isang tao but in the end may madi-discover ka ding flaws sa kanya. Hindi din naman ako perfect. Basta, he should be able to support me financially if I marry him, at kaya niya akong ipagtanggol," she says.

"Getting married is never easy. Getting to know a person takes time and if you plunge into marriage na hindi n'yo pa kilala ang isa't-isa, pareho kayong mahihirapan sa adjustments. Living together in one home will allow us to learn and discover things about each other. Love, trust and respect are ingredients for a good relationship kaya wala na dapat yung mga doubts at mga pinagbabawal. Lahat naman ng pagtatalo ay maaayos sa mabuting usapan," she observes.

Her biggest fear is losing her acting career. But would she give up her career for her beloved?

Judy quickly shakes her head, "Kapag nagyaya siyang pakasal, he shouldn't make me give up my career. Pero kung laos na laos na ako, OK lang!"

Judy Ann giggles then adds, "Palagay ko, 25 to 27 is a good age to get married. Pero hindi ko din masabi kung financially stable na ako by that time. Bago ako magpakasal, gusto ko financially stable na rin ang pamilya ko. Ayokong problemahin ng magiging asawa ko yung problema ng pamilya ko. Hinihintay ko yung destiny ko kasi yun ang pang-matagalan."

But before her Prince Charming sweeps her off her feet, she wants to go back to school and put up her own coffee shop. "I want to take up photography para ma-express ko yung mga moods ko. Tapos yung mga litrato ko, ilalagay ko sa dingding ng coffee shop ko katulad ng Penguin cafe. Dream ko din ang mag-design ng sariling mga damit. Minsan kasi, sa bahay lang ako nakakapag-dress," Judy Ann giggles.