Jodi Sta. Maria received the second acting award in her career, a Best Supporting Actress trophy, for the Cinema One Originals entry Third World Happy.

Jodi 's first triumph came two years back, when she won as Best Actress in the Digital Lokal category of the 2008 Cinemanila film Sisa.

This year, her Best Supporting Actress award was for her portrayal of the ex-girlfriend of Sam Milby in Third World Happy, a semi-autobiographical story written and directed by EJ Salcedo.

This indie film revolves around a Fil-Am guy (Sam) who left his girlfriend (Jodi) to live in New York and pursue his dream of becoming a painter. (CLICK HERE to read more about Third World Happy).

"Sobrang natutuwa ako kasi ito talaga ang gusto kong gawin. Mahal ko ang trabaho ko and itong mga ito [award], bonus na lang ito," she said in a brief interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and other media after the awards night of the 6^th Cinema One Originals Film Festival held at the Dolphy Theater last November 14.

In her speech, Jodi dedicated the award to her four-year-old son Thirdy and to her fellow nominees in this year's entries.

When Jodi was being photographed onstage after the ceremony, Thirdy gladly posed while holding on to the glass trophy of his mom.

The ABS-CBN star says that her son is very comfortable in front of the camera, "Six-months old pa lang si Thirdy, exposed na talaga siya sa cameras at lagi ko siyang sinasama sa work. "

Members of the press noticed that she did not mention her husband, Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr. in her acceptance speech. She explained: "Kanina kasi na-blangko talaga ako."

But when asked about the status of their relationship, she declined to comment, "I really don't want to talk about my personal life right now."

CHASSIS. In her other indie film, Chassis, directed by Adolfo Alix Jr., Jodi portrayed a woman forced into prostitution by poverty.

She stepped out of her comfort zone, Jodi said, to shoot the shocking ending with actor Paulo Rivero.

Last October, Jodi traveled to South Korea to grace the world premiere of Chassis at the 15^th Pusan International Film Festival.

"I'm so happy na marami akong natatanggap na good projects. Yung staff namin and yung director namin nasa Argentina kasi in competition ang Chassis sa Mar de Plata Film Festival.

"We had our world premiere in Pusan last month and we will be having our European premiere on January," said Jodi.


(CLICK HERE to read PEP's review of Chassis)