Jodi Sta. Maria takes pride in the fact that ABS-CBN has withstood the absence of its free TV channel and continued to air quality shows via various platforms.
The network has shifted to producing more digital content for its own streaming service, iWant TFC, and housing its free TV shows in different international streaming platforms.
For instance, Jodi's current teleserye, The Broken Marriage Vow, also airs on the streaming site Viu.
Jodi said, “I think siguro, hindi naman natin ginusto siyempre na nawalan tayo ng franchise, di ba?
“Pero, I think, parang it’s really a blessing in disguise because kahit nawala tayo sa free TV, tayo ang nag-pioneer sa digital kasi tayo ang first sa Asia, and I think that’s a blessing.”
Jodi faced PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) and select entertainment editors for a media junket on June 6, 2022, at ABS-CBN Studio 2.
She was with her co-stars Zanjoe Marudo, Sue Ramirez, and Zaijian Jaranilla to talk about the upcoming finale of The Broken Marriage Vow, which is down to its last three weeks.
During the junket, PEP.ph asked Jodi how it pays to be loyal to ABS-CBN, which has been her home for 24 years.
She answered, “I think it’s also during the hardest times kung saan mo makikita kung sino ang mga taong talagang nandiyan para sa iyo.
“And I guess for most of us na who stuck it out with the station, kumbaga, we were given the opportunity to prove our love and loyalty to ABS-CBN, may prangkisa man o wala, may free TV man o nasa digital.”
Jodi started her career via an episode of Star Drama Theater with Jolina Magdangal. She then joined Gimik in 1998.
In 1999, Jodi became a part of the iconic youth-oriented show Tabing Ilog. Jodi would then take character roles in her teleseryes.
In 2012, Jodi was given her first lead role in the daytime series Be Careful With My Heart, which became a top rater and ran for two years.
WHAT’S NEXT FOR JODI?
Jodi’s TV career has been on a roll after Be Careful With My Heart.
Her succeeding projects were Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2015), Sana Dalawa Ang Puso (2018), Sino Ang Maysala? (2019), and Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin (2020).
When PEP.ph asked what’s next for Jodi, she asked herself, “Am I ready to embark on a new character?”
She then elaborated, “I’d say I think, six months of not working parang is enough time na for me.
“I feel na nakapag-rest na ako, nakapag-recharge na ako, nakapag-rejuvenate na ako. And I think, nag-start na ulit mag-flow yung creative juices ko.”
Prior to this, Jodi used to do an exercise about characterization, but would only end up describing her The Broken Marriage Vow character, Dr. Jill Ilustre.
She continued, “There was a point na kahit anong isipin ko, parang wala, e, si Jill pa rin naiisip ko, e.
“May mga days na tine-test ko yung sarili ko na kukuha ako ng blank na bond paper, na gagawa ako ng isang character, gagawan ko siya ng map, gagawan ko siya ng strengths, ng weaknesses niya, ng reactions niya, defense mechanism..
“Wala, wala akong magawa, parang nag-e-end up ako na si Jill pa rin yung nade-describe ko.
“So, now, tulad nga ng sabi ko kumbaga kahit papaano, na-wash off ko na siya sa system ko.”
What does she look for in her next show?
“It’s just a matter of, I guess, being offered the right role and the right project na siguro, something that I’ve never done before that would cause you to be challenged and to kind of doubt yourself na can you really pull this thing off?
“Kasi kahit papaano, I don’t see it in a negative way but I see that as something that would really put you on your toes.”