Jodi Sta. Maria has recently started exploring the world of fashion by travelling to Sedona, Arizona in the United States.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Jodi admitted that the travel part was one of the main reasons she decided to represent the Philippines to the launch of H&M Studio's Spring/Summer 2019 collection, which ran for over a week, and started on March 11.
Though she has been in show business for more than two decades, fashion, to her remains an uncharted territory.
"It's something na parang I'm exploring only now," Jodi told PEP.ph last March 19, during the Swedish clothing brand's exclusive preview of their latest collection.
As much as she enjoys dressing up, the 36-year-old actress revealed that her choices have been "safe" and quite predictable.
At times, she actually gets overwhelmed by prints.
"It's a good thing lang din to realize na puwede ka palang magsuot ng something...
"Kasi I found these [prints] intimidating, and parang sabi ko nga, 'Sizey, this is so not me,'" she said, referring to her friend and stylist, Patricia Coronado.
She continued, "Because I'm the white-shirt-jeans-type of lady. Yung print on print... parang medyo nakaka-overwhelm.
"Pero later on, once you get the hang of it, parang masaya rin pala."
Her ultimate style inspiration? Audrey Hepburn.
She added, "I'm really into classic, sophisticated...That's the kind of style talaga that I like."
JODI STA. MARIA'S FASHION CONSIDERATIONS
Jodi Sta. Maria is not really the conservative type, but on top of her fashion considerations is: "Nothing too revealing."
She said, "Since now, this has been opened to me, I'm willing tro try out other pieces as long as, wala masyadong ma-expose.
"I mean, that's my consideration talaga.
"I'm okay as long as walang magsho-show na cleavage or everything is secured."
This is also why she's grateful to have Patricia, who already knows what Jodi does not and will not wear, and what she is comfortable with.
Referring to the skin exposure of an outfit, the celebrity stylist told PEP.ph, "Alam ko kapag hindi secured, nararamdaman ko na sa kanya na, 'Sizey, hindi secured? Okay, game, may gagawin tayo.'"
Another no-no: Anything too loose.
Jodi wants to feel the clothes on her skin.
Patricia said, "Ayaw niya nung hindi niya nararamdaman sa balat niya, sa skin niya."
Jodi further explained, "Feeling ko it's gonna fall off or pag mag-move, baka mag-nip slip.
"Parang takot ako sa mga ganun, so talagang maraming fashion tapes."
JODI STA. MARIA AS FASHION INFLUENCER
She wore the hat of a fashion influencer when she went to Arizona, U.S.A.
The Sana Dalawa Ang Puso actress enjoyed "glam exploring" the canyons in Sedona with other fashion influencers around the world.
The friendships she formed with the other attendees were definitely her most memorable takeaway.
"I think really, it's the connections and the friendships na nabuo.
"Ang fun because when you travel for work or when you travel just because you want to travel out of fashion, parang you'll never know what you're gonna get.
"Parang this time, it's a new set of friends na even after the whole event, we created our own chat group.
"And now I know that when I go South Korea or to Vietnam or to Indonesia and India, I know I have a friend. May connect, ganyan.
"And then we just message each other regularly, parang, 'What's up? What's going on?'"
Jodi extended her stay with the representatives of South Korea.
The Kapamilya star said she grew closest to South Korean influencer Sim Seoyoung after the trip.
"After the event, me and my South Korean friend and yung PR ng H&M South Korea, sila na yung kasama kong nag-travel dahil nag-extend kami.
"So we went on a tour, we had dinner together."
She later added, "Kasi siguro, number one, she is also the longest na nakasama ko while everyone left.
"We had two more days to spend. We got to know each other better, ganyan."
JODI STA. MARIA'S TRAVEL OOTDS
Each time, Jodi travels, she plans not just her itineraries, but also her outfits-of-the-day or OOTDs.
Wherever she goes, she knows how to look beautiful from head to toe.
She said, "Sometimes, ire-research mo na kung ano yung backdrop para ma-match mo na yung outfit."
She also consults Patricia on the outfits she would wear to her official events abroad.
And all her OOTDs are put in separate zip locks.
Jodi said, "That's what she does kasi super matiyaga si Sizey.
"'Day One 'tapos may note dun, 'Pair this with earrings,' ganun."
She has been to a number of countries, but what's her dream travel destination?
The ABS-CBN star could not pick just one.
She explained, "For me, every destination is a dream destination. I don't want to have biases sa mga countries.
"Whenever I go to a country, I will always consider that as a dream destination.
"And talagang super na-e-enjoy ko talaga. And I really cannot compare.
"Because each country has its own beauty. Iba rin yung culture nila.
"Meron din silang uniqueness that will set them apart from the others."
In the past year, Jodi explored Mozambique, South Africa, Egypt, Finland, Singapore, the Maldives, and Sweden, among many other countries.
Most of the time, she explores the countryside more than the key cities of the countries she visits because, "there's more to a country than being within the city lang."
She continued, "I would stay for like a day in the city, pero I cannot travel and just stay within the city.
"I have to go out, and 'cause I know there's more... But because number one, hindi naman ako ma-shopping when it comes to travelling.
"I don't travel to shop. I travel to explore. I travel to experience and immerse myself sa culture ng isang country."
And what's her next destination?
"I'm thinking of New Zealand."