As a single mom, Jodi Sta. Maria deals with matters of the heart more carefully.
She explains, "Siguro kasi, dahil ngayon I have a son…
"When you make decisions in life, parang you always have to think twice na, e.
"Siyempre, iyong isang decision para sa sarili mo. And then iyong decision naman na gagawin mo is, kailangan mo isipin kung paano ito makakaapekto sa anak mo.
"Kasi, kumbaga, hindi na lang ikaw iyan, e. I know that in everything na gagawin ko, alam ko na merong Thirdy na maaapektuhan.
"So, I think I just have to be more discerning and wise pagdating sa mga bagay na iyon."
When someone shows a romantic interest in Jodi, the ABS-CBN actress says she introduces the person to Thirdy as a friend first before anything else.
Jodi says, "Para hindi rin nabibigla iyong bata, di ba?
"Or kung hindi ka rin naman sigurado, huwag ka magpapakilala ng kahit na sino."
For her, Thirdy's opinion about the guy matters a lot.
The Kapamilya actress-producer says, "My son is 14 years old. Meron na siyang utak na sarili niya and I value his opinion talaga. Sobrang super may say talaga siya."
Has Jodi ever experienced a time when Thirdy didn't like someone for his mom?
Jodi replies, "Actually, wala pa naman akong napapakilala."
JODI: IT IS OKAY TO BE SINGLE
PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) caught up with Jodi after the media conference for her iWant original series My Single Lady, held last January 10 at ABS-CBN.
My Single Lady is a series about a single mother, played by Jodi, who finds herself torn between two romantic interests played by Zanjoe Marudo and Ian Veneracion.
During the press conference, Jodi was asked what single moms can learn from the series.
Drawing from her own personal experience, she underlined the realization that it's ok to remain single, and hopes that single moms will feel the same way.
She said, "There is nothing wrong about being a single mom, being a single woman. You can still be your own person, your own individual.
"You can still do all the things na kailangan mo gawin kahit na single ka. Hindi siya curse, hindi siya taboo na kapag wala kang partner in life."