"Hanggang ngayon hindi pa rin ako makapaniwala na lahat ng ito nangyayari," were the words that Jodi Sta. Maria uttered when asked about her Best Actress nomination at the 44th International Emmy Awards.
At her solo presscon held this Wednesday, September 28, Jodi shed tears of joy as she spoke about being recognized by an international award-giving body.
She was nominated in the Best Actress category for her portrayal of Amor Powers in ABS-CBN's remake of the drama series Pangako Sa 'Yo.
For Jodi, it was an unexpected reward for her 17 years of hard work as an actress in the Philippine entertainment industry.
"Siyempre lahat tayo nangangarap. It's something na beyond pa sa pinangarap mo yung binigay sa 'yo.
"So, sobrang nakakataba ng puso yung pagmamahal na binibigay."
The ABS-CBN actress recalled that it was Star Magic head Mariole Alberto who broke the good news about her prestigious nomination.
Jodi narrated, “Although they told me to fill out a form for the nomination... But antagal na ng panahong lumipas. Nawala na siya sa isip ko.
“And then one day, Tita Mariole called me. At first, she was congratulating me. I thought [it was] for a different project kasi meron kaming inaayos.
“So, thank you naman ako ng thank you.
“Little did I know that she was congratulating me because of the International Emmy nomination.
“So, when I found out [that it was for International Emmys], I cried.”
The 34-year-old actress maintained that she is extremely honored to be pitted against Judi Dench (Roald Dahl's Esio Trot, UK), Grazi Massafera (Verdades Secretas, Brazil), and Christiane Paul (Unterm Radar, Germany).
Jodi enthused, “To be nominated alongside the great Judi Dench, sobrang honor na yun for me.
“Na kung sakali na palarin tayo, hindi ba, sobra-sobrang blessing at bonus na talaga yun.
“Pero yung ma-recognize lang, ma-nominate, okay na.”
Asked if she is aware of the body of work of her co-nominees, Jodi said that she is familiar with Judi’s role as M in the James Bond film franchise.
“Actually, si Ms. Judi, hindi ko talaga siya kilala sa pangalan. Pero nung sinearch ko siya talagang napanganga ako, ‘Eto pala siya.’
“And yung mga actors from Brazil and Germany chineck ko na rin sila. Ginoogle ko na rin naman sila.
“So, maganda rin naman yung body of work nila. Kilala rin sila sa larangan nila, and marami naman silang awards under their belt. So nakakatuwa.”
Jodi also confirmed that she will be gracing the International Emmy Awards in New York on November 21.
"Yes, sa November 21. Ayan kinikilabutan pa rin ako kapag mine-mention ko na a-attend ako sa November 21."
As early as now, Jodi admitted that she is looking forward to her red-carpet experience at the International Emmys.
“It’s not everyday na makakatisod ka ng nomination sa International Emmys. So, mas maganda na mapaghandaan na talaga.
“Yung team ko naman inaayos na nila kung sino yung gagawa ng damit, kung sino yung gagawa ng hair...
"Iba. I'm really thankful na mabigyan ng opportunity na ito. Siyempre napansin tayo.”