‘Be Careful’ not ending soon

SERIES stars Richard Yap and Jodi Sta. Maria at the press con for their screen wedding

“I never lost faith in love, but getting married is a different story. One should be really prepared for it,” said actress Jodi Sta. Maria, whose five-year marriage to businessman Pampi Lacson is in the process of being annulled. They broke up in 2010.

They have a 7-year-old son, Thirdy. Sta. Maria said she had become “more realistic” since tying the knot eight years ago. She has admitted dating actor/Cavite Vice Gov. Jolo Revilla.

Sta. Maria was nudged into discussing love and marriage only because of the coming wedding of her character Maya de la Rosa in the popular ABS-CBN drama series “Be Careful With My Heart,” and Ricky “Ser Chief” Lim, played by Richard Yap.

“Our viewers have waited a long time for this,” the actress said during a media gathering on Monday. “It will look like a real wedding. We will even have rehearsals, a counseling session, a pre-nup pictorial and an AVP shoot. Plus, an after-wedding party and reception!”

Entourage, honeymoon

Entertainment writers were provided a copy of the bridal entourage for the “Lim-De la Rosa Nuptials.” Ser Chief’s son Luke (Jerome Ponce) is best man; daughters Nikki (Janella Salvador) and Abby (Mutya Orquia), are maid of honor and flower girl, respectively; Maya’s nephew Pocholo (JM Ibañez), is the coin and ring bearer. Sta. Maria will wear two gowns by Avel Bacudio.

Business unit head Ginny Ocampo said several network departments—online, digital, promo, marketing, sales, security and publishing—were involved in the “wedding.”  “We also sought the help of Star Records and Star Home Video,” Ocampo said. The wedding and reception scenes will be shot from Nov. 10 to 15 for a week-long airing that starts Nov. 17.

Maya and Ser Chief’ will honeymoon in Japan, Sta. Maria told Inquirer. “It’s been Maya’s dream to experience snow and Ser Chief naturally wants to grant her wish.”

Ocampo said the original plan was to have the actors fly to the United States, but that the schedule was too tight. “Japan is closer,” she explained. “They will leave on the 16th and return to Manila on the 20th for the after-wedding party.”

Codirected by Jeffrey Jeturian and Mervin Bondial, the series premiered on July 9, 2012. Sixteen months later, Ocampo still can’t believe it lasted so long. “We were gunning for just 13 weeks,” she said, “because we had a very simple story. But the viewers just loved the characters!”

The exec said there was no immediate plan to end the show and that, in fact, the wedding would start a new chapter in the lead characters’ life together. “One thing is certain: We will get to witness Maya become a mom.”

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