Jodi Sta. Maria on a roll with new soap and foreign film

ACTRESS Jodi Sta. Maria says she has no time to dwell on the negative—even those chismis column items following her separation from husband Pampi Lacson.

Asked how she is coping, Jodi told the Inquirer, quick on the draw: “Thank you for asking; I’m okay. Good things are coming my way. I am blessed.” She is grateful for a solid support system: “I’m surrounded by caring people, my family and friends.”

She is not distracted by intrigues as she is too busy with marathon tapings of the new ABS-CBN series “100 Days to Heaven”.

Also, Jodi graduated last month from high school at the Southville International School and Colleges in Las Piñas City. “I plan to start college this year and take up Medical Biology and Political Science,” she said. She feels strongly about education: “I want to have something to fall back on, away from show biz. Though I’m already working, I can’t take that off my mind.”

Likewise, she wants to set a good example for her  5-year-old son, Thirdy. The boy often visits her on the set of “100 Days.”

“Since he’s on summer break, Thirdy goes with me everywhere,” Jodi said. “He has found a playmate in (“100 Days” co-star) Xyriel (Manabat).”

Would she allow her son to follow in her footsteps and join the biz? “I will support his dreams. I just have one rule: finish school.”

Jodi, nominated for an Urian best actress award by the local critics group for Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Chassis,” is poised to invade world cinema.

An international film is in the works. “I’ve met with the director and asked permission from (talent management firm) Star Magic,” Jodi said. “Adolf told me that the director asked about me after watching ‘Chassis’ in the Pusan Film Festival.”

They were supposed to start shooting last month, but the script is still being finalized. “It’s a family drama,” Jodie revealed, “but it’s a bit dark.”

Of course she’s excited about it: “It’ll be a new work experience. It’s not every day that an actor is given a chance to work with a foreign production.”

She’s proud of “100 Days”, as well: “It’s important for me to do shows that espouse positive values. We have a responsibility to provide viewers with quality entertainment. As a mother, I want my son to watch shows that are educational. Hindi lang bugbugan at patayan (not just violence and murder).”

She’s inspired to work on the project with Coney Reyes, who recently gifted her with “Women’s Devotional Bible.”

“I learn a lot about work and life from Tita Coney,” Jodi said.

E-mail: [email protected]