Jodi Sta. Maria
Playing Trisha, a rich Fil-Am girl who returned to the Philippines to mend a broken heart in “Labyu With An Accent,” was a welcome change for Jodi Sta. Maria, who has starred in heavy dramas, “Ang Iyo Ay Akin” and “The Broken Marriage Vow.”
“Na-realize ko, when I was doing this project na nakaka-miss pala na gumawa ng something light na rom-com. Kasi for the past how many years, I’ve been doing drama. Nakakatuwa na gumawa ng kalma and chill lang na character,” she said during the movie’s grand mediacon, November 30.
(I realized when I was doing this project that I miss doing something light like a rom-com. Because for the past many years, I’ve been doing drama. It makes me happy to do a calm and chill character.)
The role, Sta. Maria said, fits her requirements when accepting a project.
“I think we don’t just accept a project for the sake of accepting it. Of course, we always look for something different, something that I’ve never done before. Will it send a good message to the audience? I think isa iyon sa importante. Hindi naman tayo gumagawa ng pelikula para magtapon lang ng pera. Gumagawa tayo ng pelikula or TV shows kasi meron tayong mga istorya na kailangang sabihin and ginagamit natin ‘yung medium ng television and movies para ilahad ‘yung kuwento,” she said.
(I think one of the most important questions is whether would it send a good message to the audience. We don’t make movies just to spend money. We make films or TV shows because we have a story to tell and we use the medium of television and movies to share the story.)
Working with actor Coco Martin came unexpectedly for the actress.
“Hindi ko in-expect na madidirek ako ni Coco at leading man ko siya. Kasi, paano nga naman mangyayari. I mean, may ginagawa akong palaging iba and papunta na kayo sa longest-running na show ang ‘Ang Probinsyano.’ But of course, when the opportunity came, sino ba naman ako para hindi i-grab ‘yon?” she said.
(I didn’t expect that I would be directed by Coco and he would be my leading man. I mean, I was always doing something different and you’re now going to be the longest-running show, the ‘Ang Probinsiyano.’ But of course, when the opportunity came, who was I not to grab it?)
“Labyu With An Accent” is one of the official entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival. It also stars Joross Gamboa, Rochelle Pangilinan, Nikki Valdez, Nash Aguas, Marc Solis, John Medina, Bassilyo and Nova Villa.
RELATED STORY:
Jodi Sta. Maria on ‘Doctor Foster’ PH remake casting: ‘Hindi ako makapaniwala’