Jodi Sta. Maria reiterates friendship with ex Pampi Lacson after annulment

(From left) Jodi Sta. Maria and Pampi Lacson. Images: Instagram/@jodistamaria, @iampampi

Jodi Sta. Maria and Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr. might have waited 13 years before their annulment was finalized, but the actress is grateful despite the outcome of their relationship that they even became friends.

In an “On Cue” interview with ABS-CBN News on its YouTube channel on Wednesday, August 7, Jodi said that Pampi was the first person she called upon finding out their annulment was finalized.

“It’s been more than a decade since I filed [for our annulment]. And then, finally, it has been granted… even if napakaayos na ng relationship namin ni Pampi, importante pa rin siya na legally, matapos [na ang marriage namin]. When it was granted, siya unang-una kong tinawagan,” she recalled.

(It’s been more than a decade since I filed for our annulment. And then, finally, it has been granted. Even if the relationship between Pampi and I is really okay, it’s important that legally, our marriage is over. When it was granted, he was the first person I called.)

Touching on their conversation, Jodi shared that she congratulated herself and Pampi for their long-awaited annulment, saying the people who witnessed their long wait are “very happy” for them.

“Sabi ko sa kanya, ‘congratulations to us.’ Finally, case closed. I believe ‘yung mga naka-witness ng journey namin, ilan sila sa pinakamasasaya for us. Alam ng mga taong ‘yun how hard we prayed for this one. Matagal siya. Hindi biro,” she said.

(I told him, “Congratulations to us.” Finally, the case is closed. I believe the people who witnessed our journey are very happy for us. The people around us know how hard we prayed for this. It’s been a long time coming. It was no joke.

While the relationships of ex-couples fall into ruin on the path toward annulment, Jodi shared that she and Pampi decided to maintain their “beautiful” relationship out of love for their son Thirdy.

“The beautiful thing about this is okay kami. Okay ang mga pamilya namin… blended family kami. Talagang respect is there. Never mawawala ‘yun. ‘Yung pagmamahal [namin sa isa’t isa] ay nand’un,” she said. “We would always explain to our Thirdy na mas maraming nagmamahal sa [kanya] ngayon.”

(The beautiful thing about this is, we’re okay. Our families are okay. We’re a blended family. The respect is there and it will never go away. Our love for each other is there. We would always explain to Thirdy that more people love him now.)

Jodi is aware that being in a blended family might “not be ideal” to some, but it shouldn’t be seen as an negative thing. “Hindi pa rin siya popular na concept ngayon, lalo na sa kultura nating napakaconservative.”

“May mga tumataas pa rin ang kilay at hindi boto sa ganitong setup,” she continued. “But at the end of the day, it’s really to each his own. It’s working for us.”

(It’s not a popular concept until now, knowing that our culture is very conservative. Some would raise their eyebrows at us and wouldn’t be in favor of this kind of setup. But at the end of the day, it’s really to each his own. It’s working for us.)

Jodi and Pampi’s annulment was finalized in June 2024. The ex-couple tied the knot in 2005 and parted ways six years later.

Pampi is currently in a relationship with Iwa Moto since 2012. Meanwhile, Jodi is rumored to be romantically involved with Raymart Santiago, but neither have yet to confirm nor deny the speculations, as of this writing.