Is Jodi Sta. Maria open to being a director: ‘Masaya na ako maging artista’

Jodi Sta. Maria answers questions from reporters during the “Lavender Fields” media junket. Image: Instagram/@dreamscapeph

Jodi Sta. Maria admitted there was a point in her career where she wondered if she had the potential to be a director. However, a behind-the-scenes experience reminded her that she would rather focus on being an actress instead.

Sta. Maria cemented herself as one of the top actresses in the Philippines with a range of work through the years such as “Lavender Fields,” “Pangako Sa’yo,” and “Be Careful with My Heart.” This led her to contemplate if she has the potential to be a filmmaker someday, which she had a chance to experience while filming the drama “Unbreak My Heart”

“Minsan, na-contemplate ko ‘yan. Kaya ko bang mag-direct? (I’ve been thinking about it sometimes. Can I be a director),” Sta. Maria admitted during a media junket for “Lavender Fields.”

“There was one time where I was doing ‘Unbreak My Heart.’ I was with Direk Manny Palo. Tatlo ang monitor niya, tatlo ang camera. Sabi ko, ‘anong gagawin ko dito, Direk?’ Eh scene ‘yun ni Joshua [Garcia], Gabbi [Garcia], and Jeremiah Lisbo. So parang, ‘Direk, sandali lang? Parang mataas ang eksena and kung pumalpak ako, siyempre masasayang ang emosyon [na ipakita].’ Sabi niya, ‘Subukan mo,’” she continued.

(There was one time when I was doing “Unbreak My Heart” I was with Direk Manny Palo, and there were three monitors and three cameras. I asked, “What will I do, Direk?” since it was the scene of Joshua Garcia, Gabbi Garcia, and Jeremiah Lisbo. I said, “Direk, wait? The scene is intense and if I mess up, their emotions to deliver the scene will be wasted.” He said, “Try it.”)

Sta. Maria recalled that she was confused about what she had to do at the time, noting that something needed to happen “every three or four seconds.” This made her realize that while she’s good at multitasking, she couldn’t handle the multitasking of a director.

“Narealize ko na ang hirap. Sa totoo lang, kung nakaupo ka [sa director’s chair], ang dami mong aabalahin, ‘yung acting nila, ‘yung bawat galaw ng camera, ang movement mo,” she said. “Narealize ko na kaya kong mag-multitask pero hindi sa ganitong paraan. Sabi ko, ‘Direk, masaya na akong maging artista.’”

(I realized how difficult it was. When I was seated on the director’s chair, I needed to focus on a lot of things: their acting, the movement of the camera, and your movement. I realized that I can multitask but not in this way. I said, “Direk, I’m happy to be an actress.”)

Jodi Sta. Maria. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

On her dream role, co-stars

When asked if Sta. Maria still has a “dream role,” she shared that she struggles in thinking of one, as she’s the type of actress who has a “dream role” at a certain moment.

“If you’re asking me about my dream role, lagi akong nagsa-struggle kasi wala akong naiisip. When it’s [offered to me], d’un ko pa lang maiisip ‘yung mga roles na tinanggap ko na pinitch sa’kin na ginawa ko, ‘yun ang dream role ko at the moment,” she said.

(If you’re asking me about my dream role, I struggle to think of one. I couldn’t think of any. When it’s offered to me, that’s when I think that the role pitched to me is my dream role at the moment.)

Sta. Maria also reflected on her longstanding career in the entertainment industry, noting that she worked with a lot of actors and actresses already. But if she has the option to choose, she would love to work with someone who’s not from ABS-CBN.

“Ang dami ko nang nakatrabaho. Being so long in the business, halos lahat nakatrabaho ko na… I guess, ‘yung mga gusto kong makatrabaho, marami sila pero wala sila sa ABS-CBN. Ang dami magagaling na actors ngayon, ang daming revelation, ang daming underrated, ang daming magagaling from theater,” she said.

(I worked with a lot of people already. Being so long in the business, I worked with almost everyone. I guess the people whom I want to work with are many as well, but they’re not from ABS-CBN. There are a lot of great actors now: those who are revelations, those who are underrated, and those who come from theater.)

Sta. Maria recently wrapped up her revenge drama “Lavender Fields” which also starred Jericho Rosales, Janine Gutierrez, and Jolina Magdangal. She shared that she will take a break from acting to focus on her master’s degree in clinical psychology.