Jodi Sta. Maria

Personal life

Jodi Chrissie Garcia Santamaria is the youngest child. She and her brother were raised by their single mother, Mercedita. She attended the Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and was an honor student. In school, Sta. Maria was active in her school's extra-curricular activities, particularly the volleyball varsity team and the debating team.

Sta. Maria was married to Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., the son of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, from whom she is now separated. The two met during a taping of Tabing Ilog and married on Easter Sunday 2005 in Las Vegas. The two separated in March 2011 and thereafter Sta. Maria filed a petition for the declaration of nullity of marriage with the Regional Trial Court on grounds of psychological incapacity. The court declared their marriage "null and void" in 2014 but that decision was junked by the Court of Appeals in 2016 and affirmed in 2017. Their marriage was annulled in 2024.

Sta. Maria and Lacson have a son born in 2005 named Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III. In a 2016 interview, Sta. Maria revealed that she was greatly affected by her separation from Lacson, which resulted in alcoholism and drug use. She quit smoking, alcohol, and drugs after the intervention of actress Coney Reyes and became a Born again Christian. The success of her TV series Be Careful with My Heart in 2012 also helped her recover from her addictions.

Sta. Maria attended De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and studied Medical Biology as her prerequisite to studying medicine. She left college after a year due to the sudden success of her series Be Careful With My Heart, which was extended from its intended run of 3 months to 2 and 1/2 years. She completed her degree in psychology at Southville International School and Colleges in 2020. She was a Dean's Lister during her final semester in 2019.

She has been a WHO Ambassador since 2011.

She became PAWS ambassador in March 2025.

Career

A talent scout approached Sta. Maria and her friends to audition for commercials while at a fast-food chain. After numerous auditions and no offers, they gave up. The talent scout approached Sta. María once again and encouraged her to audition for Star Magic. At 15, she was the youngest in their batch.

After starring and appearing in teen-oriented shows and movies such as Gimik, Flames, and Jologs, Sta. Maria landed a role in Tabing Ilog as the sassy tomboyish Georgina. The show was successful and ran for almost five years. She also became a host of Star Circle Quest alongside Luis Manzano.

She was cast in the original version of Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000) as Lia Buenavista, and starred in the 2015 remake as Amor Powers.

After playing teen roles, she played villainous characters in primetime shows such as Walang Kapalit and Kampanerang Kuba. She transitioned to star in numerous independent films, which have been screened internationally. She has since received 3 Gawad Urian Award nominations.

In 2010, she starred in Noah alongside Piolo Pascual, who has called her a 'thinking actress'. In 2011, she played Sophia in the critically acclaimed 100 Days to Heaven. In 2012, Sta. Maria had a special participation as in the daytime drama series Mundo Man ay Magunaw until she top-billed the sleeper hit Be Careful with My Heart as Maya dela Rosa along with Richard Yap who played her love interest, Richard Lim. The show became a success, spawning albums, worldwide tours, and concerts.

Her portrayal as Amor Powers in the 2015 remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo earned her an International Emmy Award for Best Actress nomination. Since then, she has starred in the daytime drama Sana Dalawa ang Puso and the primetime series, Sino ang May Sala?

In 2020, she starred in the hit show Ang sa Iyo ay Akin. Her portrayal of antagonist-protagonist Marissa Pineda won her numerous awards for her portrayal of antagonist-protagonist Marissa Pineda.

In 2022, she starred in the Philippine adaptation of Doctor Foster, The Broken Marriage Vow. The series was constantly trending on social media for her performance. She won the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Actress.

On September 8, 2022, ABS-CBN announced that Sta. Maria star in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Labyu with an Accent. She has vocalized that her manager told her she was going to do the movie only weeks before shooting - without her approval.

From 2024 to 2025, she portrayed the main protagonist role as Jasmin Flores / Lavender Fields in Lavender Fields.

On January 7, 2025, Sta. Maria announced that she will be on hiatus on acting in order to pursue her master's degree in clinical psychology.

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

References

References

1. "Jodi Sta. Maria's memorable TV projects through the years".
2. Jimenez, Joyce. "Richard Yap, Jodi Sta. Maria win big at Vietnam Green Star Awards".
3. (November 18, 2016). "Jodi Sta. Maria fails to win at 2016 International Emmy Awards".
4. "Jodi Sta. Maria, Joshua Garcia among Batangas' Golden Laurel winners".
5. Cruz, Marinel. (April 7, 2005). "Jodi: We never tried to hide our wedding". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
6. Kween, Parazzi. (2021-06-15). "Things You Didn't Know About Jodi Sta. Maria - Pinoy Parazzi".
7. Lazaro, Cass. (Feb 7, 2022). "Jodi Sta. Maria Gets Real About Her Own 'Broken Marriage Vow' With Ex-Husband Pampi Lacson".
8. Lo, Ricky. "Love between opposites".
9. "Court of Appeals junks Jodi Sta. Maria's motion for the court to reverse itself on annulment case".
10. Llemit, Kathleen A.. (June 9, 2024). "Jodi Sta. Maria's marriage to Pampi Lacson finally annulled after 13 years".
11. (November 4, 2016). "Jodi admits turning to drugs, alcohol after split with husband".
12. (2013-11-27). "Jodi Sta. Maria on her Medical Career".
13. Benoza, Paulea. "Jodi Sta. Maria finishes college semester as a Dean's Lister | PUSH.COM.PH: Your ultimate showbiz hub!".
14. (26 March 2025). "Jodi Sta. Maria advocates for puspins as a new cat ambassador".
15. Krishnan, Ganiel. (January 7, 2025). "Jodi Sta. Maria announces acting hiatus, to pursue master's degree in clinical psychology". [[ABS-CBN News]].
16. Escuadro, Kiko. (September 21, 2024). "Jodi Sta. Maria to unleash inner demon in upcoming horror film 'Untold'". ABS-CBN News.
17. Acierto, Drew. (February 11, 2025). "Jodi Sta Maria wraps up filming of 'Edjop': 'This project was more than just a film'". [[ABS-CBN Corporation]].
18. Regine Cabato. (September 27, 2016). "Jodi Sta. Maria nominated for an Emmy". CNN Philippines.
19. (2019-10-14). "LIST: Winners, PMPC Star Awards for Television 2019".
20. (2022-12-08). "Jodi wins best actress at Asian Academy Creative Awards".
21. "Barko (Mariposang Dagat)". [[Maalaala Mo Kaya]].
22. Anarcon, James Patrick. (July 8, 2015). "Pangako Sa 'Yo Cast Members: Then and Now". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
23. (October 31, 2015). "What Trigger Amor's Wrath in 'Pangako Sa 'Yo'". ABS-CBN News.
24. (May 10, 2012). "Jodi. Sta Maria Wants to Pursue A Career in Medicine". ABS-CBN.
25. (October 3, 2015). "Jodi. Sta Maria Wants to Pursue A Career in Medicine". ABS-CBN.
26. "Kwintas". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
27. Doplito, Harold Jason L.. (August 9, 2000). "On Location: 'Tabing Ilog': Wet Behind the Ears—and not Wild Either". Philippine Daily Inquirer.
28. [http://www.pep.ph/photos/3796/44th-guillermo-mendoza-box-office-entertainment-awards "44th Guillermo Mendoza Box-Office Entertainment Awards"] {{Webarchive. link. (April 3, 2019 . ''Pep.ph''. Retrieved May 19, 2014.)
29. [http://entertainment.tempo.com.ph/2014/01/01/uncategorized/local/star-magic-artists-looks-forward-to-a-brighter-2014/ "Stars and their Brighter Futures"] {{Webarchive. link. (March 2, 2016 . ''Pep.ph''. Retrieved May 19, 2014.)
30. [http://www.pep.ph/guide/photos/5382/jodi-sta-maria-and-richard-yap-hailed-best-foreign-actress-and-actor-in-vietnam "Jodi-Richard Starrer Win Big at Vietnam Face of the Year Awards"] {{Webarchive. link. (March 2, 2016 . ''Pep.ph''. Retrieved December 30, 2014.)
31. "Winners: 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival awards night". The Philippine Star.
32. [http://starcinema.abs-cbn.com/latest-news/2015/11/08/achieve-otwol-named-most-innovative-tv-show Meanwhile, Jodi Sta. Maria was also recognized for her role as Amor Powers on "Pangako Sa 'Yo."] {{Webarchive. link. (October 24, 2019 ''Star Cinema''. Retrieved December 18, 2015.)
33. "FULL LIST: Winners, 2015 PMPC Star Awards for TV". Rappler.
34. [http://www.philstar.com/psn-showbiz/2016/02/16/1553432/young-actress-paasa-na-nanghuhuthot-pa-sa-mga-manliligaw "2016 Anak TV Awards Winners"] {{Webarchive. link. (February 24, 2016 . [[The Philippine Star]]. Retrieved February 18, 2016.)
35. (June 9, 2016). "Ultimate 'Kilig-fest' "The Achy Breaky Hearts" Opens Worldwide via TFC@themovies This July". ABS-CBN PR.
36. (June 17, 2016). "An Outpouring of Love for Jodi". Star Cinema.
37. (December 23, 2014). "Look: 'Be Careful' wins in Vietnam's Green Star Awards". ABS-CBN News.
38. "Piso". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
39. (July 9, 2010). "Piolo Pascual, Zaijan Jaranilla team up on 'Noah'". ABS-CBN News.
40. (July 11, 2010). "A Story of Love and Family". The Philippine Star.
41. "Kamao". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
42. "Makinilya". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
43. (August 2025). "Medal of Valor". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
44. "Reseta". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
45. "Bracelet". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
46. "Saranggola". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
47. "Bisikleta (Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu)". Maalaala Mo Kaya.
48. (May 3, 2017). "Jodi Sta. Maria will have Richard Yap and Robin Padilla as leading men in teleserye". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
49. (November 28, 2018). "Angel Locsin, Jodi Sta. Maria, Cristine Reyes to stage teleserye comeback in 2019". Philippine Entertainment Portal.
50. (June 1, 2010). "'Noy' rated 'A' by Cinema Evaluation Board". TV Patrol World.