Jodi Sta. Maria
EVEN if she has been in the showbiz industry for almost two decades, Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria admits that she still requests for workshops especially now that she is playing two characters in her upcoming series, “Sana Dalawa ang Puso.”
In an interview with Cebu’s Entertainment press last Saturday, Sta. Maria said that it is not an easy process to play the roles of Mona and Lisa.
“I asked the management, you know Star Magic, if I could have a workshop on this one. I also asked for an acting coach so that matulungan ako sa pagbuo ng character,” she said.
“Admittedly, being in the business for 20 years, alam mo ‘yung sometimes you run out of ideas on how to attack a certain character or how to about a certain role,” Sta. Maria added.
The workshops were helpful for her to play Mona and Lisa. She also received assignments on how to complete the character.
“It is like a blank slate and then magbibigay ka ng characteristics ‘nung dalawang magkaibang tao,” she said.
In the series, Mona and Lisa are “identical strangers.”
Mona’s character is fun, loving, outgoing and positive. She is also a risk taker and her dream is to help and uplift the life of her family.
Lisa, for her part, is focused on her work. Her main objective is to please her father and she has no time for love.
Asked which of the two characters she identifies herself with more, Sta. Maria replied: “If I would say na nakaka-relate ako kay Mona pa’no naman si Lisa na ginawa ko naman. So kumbaga pantay lang. There are aspects na in life na somehow nakikita ko ang sarili ko in both.”
ROBIN AS COSTAR
Though there is no specific timeslot yet but “Sana Dalawa ang Puso” will be aired on January 29.
This is a reunion project of Sta. Maria and Richard Yap after the successful daytime television drama “Be Careful With My Heart” in 2012.
Aside from Yap, fans should also look forward to Robin Padilla who will work with Sta. Maria for the first time.
“Okey naman. Masaya. Magaan katrabaho. ‘Yun nga tulad ng sinasabi ko napaka gentleman ni Robin,” she said.
She also describes Padilla as very mindful of his co-workers and colleagues.
“We appreciate that naman. Pagdating sa set, ready na siya. He is much prepared with his lines. Sometimes he would request for script reading. Then alam mo ‘yung hindi nahihiya to ask for help even na mas nauna pa siya sa akin (industriya). He is humble enough to ask for help when he needs it,” she said.
Has Sta. Maria found herself in a situation where she wished she had two hearts?
“Hindi ko masabi na sana or na-wish ko na dalawa ang puso ko because there is always a reason why isa lang tong puso natin. You know we have this undivided heart that we share to our loved ones, to our family and to our friends.”
Even if the show is a romantic comedy, the actress said that the story will also tackle topics involving one’s family, career and dreams in life.