2022 is looking bright for Jodi Sta. Maria. The actress, who top-bills The Broken Marriage Vow, a Filipino remake of the hit British series Doctor Foster and South Korean drama The World Of The Married, has been receiving rave reviews about her portrayal of the strong-willed Dr. Jill Ilustre, an accomplished doctor and seemingly perfect wife who discovers that her husband (played by Zanjoe Marudo) is cheating on her with another woman (Sue Ramirez’s role).
The plot, dare we say it, is commonplace in Pinoy dramas, but perhaps one thing that lures viewers further is Jodi’s excellent portrayal of the lead role. Could it be because, similar to her character, she’s also reportedly a *victim of cheating* in real life?
“Alam mo siguro, hindi ko sasabihing hindi,” Jodi answers in an interview with Karen Davila, neither confirming nor denying the speculations. “Kasi maraming mga sitwasyon na hindi nag-work sa favor ko. Marami ring mga tao na nakapanakit sa [akin] and I guess that’s normal ‘cause we live in a broken world filled with wounded people. Realidad yun. Pero nasa perspective mo kung magiging biktima ka or victor ka ng pangyayari.”
Jodi and Pampi Lacson, Jr., the son of Senator Panfilo Lacson, underwent public scrutiny when the two separated only after five years of marriage. The two have a son together, Thirdy, who is now 16.
Further opening up about her past relationship, she adds, “It is something na nangyari sa life ko na masasabi ko na isa sa pinaka-painful, [kasi] hindi ka naman papasok sa isang commitment or covenant para lang masira ‘diba.
“So during that time when my marriage didn’t work out, I felt like I was the biggest failure, the biggest joke. Nagkaron ako ng feelings of shame and guilt. Na shocks, nakakahiya. Kumbaga hindi ko ‘to na-ayos. Hindi ko nabigyan si Thirdy ng buong pamilya.”
Jodi reveals that this was also the time she got into partying, saying, “I used to be spending a lot of time with friends because I needed some distraction. I did a lot of partying just to drown down all the pain and forget.” She eventually came to her senses, though. “Pagkagising ko the following day, masakit na puso ko, masakit pa ‘yung ulo ko. Na-double trouble pa ‘ko. Ano ba yan!” she recalls with a laugh.
According to her, it was her “faith” that ultimately inspired her to move forward. In 2014, she was invited by fellow actress Coney Reyes to attend church. “Kung anuman talaga yung word ni God, it does not come back void. It will always do kung ano ‘yung purpose and it will bear fruit later on.”
This also led her to forgive and forge a new friendship with her ex-husband. “At first, I wouldn’t say na, ‘Sige, let’s be friends’ because a heartbreak is a heartbreak. You have to go through these feelings of grief and loss. It will never be easy.”
The healing process took time, but Jodi decided that it’s for the better, especially for Thirdy's sake. “Hindi na nga namin siya nabigyan ng pamilya na buo. Iipitin pa ba namin siya? Forgiveness is a choice that we can make every single day.”
READ MORE ABOUT JODI:
Jodi Sta. Maria Reacts To Assumptions She's An ABS-CBN Favorite
Jodi Sta. Maria's Chic New Bob Is The *Perfect* Summer Hairstyle
'The Broken Marriage Vow' Teaser Is Here And It Shows A *Very Important* Moment