Books and looks: Jodi Sta. Maria on life as student, actress

Jodi presenting her certificate as a Dean’s lister (Photo: @jodistamaria/Instagram)

From clutching all kinds of books not knowing when all words written will sink in the mind, to spending hours in front of the lights and cameras, portraying and projecting the mildest to the most extreme emotions, being a student and actress is not an easy feat.

Jodi Sta. Maria who finds herself in the middle of two demanding aspects of her life still shines brightly both as a student and as a star.

It is no secret in the industry that the 35-year-old actress is taking up a Bachelor of Science in Psychology course, and snatching a spot in the Dean’s list in spite of her busy schedule. In fact, ‘busy’ is such an understatement given that she is a renowned actress with lined-up projects, and that right now she is working on two different and opposite characters namely Mona and Lisa, in her upcoming serye, “Sana Dalawa ang Puso.”

And as if her given roles are some kind of metaphors to her real life, Jodi is living a double life right now.

In the press conference of the teleserye she will be starring in with Richard Yap and Robin Padilla on Saturday, the actress said that as cliché as it sounds, time management is key.

“It stated with this dream that I never let go of. Dumating ako sa (I reached the) point ng (in my) life ko wherein I decided that I needed the pursue that dream and once that I have decided, I really made time for school,” Jodi said.

She said that the career she has established will still be there for her.

“It’s really about finding your time to do something that you like and fighting for that time,” she added.

In line with that, she revealed that while she spends most of her hours taping, she requires one day in a week just for her studies.

“Gusto ko kasi talaga bumalik sa pag-aaral (I really want to go back to studying). That is every Tuesdays from 8.a.m. to 5.p.m. ‘Yung araw na ‘yun, hindi ko talaga pinapagalaw ‘yun (I really cannot vacant that day),” she further said.

The actress stressed that she had to thank her management for allowing her to pursue this dream while still giving her the opportunities in the industry.

When the camera is off and when she is outside her academic duties, Jodi plays another role essential to her and that is being a mother to her son Thirdy.

“Siyempre (Of course) as a mother I want to be able to lead by example,” she said, adding that her family has been very supportive of her as well.

Jodi hopes to be an inspiration especially for those that still want to continue their lives as a student.