# Jodi Sta. Maria

Jodi Chrissie Garcia Santamaria (born June 16, 1982), better known by her screen name Jodi Sta. Maria, is a Filipino actress. Dubbed as the country's 'Silent Superstar', she is notable for her versatility in comedy, horror, and drama across independent film, blockbusters and television. She has been nominated for a FAMAS Award and two Gawad Urian Awards. In 2014, she won the "Favorite Foreign Actress" trophy at the Vietnam Green Star Awards. In 2016, she was nominated for "Best Performance by an Actress" at the 44th International Emmy Awards for her role as Amor Powers in Pangako sa 'Yo. In 2022, Sta. Maria won Best Drama Actress at the Golden Laurel Batangas Province Media Awards and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards.

## 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.

## 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.
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

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1999 | Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal | Patrick's girl | Cameo |
| 2000 | Anak | Bernadette | |
| 2001 | Sugatang Puso | Kyla | |
| 2001 | Bagong Buwan | Dolor | |
| 2002 | Jologs | Faith | |
| 2003 | Noon at Ngayon: Pagsasamang Kay Ganda | Guia | |
| 2006 | You Are The One | Charry Malasmas | |
| 2007 | Maling Akala | Teta | |
| 2008 | Sisa | Sisa | |
| 2010 | Chassis | | |
| 2010 | Noy | Herself | Cameo |
| 2010 | Cinco | Elisa | Segment: "Second: Paa" |
| 2010 | Third World Happy | Aylinn | |
| 2010 | My Amnesia Girl | Flight Attendant | |
| 2012 | Migrante | | |
| 2013 | Aparisyon | Lourdes | |
| 2014 | Maria Leonora Teresa | Stella De Castro | |
| 2015 | All You Need Is Pag-Ibig | Mel | |
| 2016 | The Achy Breaky Hearts | Chinggay Villanueva | |
| 2017 | Dear Other Self | Rebecca "Becky" Macadaeg | |
| 2019 | Second Coming | Bea | |
| 2019 | Man and Wife | Luisa | |
| 2019 | Clarita | Clarita Villanueva | |
| 2022 | Labyu with an Accent | Trisha | |
| 2025 | Untold | Vivian Vera | |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1998 | Wansapanataym: Slow Down, Angels Crossing | | |
| 1999 | Gimik | Gretchen | Extended Role |
| 1999 | Tabing Ilog | Georgina ”George” Fuentabella | Main Role |
| 2000 | Marinella | Young Guada | Special participation |
| 2000–02 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Lia Buenavista | Support Role |
| 2001 | Wansapanataym: Iskul Brats | Sosy Suzy | |
| 2003 | Darating ang Umaga | Nicole del Fuego | Support Role |
| 2003 | Wansapanataym: Kotso Biskotso | | |
| 2005 | Kampanerang Kuba | Veronica Saavedra de Vera / Agatha | Support Role / Antagonist |
| 2005 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Donna Lee | Episode: "Mariposang Dagat" |
| 2006 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Mila | Episode: "Piso" |
| 2006 | Komiks Presents: Valentina | Valentina | Protagonist / Anti-Hero |
| 2007 | Walang Kapalit | Cynthia Bermudez-Borromeo | Support Role / Antagonist |
| 2008 | Ligaw na Bulaklak | Marilyn Alegro | Special Participation |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Inday | Episode: "Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu" |
| 2008 | Palos | Carmela Canavarro | Support Role / Antagonist |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Anna | Episode: "Bracelet" Credited as "Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson" |
| 2008 | Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection: Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara | Ruth Martinez | Main Role / Antagonist |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Marilyn | Episode: "Medal of Valor" |
| 2009 | Tayong Dalawa | Angela Dominguez | Recurred Role |
| 2009 | Your Song: Gaano Kita Kamahal | Carmela | Support Role / Anti-Hero |
| 2009 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Aimee | Episode: "Reseta" |
| 2010 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Dolly | Episode: "Saranggola" |
| 2010 | Tanging Yaman | Marina Dimaguiba | Support Role |
| 2010 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Kris Aquino | Episode: "Makinilya" |
| 2010–11 | Noah | Ruth de Leon-Perez | Support Role / Protagonist |
| 2011 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Debbie | Episode: "Kwintas" |
| 2011 | 100 Days to Heaven | Sophia Delgado / Tricia Manalastas | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2012 | Mundo Man ay Magunaw | Young Olivia San Juan-La Peña | Special Participation / Protagonist |
| 2012 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Mila | Episode: "Kamao" |
| 2012–14 | Be Careful with My Heart | Maya dela Rosa-Lim | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2015–16 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Amor De Jesus-Powers/ Amor De Jesus-Buenavista | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2017 | Maalaala Mo Kaya | Marie | Episode: "Gatas" |
| 2018 | Sana Dalawa ang Puso | Elisabeth "Lisa" Laureano-Tabayoyong / Elisabeth "Lisa" Tan-Tabayoyong and Ramona "Mona" Bulalayao-Co / Ramona "Mona" Tan-Co | Main Role (Dual Role) |
| 2019 | Sino ang May Sala? | Filipina "Fina" Capuyan-Baniaga | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2020 | My Single Lady | Chona San Miguel | Main Role |
| 2020–2021 | Ang sa Iyo ay Akin | Marissa Pineda | Main Role / Anti-hero |
| 2022 | The Broken Marriage Vow | Dra. Jill Victorino | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2023 | Unbreak My Heart | Rosanna Marie "Rose" Jacinto-Zhang | Main Role / Protagonist |
| 2024–2025 | Lavender Fields | Lavender Fields / Jasmine Flores | Main Role / Protagonist |

## Awards and nominations

| Year | Work | Award | Category | Result |
| 2004 | Star Circle Quest | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Talent Search Program Host (with Luis Manzano) | Won |
| 2004 | — | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Face of the Night | Won |
| 2005 | Star Circle Quest | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Talent Search Program Host (with Luis Manzano) | Won |
| 2007 | You Are the One | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Supporting Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2007 | Walang Kapalit | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Nominated |
| 2008 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: "Maling Akala" | Golden Screen TV Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Drama) | Nominated |
| 2008 | Sisa | Cinemanila International Film Festival | Digital Lokal-Best Actress | Won |
| 2009 | Sisa | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2009 | Sisa | Golden Screen Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Drama) | Nominated |
| 2010 | Third World Happy | Cinema One Originals Film Festival | Best Supporting Actress | Won |
| 2011 | Chassis | 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Actress | Won |
| 2011 | Chassis | 35th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2012 | 100 Days to Heaven | USTv Student's Choice Awards | Best Supporting Actress in a Daily Local Soap Opera | Won |
| 2013 | Migrante | PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2013 | Migrante | Golden Screen Awards | Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) | Nominated |
| 2013 | Migrante | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2013 | Aparisyon | 37th Gawad Urian Awards | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2013 | Be Careful With My Heart | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Nominated |
| 2013 | Be Careful With My Heart | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Loveteam on Television (with Richard Yap) | Won |
| 2013 | Be Careful With My Heart | Anak Makabata Award | Iconic Seal | Won |
| 2014 | Be Careful With My Heart | Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards | Best Television Actress | Won |
| 2014 | Be Careful With My Heart | GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards | Most Popular Loveteam on Television (with Richard Yap) | Won |
| 2014 | Be Careful With My Heart | Golden Screen TV Awards | Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series | Nominated |
| 2014 | Be Careful With My Heart | ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards | Pop Kapamilya TV Character | Won |
| 2014 | Be Careful With My Heart | Face of The Year Awards | Best Foreign Actress | Won |
| 2015 | All You Need Is Pag-Ibig | Metro Manila Film Festival | Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2015 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | TV series Craze Awards | Leading Lady of The Year | Won |
| 2015 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | GIC Innovation Awards for Television | Most Innovative Actress | Won |
| 2015 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Nominated |
| 2016 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | Anak Makabata Award | Iconic Seal | Won |
| 2016 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | 14th Gawad Tanglaw Awards | Best Performance by an Actress (TV Series) | Won |
| 2016 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | 24th KBP Golden Dove Awards | Best TV Actress in a Drama Program | Won |
| 2016 | Pangako Sa 'Yo | International Emmy Awards | International Emmy Award for Best Actress | Nominated |
| 2017 | Maalaala Mo Kaya: Baby for Sale | 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Single Performance by an Actress | Nominated |
| 2018 | Dear Other Self | 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies | Movie Actress of the Year | Nominated |
| 2018 | Sana Dalawa ang Puso | 32nd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Nominated |
| 2019 | Sino ang Maysala? | 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television | Best Drama Actress | Nominated |
| 2022 | The Broken Marriage Vow | Asian Academy Creative Awards | Best Actress in a Leading Role | Won |