Jodi Sta. Maria, sumabak sa mapanghamon na buhay ng isang performer sa Japan
- Jodi Sta. Maria opened up about her immersive experience in Japan for her upcoming film Midnight Girls directed by Irene Villamor
- The film follows the story of four women working as performers abroad, highlighting sacrifice, survival, and personal struggles
- Jodi and her co-stars lived like real performers in Nagoya, Japan, blending into an actual “omise” environment during immersion
- She revealed emotional and surprising real-life experiences, including customer interactions and unexpected gifts while working in Japan
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Actress Jodi Sta. Maria shared her intense and eye-opening experience while preparing for her upcoming film Midnight Girls, where she portrayed a performer working in Japan.
Source: Instagram
In an exclusive interview on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Jodi explained that the film directed by Irene Villamor centers on the lives of four Filipino women who go abroad to survive, sacrifice, and pursue their dreams.
“Ang Midnight Girls, Tito Boy, istorya siya ng apat na babae na nakipagsapalaran sa Japan. Makikita mo rito 'yung kanilang buhay, 'yung kanilang istorya, 'yung sakripisyo na kailangan nilang gawin, 'yung pagbibihis nila ng iba't ibang pagkatao para lang lumaban at makalaban,” Jodi said.
To fully understand the role, Jodi and her co-stars Sanya Lopez, Loisa Andalio, and Jane Oineza underwent immersion in Nagoya, Japan, where they experienced working inside an “omise” or bar-restaurant setting.
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She shared that they were not recognized as actresses during the immersion, allowing them to experience the reality of the environment more authentically.
“It is important for us, doon sa character namin na truly maintindihan 'yung lalim ng pinanghuhugutan, 'yung pinanggagalingan ng mga babae; ng mga istorya na ilalahad namin,” Jodi explained.
During their stay, Jodi revealed how performers are expected to entertain customers through singing, dancing, and conversation, often without refusal.
“I think hindi [mo p'wedeng sabihing] 'no'. Sa kanila, customer is always a king. Kung ano ang gusto nila 'yun ang masusunod,” she said.
She also recalled unexpected moments, including receiving simple gifts like coffee and even a bottle of whisky from clients.
Jodi added that their earnings during immersion helped sustain her daily needs while in Japan, giving her a deeper appreciation of the performers’ reality.
Midnight Girls will be showing in cinemas starting May 13.
Jodi Sta. Maria is widely regarded as one of the most versatile and enduring actresses in Philippine entertainment. She first gained attention through the teen drama Tabing Ilog, where her talent began to shine. Over the years, she built a strong reputation through memorable roles, including Maya in Be Careful With My Heart, a character loved by many viewers. She also starred in The Broken Marriage Vow, balancing her successful acting career with motherhood and academic pursuits.
In separate news, Jodi Sta. Maria opened up on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda about her experience in Midnight Girls, particularly highlighting her admiration for co-star Sanya Lopez. She shared that working with Sanya was meaningful, praising her not only for her talent but also for her genuine kindness and professionalism on set. Jodi said their immersion experience in Nagoya helped her better understand their characters, making their scenes more authentic and emotionally grounded throughout the film’s production process.
Meanwhile, Jodi Sta. Maria recently announced that she is officially enrolled in a Master’s degree in Psychology with a specialization in Family Life Development. She described the milestone as something she had long hoped for after experiencing several delays and setbacks. Her studies will include subjects such as Family Dynamics and Mental Health, Child Care and Adolescent Development, and Adulthood and Aging. Jodi clarified that pursuing further education does not mean she is stepping away from her acting career.
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Source: KAMI.com.gh
