Jodi Sta. Maria responds to one-star review of her 2026 film 'Midnight Girls'

• Award-winning actress Jodi Sta. Maria responded directly to a viral netizen review criticizing the 2026 film 'Midnight Girls
• The online reviewer rated the Irene Villamor-directed movie a one star
• Jodi stressed that the story explores how people make hard decisions based on their desperate situations and survival
• Pointing out societal disparities, the actress emphasized that life is never as simple as telling others to just find better work

Jodi Sta. Maria made sure to defend the core message of empathy behind her 2026 film, Midnight Girls.

Taking to her verified account on X (formerly Twitter) @JodiStaMaria, the acclaimed star reacted to a screenshot of a one-star review that went viral after an online user questioned the viewer’s media literacy.

In the critique, a moviegoer dismissed the characters' plights by writing, "Life choice: I think you can still find a decent job if you really want to. Just saying. 😅"

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Not letting the oversimplified view slide, Jodi directly challenged the perspective in a thoughtful post:

"Sure there are always other choices. Pero honestly, yan na yung take away mo sa buong film?"

Directed by Irene Villamor, the 2026 drama follows women navigating the tough reality of being an entertainer in Nagoya to survive. Explaining the film's deeper purpose, Jodi pointed out that human empathy is at the heart of the narrative:

"Para sakin it was more about understanding that people make choices based on their situation, struggles, and survival."

The actress emphasized that viewers must look past surface judgments and recognize that not everyone begins life on an even playing field:

"Malungkot ang realidad na hindi lahat nabibigyan ng same opportunities, support, or even starting point sa buhay."

Concluding her response, Jodi delivered a firm reality check to those looking at life through a privileged lens:

"Sadly, life is not as simple as 'just find a decent job.'"

Jodi's candid explanation resonated strongly across social media, quickly amassing over 267,000 views, thousands of retweets, and widespread praise within hours.

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Jodi Sta. Maria is a Filipino actress known for her versatility and longevity in the entertainment industry. She rose to fame for her role in the teen drama Tabing Ilog and later became one of the most respected actresses in the Philippines. Some of her most notable TV roles include Be Careful With My Heart, where she played Maya, and The Broken Marriage Vow, the Philippine adaptation of Doctor Foster. She continues to thrive in the industry, balancing her career, studies, and life as a devoted mother to her son, Thirdy Lacson.

As previously reported by KAMI, Jodi Sta. Maria celebrated her 44th birthday with a deeply personal and spiritual post on social media. Jodi revealed that her life today is the exact reality she used to only quietly whisper in her prayers years ago. The actress emphasized that every single hardship, lesson, and unexpected detour simply paved the path to her current peace.

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Meanwhile, one of her good friends, Iwa Moto opened up about her deep friendship with the actress during a recent interview on "Fast Talk with Boy Abunda." Iwa shared that becoming friends wasn't difficult because she was never the reason behind Jodi's past breakup with her ex, Pampi Lacson. She noted that their shared affection for Thirdy, Jodi's son, firmly united them as a modern family. Iwa revealed that Jodi has become one of her best friends and someone she regularly runs to for comfort.

Source: KAMI.com.gh