JODI STA. MARIA refuses to answer any question about her beau, Jolo Revilla, at the presscon of “Maria Leonora Teresa”. “I hope you understand that when it comes to my personal life, ayokong pinag-uusapan,” she says. “At salamat po sa pag-unawa ninyo.”
It’s common knowledge, though, that she sympathizes with Jolo’s family when his dad, Sen. Bong Revilla, got embroiled in the PDAF controversy. Won’t she at least invite Jolo to be her escort at the Star Magic Ball (which was set for last night)? “I think he’s busy,” she replies. “I’ll just go solo. Actually, I thought of bringing Thirdy (her son with ex-husband Pampi Lacson) with me, kaya lang Star Magic didn’t allow it kasi late na kung mag-start yung ball.”
Among the stars of “Maria Leonora Teresa”, she’s the only one who’s already a parent since both Zanjoe Marudo and Iza Calzado are still single. This is why it’s easier for her to relate with her role as a young mother whose only daughter died in a tragic accident.
“Bilang isa ina, naramdaman ko ang sakit ng loob ni Stella, the character I play in the movie. Mahirap talaga at masakit mawalan ng anak, lalo na sa kaso ni Stella na ang buong buhay, umiikot sa anak niya dahil hindi maganda ang relationship nila ng husband niyang si Joem Bascon. After her child died, she’s really broken and on the verge of a nervous breakdown kaya nang bigyan siya ng manikang kahawig ng anak niya, tinanggap niya, without knowing na ito pala ang magdudulot ng lagim sa buhay niya.”
“Maria Leonora Teresa” is her first film since 2010. “Ang last movie ko, horror din, yung ‘Cinco’, an omnibus movie where I appeared in the episode titled ‘Paa’. Isang ina rin ang role ko roon na dumanas ng terrifying experiences dahil sa pagmamahal niya sa kanyang anak. It’s scary, but mas nakakatakot itong ‘Maria Leonora Teresa’ kasi full length movie ito at hindi basta isang episode lang kaya mas mataas ang level ng pananakot.”
No doubt her career zoomed because of the success of “Be Careful with My Heart”. Will she accept support roles again after this? “Actually, before, kontento na rin naman ako sa character roles na binibigay sa akin. But now, I really feel so blessed sa mga nangyari sa career ko. Nabigyan ako ng magandang project and I would like to thank God and ABS-CBN for the wonderful opportunities na dumating dahil doon. The show will run daw hanggang December. As to what will happen after that, I will just continue to trust God and ABS dahil alam kong hindi nila ako pababayaan.”
Will she be more choosy with her roles? “Hindi naman siguro choosy kundi I’ll be more conscious na yung next projects na gagawin ko, maging tulad din sana ng ‘Be Careful’ that imparts good moral and family values.”