Jodi Chrissie Garcia Santamaria, better known by her screen name Jodi Sta. Maria, is a Filipino actress. She is notable for her versatility in comedy, horror, and drama across independent film, blockbusters and television.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4][5]
Jodi Chrissie Garcia Santamaria is the youngest child. She and her brother were raised by their single mother, Mercedita.[6] She attended the Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and was an honor student.[7] In school, Sta. Maria was active in her school's extra-curricular activities, particularly the volleyball varsity team and the debating team.[7]
Sta. Maria was married to Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., the son of former Senator Panfilo Lacson, from whom she is now separated.[8] The two met during a taping of Tabing Ilog[9] and married on Easter Sunday 2005 in Las Vegas.[6] 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.[10] Their marriage was annulled in 2024.[11]
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.[12]
Sta. Maria attended De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and studied Medical Biology as her prerequisite to studying medicine.[13] 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.[14] 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.[15]
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.[17] 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.[18]
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 hitBe 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.
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.
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.
From 2024 to 2025, she portrayed the main protagonist role as Jasmin Flores / Lavender Fields in Lavender Fields.
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.[19]
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