After Regal Entertainment launched three of their exciting new film projects set for release later this year, with one of them being the horror film Untold, the film's star Jodi Sta. Maria shared how happy and proud she was that she can now finally be considered a certified Regal Baby. 

“Actually this is the first film that I did with Regal and I’m just happy because it has always been a dream to work with Regal Films,” she shared during the Regal Legacy event. “Sabi ko nga, when I was just starting in the business, na sana one day I get to be a part of parang Shake, Rattle, & Roll. Kasi I would watch ‘yung mga Regal Shocker, ‘yung mga ganyan. So now, yung dream na yun it happened. It took a while but then it still happened so I’m happy.”

READ: Jodi Sta. Maria says doing action-drama for the first time in ‘Lavender Fields’ is a milestone for her

Compared to her previous films, Jodi admitted that it was the complexity of her character Vivian that drew her to the Regal Films project, Untold, which is reported to be gunning for a lot of award categories in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. 

“Kasi parang the last horror film that I did was Clarita. This was back in 2019. It was focused on demonic possesion,” she recalled. “For this one, it’s more of there’s a lot of psychological tension going on with the character, and I guess that’s what drew me to it. Being a psychology graduate, parang na-e-excite ako kasi feeling ko ‘yung role ko na ginagawa ko, character study din siya.”

Also currently starring in the top-rated action drama Lavender Fields, the 42-year-old actress shared that she has taping for the teleserye three times a week while finishing shooting the film twice a week. 

“At first, ‘yun talaga ‘yung naging challenge for me kasi hindi talaga ako nagsasabay ng dalawang proyekto,” she admitted. “It’s just that when the script was offered, how do I say no to this one? Parang gusto ko din siya gawin. So of course I do certain steps to be able to switch from Lavender to Vivian which is the name of my role here.”

Jodi went on to explain how she manages to juggle the demands of two big projects. 

“Ang nangyayari is a lot of visualization and meditation plus a constant reminder of myself and each character. And then after the shoot tanggal ang character and then you go home as yourself. And then pagdating mo sa isang set, para kang nag iba ng damit, ako ulit si Lavender,” she explained.

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With her latest series growing its audience with every new episode, the Kapamilya actress said she is thankful for the successful reception to the soap where she plays a dual role. 

READ: Jodi Sta. Maria shares her preparations for ‘Lavender Fields’ | PUSH TV

“When we were doing Lavender Fields, nung umpisa pa lang siya, talagang always andun yung mga prayers and hopes namin na sana tangkilikin ng ating mga manunuod. Sa preparations, bukod sa strength and conditioning, meron din kaming training ng hand combat. We also did arnis. Hindi siya madali because ang daming demands ng role ng Lavender Fields,” she shared. “Siyempre there was also a lot of pressure, pero ang iniisip na lang namin is that kung gagawin namin ‘yung best namin, then I guess the blessings will just follow, hindi ba? “

Indeed, the blessings did come and kept on pouring in, if the continued reception to the series is any indication.

“And now ‘yung mga blessings na tinatamasa ngayon ng Lavender Fields, I’m just grateful to each and everyone na nag-support,” she said. “I’m also blessed to be working alongside a stellar cast. Hindi biro. Paulit-ulit kong sasabihin kahit parang sirang plaka na ako na it really does take a village to be able to produce something like this.”