Be careful with Jodi's heart

MANILA, Philippines - Whenever there’s an attempt to divert the topic from her and Richard Yap’s daytime TV series, Be Careful With My Heart, on ABS-CBN, and closely steer the subject to the affairs of her heart, Jodi Santamaria would instantly smile and blurt out, “Ayun, Be Careful With My Heart.”

Jodi remains tight-lipped, no matter how much prodding she gets from some members of the entertainment press after the presscon held Tuesday. She doesn’t want to clearly tell anything about her personal life particularly her love life. Her answers are always safe, visibly reflecting her desire to keep some things private.

Even when asked to confirm about the news that she was seen in Hong Kong with someone, Jodi replied, “I was in Hong Kong, yes” and didn’t elaborate anymore about the trip.

It is public knowledge that Jodi is already separated from her husband Panfilo “Pampi” Lacson Jr. That’s why people keep watch on her love life. But Jodi neither confirms nor denies anything. “All I can say is that I have never lost faith in love,” is what Jodi could only directly tell.

Is she ready to fall in love again? And without batting an eyelash she says, “I guess, I am.“

Is she happy these days? “Yes, I am happy.”

Though her answers are short and simple, everyone seems contented with Jodi’s “little details” about her. So, the topic shifts back to the show which is consistently enjoying the top spot in the ratings game. Both Jodi and her co-star Richard, who is also popularly known as Papa Chen, are happy how the show appeals to televiewers but to remain on top is not much of their concern. 

“Actually, as much as possible we are not thinking about achieving this (high ratings). We just try our best to give the audience a good show,” Richard says.

For Jodi: “Syempre n’ung umpisa aminado ako na habang tumataas yung ratings nakakakaba. It’s like, ‘OK where do we go from here?’ when we reach the peak. But then, we must realize that we’re not here for the ratings. Baka kakaisip namin sa ratings we might forget the real purpose of the program. That’s why we need to go back to our main goal, to our purpose which is to entertain, give hope, love and inspiration.”

Her son, Thirdy, gives Jodi the amount of inspiration she needs to get going. “He’s the one who inspires me, sa kanya ako nagle-lean.”

In Be Careful With My Heart, Jodi inspires the audience with her role as Yaya Maya. Her positive outlook in life has affected televiewers in a way, keeping in mind Yaya Maya’s oft-repeated line “Kapit-bisig,” whenever crisis comes in the family.

Jodi admits to having some similarities with her character. Just like Maya, Jodi sees things with optimism that no matter how bad things are, “kapit-bisig lang kasi lahat naman may pinagdadaanan.”

As Yaya Maya, Jodi also shows her real side when it comes to caring for kids. Her ward Abby (Mutya Orquia) enjoys her company while learning a lesson or two on being good and loving. “Masaya po s’yang kasama binigyan nya po ako ng Tamagochi,” Mutya shares.

Still, Jodi sees her naive yet funny role as a challenge.“I feel I’m only limited to drama so it’s a challenge for me how to attack the role with a touch of comedy. Dapat kasi ibabato ko yung linya ng masaya lang unlike sa drama na ramdam yung bigat. But as days pass by, I get to know my character well so it’s becoming easy for me to inject color and spice to my acting.”  

The everyday show makes her schedule hectic, what with tapings that tie her on the set till the wee hours of the morning. But no matter how hectic her schedule is, Jodi still finds time for herself. “All work and no play makes one dull di ba? So kailangan may time sa sarili.”

Asked if she will fall for older men, like Yaya Maya to Sir Chief, Jodi replies, “Uhmn, posible. Di ba lahat naman posible sa pagmamahal.”

Meanwhile, Jodi and Richard’s feel-good scenes from the show’s past episodes can now be seen on Saturdays via Be Careful With My Heart Sabado Rewind. It will start tomorrow, Sept. 15 before It’s Showtime.