Jodi’s hard work pays off

MANILA, Philippines - Pangako Sa ‘Yo marks another achievement in the showbiz career of Jodi Sta. Maria (photo) as she continues to draw raves for her performance as one of the principal characters in the primetime series.

For five nights a week, televiewers avidly follow the endless travails of the actress as Amor Powers who figures in an epic clash against her main adversary, Claudia Buenavista (Angelica Panganiban), as they vie for the attention and affection of the man they both love, Eduardo Buenavista (Ian Veneracion).

The 2015 remake of what was dubbed the first teleserye on TV that spanned 476 episodes from 2000 to 2001, Pangako Sa ‘Yo is only the latest in a streak of notable showbiz achievements for Jodi, who almost one year ago, essayed an inspiring portrayal of the lead female role in the hit soap, Be Careful With My Heart, also on ABS-CBN.

Jodi’s role as Maya in the daytime series provided audiences a glimpse into her own personality and character as a woman with substance, purpose, determination and courage behind her sweet, pretty face.

Little did her fans know that if the actress was able to live out the character of Maya, it was due to her own real-life experiences in overcoming actual obstacles in both her personal life and showbiz career.

They also never realized that, despite the phenomenal success of Be Careful With My Heart and the big transformation it brought to her in terms of material rewards, popularity and other celebrity perks, Jodi still felt unfulfilled as she had not yet obtained a secondary education diploma that she could be proud of.

She was of the belief that the glitz and glamour were illusory, and that a lifetime in the limelight, no matter how successful and exciting, could never make up for one’s lack of formal education.

Like Maya who demonstrated great resolve in the face of daunting challenges to achieve her ambition, Jodi was just as steadfast and relentless in pursuing her goal of earning an academic diploma.

Her search for an educational program that would allow her to juggle her busy taping and shooting schedules with school work, paid off when Southville International School and Colleges (SISC) came up with an innovative program that meets the needs of students restricted by the conventional academic calendar, such as athletes, actors and actresses, singers and performers and those who learn better under isolated conditions.

The program is called INNOVE Education Solution, the acronym INNOVE stands for Innovative and alternative education that draws on Non-traditional and educational methodologies, Niche for students with unique concerns for Optimum learning and effective life skills, Viable to provide Education for all.

With the flexibility in scheduling provided by INNOVE, Jodi did not miss her regular taping schedules for Be Careful With My Heart, which eventually won her a nomination for Best Dramatic Actress during the 27th PMPC Star Awards for Television in 2014. Just as important, she attained her dream of earning a secondary education diploma.

While Jodi is already recognized as a showbiz success, her diploma has turned her also into an academic achiever with a proud feeling of fulfillment.

For details on Southville International School and Colleges (SISC), call 825-6374 or log on to www.southville.edu.ph. To earn British and Australian degrees in the Philippines, contact Southville International School affiliated with Foreign Universities (SISFU) at 820-6774/820-5952 or visit www.sisfu.edu.ph.