Jodi Sta. Maria opens up on motherhood and parenting style
MANILA, Philippines — Jodi Sta. Maria is no stranger to starring in commercials with her son, Thirdy Lacson. But not a few were surprised to see how much her child has grown up in the latest one.
“I’m sure your recollection of Thirdy was this small boy running around, being naughty, being a baby, and now he’s grown up. He’s tall and he’s turning 18, so talagang binata na (he’s really a young man). And my son is entering college already,” Jodi told The STAR in a one-on-one interview.
“Ang saya lang kasi yung comeback niya sa endorsement parang nakita siya na as a binata na. He’s no longer a small boy. Nakaka-proud.”
This paper spoke to the 40-year-old mom when she and her son were introduced as the new celebrity endorsers of the fast-food giant Chowking, particularly for the “new and improved” Chowking Chinese-Style Fried Chicken Lauriat. “As delicious as it is, we believe that there’s always room for improvement,” said Fran Leveriza-Maralit, Chowking brand director, of why they decided to add “new twists” to what has been described as their long-time “fan-favorite” food item.
Jodi co-hosted the afternoon feast where media guests had the first dibs on the “upgraded” combo of Chinese Style Fried Chicken, Egg Fried Rice, Buchi, Siomai, Chicharap and Pancit Canton. But another highlight at the recent press event held at the Marco Polo Ortigas Manila was the unveiling of the mother-and-son duo’s TVC for the brand, which inevitably raised questions if Thirdy had started entertaining ideas of entering showbiz.
“In terms of say, working in the business, parang hindi (I don’t think so). I think he wants to carve a path that’s not really in showbiz. But endorsements like this, he’s open to it,” the Kapamilya star, who just came from filming the first-ever GMA and ABS-CBN co-production Unbreak My Heart in Switzerland, told the press. “Thirdy is an introvert so I know how much effort he has put into this commercial.”
In a separate exclusive chat with The STAR, Jodi, who’s seen as a role model for single moms, got more candid about motherhood and her parenting style. Below are excerpts from the interview:
On working again with Thirdy in a TVC:
“Before kasi, when he was younger, sobrang bibo, minsan nga nanghihingi pa yan ng Take 2 sa director, then game na game siya. But when we were shooting this commercial, alam mong andun sa kanya yung, ‘Mommy, I’m nervous.’ But he’s excited also at the same time. And with Thirdy kasi, he’s an introvert. When he was younger, bibo, but when he became older, maybe because nahihiya na siya. But during the shoot, nakakatuwa lang. Kahit nahihiya pa siya sa lagay na yun.”
On parenting a teenager:
“It’s really different. I remember when I was parenting him at two years old, I was saying that parenting a toddler is also difficult. It’s so physically demanding because they run a lot. They’re likot because they’re curious, they want to explore this and that.
“So, when it comes to him being a teenager, what I see here is yung challenge… the external influences na. Of course, at this point, I know that peers have a great influence in his life. You add to that social media. And there’s really a tendency that our voice as a mom will be drowned out so I just make sure that hindi nawawala yung boses ko sa buhay niya.
“But I let him be, I let him spread his wings, I let him run his own race. I know he’s been trying to assert his own independence, which is OK because, I mean, he is his own person and he has his own identity. So, I am OK with that.”
On how relationship with son has changed:
“It really is such a blessing for me because even if he’s 18 years old already, he’s still affectionate with me. He is not shy to kiss me on the forehead or hug me, or mag-abresyete sa akin (to walk arm in arm with me). He’s still that sweet little boy parang pinalaki mo lang siya.
“Hindi dahil sa anak ko siya, natutuwa ako kasi lumalaki siyang mabuting bata, alam niyang kapag nagkamali siya, hihingi siya ng sorry. (It’s not because he’s my son, but I’m happy because he’s growing up to be a good boy. He knows when he makes a mistake, he’ll say sorry.) He will apologize and what I appreciate is that, you know, a changed behavior comes with that apology. Not just ‘sorry’ for the sake of saying it.”
On her favorite advice to son:
“He’s about to enter college. I just tell him, don’t be afraid to spread your wings. And you need to understand what else you really want. What do you want to do? What are you passionate about? And then, that’s going to be your focus.
“Because I was telling him, you know what, we’re able to fully spread our wings if we find something that we’re adept at. And then we find a way, how to make money out of it, then work won’t feel like work because you get to enjoy every minute and every moment of it. And because it’s your passion.
“When you love what you do, you do the extra mile and extra effort, you’re not giving the bare minimum. So these are the small things that I remind him of. Because, of course, after four years of college, he will be working already. (What will he take up?) His first choice is psychology (laughs). Hindi ko alam kung gusto ba niya talaga or naisip niya, nagawa na ‘to ni Mommy, matutulungan ako. (I don’t know if he really wants to or if he thought, Mommy has already done this so she can help me.)” (Note: Jodi finished her degree in Psychology, with flying colors, in 2021.)
On tips for solo parents:
“Based on my experience, I know it’s not easy to be a single mother. And I believe no woman has purposely wanted or (no woman) chose to become a single mom… of course, iba rin talaga ‘pag may katuwang tayo (it’s different when you have a partner) in life, especially when it comes to parenting. Because for me, the role of a mother is different, and the role of a father is different. Iba yung nabibigay nila (individually).
“If the mom will provide love and care and affection, security and identity will come from the father. So, it’s really a tandem. But may mga pangyayari sa life natin, mga bagay, na hindi naman natin inaasahan mangyari.
“But I just want to encourage single moms out there that you are not alone. You are not parenting your child or your children alone. I would want single moms out there to remember that before your child became your child, your child was God’s child first. Kung mahal mo ang anak mo, mas mahal ni Lord yung anak mo.
“And He will give you the things that you need — the provisions, the strength, the grace — everything that you need to be able to raise this human being entrusted to you. So don’t give up, keep trusting, you are not alone.”
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