While her character Maya dela Rosa in the hit soap Be Careful with My Heart is all dreamy-eyed for her upcoming fairytale wedding with Sir Chief played by Richard Yap, actress Jodi Sta. Maria said she prefers to keep things grounded in reality as far as her love life is concerned. But that doesn’t mean that she has given up entirely on the concept of love.
“Tulad ng lagi kong sinasabi dati sa mga tanong niyo, I have never lost faith in love,” she claimed during the recently-concluded press conference for the show held on Monday. However she quickly added, “But marriage is a different thing. Kailangan siyempre prepared ka.”
In real life, Jodi is currently in a relationship with actor-politician Jolo Revilla after separating from estranged husband Pampi Lacson. According to the 31-year-old star, she has become “more realistic” these days about tying the knot. But she reiterated, “Pero oo naman, masarap isipin na mangyayari pa rin sa iyo ‘yon (fairy tale wedding), ‘di ba?”
Jodi’s six-year marriage with Pampi ended in 2011 and they share custody of their son Thirdy.
Jodi’s positivity, in part, is something she admitted she learned from Maya’s sunny character. “Ako natutunan ko kay Maya siguro is ‘yung kahit gaano kapangit ang sitwasyon laging may magandang kalalabasan parin ‘yan. ‘Yun lang. ‘Yung pagiging positibo niya. Minsan kasi ‘yun ang nakakalimutan natin eh. Masyado tayong naka-focus sa mga bagay na hindi magaganda, nakakalimutan natin ‘yung mga blessings na meron tayo,” she shared.
Meanwhile, the much-awaited soap opera wedding of Maya and Sir Chief dubbed “fairy tale wedding” will be airing on November 15 and all the preparations are as detailed as a real-life wedding. “Kung ano talaga ang pinagdaraanan ng isang couple bago sila ikasal, ganung-ganun din ‘yung pinagdadaanan ni Maya and ni Sir Chief!” blurted the actress.
Part of their preparations include a pre-nuptial shoot, AVP shoot, pre-wedding counselling as well as wedding rehearsals. With such elaborate preparations Jodi quipped, “Minsan nga sinasabi ko, 'Naku, kaunti na lang! Papel na lang ang kulang dito!’ Kasi parang totoong-totoo from the rehearsals to the preparations.”
While 46-year-old businessman-turned-actor Richard Yap claimed that the intricate wedding preparations were “surreal” as it’s even more grandiose than his very own wedding, he joked, “May wedding jitters nga kaming dalawa, eh!”
Turning serious, the two shared that they are very excited for their onscreen wedding, which would be “simple, elegant and classy” following Maya’s persona, to be witnessed by their ever-supportive fans. “Ako personally excited ako para sa mga tao dahil alam ko na matagal na nilang hinihintay ‘to, ‘di ba? Kung matagal silang naghintay para officially maging couple si Maya at si Sir Chief, I’m sure hinihintay nila ito na magkatuluyan finally,” Jodi said.
While many romance stories typically wrap up after the lead characters exchange “I Do’s” Richard assured viewers that more adventures and laughter can be expected after their wedding. "Well actually the people expect na the show will end on a wedding. Kasi lahat ng shows karamihan ay ganoon, pagkatapos ng wedding ay tapos na, This siguro will be a first also for the show na the wedding will be a beginning of something else. We will try to show that kasi 'yun din ang gusto ng mga audience," he said.
While the show’s business unit head Ginny Ocampo underscored that their story and airing largely depends on the audience’s response to the show, she along with the two lead stars, said that there will be a honeymoon after the wedding. In fact, Maya and Sir Chief’s honeymoon will be in Japan following soon-to-be Mrs. Lim’s desire to be in a place where there’s snow.
