Actress Jodi Sta. Maria may be one of the most successful celebrity in the entertainment industry but she’s still bent on pursuing her childhood goal: she wants to become a doctor.
A staunch believer in the importance of education, this 34-year-old mom is driven and goal-oriented and she will stop at nothing to be able to achieve her life-long goal of becoming a doctor of medicine.
“It’s something na hindi ko nagawa ng diretso kasi I graduated in high school in 2010. And now, I’m pursuing another course and hopefully in two and a half years, matapos ko na siya,” shares Jodi.
Unlike other stars who sacrificed their studies in favour of their careers, Jodi has never left her dream to waste and she’s even more determined to earn that college diploma. “I think it’s also because partly I am motivated by m being a mother; I really want to put a premium on education, because I have a son and I want to be able to set a good example,” she added.
For some, it may seem impossible for Jodi to juggle both her studies and her career at the same time. But Jodi says she believes that nothing is impossible to a willing mind. She admits things weren’t easy for her. “I find it physically and mentally taxing to do both acting and studying kasi na-try ko na. I graduated in high school when I was 28. But then I told myself that I have to do it and I have to find time to finish it.”
Jodi says she cherishes every opportunity that comes her way and applies the lessons she’s picked as she goes through in life. “It’s the choices we make, regardless if it’s big or small. I believe the quality of choices we make now will determine the quality of our future.”
“Na set-aside man dati yung education ko, I did not fully let go of my dream and I prayed to God that if it’s His will, I know one day in His perfect time, He would still open the door for me to finish my school.”
In the meantime, Jodi leads Star Cinema’s latest film, “Dear Other Self” with Xian Lim, Joseph Marco and Paul Salas, directed by Veronica Velasco. The movie opens in theatres on May 17.
