At the media conference of Labyu with an Accent on November 30, Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria confirmed how she took a break from doing projects after The Broken Marriage Vow series.
Sta Maria explained that the taping of the Kapamilya drama series ended in December 2021, seven months before they started filming for Labyu with an Accent.
“Well, nakapagpahinga naman na, kasi ‘yung The Broken Marriage Vow natapos siya ng June pero December pa lang, December 24 ‘yung last taping day namin. So okay naman siya.
“I think I got a call from our manager, si Mother Litoy, siguro July or late July or late August. ‘Yun nga parang nabanggit niya na mayroon ngang movie na naisip si Direk Coco na balak niyang gawin pagkatapos ng Ang Probinsyano. After noon, naging open naman kami for pitching and then nag-pitch ‘yung mga taga-Star Cinema para doon sa story ng film.”
She then discussed her reason for accepting the role in the upcoming Metro Manila Film Fest entry.
“And ako naman, I wasn’t doing anything noong time na ‘yun, so–and ‘yung story kasi is light, ang cute, and then I just knew it was [going to] be fun.
“And si Direk Coco kasi, nakatrabaho ko siya before pero pareho kaming artista, and sabi ko this time, gusto ko naman siya ma-experience bilang director, because never pa kaming nagkatrabaho or never pa niya akong na-direct.”
Sta Maria then described working with Martin as a ‘wonderful’ experience.
“And it was you know, a wonderful experience na kasama siya. Sabi ko nga eh, he’s really one of the ano eh, parang pinaka masisipag na tao na kilala ko. And not only that, amazed lang ako kung paano niya nagagawa, paano niya napagsasabay lahat-lahat.
“Kasi siyempre, siya ‘yung director, siya ‘yung gumagawa ng script namin, siya rin ‘yung lead actor so minsan kapag nasa set, iba-block niya, ibibigay ‘yung lines, pagkatapos noon, mag-a-action siya, pero surprisingly, talagang sobrang aware siya sa nangyayari sa paligid.”
She also attested to Martin’s talent as an actor-filmmaker.
“Na minsan, kunyari may isang shot na talagang, alam niya na, ‘Hindi, dito dapat ‘yung position mo’ kunyari may nagkamali ng blocking, habang nandoon siya eksena. So sabi ko, ‘How do you do it?’ So parang nakaka-amaze lang, I mean not every one could do that. Kaya I’m thankful na I was given the chance to work with him and I hope this won’t be the last.”
Labyu with an Accent stars Coco Martin and Jodi Sta Maria with a powerhouse cast including Joross Gamboa, Rochelle Pangilinan, Nikki Valdez, Jay Gonzaga, Rafael Rosell, Nova Villa, Manuel Chua, Nash Aguas, Marc Solis, John Medina, Bassilyo, and Sancho Vito.
Catch the Metro Manila Film Festival 2022 entry and its premiere this Christmas day, December 25.