Jodi Chrissie Africano Sta. Maria (born June 16, 1982) is a Filipino actress. She is notable for her versatility in comedy, horror, and drama across independent film, blockbusters and television. She has been nominated for a FAMAS Award and two Gawad Urian Awards. In 2014, she won the "Favorite Foreign Actress" trophy at the Vietnam Green Star Awards. In 2016, she was nominated for "Best Performance by an Actress" at the 44th International Emmy Awards for her role as Amor Powers in Pangako sa 'Yo. In 2022, Sta. Maria won Best Drama Actress at the Golden Laurel Batangas Province Media Awards and Best Actress in a Leading Role at the Asian Academy Creative Awards.
Personal life Jodi Chrissie Africano Sta. Maria is the youngest child in her family. She and her brother were raised by their single mother, Mercedita. She attended the Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and was an honor student. In school, Sta. Maria was active in her school's extra-curricular activities, particularly the volleyball varsity team and the debating team.
Sta. Maria was married to Panfilo "Pampi" Lacson Jr., the son of Senator Panfilo Lacson, from whom she is now separated. The two met during a taping of Tabing Ilog and married on Easter Sunday 2005 in Las Vegas. The two separated in March 2011 and thereafter Sta. Maria filed a petition for the declaration of nullity of marriage with the Regional Trial Court on grounds of psychological incapacity. The court declared their marriage "null and void" in 2014 but that decision was junked by the Court of Appeals in 2016 and affirmed in 2017. Their marriage was annulled in 2024.
Sta. Maria and Lacson have a son born in 2005 named Panfilo "Thirdy" Lacson III. In a 2016 interview, Sta. Maria revealed that she was greatly affected by her separation from Lacson, which resulted in alcoholism and drug use. She quit smoking, alcohol, and drugs after the intervention of actress Coney Reyes and became a Born again Christian. The success of her TV series Be Careful with My Heart in 2012 also helped her recover from her addictions.
Sta. Maria attended De La Salle University-Dasmariñas and studied Medical Biology as her prerequisite to studying medicine. She left college after a year due to the sudden success of her series Be Careful With My Heart, which was extended from its intended run of 3 months to 2 and 1/2 years. She completed her degree in psychology at Southville International School and Colleges in 2020. She was a Dean's Lister during her final semester in 2019.
She became PAWS ambassador in March 2025.
Career A talent scout approached Sta. Maria and her friends to audition for commercials while at a fast-food chain. After numerous auditions and no offers, they gave up. The talent scout approached Sta. María once again and encouraged her to audition for Star Magic. At 15, she was the youngest in their batch.
After starring and appearing in teen-oriented shows and movies such as Gimik, Flames, and Jologs, Sta. Maria landed a role in Tabing Ilog as the sassy tomboyish Georgina. The show was successful and ran for almost five years. She also became a host of Star Circle Quest alongside Luis Manzano.
She was cast in the original version of Pangako Sa 'Yo (2000) as Lia Buenavista, and starred in the 2015 remake as Amor Powers.
After playing teen roles, she played villainous characters in primetime shows such as Walang Kapalit and Kampanerang Kuba. She transitioned to star in numerous independent films, which have been screened internationally. She has since received 3 Gawad Urian Award nominations.
In 2010, she starred in Noah alongside Piolo Pascual, who has called her a 'thinking actress'. In 2011, she played Sophia in the critically acclaimed 100 Days to Heaven. In 2012, Sta. Maria had a special participation as in the daytime drama series Mundo Man ay Magunaw until she top-billed the sleeper hit Be Careful with My Heart as Maya dela Rosa along with Richard Yap who played her love interest, Richard Lim. The show became a success, spawning albums, worldwide tours, and concerts.
Her portrayal as Amor Powers in the 2015 remake of Pangako Sa ‘Yo earned her an International Emmy Award for Best Actress nomination. Since then, she has starred in the daytime drama Sana Dalawa ang Puso and the primetime series, Sino ang May Sala?
In 2020, she starred in the hit show Ang sa Iyo ay Akin. Her portrayal of antagonist-protagonist Marissa Pineda won her numerous awards for her portrayal of antagonist-protagonist Marissa Pineda.
In 2022, she starred in the Philippine adaptation of Doctor Foster, The Broken Marriage Vow. The series was constantly trending on social media for her performance. She won the prestigious Asian Academy Creative Award for Best Actress.
On September 8, 2022, ABS-CBN announced that Sta. Maria star in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Labyu with an Accent. She has vocalized that her manager told her she was going to do the movie only weeks before shooting - without her approval.
From 2024 to 2025, she portrayed the main protagonist role as Jasmin Flores / Lavender Fields in Lavender Fields.
On January 7, 2025, Sta. Maria announced that she will be on hiatus on acting in order to pursue her master's degree in clinical psychology.
In 2026, she starred in a variety show Kumusta with Janella Salvador, Francine Diaz, Arci Muñoz, Ji Chang-wook, and Michelin-recognized Filipino chef JP Anglo.
Filmography Film Year Title RoleNotes Source 1999 Oo Na, Mahal Na Kung Mahal Patrick's girl Cameo 2000 Anak Bernadette 2001 Sugatang Puso Kyla Bagong Buwan Dolor 2002 Jologs Faith 2003 Noon at Ngayon: Pagsasamang Kay Ganda Guia 2006 You Are The One Charry Malasmas 2007 Maling Akala Teta 2008 Sisa Sisa 2010 Chassis Noy Herself Cameo Cinco Elisa Segment: "Second: Paa" Third World Happy Aylinn My Amnesia Girl Flight Attendant 2012 Migrante 2013 Aparisyon Lourdes 2014 Maria Leonora Teresa Stella De Castro 2015 All You Need Is Pag-Ibig Mel 2016 The Achy Breaky Hearts Chinggay Villanueva 2017 Dear Other Self Rebecca "Becky" Macadaeg 2019 Second Coming Bea Man and Wife Luisa Clarita Clarita Villanueva 2022 Labyu with an Accent Trisha Main role 2025 Untold Vivian Vera 2026Midnight GirlsMaria Victoria "Vicky" Dela Cruz Ramos Main role Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon Edjop Joyette Jopson 2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7Angela
Television Year Title Role Notes Source 1998 Wansapanataym: Slow Down, Angels Crossing 1999 Gimik Gretchen Extended Role Tabing Ilog Georgina ”George” Fuentabella Main Role 2000 Marinella Young Guada Special participation 2000–02 Pangako Sa 'Yo Lia Buenavista Support Role 2001 Wansapanataym: Iskul Brats Sosy Suzy 2003 Darating ang Umaga Nicole del Fuego Support Role Wansapanataym: Kotso Biskotso 2005 Kampanerang Kuba Veronica Saavedra de Vera / Agatha Support Role / Antagonist Maalaala Mo Kaya Donna Lee Episode: "Mariposang Dagat" 2006 Mila Episode: "Piso" Komiks Presents: Valentina Valentina Protagonist / Anti-Hero 2007 Walang Kapalit Cynthia Bermudez-Borromeo Support Role / Antagonist 2008 Ligaw na Bulaklak Marilyn Alegro Special Participation Maalaala Mo Kaya Inday Episode: "Basilica Minore del Sto. Niño de Cebu" Palos Carmela Canavarro Support Role / Antagonist Maalaala Mo Kaya Anna Episode: "Bracelet"Credited as "Jodi Sta. Maria-Lacson" Sineserye Presents: The Susan Roces Cinema Collection: Patayin sa Sindak si Barbara Ruth Martinez Main Role / Antagonist 2009 Midnight DJ Dr. Carissa Leano Episode: Scary Retoke Maalaala Mo Kaya Marilyn Episode: "Medal of Valor" Tayong Dalawa Angela Dominguez Recurred Role Your Song: Gaano Kita Kamahal Carmela Support Role / Anti-Hero Maalaala Mo Kaya Aimee Episode: "Reseta" 2010 Dolly Episode: "Saranggola" Tanging Yaman Marina Dimaguiba Support Role Maalaala Mo Kaya Kris Aquino Episode: "Makinilya" 2010–11 Noah Ruth de Leon-Perez Support Role / Protagonist 2011 Maalaala Mo Kaya Debbie Episode: "Kwintas" 100 Days to Heaven Sophia Delgado / Tricia Manalastas Main Role / Protagonist 2012 Mundo Man ay Magunaw Young Olivia San Juan-La Peña Special Participation / Protagonist 2012 Maalaala Mo Kaya Mila Episode: "Kamao" 2012–14 Be Careful with My Heart Maya dela Rosa-Lim Main Role / Protagonist 2015–16 Pangako Sa 'Yo Amor De Jesus-Powers/ Amor De Jesus-Buenavista 2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya Marie Episode: "Gatas" 2018 Sana Dalawa ang Puso Elisabeth "Lisa" Laureano-Tabayoyong / Elisabeth "Lisa" Tan-Tabayoyong and Ramona "Mona" Bulalayao-Co / Ramona "Mona" Tan-Co Main Role (Dual Role) 2019 Sino ang May Sala? Filipina "Fina" Capuyan-Baniaga Main Role / Protagonist 2020 My Single Lady Chona San Miguel Main Role 2020–2021 Ang sa Iyo ay Akin Marissa Pineda Main Role / Anti-hero 2022 The Broken Marriage Vow Dra. Jill Victorino Main Role / Protagonist 2023 Unbreak My Heart Rosanna Marie "Rose" Jacinto-Zhang 2024–2025 Lavender Fields Lavender Fields / Jasmine Flores 2026 Kumusta Herself
Awards and nominations Year Work Award Category Result Source 2004 Star Circle Quest PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Talent Search Program Host (with Luis Manzano) Face of the Night 2005 Star Circle Quest Best Talent Search Program Host (with Luis Manzano) 2007 You Are the One PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Supporting Actress of the Year Walang Kapalit PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actress 2008 Maling Akala Golden Screen Awards for Movies Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Drama) Sisa Cinemanila International Film Festival Digital Lokal-Best Actress 2009 PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actress of the Year Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Lead Role (Drama) 2010 Third World Happy Cinema One Originals Film Festival Best Supporting Actress 2011 Chassis 9th Gawad Tanglaw Awards Best Actress 35th Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress 2012 100 Days to Heaven USTv Student's Choice Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Daily Local Soap Opera 2013Migrante PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actress of the Year Golden Screen Awards Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role (Drama) FAMAS Awards Best Actress Aparisyon 37th Gawad Urian Awards Best Actress Be Careful With My Heart PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actress GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Most Popular Loveteam on Television (with Richard Yap) Anak Makabata Award Iconic Seal 2014 Paragala Central Luzon Media Awards Best Television Actress GMMSF Box-Office Entertainment Awards Most Popular Loveteam on Television (with Richard Yap) Golden Screen TV Awards Outstanding Performance by an Actress in a Drama Series ASAP Pop Viewers' Choice Awards Pop Kapamilya TV Character Face of The Year Awards Best Foreign Actress 2015 All You Need Is Pag-Ibig Metro Manila Film Festival Best Actress Pangako Sa 'Yo TV series Craze Awards Leading Lady of The Year GIC Innovation Awards for Television Most Innovative Actress PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Drama Actress 2016 Anak Makabata Award Iconic Seal 14th Gawad Tanglaw Awards Best Performance by an Actress (TV Series) 24th KBP Golden Dove Awards Best TV Actress in a Drama Program International Emmy Awards International Emmy Award for Best Actress 2017 Maalaala Mo Kaya: Baby for Sale 31st PMPC Star Awards for Television Best Single Performance by an Actress 2018 Dear Other Self 34th PMPC Star Awards for Movies Movie Actress of the Year Sana Dalawa ang Puso 32nd PMPC Star Awards for TelevisionBest Drama Actress 2019 Sino ang Maysala? 33rd PMPC Star Awards for Television 2022The Broken Marriage VowAsian Academy Creative AwardsBest Actress in a Leading Role
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