Jodi Sta. Maria, widely celebrated as one of the finest actresses today, is set to dazzle audiences once again. Jodi’s recent teleserye hit, "Unbreak My Heart," aired in 2023 and fans won't have to wait long for her next television appearance.
In September 2024, Jodi will return to primetime with "Lavender Fields," a highly anticipated series produced by Dreamscape Entertainment. This project marks a significant milestone in her career, as it will be her first show in the action drama genre. Some of the industry's biggest stars are joining her in this exciting venture, including Jericho Rosales, Janine Gutierrez, Edu Manzano, Maricel Soriano, Lotlot de Leon, and Albert Martinez.
On Tuesday, Dreamscape Entertainment released their much-anticipated trailer on social media. Jodi has hinted that her role in "Lavender Fields" will explore themes of distrust, mirroring the duality of the lavender flower. As she takes on this new role, viewers are in for a thrilling ride that will reveal just how versatile and deeply talented she truly is as an actress.
"‘Lavender Fields’ is shaping up to be a game-changer with its star-studded cast and exciting new faces. Fans are excited for Janine's role as a fierce antagonist and the long-awaited return of Jericho and Jolina on primetime.
The buzz extends to former child stars who have grown up before us: Jana Agoncillo, Krystal Mejes, Miguel Vergara, and Marc Santiago. Their transition to mature roles adds a layer of intrigue and nostalgia for fans.
The excitement doesn't stop there! Joining the line-up are some of the most seasoned actors around—Justine Luzares, Pamu Pamorada, Thou Reyes, Benj Manalo, Cheena Crab, Biboy Ramirez, Bernard Palanca, and Lotlot De Leon. With the creative vision of Emmanuel Q. Palo and Jojo Saguin steering the ship, this series is set to be a thrilling mix of drama and action, weaving together a rich tapestry of both fresh and familiar talent.
“Lavender Fields” is a compelling narrative that promises more than the conventional revenge tale. According to Jodi, the series isn’t merely a typical storyline. It’s a redemption saga that delves deep into human experiences. “It's a complex love story as well. So ang daming nangyayari. Isa 'yon sa magiging strength I believe ng 'Lavender Fields' siyempre contrary to what others believe na 'ah ano lang 'yan typical revenge story.' But no, it's not,” the 2022 Asian Academy Creative Awards’ Best Actress shared.
This fresh angle is set to be a game-changer for the show, making it stand out from the usual revenge drama clichés. “Of course, it's from Dreamscape Entertainment. I mean this is, you know, a credible source of beautiful…‘di ba, beautiful seryes," Jodi said. “Also the cast, stellar, superb cast 'yung makakasama. So isa rin 'yon sa strength ng 'Lavender Fields' kasi napakahuhusay ng mga aktor, hindi ba? I mean, Powerhouse talaga," Jodi added.
Jodi revealed the challenges of performing action scenes, emphasizing that they demand extensive preparation and training. "Maraming pag-iingat, hindi lang para sa sarili kung hindi para sa mga ka-eksena at stunt people, ‘di ba. We usually allot one day to rehearse the fight scenes before namin siya i-shoot, let's say the following week pa or maybe the following day or maybe three days later, ganoon. Hindi siya 'yung nire-rehearse sa set tapos sa set iti-take, so nag a-allot talaga ng araw to rehearse.”
She shared that they called it ‘cinematic Filipino martial arts.’ “Maraming hand sometimes may mga accessories na ginagamit, siyempre ‘yung basic sa boxing tinuruan din nila ako. We also did a lot of strength and conditioning to avoid injuries," Jodi stated.
Reflecting on her experiences, Jodi says, “I always look forward to the set, knowing I’m working with them.” She reminisces about her previous collaborations, saying, “I worked with Inay (Soriano) before. I worked with Echo (Rosales). And it’s my first time working with Janine (Gutierrez). I’m also working with Tito Edu and Albert Martinez.“ Her admiration for the cast’s incredible talent and professionalism shows the high stakes for this eagerly awaited series.
In a sea of predictable plots, "Lavender Fields" shines brightly with its fresh storytelling and dynamic performances, making its premiere a must-watch event on Philippine television.