Multi-awarded actress Jodi Sta. Maria stars in one of the most-awaited drama series this year via "The Broken Marriage Vow," an adaptation of a popular Korean series.
Set to premiere on Jan. 24, Jodi said she still couldn't believe she was offered the role of Dra. Jill Ilustre, a dedicated wife and mother whose life turns upside down when she suspects that her husband is having an affair.
"When it was offered to me, hindi ako makapaniwala kasi nung time na yun, katatapos ko pa lang panoorin yung Korean adaptation. At kakagaling ko pa lang sa isang serye so parang tumakbo lang sa isip ko bakit ako? Pero na let-go ko na yung stress and pressure kasi tapos na ang shooting ng series. So excited na ako na maipakita yung finish product," said Jodi, during a Zoom press conference recently.
Jodi said she's grateful she was offered the role of a doctor because she really wanted to become a doctor in real life. "Hindi man ako naging doctor sa tutoong buhay pero naisabuhay ko naman yung pangarap na meron ako."
Asked about the lessons learned in playing the role of Jill, Jodi said: "I've learned that our life moves in the direction of our decision. Kung ano man ang ginagawa mo sa buhay mo, may direct effect ito sa'yo at sa pamilya mo. Pati na rin sa mga friends mo. So be wise in your decisions. But most of all, there's life after a heartbreak. You just give yourself time to heal."
Jodi also shared her thoughts on revenge and infidelity, the themes of the new TV series.
"If infidelity is a result of a bad decision or honest mistake, siguro puwede ko pang pagbigyan ng another chance ang asawa ko. But if I see it as a continuing toxic pattern at hindi na talaga siya pagkakamali at deliberately ginagawa na niya, I think I have to think of myself, my child and walk away from the relationship," she said.
Jodi, however, said that she is not in favor of revenge in any form.
"If it will only hurt more people, then hindi siya maja-justify. For me, if somebody has betrayed you, if somebody has hurt you, lied to you, or did something not good to you, parang for me the antidote is always forgiveness," she said.
Jodi further explained: "Naiisip ko kasi, an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth. Nasaktan mo ako sasaktan din kita. Ganito ang ginawa mo sa akin, I can do that better than you. Pero ang iniisip ko, at the end of the day, will that be beneficial or will it cause more harm than good? This is just my personal take. Para maibsan yung pain, you have to forgive. I'm not saying forgiveness is easy. It's a choice you have to make every single day, even if you don't want to forgive. I think if you will wait for that day when you're ready to forgive, I think it will never come. It's a decision you have to make. Minsan hindi ka naman magpapatawad para sa kanya kundi para sa'yo. You deserve peace."
ABS-CBN’s “The Broken Marriage Vow” is shaping up to be a hit based on early reviews from entertainment journalists, bloggers, and fans who attended its virtual screening on KTX.PH, raising anticipation and expectations for the drama series ahead of its TV premiere on Jan. 24.
The series garnered widespread praise for the performances of its cast, particularly its lead stars Jodi and Zanjoe, as well as for the scenic shots, camera work, and the proudly Filipino outfits and dishes featured prominently in the episodes.
“The Broken Marriage Vow was a visual treat,” said Kate Adajar of RandomRepublika.com. “One can tell how the details were intentionally put together. What I really liked was the Filipino touch in the setting and Jodi's outfits.”
Entertainment photographer and vlogger Allan Sancon of Stars Photog called the series “astounding” and added, “The actors are very good! It's like you're watching a movie in a cinema. Nakaka-THRILL ‘yung bawat eksena. Nakakagigil ang karakter ni Zanjoe at nakakatakot mag-imbestiga si Jodi bilang si Dr. Jill Illustre! It was fun and I’m excited to watch ‘yung mga susunod na mangyayari!”
Mel Ojendras of Trending.ph, expressed his excitement for more episodes and said, “Kabog na kabog and mukhang maraming aabangang twists and revelations.. Exciting ‘to! The cinematography of this series is superb! Worth it ‘to panoorin for sure. Curious na curious na tuloy ako sa mga mangyayari sa seryeng ‘to. Kudos sa mga director and writers pati na sa lahat ng actors. Kinikilig ako sobra.”
Jayson Laluna of Certified Kapamilya, an online community of Kapamilya fans, lauded the execution and portrayal of Jodi’s character. He said, “‘Yung motivations ng character naipaintindi ng ni Ms. Jodi, ng screenplay tapos sabayan niyo pa ng music na kapit na kapit sa tono ng series.”
“The Broken Marriage Vow” tells the story of Dra. Jill Ilustre (Jodi), a dedicated wife and mother whose life turns upside down when she suspects that her husband David (Zanjoe) is having an affair. After she confirms that he is cheating on her with a much younger woman, Lexy (Sue Ramirez), Jill behaves in destructive ways that will affect the people close to her, including her son Gio (Zaijian Jaranilla), and becomes increasingly obsessed with revenge as she tries to gain back the dignity that she believes was taken away from her because of the affair.
Viewers have a chance to see the series first on iWantTFC and Viu on Saturday (Jan. 22), 48 hours before its TV broadcast. It will be seen beginning Jan. 24 at 8:40 PM on Kapamilya Channel, TV5, A2Z, Jeepney TV, Kapamilya Online Live on ABS-CBN Entertainment’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, and TFC.
Concepcion Macatuno and Andoy Ranay directed “The Broken Marriage Vow,” the Philippine adaptation of the hit BBC series “Doctor Foster,” for ABS-CBN.