Flonique Guimary

Jodi Sta. Maria on pursuing her education

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E. Kristhoff Cagape

Push Team

<p>Jodi Sta. Maria talked about why pursuing education has always been important to her, sharing that the value of learning was instilled in her at a young age.</p><p>In an interview on the<em> KC After Hours</em> podcast hosted by Karmina Constantino, Jodi recalled how her grandmother emphasized the importance of education while she was growing up.</p><p>&quot;As a child, it was something that my grandmother really instilled in me and my brother — how important education is, how important parang gathering or learning new things is, kasi that is something that cannot be taken from you. I mean, all the material stuff pwedeng kunin ‘yan eh. Isang araw, pwede kang magising na wala na ang mga bagay-bagay sa&#x27;yo, but with knowledge and education, kahit anong mangyari, nandidito lang &#x27;yan [in your brain] and magagamit mo siya... [as] a tool or vehicle to get you where you want to go, where you want to be,&quot; she remarked.</p><p>The actress also acknowledged that education, like any meaningful pursuit, requires discipline and effort. &quot;Of course, all of us have goals in life but then some particular goals hindi naman pwedeng wishful thinking lang, makakarating ka dun. It will require hard work and a massive action, and part of that is learning,&quot; she said.</p><p>Despite her long and successful career in show business, Jodi admitted that her desire to complete her education never faded. &quot;The yearning never left. It has always been there. I was just looking for the right time and the opportunity to do it,&quot; she remarked.</p><p>Jodi added that returning to school has brought her genuine happiness. &quot;It makes me happy. I&#x27;ve been in the business 28, 29 years already, and then &#x27;yung going back to that yearning na pagbalik sa school laging nandun &#x27;yun. I was just looking for the right time, the right opportunity. Then in 2017. everything just fell into place,&quot; she recalled.</p><p>The actress went on: &quot;Because I was praying to God eh. Sabi ko Lord, &#x27;yung desire na &#x27;to sa heart ko, if it is not from You, kung ako lang &#x27;to, tanggalin mo na kasi hindi siya magiging posible eh. I am no superwoman, hindi ko &#x27;to magagawa. Now if this desire is God-given, if this is from You, then give me the grace to do it. Give me the grace to pull it off.&quot;</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/CQdDvjIh0fu/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=607&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A11991753.699999988%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1293" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>It was in 2021 when Jodi graduated from college at 39 years old, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.</p><p>&quot;Success comes to those who want it, and sometimes you have to ask yourself &#x27;how much do I want this?&#x27; I dreamt of finishing my schooling ever since I entered show business and today, after more than a decade, marks the fulfillment of that dream. After 4 long years, I am here graduating from college,&quot; she posted on Instagram at that time as she marked the milestone.</p><p>&quot;In school, whenever I faced a seemingly insurmountable task, I’d always push myself and say, &#x27;It can be done.&#x27; I knew that God was with me all throughout my college life and I kept holding on to His promise that I can do all things through Him who gave me strength and supplied me with more than I needed according to His glorious riches in Christ Jesus. God is always faithful to his word,&quot; she added.</p><p>Back in August 2025, Jodi shared on social media that she was almost complete with her master&#x27;s degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy.</p><p>&quot;This was once just a dream. I once whispered this desire to God and kept it safely tucked in my heart. There were days I questioned myself–– my timing, my worth, my path. But the dream never left. Between healing, working, and showing up for life… I chose to grow–– quietly, consistently,” she wrote on Instagram back in August of last year.</p><p>Beyond being an actress, Jodi is currently a certified Positive Psychology Coach, an Interpersonal Psychotherapy Level A Practitioner, and an Ear Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.</p>

<p>Despite her long and successful career in show business, Jodi Sta. Maria admits that her desire to complete her education never faded.</p>

Despite her long and successful career in show business, Jodi Sta. Maria admits that her desire to complete her education never faded.

Jodi Sta. Maria on pursuing her education: 'That yearning na pagbalik sa school laging nandun'

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Jodi Sta. Maria on pursuing her education: 'That yearning na pagbalik sa school laging nandun'

Toff C.,

Push Team

Published Jan 19, 2026 11:35 AM PHT

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