A multi-awarded actress onscreen, a loving mom to her son Thirdy, and a traveling student of the world, Jodi Sta. Maria looks like she already wears a lot of hats. But for this well-loved artist, being an animal welfare advocate and Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) ambassador is just as important as anything else she holds close to her heart. Last August 16, Jodi attended the first-ever “STRAY-vivor Family Day” in celebration of International Homeless Animals Day where she took the stage along with her youngest rescued aspin Putol.
Speaking to an audience of animal lovers and fur parents who brought along their rescued aspins, Jodi shared her own rescue story with Putol last year.
“So pang-apat ko na siyang rescue. Si Putol ay isang probinsyano. HIndi ko siya nakuha dito sa Manila. Actually, nakita ko siya sa CCTV ng bahay ko outside of Manila. So every time, merong dumarating sa bahay na umiinom lagi ng tubig sa pool. Tapos lagi siyang may kasamang mga barkada niya. Minsan dalawa, minsan tatlo sila tapos siya. And then sa gabi, dun siya matutulog,” she said.
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When Jodi first met Putol in person when she went to her property out of town, their connection to each other came naturally.
“Isang araw, nag-visit ako sa bahay ko, siya ang sumalubong sa akin. Nung nakita niya ako, ang ginawa niya, tinaholan ako na para bang siya ang may-ari ng bahay. Tapos sabi ko, ‘ This house is mine (laughs).’ Joke lang. And then after nun, sumunod na siya sa akin. Pinapasok ko siya sa loob ng bahay. Nag-stay ako dun for four days, at four days kasama ko siya. Nakita ko yung itsura niya, may sugat siya sa face. Maaaring nasagasaan siya ng tricycle. Alam ko na part yun ng gulong ng sasakyan. Bulag yung isang mata niya dahil maaaring tinusok at saka sugatan din yung paws niya. So nag-stay siya sa akin ng four days. And then sabi ko na lang sa kanya, babalikan ko siya,” she recalled.
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But when the time came for Jodi to go back home, she did not expect Putol to have a hard time when she realized Jodi was leaving her.
“So nung day na kailangan ko na bumalik sa Manila, sumakay na ako ng sasakyan. Nakita ko si Putol na humahabol habang umaandar yung kotse ko. So eto na yung tinatawag nating ‘Stop-the-car‘ moment,” she shared. “Nung nakita ko siyang sumusunod from the side view mirror, talagang sinabi ko ‘stop!’ And then from there, inuwi ko siya.“
Jodi couldn’t bear to leave her behind, so she took Putol to the vet then home with her to meet the rest of the family.
“And then the following day, pina-vet ko na siya. Unfortunately, di na namin masasalba yung kaliwang mata niya pero nag-heal naman ng maayos yung ibang mga sugat niya sa katawan. Pag-uwi niya, nakilala niya yung tatlo ko pang mga rescues. Unang-una diyan si kuya Naia, yung aking pusa na nakuha ko sa NAIA international airport. Kasama din si ate Lily, isa ko siyang adopted dog. And then yung isa naman si Z or si Zanjo na na-rescue ko naman siya habang nag-te-taping ako ng Lavender Fields. Inabandona siya sa gilid ng tulay,” she explained.
A proud fur mom, Jodi treats all of her rescues as part of the family, saying:“Sila ang aking mga anak. Katabi ko sila matulog. Ang panganay ko ay si Thirdy. So yan po ang aking small fur family.”
With the rainy season conditions getting harsh in recent weeks, Jodi also reminded pet owners to make sure not to leave their pets behind when they need to evacuate.
“Right now, nasa monsoon season na tayo so itong mga nakaraang linggo talagang walang tigil ang ulan, nandiyan din talaga yung pagbaha and may mga areas talagaa na kailangang mag-evacuate yung matign mga kababayan because tumataas ang tubig. Isa lang din siyempre sa panawagan ko ang evacuate and leave their homes and huwag kalimutan ang kanilang mga fur babies. Sana isama nila as much as possible at huwag silang iiwan,” she said.
For more information on the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) and their “Homeless Not Worthless” campaign as well as how to adopt shelter aspin or puspin, just log on to www.paws.org.ph today.