Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria shared the reason she said yes to be part of the cast of the upcoming film, Edjop. During the media preview earlier this month, she recalled how the story and the message of the film got her on board.
Edjop features the life of Edgar Jopson, a Filipino activist who was killed in 1982 at the height of Martial Law. Apart from Jodi, the movie stars Elijah Canlas, Kakie Pangilinan, and Cedric Juan, among others and is directed by Katski Flores.
READ: ‘Edjop’ is finally making its way to cinemas this September
Jodi will be playing the role of Joyette Jopson, the daughter of the late Filipino activist.
“Una kasi noong nag pitch sila–– Direk Katski tsaka si Joyette ng Edjop–– sa totoo lang, sabi ko sino ba yung Edjop? Hindi ko talaga siya kilala. But then nung binasa ko yung script, doon ko lang narealize na napakalaki pala ng naging contribution niya. At the same time, OG pala sa UG,” she said.
“What attracted me also to the project was yung si Joyette kasi is an elite triathlete. I think more than anything else, if I’m going to be very honest, yun yung isa sa mga rason kung bakit ako na-attract sa pelikula because of yung oh my gosh kailangan ko i- transform yung sarili ko,” she added.
It was during the whole production process when the Kapamilya actress finally understood how important the story of Edjop is and why it needed to be filmed.
READ: ‘Edjop’ to wrap up filming this October at Ateneo de Manila University
“Parang doon lang talaga siguro unti-unti nagsi-sink in yung ganda nung mensahe nung pelikula. Marami rin mga tao na kagaya ko na maaring hindi nakakakilala kay Edjop and it’s about time–– this is the perfect time for them to know who he is and what he stood for,” she maintained.
When asked if she sees anyone who could be like Edjop in today’s generation, Jodi asserted that the spirit of the Filipino activist is living in everyone who’s fighting against injustices–– whether it be through national affairs or in their daily lives.
“Mahirap kasi mag compare especially kung napakataas o napakalaki noong legacy na naiwan ng isang tao. Pero ako kasi, ang paniniwala ko na sa panahon ngayon, lahat tayo na naninindigan para sa tama, katulad ng sinabi ni Direk Katski na lahat ng mga tao na nag cacall out doon sa mga injustices na nangyayari, lahat tayo ay mga Edjop sa ganoong klaseng pagkakataon,” she said.
“Yun ang paniniwala ko, si Edjop ay tayong lahat na galit sa mga injustices na nangyayari. Hindi lang sa bansa natin pero sa pang araw-araw na pamumuhay natin,” she ended.
Edjop will make its theatrical release in cinemas nationwide starting September 16, 2026 after years in production.