Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria lends her voice to the upcoming ABS-CBN News documentary “Hindi Suntok Sa Buwan Ang Kapayapaan,” a story about the women of Bangsamoro, during a recording session at the ABS-CBN News studio in Quezon City on September 3, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria was initially planning to take a break from acting after a busy year, but found that she could not turn down the offer to join the sequel to "Miracle in Cell No. 7."
In 2026, Sta. Maria has already starred in three movies: "Midnight Girls," "Ganito, Ganyan, Ganoon," and the upcoming "Edjop."
In "2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7," she will play Angela, the wife of Lito and mother of Yesha. The movie is a sequel to the 2019 Filipino adaptation that starred Aga Muhlach and Xia Vigor.
READ: Jodi Sta. Maria joins Aga Muhlach, Xia Vigor in '2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7'
"This project came as a sweet surprise. Napag-usapan ng management ko na I think this year quota na ako sa projects na nagawa ko," said Sta. Maria in Sunday's press conference in Pasig City.
"Rest na lang muna and then next year na lang. But this project came along, how do you say no to this?" she added.
"The script was sent over. Binasa ko, nag-pitch sila—I want to do this. Kaya sinabi ko, I am good for one more to end this year."
READ: Jodi Sta. Maria lends voice to ABS-CBN documentary 'Hindi Suntok Sa Buwan Ang Kapayapaan'
"2nd Miracle in Cell No. 7" will be one of the entries for the 52nd edition of the Metro Manila Film Festival in December.
The first movie, "Miracle in Cell No. 7," was the top-grosser in the 45th MMFF, earning more than P540-million.
According to Muhlach, Sta. Maria was their top choice to play his character’s wife.
"Nakita natin kung gaano kagaling ang kasama ko. Kaya nung napag-usapan na gagawin ito at maging asawa at nanay ng anak ko—siya kaagad," he said. "Impossible hindi siya ang gumanap."
"Miracle in Cell No. 7" follows a mentally impaired father (Muhlach) who is sent to prison for the accidental death of a government official's daughter. His warmth and innocence win over his hardened cellmates, prompting them to sneak his young daughter (Vigor) into their cell.
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