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.
In an interview on the KC After Hours podcast hosted by Karmina Constantino, Jodi recalled how her grandmother emphasized the importance of education while she was growing up.
"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'yo, but with knowledge and education, kahit anong mangyari, nandidito lang '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," she remarked.
The actress also acknowledged that education, like any meaningful pursuit, requires discipline and effort. "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," she said.
Despite her long and successful career in show business, Jodi admitted that her desire to complete her education never faded. "The yearning never left. It has always been there. I was just looking for the right time and the opportunity to do it," she remarked.
Jodi added that returning to school has brought her genuine happiness. "It makes me happy. I've been in the business 28, 29 years already, and then 'yung going back to that yearning na pagbalik sa school laging nandun 'yun. I was just looking for the right time, the right opportunity. Then in 2017. everything just fell into place," she recalled.
The actress went on: "Because I was praying to God eh. Sabi ko Lord, 'yung desire na 'to sa heart ko, if it is not from You, kung ako lang 'to, tanggalin mo na kasi hindi siya magiging posible eh. I am no superwoman, hindi ko '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."
It was in 2021 when Jodi graduated from college at 39 years old, earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology.
"Success comes to those who want it, and sometimes you have to ask yourself 'how much do I want this?' 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," she posted on Instagram at that time as she marked the milestone.
"In school, whenever I faced a seemingly insurmountable task, I’d always push myself and say, 'It can be done.' 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," she added.
Back in August 2025, Jodi shared on social media that she was almost complete with her master's degree in Counseling and Psychotherapy.
"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.
Beyond being an actress, Jodi is currently a certified Positive Psychology Coach, an Interpersonal Psychotherapy Level A Practitioner, and an Ear Acupuncture Detoxification Specialist.