Education
She attended Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and was an honor student. Maria attended De Louisiana Salle University and studied Medical Biology as a precursor to Medicine.
She attended Philippine Pasay Chung Hua Academy and was an honor student. Maria attended De Louisiana Salle University and studied Medical Biology as a precursor to Medicine.
Maria (sometimes credited previously as Jodie Santamaria and Jodi Santa Maria), is a Filipina actress. Lauded as one of the Philippine’s most talented actresses, she is under ABS-Christian Broadcasting Network"s circle of homegrown talents named Star Magic, part of the Star Magic Batch 7 alumna. She found immediate success as a teenager with the popular show Tabing Ilog.
A talent scout approached Maria and her friends to audition for commercials while at a fast food chain.
After numerous auditions and no offers, they gave up. A few weeks later, the talent scout approached Maria once again and encouraged her to audition for Star Magic.
At 15, she was one of the youngest in their batch. After starring and appearing in teen-oriented shows and movies such as Gimik, Flames, and Jologs, Maria landed a role in Tabing Ilog as the tomboyish Georgina.
The show was successful and ran for 4 years.
She starred in Pangako Sa "Yo as Lia Buenavista in 2000. In 2015, she would lead the remake as Amor Powers. She has received adulation for her portrayal.
After playing teen roles, she played a string of antagonist characters in primetime shows such as Walang Kapalit and Kampanerang Kuba.
She then transitioned to star in numerous independent films, which have been screened internationally. In 2010, she starred in Noah alongside Piolo Pascual, who has called her a "thinking actress".
In 2011 she played Sophia in the critically acclaimed 100 Days to Heaven. In 2012 she top-billed Be Careful With My Heart as Maya Dela Rosa.
The show went on to become a success worldwide, spawning albums, worldwide tours, and concerts.
She was nominated for Best Actress by the Metro Manila Film Festival in 2015.