PLAYING the role of a possessed woman in a movie that’s inspired by true events proved to be challenging for Jodi Sta. Maria.
The Kapamilya actress spoke at length about her role on Sunday in an interview after the press conference for “Clarita,” the first horror film to be released by Black Sheep.
“I would say na this is one of the most difficult, most dangerous and most challenging na nagawa ko sa buhay ko,” she said.
Sta. Maria found it to be difficult not only because it was her first time to do an exorcism movie, but also because she had to do the stunts on her own.
“Kasi po may mga scenes na very physical so hindi maiiwasan na hindi magkapasa. May mga times din na sumakit ‘yung crotch area. It’s because of the harness na kailangan kong gawin,” she said.
“There was one whole day na shinoot talaga namin ‘yung scenes na kailangan ng harness. Halos lahat po kasi nung stunts, ako po ‘yung gumawa. That’s the first time na ginawa ko ‘yun for a project kaya sinabi din po nila na talagang itinodo,” she added.
When asked why did not ask for a double, the actress admitted: “Maganda din kasi na for once in your life, ma-experience mo ‘yung mga bagay na ganun. Kahit hindi ka komportable, kailangan mong gawin kasi later on, baon mo yun.”
Furthermore, Sta. Maria said she had to learn three foreign languages which she had to deliver while acting.
“I guess isa din ‘yun sa naging challenge sa akin while doing it. Of course, hindi ko naman naiintindihan ang Latin. Hindi rin ako marunong mag-German or French. Pero kailangan mo sabihin with full conviction. Memorize mo na lang ‘yung words but you don’t know what it means. But ‘yung context niya alam mo. You have to deliver it with conviction and emotion,” she said.
Despite this, Sta. Maria is grateful to be given the project.
“Last year siya in-offer. During that time, ginagawa ko yung ‘Sana Dalawa ang Puso.’ Hindi ko agad nasagot ‘yung producer namin for the reason na hindi ko kayang gawin kasi meron akong dalawang character na ginagampanan for ‘Sana Dalawa ang Puso,’” she said.
“Iniisip ko ayaw kong gumawa ng isang proyekto na hindi ko mabibigyan ng justice ‘yung isang character kasi I will be very unfair to my audience, to myself and to the production people. I am glad na siguro inadya rin ni God na mapunta ako sa proyekto kasi nagkaroon din ng delay sa development ng script hanggang sa nagtugma din lahat ng schedule,” she added.
To prepare for her role, Sta. Maria said she did a lot of research about Clarita and even watched a documentary about her.
“To be honest, I never knew that Clarita existed until prinesent sa akin ‘yung script at gumawa ako ng research because they told me true story nga ito. Doon lang ako na-familiarize sa kanya at sa kuwento niya. It’s the first documented possession in the Philippines pero hindi lang siya dito umingay, hanggang sa Europe pinag-usapan siya,” she said.
The film centers on Sta. Maria’s character Clarita Villanueva, whose possession in the 1950s became the first-ever recorded in the Philippines.
Clarita tests the faith of priests Salvador (Ricky Davao) and Benedicto (Arron Villaflor) when they are tasked to perform an exorcism on her after a group of doctors was killed by supernatural forces.
Meanwhile, a photojournalist investigates the truth about Clarita’s possession and helps the two priests perform the exorcism.
In their journey to help Clarita, they will encounter demonic obstacles that will prevent them from performing the exorcism.
Directed by Derick Cabrido, “Clarita” will open in cinemas nationwide on June 12. It also stars Alyssa Muhlach, Romnick Sarmienta, Nonie Buencamino, Angeli Bayani and Che Ramos. (ABS-CBN News)
