“So blessed to have them in my life.” 

Known as a staunch advocate of animal welfare, Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria took to Instagram to express her appreciation for her three adopted fur babies – Lily, Zandro, and Naia. 

“Lily, Z, and Naia — three little souls who found their way to me when they needed love the most. But somewhere along the way, they became my greatest comfort, my sweetest companions, and the quiet reminder that love doesn’t just heal… it transforms,” she wrote. 

This is not the first time the multi-awarded actress talked about her beloved fur babies as she regularly posts updates about them. 

Among the three, Naia, a stray cat named after the place where he was found — the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) — came first in Jodi’s life in 2023.  

Lily, a black aspin (asong pinoy), came next in 2024 while Zandro or Z, a white puppy Jodi first encountered on a taping set, was the recent addition to the family.  

The 42-year-old actress collaborated with People for Ethical Treatment of Animals in amplifying the call “Adopt, never shop” in the same year. 

In a PETA advertisement, Jodi shared that she was raised in a pet-loving family: “When I was young, I remember growing up in a household with animals. My mom naman, would pick up stray dogs.” 

The actress pointed out in the same advertisement that the country is facing an “animal homelessness crisis.” 

“Hindi lahat aware na mayroon tayong animal homelessness crisis dito sa Philippines. But I feel with proper education and also if we raise awareness, then the animal homelessness crisis will be addressed,” she said.  

Although she acknowledged that not everyone is capable of fostering animals, she emphasized that “you can do something.” 

“Help support organizations na naghe-help sa mga animals. You can always give your time and your effort by volunteering and using your social media platforms to get the word out there,” she appealed.  

This coming April 30, Jodi will once again hit the big screen with Joem Bascon, Juan Karlos, Gloria Diaz, Mylene Dizon, Kaori Oinuma, Sarah Edwards, and Lianne Valentin for the horror film Untold. 

The said horror film follows her recently concluded drama series Lavender Fields.

—By Clarence Gillego