Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta. Maria is thrilled to reunite with director Derick Cabrido for her first horror film under Regal Entertainment.

During the media conference for her upcoming movie Untold, Jodi revealed that she initially swore off horror films after the challenging experience of portraying a possessed Filipina in the true-to-life-based film Clarita in 2018.

“We worked together in 2018. When we did Clarita and it was a very parang challenging, difficult project. And I told myself na after that one, hindi na, ayoko na, tigil-tigilan ko na yung horror. And then five years later, more than five years later, heto, dumating na naman yung Derick may hit pitch,” Jodi shared.

Jodi admitted that she doesn’t immediately accept projects without thoroughly reviewing the script. However, knowing that Direk Derick was involved gave her the confidence to take another shot at the horror genre.

“Noong binasa ko ng ayos yung script, nagustuhan ko siya kasi kakaiba siya. And working with Direk kasi parang yung working relationship namin is built on trust,” she expressed.

Jodi praised the director for his collaborative directing style and his openness to input from actors.

Jodi added, “I super trust him as my director. What I like about him is he's very collaborative. Alam mo yung open siya to suggestions. He's open to, yung insights na manggagaling sa actors niya.”

The actress also commended Derick for his honesty and vision, which make the filmmaking process seamless.

“I like his honesty po. Na pag for example, meron siyang gustong gawin sa isang scene, hindi siya magdadalawang iisip na let's try it this way or that way. And since I super trust him, parang kahit sige, let's do it,” she stated.

For his part, Direk Derick emphasized his belief in a collaborative filmmaking process, allowing actors the creative freedom to interpret their characters naturally.

“For me kasi, all projects, especially for films, should be collaborative. Because the moment the camera rolls, wala na eh. I mean, nasa artista na. You have to give the freedom to the actor to be free to deliver her character, the way she is or he is na nakikita niya,” he said.

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“Honestly, there are some projects na nakakatrabaho mo yung artista and then after that, hanggang doon na lang yun,” he continued.

Cabrido also noted that while some professional relationships end after a project, his bond with Jodi has grown into a lasting friendship over the years.

“Yung relationship namin, it grows into a friendship kahit hindi namin nakikita for a while,” he said.

Untold is a psychological horror film that follows Vivian Vera (Jodi Sta. Maria), a reporter willing to do anything for fame, including spreading fake news. It is one of the final projects approved by the late Lily Monteverde before her passing.

The film also stars Juan Karlos, Sarah Edwards, Joem Bascon, Lianne Valentin, and Gloria Diaz. The much-anticipated horror film is set to premiere in cinemas worldwide on April 30.