Jodi Sta. Maria opened up about going above and beyond learning a language for her upcoming film “Midnight Girls.” 

In giving justice to her character and to add nuance to her performance, Jodi immersed herself in the world of Filipina entertainers in Japan. 

At the press launch and advance screening of the movie last April 15, Jodi revealed that she spent three days  at a real omise (hostess bar) in Nagoya, Japan.

Recalling the experience with her co-actresses, she said, “Bukod dun sa kailangan naming aralin magsalita ng Nihongo, meron din kaming ginawang immersion.”

“Walang nakakaalam sa mga Japanese clients na pumunta doon kung sino kami o kung bakit kami nandoon. Ang alam lang nila, mga bago kaming salta na babae,” she confessed.

Jodi, 43, explained that they had to fully adapt to the setup, “So, kailangan naming mag-show up at pumila. Pipili iyong Hapon kung sino sa amin ang gusto niyang maka-table. May part din dun na i-entertain mo talaga sila.”

She added that the experience went as real as it could get. “And then, kung sinabi nilang kumanta ka, kakanta ka. Kung papasayawin ka nila, sumayaw ka. And then, there was one night, nagkaroon kami ng parang mini-show na merong center stage doon wherein the four of us had to perform. And then, doon namin na-experience na iyong mga chopsticks, sinisingit nila. Kasi iyon ‘yung parang tip.”

On the challenges, she admitted “Ang thick lang talaga ng language barrier. Pero hindi naman kami pinabayaan ng mga Mama (Mama-san) namin doon. In-assist talaga nila kami.”

Despite the intensity of the experience, Jodi said she was grateful for it, even sharing a light moment about an upside. “Dahil doon sa immersion namin, nagpapasalamat din ako doon dahil one month akong hindi gumastos para may pangbili ako ng mga kape. So, kumita din ako sa Japan,” she quipped.

"Midnight Girls" is directed by Irene Emma Villamor ("The Loved One" and "Only We Know") and stars Sanya Lopez, Loisa Andalio, Jane Oineza, and Jodi Sta. Maria as lead actresses, alongside Zaijian Jaranilla, Miggy Jimenez, Shamaine Buencamino, Meryll Soriano, and Carmi Martin.

The film is scheduled to be released in cinemas nationwide on May 13, 2026.