Jodi Sta Maria accidentally called Richard Yap “Chenes” in front of the press

Kapamilya actress Jodi Sta Maria revealed the reason why she is calling Kapuso actor Richard Yap “Chenes.”

Jodi and Richard worked together for the first time in the defunct hit family series Be Careful With My Heart. The viewers loved their chemistry onscreen. The series lasted for two years.

Because of its success, Jodi and Richard did several projects after that. Just recently, they have their reunion project even though the actor is now under the Kapuso network.

ABS-CBN and GMA had a series collaboration Unbreak My Heart and this featured Jodi Sta Maria and Richard Yap, together with Joshua Garcia and Gabbi Garcia.

In a press conference for their finale, Jodi said, “Sayang wala siya ngayon dito.” It is because Richard was not there at that time. Then, she said, “Chenes, we miss you. Si Chenes kasi, ay sorry, si Richard naman kasi.”

Jodi was quite surprised that she mentioned her nickname for Richard. When asked why she had that term for the actor, she had this explanation.

“Kasi, ‘di ‘ba? Papa Chen siya? Pero feeling ko parang bitin, kaya Papa Chenes. Actually walang kwenta. Basta tawag ko lang sa kanya, Chenes,” the Kapamilya actress said.

Papa Chen was the character name of Richard Yap in its first TV series My Binondo Girl, featuring Kim Chiu and Xian Lim, back in 2011. His character was Chinese businessman Chen Sy.

Jodi also shared that over the years, she and Richard became close and because of this, she feels a certain comfort working with him. “Siguro pang-apat o pang-limang project na namin ito ni Richard, so masasabi ko na isa siya sa mga actor na sobrang kumportable akong ka-trabaho,” she said.

Meanwhile, in a previous interview, Jodi Sta Maria was asked about her blended family. Her son Thirdy with her former partner Pampi Lacson is also close to the latter’s current partner Iwa Moto. Jodi and Iwa are also friends.