Bela Padilla shared that although she has already parted ways with her former boyfriend Norman Bay, their friendship continues.
In an interview on Boy Abunda's The Interviewer, Bela recounted that she first met Norman when she was shooting the 2018 movie Meet Me In St. Gallen in Switzerland. "
"So, I've known him that long. It's been a while, so I feel like the friendship will never go away. But yeah, some people nga they are really just meant to be a chapter in your life. They are meant to pass through your life. I'm at peace with that naman po," she said.
When it comes to her current state of mind, Bela shared that she is currently more focused on her career than on her personal life.
"Right now, I am not worried because I genuinely like what I'm doing. But 'yun nga I'm not putting any attention right now to my personal life, which is okay with me," she remarked.
The A Special Memory star also recalled reading an online comment that implied her life was lacking because she was not in a relationship, a notion she disagrees with.
"Recently nga I spoke to Luis Manzano for his vlog and nakita kong may isang nag-comment na parang, kasi the interview was about the industry. It was an in-depth conversation about how the things are working and not working right now, right? So lahat ng comments were about the industry and may isang one person who wrote parang: 'Sayang 'to noh, wala siyang relationship na nagwo-work. 'Yun na lang 'yung kulang sa kanya.' And I thought to myself, why is not being in a relationship such a no-no for a Filipino woman? Di ba? Parang why is not being able to hold on to a relationship only the problem of a woman also?" she reflected.
Bela further clarified that she does not view her relationship with Norman as a failure.
"I don't see my relationship with Norman as a failure. In fact, it served its purpose for me and for him. I don't see the ending of our relationship as something bad. It just served its purpose already," she remarked.
In an interview with Karen Davila in September 2025, Bela opened up about the reason behind her split with Norman.
The actress disclosed that their separation largely stemmed from her decision to return to the Philippines.
"I think it was really just the reality of me moving back here. We had a talk, like it was a very mature conversation. We spoke about my moving back here. And I asked him, what are your plans for the next five years, the next ten years? Do you see yourself moving here also? And at that time when we first had that conversation, he very bluntly said no," she said.
READ: Bela Padilla reveals reason behind breakup with Swiss boyfriend Norman Bay
The actress said she fully respected Norman's decision to stay in London, noting that he has built a strong and meaningful career there.
"I super respected that 'cause I am the same too. If he asked me back then, 'If I ask you right now to get married so you would stay, would you say yes?' I would've also said no. So, I feel like we both knew where we had to be. And he has such a beautiful career also in London, he has such a good job. I feel like he has found his purpose also," the actress stated.