Bela Padilla. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
“I’m officially joining Richard and Gerald in their new show!”
Bela Padilla made the statement, referring to a yet-to-be-titled action drama series for ABS-CBN led by Gerald Anderson and Richard Gutierrez.
The actress shot last Friday the teaser promo for her big series comeback and sat down with ABS-CBN News to share her excitement. Her last full-length TV series was back in 2019, "Sino Ang May Sala: Mea Culpa," but she did a cameo appearance in "Pamilya Sagrado" last year. And now, she’s back full-time to work on a series.
Padilla revealed that two stories were presented to her. “First story was very different. And I loved it. When they shifted to this, itong second story, sabi ko, ‘Ah okay, this is something I haven’t done before!’” she said.
“This is very new for me, bagong-bagong character. Bagong genre din, first time kong mag action-drama. I think people will also be surprised sa magiging takbo ng kwento dito, and nung character ko dito,” she added.
She admits there are nerves -- “Hindi ko nga alam kung marunong pa ba ako mag-taping?” she said -- but she is all in for this project.
“Mentally, yes! I’m ready. Work always excites me. I think everyone who knows me, knows that I thrive while on set. So I’m excited to go back,” Padilla said. “Physically, I’ve been training for the show. Dahil nga action-drama ito, medyo mapapasabak tayo sa action. I’ve started taking Muay Thai lessons again. I’m learning stunts from Erwin Tagle.”
“Emotionally, I would say I’m always ready,” she added.
“First time to work with Gerald Anderson; with Richard, worked with him a long time ago. He’s such a pleasant person to work with. I’m so excited how we’re all going to balance each other out.”
Compared to before, Padilla said she is in tip-top shape going into this project.
“I feel a lot healthier and stronger now than in my 20’s. I’m only 34 now. I know my body so much more now. Dati kasi puyat na puyat lagi, when I was doing ‘Probinsyano’ I had two movies on the side, I was not sleeping, I was not eating, I was always tired. I wasn’t taking care of myself,” she said.
“If anything, I feel like I’m in a better shape now.”
She continued, “Not just my health, I want to be my best. Grabe ang drive ko ngayon. I feel like ang tagal kong naka-leash.”
Aside from this TV project, Padilla’s heavy-drama movie with Carlo Aquino is about to spring in cinemas this March. With all these projects, will she ever have time for love, especially after being single again?
“Not gonna lie: honestly, it’s not at the top of my priorities right now. I feel like I’m blessed to be given good projects, I want to return the love that I’m given,” Padilla said.
“Things are falling into place, things are doing okay. That’s why I feel lighter now, kasi nakikita ko na, na may nakikinig na sa akin.”