Ciar: Bela Padilla Konserbatibong Magdalena

Troy Ciar
Super Kah

SA TV parang morena ka lang pero in person ang puti-puti mo pala?

Pinapaitim po nila ako sa mga show kasi nagwa-wash out ako sa camera. Ito po yung natural. My dad is British po kasi. My hair is naturally blond. I color it black lang for TV. 

How are you related to Robin Padilla?

Tito Robin is my uncle. He and my mom are first cousins. Their moms are sisters.

Actually, we’re doing right now a movie, Kuratong Baleleng. So it’s like the whole Padilla clan is gonna be in one movie together. Very exciting.

How do you keep a sexy body?

I eat healthy food like gulay especially ampalaya. I drink a lot of water. I eat pork lahat po except dinuguan and balot. Bawal sa religion. For my exercise, I swim. Pag hindi ako pagod I try swimming sa umaga. Pero lately hindi siya feasible kasi napa-pack-up kami araw na eh.  

Sa bago mong seryeng Magdalena sa GMA, gaano ka-sexy yung role mo?

Hindi ganun kalaki yung magiging role ng katawan ko sa Magdalena kasi yung outfit parang additional requirement na lang sa isang artista, pero yung emotion at ugali ni Magdalena tumapang siya.

So far, anong pinaka-daring scene mo sa Magdalena?

Wala pa po kasi nasa probinsya pa kami. So dapat abangan po nila yan. Wala pa akong idea gusto yata nila akong i-surpresa. Siyempre meron ding limitation na kailangang pasok sa standard for television. Like, I also write for Manila Bulletin and Mega. So, I have a name to protect. 

What are your limitations when it comes to sexy role?

I don’t like kasi doing it for the sake of doing it. Gusto ko may dahilan kung bakit ako nagpapa-sexy, bakit ko kailangang gawin ito. My limitation should be bound within reason so that also my mom won’t kill me. (laughs)

So, may mga restriction yung mom mo?

No naman, siguro ayaw lang ng mom ko na magmukha akong parang di kaaya-aya. Gusto niya siyempre, eh ok pa rin akong tignan pagkatapos ng show na ito. And I’m very confident
na magiging ok naman kasi yung pagkakasulat ng script malalim eh, ang ganda.

Are you still with Party Pilipinas?

I don’t Party P. anymore. I spend Sundays sa religion namin, Jehova’s Witness. Ang kaibahan sa religion namin is that they trained our conscience to know if you’re doing something wrong or right. Doon lang ako natutuwa na napalaki ako sa religion na `to kasi meron akong clear idea of what I can and cannot do. Like I’ve done a couple of few kontrabida roles and they always say na sana ipakita lang lagi na yung good character ang magwawagi sa huli, mas ganun yung binabantayan ko.

How conservative are you?

Honestly, I believe that being conservative is not about what you wear. I can wear short shorts and I don’t think I’m violating anyone’s principle in life. It’s more of actions. And I feel my actions speak that yes, I’m a conservative person. I don’t like going out at night. I don’t go to party. I don’t put myself in a situation that I’ll be in trouble. No, I don’t smoke. I drink occasionally. I only had one boyfriend and we’re always in my house chaperoned by my cousin or my mom.

But right now you’re being linked with Neil Arce. Are you exclusively dating?

Yeah, I would like to think so. Pangit naman kung liligawan niya ako tapos magdi-date siya ng iba.

Ang sagot mo lang sa mga previous interview mo about Neil is “let me enjoy being human?”

Kasi for the past years I was just really so focused on working even until now I’m still like that. Pag may nanliligaw talagang “no”, nagbe-beg off ako na parang huwag muna. I’m so shocked na bigla kong na-open yung sarili ko to something happy naman.

Kasi I’ve been pushing myself too hard at work. So I’m just enjoying it. 

Anong nakita mo kay Neil na siya ang pinili mo?

I think yung personality namin very similar. It’s so nice there’s someone who understands you especially my work.

How are you and Jason Abalos?

I haven’t talked to him in a long time. I was only 17 when I met Jason. Bata pa naman ako I’m only 21. May label lang kaming mag-boyfriend pero he’s more like a bestfriend, a companion. We lasted for two and a half years. 

How’s Gina Alajar as a director in Magdalena?

Yung Gina Alajar as a director is very similar to Gina Alajar as a person. Masayahin and very motherly. Like nung isang araw ang sakit ng tiyan ko while nagte-taping kami.

Nagpakuha agad siya ng gamut, very maalaga.

How about your co-stars?

Ay sarap, lahat sila. Si Pauleen Luna di ko inexpect na I get that close to her kaagad in a day. First taping day pa lang she’s so nice, unbelievable. Kasi I’m not that close to many showbiz people. Hindi ako nagmi-mingle cuz I don’t go out eh. Though I have a few good friends, like Chariz Solomon, Sarah Lahbati is my bestfriend also.

So, hindi mo na-experience yung kay Marian Rivera?

(Laughs) Next question… I’ve never seen her since (our feud). Si Dingdong (Dantes) I think sa Bench event, I knew he’s there but hindi rin kami nagkita. Ay, I’m super ok, that was two years ago, so many good things have happened in my life.

So, with Gina Alajar and a powerhouse cast, can we expect an intense acting from you in Magdalena?

I hope you don’t expect muna anything. Open your heart and mind to the trend. I think it’s gonna be pretty enjoyable naman. I hope you guys have fun watching it. I hope everyone learns a thing or two from Magdalena, which premieres on October 8 on GMA afternoon prime.