Bela Padilla
While Bela Padilla is aware that her ex-boyfriend Neil Arce is back in the dating scene three months after their breakup, she insists she doesn’t know if there is truth to the latest rumor that her former beau is now seeing Angel Locsin.
“But if they indeed are, I’m happy for them. Angel is a kind person,” Bela told reporters at a recent press con for the
coming rom-com film, “Luck at First Sight” (May 3), which she costars with Jericho Rosales.
Talk about the brewing romance between Neil and Angel began after they were spotted with friends in Hong Kong during the Holy Week.
Despite having ended their romance, Bela said she and Neil were “super OK.” The plot of “Luck” was crafted by Bela and Neil, who likewise coproduced the movie with Viva Films.
Bela added that tackling work-related matters with Neil is actually much easier nowadays. “We can talk more freely now; we don’t have to worry if we need to shoot each other’s ideas down.”
The split happened while the movie was still being shot. And during that rough patch, Bela related, it was her screen partner, Jericho, who became her confidante of sorts.
“He was always ready to listen to me and gave me valuable advice,” related the 25-year-old actress. “Tough situations bring out the best in people. Echo did that to me, because he was such a positive person. He cheered me up, and told me that there’s always a silver lining.”
In the Dan Villegas-helmed film, which is said to also feature “fantasy and magical elements,” Bela plays Diane, a girl who curiously brings good luck to the cash-strapped Joma (Jericho), but only if she’s near him. They soon discover the catch: The luck stops if they fall in love.
As for her own love life, Bela said that she hoped to fall in love again someday. It wasn’t as if she was traumatized by her relationship with Neil, she said. “We had a good run.”
At the moment, it’s her career she wants to focus on. Aside from acting, Bela is also an aspiring screenwriter. “I’m very serious about this; I don’t do anything halfheartedly,” said Bela, who recently took workshops under Ricky Lee.
“I had no formal training. Now I know the basics, the terms. But what really touched and inspired me was Ricky’s vote of confidence,” she said. “If he feels you’re worthy of a slot in his workshop, you must be doing something right.”