Bela Padilla: “Nothing I need vindication for”

CEBU, Philippines -  Initial verdict is in: Bela Padilla’s soap is reported to be the lowest-rating among GMA-7’s current Afternoon Prime line-up, with some scenes allegedly rewritten and characters enhanced to remedy the lukewarm audience response. The drama Magdalena: Anghel sa Putikan is Bela’s biggest break to date, as she plays the title role of a provincial lass forced by circumstance to engage in the flesh trade.

While a show’s lead star is not automatically at fault for a ratings slump (could be an unconvincing script, for one), perception outweighs reality and blame is most often heaped on whomever is top-billing a said project.

Bela’s case is no exception. Online forums are rife with remarks saying she can act, but just lacks the “It” factor and mass appeal. Some feel she isn’t lead star material. Others point out that Pauleen Luna, who plays Bela’s scheming half-sister, is better suited for the Magdalena role.

Hurtful these may be, trust the level-headed 21-year old to take it all in stride. In an interview with The FREEMAN and other local media before her soap’s debut, Bela was first to admit that she still has a long way to go.

“I can still get so much better. There’s always room for improvement. And I’m very new.  I’d like to think that I’m far from where I want to be because it’s going to be more exciting to think that I’ve got so many things to learn. I shouldn’t put in my head that I’m already good, because it would no longer be exciting. I love my work so much, I want it to be as exciting as it can get every day,” the leggy half-Brit said.

She cited an eye-opener of a conversation she had with veteran actor Roderick Paulate during her guest appearance in Protégé.

“He told me that until now, he still learns. He was my idol in Munting Heredera. Sobrang galing niya doon. He shared there were moments he couldn’t cry and that he would ask for a bit of time. May panahon ngayon na nape-pressure ako na kapag hindi ako nakaiyak, nahihiya ako. Yun pala, the veterans still have those moments too. Nakakatuwa that even them, they’re still learning. So I still have so much stuff to look forward to.”

Pat on the back

When the actress heard GMA-7 was planning to rehash Magdalena, she informed its producers of her interest to audition. News that she would be its main star — her first lead after four years in the biz — reduced her to tears, Bela shared. “The whole time, it turned out they were already eyeing me. I don’t think it was tailor-made for me though, because I’m actually having a hard time adjusting to my character.”

“I’ve waited for this for so long. My first audition was five years ago. I was 17 years old and I remember being so scared. I guess it’s just really timing. I feel like all actors are waiting for this moment, and I’ve worked so hard for this. I had shows where I was only a support cast, but I would arrive earlier and leave much later than the main stars. Lahat naman siguro ng pagod for my age, na-try ko na rin. I feel like I’m being rewarded with this. It’s like a pat on the back, like GMA is telling me they trust me with this soap,” she beamed.

With this vote of confidence from her home network, was there a small part in her which felt vindicated from the numerous haters that sprung primarily after her conflict with Marian Rivera?

“I feel like I don’t need vindication because I know I didn’t do anything wrong. I know I’ve lived a clean life for the past couple of years, so there’s nothing I need vindication for. My vindication is more personal, in that I know deep inside I didn’t do anything wrong,” the actress stressed.

Big transition

Her character Magdalena starts out as a girl with simple ambitions. One unfortunate event after another will bring her to a brothel in Manila. From being so naive, she is forced to learn the art of seduction in order to survive. “Back in the province, her boyfriend Abel (Dion Ignacio) respected her so much, but later on she had to sell her body. From that life, to being raped everyday by different men — it was such a big transition for my character,” said Bela.

Most of her scenes require heavy emotions, and this has taken a toll on her both physically and emotionally.

“I have yet to have a scene where I’m smiling. Not even once. It’s very draining. I lost so much weight because I have this thing that when I cry so much, I get depressed and I don’t eat.”

She is grateful to have a Gina Alajar at the helm, describing her as a “generous director, because she gives me so many stimulus and types of motivations so that I can pull the right strings. But what is more nice, she doesn’t want me to rely on her. She guides me, but she doesn’t spoon-feed me.”

As to how daring she’s willing to go to portray a believable prostitute, Bela remarked that only until what television regulations will allow.

“I was told we will explore the boundaries and really go over the edge. But we can’t do much, because we want our show to still be tasteful and something that children can watch. I feel this is one of the shows where viewers can learn a lot from, one of which is to be not so naïve. And that women don’t have to do what other people tell them; they can stand up for themselves.” 

Unlike her famous action star uncle and some cousins who are known Muslims, Bela is a Jehovah’s Witness member. She was asked if her religious sect imposes rules such as not wearing skimpy clothing or acting suggestively on-camera. “They don’t actually give restrictions at all. Instead, they train your conscience so that you can determine for yourself between right and wrong. I’m happy that I ended up having a keen sense of when I’m already going too far or if I’m still doing what’s right. Based on the Bible, they show us what we can and cannot do, and then it’s up to us to decide.”

It’s this very same mindset of individual empowerment, among females especially, that she hopes to advocate through her soap’s storyline. Bela is in fact a member of “Called to Rescue”, an organization that helps women and children victims of human trafficking.

“Basically, you can call this hotline wherever you are in the world to pick you up if you’re in danger of being trafficked. Since my character is a victim of human trafficking, that advocacy of mine hits close to home,” she said.

Sexy assassin

Young as she is, Bela still has a long list of things she hopes to achieve. One of these is to appear in more independent films. So far, she has starred in two indies: Bangkang Papel, released last year; and the upcoming Aso’t Pusa’t Daga, the plot of which is based on a political massacre in Mindanao.

She also joins the Padilla clan in the mainstream action flick, Kuratong Baleleng. The movie stars her uncles, Robin and Rommel Padilla, and cousins Kylie and Daniel Padilla.

“I’m a killer, a member of Kuratong Baleleng’s Manila chapter. Ako yung pinapadala pag may gusto silang lokohin na lalaki or to close deals with officials because I’m good in getting my way. Lahat kami, iba’t-ibang weapon of choice. Kylie will be good with armalites, ako naman sa balisong. My scenes here are very light, so I had a diversion from the dramatic stuff in Magdalena,” said Bela, who added that her dream role at the moment is Carlo J. Caparas’ Angela Merkado.

Between filming the movie and taping for her daily soap, Bela has undoubtedly a fuller calendar these days. Of what she misses the most with the lesser free time, “My DVD player! Before, I would spend my free time on DVD marathons. I would watch a TV series for two days straight. I also like reading, and I used to bring books to shoots so I can read during my vacant time. But I don’t have time for that these days.”

Since she works Mondays thru Saturdays, Bela makes sure to nurture her spiritual side too by blocking off her Sundays. This day she spends in church with her family. “I requested from management not to include me in Party Pilipinas so I can go to Kingdom Hall. Ang gulo na ng buhay mo, tapos hindi ka pa nagsisimba. It’s hard not to have guidance.”

Boy Abunda bares it all in ‘The Bottomline’

Tables are going to turn for Asia’s King of Talk Boy Abunda tonight (November 3) as he takes the hot seat in the second part of his birthday special in “The Bottomline With Boy Abunda.”

Discover the real Boy behind the glitz and glamour of showbiz as he exchange places with his special guests celebrity mommies Grace Poe, Valerie Concepcion, Edith Burgos, Mozzy Ravena, Genelyn Magsaysay, Elena Bautista Horn, and Risa Hontiveros.

What are the trials and hardships that Boy had to go through before he reached his dreams? Does he have any regrets?

As he turns another year older, what is the greatest lesson that Boy has learned in his life? Don’t miss Boy’s birthday special in the ‘Ani ng Dangal 2012’ awardee “The Bottomline with Boy Abunda”11:30 pm tonight, after “Banana Split” on ABS-CBN.

New moms Katrina Halili and Sunshine Dizon join Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid in Sarap Diva

Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid gets intimate with her guests, new moms Katrina Halili and Sunshine Dizon, this Saturday on GMA’s most entertaining food show, Sarap Diva!

Baby Nate Alcasid’s first birthday party is fast approaching and a party is already underway! And both Katrina and Sunshine will share their favorite dessert recipes for Baby Nate’s celebration.

Aside from her Nutty Coated Crunchie and Banana Sampler recipes, Sunshine will also share her real-life experiences in raising her two babies, while Katrina will speak about her entertaining and challenging experiences in raising baby Katrence with her partner Kris Lawrence.

The three new moms will share stories and honest reactions to the criticism that they get about their weight, how they are currently working on getting back into shape, and their future plans as new mothers.

And in true Diva style, Regine will perform an inspiring number for all mothers, who like all three of them, go through the daily ups and downs, bitter challenges, and the overwhelming sweetness of motherhood.

Join the fun conversations, enjoy the delicious food, and sing along with Regine in Sarap Diva today, 9:40 A.M., on GMA.

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi, Sting to headline Hurricane Sandy benefit concert

Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Billy Joel — who all hail from states that were hard hit by Hurricane Sandy — will headline a benefit concert supporting victims of the massive storm.

NBC has announced plans for Hurricane Sandy: Coming Together, a televised concert special to benefit the American Red Cross.

Long Island’s Joel and New Jersey sons Springsteen and Bon Jovi will be joined on the lineup by music stars like Christina Aguilera and Sting, comedian Jimmy Fallon and Today Show anchor Matt Lauer, who will host the event.

The telecast will air from New York’s Rockefeller Center at 8 p.m. ET Friday on NBC and its cable stations, including Bravo, CNBC and E! It will be broadcast on tape delay to the West Coast.

NBC invited other networks to join in.

Other celebrity-led efforts include a fundraising initiative started by actor Edward Norton on CrowdRise.com.

Sandy, which morphed into a massive storm system earlier this week, devastated the U.S. Northeast coastal region and caused dozens of deaths in the U.S. and Canada.

Hundreds of thousands remain without power and the worst-hit regions are still suffering with flooded areas, power outages, blocked transportation, limited potable water and extensive storm debris.

However, many communities, including New York City, have begun returning to normal. In the entertainment world, dozens of Broadway shows raised their curtains on Wednesday for the first time since the storm, while live studio audiences returned for tapings of late-night talk shows.

Springsteen, whose Tuesday night concert in Rochester, N.Y., was postponed due to the storm, offered a tribute to police, firefighters and government officials working on storm relief efforts at his rescheduled show on Wednesday night.

The rocker also dedicated his song My City of Ruins to his hometown of Asbury Park, N.J.

Billy challenges ‘X Factor’ finalists in a concert showdown

Popstar Sarah Geronimo is all set to treat everyone with a grand talent showcase in “Sarah G. Live!” this Sunday (November 4) as international Pinoy RnB sensation Billy Crawford goes on a concert showdown with “X Factor Philippines” finalists Gab, Jeric, and Daddy’s Home.

Aside from Billy, Gab, Jeric, and Daddy’s Home, also watch out for the smash-up dance number of beauty queens Venus Raj and Bianca Manalo; and the back-to-back-to-back special production numbers of hitmakers Liezel Garcia, Renee dela Rosa of Alon, and 143.

Meanwhile, don’t miss Sarah’s exciting experience in Subic with “Goin’ Bulilit” star Clarence in her ‘Sige Go’ segment; as Billy and Robi Domingo add more fun in “SGL” as the Popstar’s guest co-hosts.

Still with Sarah in the upcoming episode are her resident dance royalty Gab Valenciano, and co-host Luis Manzano.

Don’t miss the trending and top Sunday primetime show of ABS-CBN, “Sarah G. Live!” 8:15pm, after “Rated K.”

First look: “The Smurfs 2” teaser poster

Check out the teaser poster of Columbia Pictures’ “The Smurfs 2,” the sequel to the 2011 hybrid live action/animated family blockbuster comedy “The Smurfs.”

The film reunites original castmembers Neil Patrick Harris, Jayma Mays, Sofia Vergara, Hank Azaria, Brendan Gleeson, Katy Perry, Jonathan Winters, Alan Cumming, Fred Armisen, George Lopez and Anton Yelchin.

In “The Smurfs 2,” the evil wizard Gargamel creates a couple of mischievous Smurf-like creatures called the Naughties that he hopes will let him harness the all-powerful, magical Smurf-essence. But when he discovers that only a real Smurf can give him what he wants — and only a secret spell that Smurfette knows can turn the Naughties into real Smurfs — Gargamel kidnaps Smurfette and brings her to Paris, where he has been winning the adoration of millions as the world’s greatest sorcerer.

It’s up to Papa, Clumsy, Grouchy, and Vanity to return to our world, reunite with their human friends Patrick and Grace Winslow, and rescue her! Will Smurfette, who has always felt different from the other Smurfs, find a new connection with the Naughties Vexy and Hackus? Or will the Smurfs convince her that their love for her is True Blue?

Opening across the Philippines in July 2013, “The Smurfs 2” is distributed by Columbia Pictures, local office of Sony Pictures Releasing International. Visit http://www.columbiapictures.com.ph for trailers, exclusive content and free downloads. Like us at www.Facebook.com/ColumbiaPicturesPH and join our fan contests. (FREEMAN)