"I’m trying to build a name for myself on my own and it’s too early to do damage to your own name. I’m here not to corrupt people but to influence people in a better light…" (Photo by JERICO MONTEMAYOR)

MANILA, Philippines — Nineteen year-old Bela Padilla grew up seeing everyone in her family under the spotlight, being a member of the Padilla clan in showbiz. It is thus not surprising that she would be lured by the limelight and would trek the same path.

“I saw how my uncles grew up in the business and everyone was having the time of their lives. We’re a super huge family and we always get together. We’re all close. When there are movie premiere nights, we always give our full support,” relates Bela, who says she is closest to her uncle Robin (Padilla) and his daughters.

Bela didn’t have to convince her parents to allow her to pursue acting after a talent scout spotted her at a field trip in a TV station. Her British father in fact liked the idea of his daughter having the time of her life in front of the camera, expressing her imagination, and finding an outlet for her creativity.

Missing school
Back in school at Colegio San Agustin, Bela was a cheerleader, and a perennial contestant (and winner!) in writing and speech competitions.

“I like dancing, storytelling and book writing. Every year I join these contests. My elective in fourth year high school was journalism, the only thing that fit me at that time. I couldn’t take computer, I hate techie stuff. Anything related to talking, writing and reading, I really wanted to do that,” Bela happily recalls.

She still plans to go back to school and hopes to enter the University of the Philippines and take up Creative Writing.

“I miss going to school. I miss the thinking process, kulitan with schoolmates, teachers, the activities and projects. I love reading books that’s why I want to write scripts now,” she says.

To-do list
At present, Bela is fast becoming a familiar face, especially after her stint in the local remake of the Korean TV series “Endless Love.” She is also one of the hosts of the Sunday noontime musical variety show “Party Pilipinas,” and will be seen next in the GMA primetime series “Captain Barbel’’ opposite Richard Gutierrez.

Bela says that she wants to be known more as an actor than a celebrity.

“My goal is to win a best actress award in Urian. Siyempre kung mangangarap ka na rin lang, ‘yung mataas na. I want to do a movie like ‘500 Days of Summer’ or ‘Closer.’ Pero wala yatang gumagawa ng those type of movies sa mainstream, so maybe indie. To all the indie filmmakers out there, I’m available,” she mischievously says.

Another item in her to-do list is to win a crown in a beauty pageant.

“I saw Venus Raj conquer the world and I want to be the next Venus Raj. I’ll join perhaps when I’m 23 years old and by that time, I would have more experiences in life. I don’t want them to be asking me questions like ‘what is the essence of a woman’ and I don’t know what to say because I don’t feel like a woman yet. Sometimes, I feel like a boy with make-up!” quips Bela, who confesses preferring wearing Chucks to high heels.

Yet, although she has already set a few goals, Bela chooses to be realistic. “I try not to make myself believe that I’m more than what I am. I’m very realistic. I don’t like to say I’m gonna be the next superstar. I don’t like the feeling of getting disappointed. I’d rather be happy all the time, instead of over expecting,” she says.

Lessons
Bela loves meeting people from different walks of life in the course of her newfound job.

“Since I was a kid, we preach from house to house, we go to different places. So we really like reaching out to people. I see my family and they’re able to reach out to so many families to help. This is the best job to do that. The influence of media on people is so great, kaya one wrong or right thing you do, can generate reactions. Parang ripples,” she relates.

As if she needed a baptism of fire, Bela got entangled in a bit of a controversy with another actress. But the incident did not get the better of her.

“I try as much as possible to be the same person as when I started. I wanted to be spotless. I’m trying to build a name for myself on my own and it’s too early to do damage to your own name. I’m here not to corrupt people but to influence people in a better light. I try my best to be a good example,” she says with the wisdom of an adult.

Right now, Bela is obviously having the time of her life. “I don’t get tired easily. I’m going to enjoy this for a very long time,” she says.

Furthermore, to remind herself of her purpose in life, she got herself a tiny tattoo.

“When I was thinking what tattoo to get, I thought I wanted something with meaning. Since I’m now in a job where everyone is shining brightly, I want the stars in my hand. I would like to believe that I will shine brightly, with the help of the people around me,” she ends.