In The Zone

- Gaby Ignacio

Could you play some Lana Del Rey?” Bela Padilla asks sweetly, standing under the bright studio lights as her very first Cosmopolitan cover shoot kicks off. Wearing a figure-hugging black bodysuit, jeans that could more easily be called demolished than distressed, and sky-high black booties, she looks the epitome of an elusive kind of laid-back cool, making the request more than appropriate.

“Summertime Sadness” comes on, and with that, Bela transforms right before the team’s eyes, becoming sultry, pensive, and jaw-droppingly sexy, belying the quirky-girl vibe she sashayed in with beforehand. You can hardly tell that it’s been a long and busy day for the 25-year-old actress, who shows with every click of the camera that she is one of those most delightful of showbiz creatures: a professional.

Discovered at 17 during a school field trip, Bela is a relative veteran in the industry, as well as a member of one of the country’s most established show business families. Despite this, she admits never having entertained the idea of acting before she was scouted.

“I was really shy,” she shares.

“When we were growing up, we would be asked to dance, perform, entertain the titas, and I would always be the kid at the back begging not to be picked. I really didn’t imagine that this opportunity would fall into my lap or that this would open up for me.”

A lack of concrete plans after graduating, however, would serve as the catalyst for her acceptance of the offer. “I think the fact that I had family members who were in showbiz made it easier for me to imagine myself acting. It’s still overwhelming, but it was definitely helpful seeing people I’m close to and people I trust working in this industry.”

DIVING DEEP