Lance Joseph Martinez

Bela Padilla Opens Up on Finding Healing Through Her Upcoming MMFF Film 'ReKonek'

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Whenever Bela Padilla appears on screen, one thing is certain—she never fails to tug at the audience’s heartstrings. And that is what she is expected to deliver once again in her upcoming movie, ReKonek, an official entry to this year&#x27;s Metro Manila Film Festival.Although she began her career in the early 2000s, Bela’s breakthrough came in 2016 with her role as Bridgette in the box-office comedy-drama Camp Sawi. The performance cemented her status as one of Philippine cinema’s most beloved actresses, especially in romance dramas that leave viewers reaching for tissues.<div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DR9Nq5Tk7VK/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=1080&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A676005%2C%22ls%22%3A675552%2C%22le%22%3A676001%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div> </div>Since then, she has starred in a string of memorable films, including 100 Tula Para Kay Stella, Meet Me in St. Gallen, and On Vodka, Beers and Regrets, solidifying her image as the queen of hugot storytelling.This Christmas season, audiences will meet a different side of Bela. On December 25, she returns to the Metro Manila Film Festival with ReKonek, joining a powerhouse cast in a family-centered story about reconnecting in a world suddenly cut off from the internet—just ten days before Christmas. Instead of heartbreak and love-lost narratives, Bela explores a warmer, more grounded, and nostalgic territory, one that unexpectedly became deeply personal.For Bela, accepting the role of Trisha required no hesitation. She shared that the moment she understood the character, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of the project. She even laughed about how quickly she said yes, joking that the directors might have wondered why she didn’t ask any questions before agreeing.“I actually told Direk Jade [Castro] a little bit about this. When I accepted the Zoom call with Direk Erik [Matti] and everybody, and also my team with Star Magic, I think baka nagulat kayo na ang bilis ko masyado nag-yes. Hindi ako nagpakipot, wala na ako sinabi na, ‘Ah, kailan po shooting?’ Wala nang gano’n-gano’n eh, um-oo ako agad,” she recalled during the film’s press conference.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765362857352realitymmstudios_1765255105_3783556507968422724_488619458.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from @realitymmstudios</div><div> </div>Behind that quick answer, however, was something deeper. Bela opened up about her father, Cornelius Gary Sullivan, who passed away in 2023. He had lived in Thailand for three decades, and since his passing, Bela had been avoiding returning to the country.“And I think the reason I said yes so quickly is because I’ve actually been avoiding going to Thailand for a while now. Kasi my dad passed away two years ago. And the last time I visited him in Thailand was in 2019. So, my dad was living in Thailand for 30 years,” she shared, her voice softening.Filming brought both comfort and emotional release. Bela initially thought she could return to Thailand without confronting painful memories, but destiny had other plans. Their team had to shoot in Suvarnabhumi Airport—the very place where she and her father shared countless moments.“So, parang first time kong babalik if ever. And ang gandang dahilan ng work na babalik ako, parang hindi ko kailangan balikan lahat ng lugar kung saan kami usually pumupunta. Eh, kaso ‘yung first shooting day namin ni Direk Erik sa Suvarnabhumi Airport,” she said. She admitted that filming there was like a wave of memories hitting her all at once. The airport had always been the backdrop of their goodbyes and reunions.“Eh, dun kami lagi nagpapaalamanan, doon lagi ‘yung MMK moment namin pagbabalik na ako ng Pilipinas. So, sabi ko, ‘Ah, the whole day dito ka sa Suvarnabhumi.’ So, it was very cathartic for me. Naging therapy session &#x27;tong movie na ‘to para sa’kin,” she revealed.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765362897243realitymmstudios_1765255105_3783556508136186126_488619458.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from @realitymmstudios</div><div> </div>Bela admitted that she had long avoided Thailand because of the emotional weight it carried.“So even if I had opportunities to fly to Bangkok, I would always say no. Because I knew I was gonna be too sad or like I would remember my dad or I would go to the places that we used to go to,” she shared.However, everything changed when work called.“So I didn’t look forward to going to Bangkok at all. But when they told me that this film was gonna be shot in Bangkok and it was gonna be work, I felt like &#x27;Ah okay, that’s a good reason for me to revisit this place,” she said, explaining how the project gave her courage to return.The theme of the film—reconnection—resonated deeply with her personal journey. Shooting in Thailand wasn’t just work; it was a return to a place tied to one of the people she loved most. During filming, a touching encounter made the experience even more meaningful.“And I actually told Direk Jade may lumapit na talent sa’kin na singer siya na Pilipino sa Thailand. Pinakita niya sa’kin may picture siya with my dad. So, he showed me on set. So, it felt like it was a nice way for me to reconnect also with the place and with, well, one of the people I love the most. So, I’ve really been avoiding going back to Bangkok for so long. So, this movie was such a blessing to me,” she said, calling the opportunity a gift she wasn’t expecting.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765362931163realitymmstudios_1765255105_3783556508161407888_488619458.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from @realitymmstudios</div><div> </div>Bela also shared her thoughts on Trisha, describing her as a fresh take on the typical OFW character—an aspect that drew her immediately to the film.“The character is also very lovable. Trisha is so relatable. She’s your typical Filipino na responsible daughter na nagkatrabaho abroad. One of the draws also of the character to me is she’s an OFW but she’s not your typical OFW that you watch in movies. Hindi siya inaapi, hindi siya kawawa, hindi siya umiiyak. She’s your strong, independent, modern OFW whom I meet a lot of now when I travel,” she said.After years of playing emotionally heavy roles in love stories, Bela initially thought ReKonek would offer a lighter, fun break. With young star Andrea Brillantes as a co-actor, she expected a refreshing experience. But reading the script on the plane to Thailand quickly brought tears to her eyes.“Ako, kaya nga tinanggap ko itong character na ito noong una din kasi sinabi ko, ‘Ah, finally for a change, hindi love story, hindi ako magpapaiyak, kasama ko si Andrea Brillantes, very different.’ And then when I read the script… umiiyak na ako, hindi ko na napansin, tumutulo na ‘yung luha ko doon sa script,” she shared.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765362965727realitymmstudios_1765255105_3783556507859380736_488619458.jpg" style="width:700px;display:block;height:auto" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Bela Padilla with Reality MM Studios&#x27; Chief Creative Officer Erik Matti and Reality MM Studios&#x27; President Dondon Monteverde | Photo from @realitymmstudios</div><div> </div>For Bela, ReKonek is more than a funny holiday film. It is a tapestry of moments reflecting life itself—full of humor, longing, and healing.“It’s not just a funny film where people will relate to this. And I think it’s not anything specific that I will say or that one character will say. It’s how we all meet at the end, or how we all reconnect at the end. Because I think, you know, in life naman, it’s not one specific moment that makes you feel something. It’s a culmination of everything, ‘di ba? So ako, ‘yun ‘yung beauty ng film na ‘to,” she explained.She added that the film’s strength lies in how its characters and stories come together.“It’s not one actor who will shine more than the other, or one scene that really lifts the film more than the other. It’s how everything connects at the end.”ReKonek hits theaters nationwide on December 25 as part of the 2025 MMFF. The cast features an impressive ensemble, which also includes Gerald Anderson, Andrea Brillantes, Charlie Dizon, Zoren Legaspi, Carmina Villarroel-Legaspi, Cassy Legaspi, Mavy Legaspi, and Gloria Diaz.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1765362988267realitymmstudios_1765255105_3783556508178145613_488619458.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="700"/>Photo from @realitymmstudios</div><div> </div>Directed by Jade Castro and produced by Reality MM Studios and The Th3rd Floor Studios, the film promises warmth, nostalgia, and a story that will surely inspire audiences to reconnect with each other and with themselves.

For Bela Padilla, accepting the role of Trisha required no hesitation. She shared that the moment she understood the character, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of the project.

For Bela Padilla, accepting the role of Trisha required no hesitation. She shared that the moment she understood the character, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of the project.

Bela Padilla Opens Up About Finding Healing Through Her Upcoming MMFF Film 'ReKonek'

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Bela Padilla Opens Up About Finding Healing Through Her Upcoming MMFF Film 'ReKonek'

Lance Joseph Martinez

Published Dec 10, 2025 09:15 PM PHT

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Updated Dec 10, 2025 10:16 PM PHT

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Bela Padilla

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