Bela Padilla ‘back to school’ with directors

In ABS-CBN’s “My Dear Heart” (Monday to Friday, after "Ang Probinsyano"), Bela (and her co-stars, like Heart Ramos, Coney Reyes, Robert Arevalo, ZanjoeMarudo, Eric Quizon and Ria Ataydee) are wrapping the series this week a bit wiser and even more human.

Bela has learned to see things in the eyes of an innocent, trusting child, thanks to Heart, the lovable little girl around whom the story revolves.

“She’s so positive,” Bela gushes.

She is closing the book on the top-rating series and opening a new chapter in her life – that of apprentice to acclaimed directors Joyce Bernal and Dan Villegas. 

Bela told the two directors she is taking a break from acting after “My Dear Heart’s” last taping (and airing) day on Friday, June 16, to become their full-time students.

“Learning from experience works best for me,” she explains. “I’ll be on the set from call time to pack-up time. I’m willing to learn new things. I’ll be these directors’ apprentice until they tell me I’ve passed their standards.”

If you see that sparkle in Bela’s eyes when she talks about working behind the scenes, it is because she received good news lately. Her first full script is now the backbone of a movie starring the country’s big Kapamilya stars.

Bela is like a proud mom, tickled pink getting a thumbs up from industry people who matter.

“It’s different. You create something out of nothing, letter per letter, from your heart and mind. Nobody contributed to it. And seeing it come alive on screen is a big blessing.”

Bela, after all, is a storyteller at heart. She wrote the story of the  movie “Luck at First Sight” with former boyfriend Neil Arce. She has written a few scenes for the movies. 

That is because she loves to read – a passion that has widened her imagination and sent her creative juices flowing.

Now that she is about to start another adventure, Bela is in no mood to continue her interrupted love life.

“I’m super submerged in work. I have no time for love.”

Bela revealed how she got by with only an hour’s sleep in between shooting an indie movie and taping “My Dear Heart” thrice a week. She catches up on sleep in the car, and wakes up just in time to prepare for the movie and the primetime series.

But she is not complaining. When you are on the brink of a brand-new adventure you have been dreaming about all these years, you do not mind the long hours, the tight schedule and the sleepless lifestyle.

You do not even mind putting your love life on hold.

Yes, a new Bela Padilla is coming. And she will introduce her to the world when the time is right.