Actress Bela Padilla has confirmed that she and her Swiss-Italian boyfriend Norman Ben Bay have gone their separate ways after nearly five years together.
In a candid conversation during the media conference for her new film ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’ on August 6, Bela revealed that she is currently single. When asked directly about her relationship status, the actress responded with a light laugh, “Hahaha, oo, non-existent po,” before joking, “Yeah, napaisip ako bigla… baka that’s the one thing I’m looking for. Parang kailangan ko pala nu’n, ‘no?”
Bela clarified that the breakup happened amicably and that she and Norman remain friends.
“Yeah, we officially… oo, split up… ano naman… ‘yon, amicably. Dinalaw pa nga niya ako last month. He was here. He was there when we started filming ‘100 Awit….’ Dumadalaw siya sa Pampanga,” she shared.
“Yes, friends pa rin. Oo, I told him anytime he’s here, he can hang out with me and alam ko naman ganu’n din when I’m there.”
Though she didn’t specify when the breakup occurred, she admitted that moving back to the Philippines was a major factor in the decision.
“Hindi, definitely one of the biggest factors was me, moving back,” Bela said. “Hindi rin naman kami magkasama. Nasa London ako, nasa Switzerland siya. So, parang nahirapan na rin ako. Although the distance is shorter, it’s still a long-distance [relationship].”
The couple met in Switzerland during the filming of ‘Meet Me in St. Gallen’ and went public in 2020. Bela returned to the Philippines earlier this year after living in London since the pandemic.
Despite the split, she’s taking things in stride and focusing on her health, career, and self-growth. Bela revealed that she lost 13 kilos after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, which had caused weight gain and fatigue.
“I feel strong. I don’t get tired easily saka mas kaya ko na ulit magpuyat… I’ve always been a clean eater, may sakit lang talaga ako kaya ganu’n,” she said, adding that her doctor has now paused her workouts and is regularly monitoring her blood tests.
“Still not there, but we’re getting there.”
As for love, she’s open to dating again—eventually.
“Siguro after I finish the promo for 100 Awit Para kay Stella!” Bela quipped.
“Why not? I love falling in love. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that. Kaso, hindi na ako marunong mag-date ng 2025,” she joked. “Kung may kilala kayo.”
In ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’, Bela reunites with longtime on-screen partner JC Santos. Their easy chemistry has been praised over the years, and Bela admitted they once talked about the “what if” of dating each other.
“Parang recently, napag-usapan namin yan. Pre-pandemic, bago siya nagpakasal… Parang nagkatanungan kami… I’m happy na hindi [kami naging kami] because I love working with him,” she said.
“Ayokong dumating kami sa point na hindi kami nagpapansinan or awkward na magkatrabaho kami. Sa lahat ng naging team partner ko, I’m most comfortable with JC.”
JC agreed: “Palagi lang sigurong wrong timing… Dumating, pero hindi nagtatagpo.”
Bela added with a smile, “Actually, sa totoo lang, palagi talaga kaming salisi ni JC. Parang every time one of us is single, the other is not. Pero I think he ended up with the right person.”
‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’, the follow-up to their 2017 hit ‘100 Tula Para Kay Stella’, hits theaters nationwide on September 10.
