Bela Padilla revealed that she immediately accepted her role in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry Rekonek because filming in Bangkok carried a deeply personal weight.
After years of avoiding Thailand, the project brought her back to a place filled with childhood memories and allowed her to confront emotions tied to her late father, who passed away in 2023.
“It was an instant yes. An easy nod. Hindi ako nagpakipot after I was told I would be going to Bangkok to shoot the film,” Bela shared. She explained that for a long time, she had avoided returning to Thailand, where her father lived for 30 years. “My dad passed away two years ago and the last time I visited him in Thailand was in 2019… I felt I was not able to grieve properly then. So, I just brushed it off, but I got excited when I was told we were shooting in Bangkok.”
Growing up, Bela spent her summers in Thailand visiting her father. But after his passing in his sleep in 2023, she declined multiple projects that required her to film there—until ‘Rekonek’. Accepting the film became a form of reconnection she didn’t expect.
“Our first shooting day was at the airport in Bangkok,” she recalled. “That was where my dad always saw me off to return to Manila after I visited. So, it was very cathartic for me. Shooting the film was like a therapy session for me. I felt like it was also a nice time for me to reconnect with Thailand.”
In ‘Rekonek’, directed by Jade Castro, Bela plays Tricia, an overseas Filipino worker trying to return home amid a nationwide internet outage.
“My character’s name is Tricia… I play an OFW who tries to go back home to the Philippines, but she experiences the Internet glitch,” she said.
This time, Bela embraced a role that breaks away from stereotypical portrayals of OFWs.
“For a change, this is not a love story. Walang iyakan… She’s a strong, independent, modern OFW. I like the representation here.”
Bela added that despite the comedic elements in the film, the story carries emotional depth. “This is not a funny film. We’ll all relate to this… In life, it’s not just one specific moment that makes you feel something. It’s a culmination of everything. That’s the beauty of our film.”
She recalled reading the full script on the flight to Bangkok: “I was in business class… I was seated with a madame and I was crying. She asked if I was okay and I said no. I didn’t notice I was already crying. Even if the film is funny, may puso ang story.”
Producers Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde said they were surprised—and grateful—that Bela said yes instantly.
“We were simply hoping Bela would accept this after we made the pitch… When I told Bela about her part in the movie, she was quick in making her decision,” Matti said.
Bela, who last joined MMFF in 2019 with ‘Miracle in Cell No. 7’, said she always enjoys the festival season. “I don’t really celebrate Christmas in real life… but I love watching MMFF entries, especially the one I am in.”
Working with an ensemble cast also allowed her to breathe. “Finally, I can relax… It’s Christmas. Everyone is happy. I really don’t feel the pressure now.”
Bela, who lived in London for four years, said the theme of reconnection resonates strongly with her. Recently, she flew her family to Greece to watch the premiere of ‘100 Awit Para Kay Stella’.
“For them to finally see a film that I’m proud of, it was something heartwarming for me. I was happy to reconnect with them,” she said.
Reflecting on her experience shooting ‘Rekonek’, Bela shared her biggest takeaway: “Sometimes life isn’t about singular experiences. It’s the culmination of everything that makes life beautiful.”
‘Rekonek’ opens nationwide on December 25 as part of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival.
