After ending her run as agent Lara Angeles in the action drama series Blood vs Duty earlier this month, actress Bela Padilla’s career is on an upswing with many projects lined up for the rest of the year, including a stage production and an upcoming film with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.
But in her Instagram post last July 29, the 35-year-old artist opened up about dealing with her inner struggles. She shared a video clip of herself working on a piece of clay accompanied by the song “Someday I’ll Get It” by Alek Olsen.
She wrote, “I use this song for work, when I need to release big emotions at the end of the day. When I’m not working, I avoid it at all costs. But today…I let myself be upset. Since the year started, I’ve received so many blessings — new projects offered and completed, movies doing well in theaters and streaming, shoots, covers, personal projects, travels, nominations, recognitions…
"So when a few sad things happened, and with the backdrop of what’s been happening in our country, I felt like I had no right to complain. I stayed quiet — probably shocking to some, since I usually speak up for what I believe is right and lend my voice to the silent.”
READ: Bela Padilla on why she became a writer: ‘I wasn’t being offered the roles I wanted to play’
In the same post, the usually outspoken actress also gave a glimpse into the reason she was feeling abandoned by people close to her, without giving exact details about her situation.
“The truth is, a lot was happening in my personal life too. While I filled my few free days with happy moments, I was learning the hard way who I could actually trust. People I’ve uplifted over the years turned a blind eye when they could have easily spoken up and helped carry my burden, for once. That wasn’t an easy pill to swallow. And things that hurt me as a child started showing up dressed as care and love,” she wrote.
READ: Bela Padilla recalls experience living in the UK
The actress also explained why she has not been as vocal as before, while at the same time reaching out to her followers who may also be going through something similar at the moment.
“So maybe now you have a clearer picture of why I’ve been quiet. Recently, I’ve started finding my voice. I’ve started pushing back. The problem with being compliant your whole life, is that people get startled when you finally say 'enough.' Just the sound of your voice can offend the people who hurt you, once you start naming what they did. That’s okay — don’t be scared.
"If you’re in the same boat... I haven’t figured it all out either. But I figured out today.
"My advice, if you need to get through today: listen to 'Someday I’ll Get It,' on loop and have yourself a good cry. You’ll feel better. Tomorrow, we’ll figure out the next steps again. And someday, we will actually get it. 🙏🏻❤️”
Bela is set to finally make her theater debut in People, Places, and Things by The Sandbox Collective along with Jake Cuenca and Gabby Padilla. The staged reading will run from August 15 to 16 only at The Blackbox at the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati City.