Bela Padilla launches perfume line with business partners Lan Ros Tañedo and Dennis Valbuena in Quezon City. Josh Mercado

MANILA -- Bela Padilla has stepped into the world of fragrances with her debut collection for the Bela by Bela brand, launching Dani by Bela, a collaboration with fellow artist Dani Barretto.

About her friendship with Barretto, Padilla said: “Dani has been my best friend for about 15 years now, and I really support her also in all her endeavors. For her to lend her name to us is such a big deal for the three of us. Marami pa kaming ilalabas.”

“For me, sugal lagi eh, when you put your name on something. She’s a very meticulous person. She’s very conscious about what she puts out there. This has been years in the making,” she added. 

Delving into the craft of scent, Padilla also introduced her business partners Lan Ros Tañedo and Dennis Valbuena during the launch last October 12 in Quezon City.

When asked about her business mantra, the celebrity entrepreneur shared, “I always really believe like do what you love. You can’t go wrong with that. Kapag tinanong ka, automatic, alam mo ‘yung sagot kasi mahal mo ang ginagawa mo. It’s so easy for you to justify and to explain something that you love.”

Being one of the busiest stars, acting, and running businesses, how does she manage her time?

Padilla responded, “Wala ng time. Ang time na lang sa akin ay concept na lang. Walang Sunday-Sunday sa atin. Pero na-realize ko sa ibang bansa na mali pala ‘yun nung tumira ako sa London. Nasanay na lang siguro ako kasi ‘yun ang life na nakasanayan ko here in the Philippines. I don’t mind. I feel like when you enjoy what you’re doing, you’ll really make time talaga.”

Owning Tipsy Pig and Bela by Bela, how rich is she? She told ABS-CBN News, “Ang pangarap ko lang ay magka-beach house. Ang dami ko ring responsibilities sa life. Hindi lang kasi sarili ko ‘yung iniintindi ko. Kailangan ko pang magtrabaho.”

Bela on beauty, new showbiz projects

Padilla told the media that she wants her brand to be inclusive, offering beauty products that cater to all skin types.

Did her concept of beauty change? She told ABS-CBN News, “Beauty kasi talaga in the Philippines — sad to say — our idea of beauty is one dimensional. I’m trying to break the stigma sana na ‘kapag maganda ka, ibig sabihin maputi ka, mahaba ang buhok mo.’ Dati nung bago pa lang ako, ang comment lagi is, ‘Hindi naman pala siya maganda. Maputi lang.’”

She continued: “Isa lang kasi talaga ang idea ng ganda sa Pilipinas. But slowly I see that changing. We tried to do that with Bela by Bela campaign kaya we tried to get people of different ages, skin textures, and skin colors. We really want to champion every kind of beauty. It comes with maturity, accepting different kinds of people and different kinds of ideas that come with age.”

Padilla emphasized that the idea of beauty will change as you mature, telling ABS-CBN News, “Siyempre, when I was young, nung sinabi sa akin na ito ang maganda, akala ko ‘yun lang din talaga. Kapag sinabi sa amin na itong season na ito na lahat kayo unat ang buhok, lahat ng artista unat ‘yung buhok. Your idea of beauty will change as you meet different kinds of people, as you travel, and as you mature.”

The beauty brand owner wants to give back and to focus on things that matter. “At the moment, there’s nothing I’m really like desiring to do. My plate is quite full at the moment. I’m happy where I am. What I would like next is to do something not for me anymore,” she said.

“Currently, I’m so passionate about Bohol like I’ve been posting about Bohol so much. I keep visiting. I want us sana to focus on our provinces in the Philippines like how we can help wildlife. Imagine, we’re living such normal lives. We go about our day-to-day activities like nothing is happening but somewhere out in the world may mas malalaking problema. ‘Yun na siguro ‘yung gusto kong gawin next, how can we help ‘yung current problems here like sa Bohol.”

The Kapamilya actress also revealed her new teleserye with Amazon Prime and ABS-CBN and the return of her iconic team-up with JC Santos.

“Right now po kasi I’m about to start a teleserye for Amazon Prime with ABS-CBN so we’re gonna start taping in November and kaka-announce lang ng Viva ng '100 Awit Para kay Stella.' Nung una, akala ko po uuwi na ako ng January, and ngayon sinabihan na ako na uuwi na ako ng February so malamang sa malamang mga April na makakauwi (London),” she told the media.

With all the blessings, how does she feel?

“I’ve been telling everyone — kausap ko si Piolo (Pascual) last week — you know I’ve never been happier than right now na I’m getting scared kasi usually kapag sobrang saya ka, ang next niyan sobrang lungkot mo. Ups and downs kasi talaga ang buhay,” she said.

Padilla also praised "It's Showtime" and stated that her personal life is complete.

“Right now, I feel so happy as a whole. I think “Showtime” also has a lot to do with that kasi tawa ako nang tawa kapag umaga. Everything right now is talagang fitting whatever puzzle piece it needs to fit including my personal life talaga. Such a fulfilled personal life also,” she ended.