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Bela Padilla reflects on portraying a human trafficking victim in MMK

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Clarence Roi Gillego

Push Team

Portraying the tragic story of Nadia, a victim and a survivor of human trafficking, in <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya">Maalaala Mo Kaya (MMK)</a> inspired moments of reflection for Kapamilya actress Bela Padilla.  Bela took to Instagram on Sunday, June 8, to share how her filming experience has impacted her on a personal level.<div> </div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-15" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DKoG4wqI9_t/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A15%2C%22os%22%3A1835842.1000000238%2C%22ls%22%3A161537.60000002384%2C%22le%22%3A161544.89999997616%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1581" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-15" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div> </div>“I always thought I was capable, until I got to play Nadia,” she said. “I’m not even at a fraction of how strong she is.”“[Four] days in her shoes and I saw myself change physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. We filmed these moments of her life for four taping days, and I still couldn’t wrap my head around what she fully went through,” she added.In the MMK episode entitled “Sim Card,” Bela gave life to the ordeal that Nadia had faced after she was trapped in a secluded online scam hub in Myanmar. Out of love for her family, she took the enticing offer of a job opportunity in Thailand, only to find out that it was a scam.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/2025/6/7/bela-padilla-s-delivers-gripping-performance-in-mmk-sim-card-2309">READ: Bela Padilla’s delivers gripping performance in MMK “SIM Card”</a></div>In her post, Bela penned a message of gratitude to Nadia for allowing her story to be told.“Nadia, I don’t know if you will ever see this, but thank you. Thank you for surviving. Thank you for sharing your story,” she expressed.“May time and the love of your family and now everyone who sees you and your story, heal all the wounds that that place created. I’m here for you if you need me,” she added.The actress hopes that Nadia’s story will serve as a lesson to the show&#x27;s viewers.“May this story serve as a warning. May her hardship serve a purpose that makes you think twice before you take your next step but also remind you that you’re brave and strong,” she said.Bela thanked the show for giving the victim’s story a platform: “Thank you, @mmkofficial and ma’am @charosantos for shining a light on Nadia’s dark ordeal.”The actress also took the time to honor the people behind the camera who helped her along the taping process to be able to give justice to Nadia’s story.<a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/studios/tv/maalaala-mo-kaya">MMK</a> episodes can be watched on iWantTFC, but the show also airs on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live and A2Z every Saturday at 8:30 p.m.

Here's how Bela Padilla's portrayal of Nadia, who was a victim and survivor of human trafficking, has made an impact on her.

Here's how Bela Padilla's portrayal of Nadia, who was a victim and survivor of human trafficking, has made an impact on her.

Bela Padilla reflects on portraying a human trafficking victim in MMK: 'I’m not even at a fraction of how strong she is'

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Bela Padilla reflects on portraying a human trafficking victim in MMK: 'I’m not even at a fraction of how strong she is'

Clarence Gillego,

Push Team

Published Jun 08, 2025 07:44 PM PHT

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Maalaala Mo Kaya

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