The stars of "100 Awit Para Kay Stella," August 6, 2025. Anna Cerezo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA -- Bela Padilla reveals she almost lost Stella, her titular role in "100 Tula Para K Stella," for its sequel "100 Awit Para Kay Stella."
"I would have been mad… I am not going to let anyone play Stella if I had the last say," she said in the media conference held for the upcoming film.
It was Santos who broke the news to Padilla that she had been replaced after she moved to London. The pair, however, had a long-standing agreement that only the two of them could play Stella and Fidel.
"May dapat isho-shoot bago ng pandemic. Sakto nag pandemic. So natigil siya. Lumipad na ako ng London, and nabalitaan ko may iba nang ipapartner kay JC," she recalled.
"Nag-text ako kay tita— talaga po 'di na ako si Stella? 'Tas nabalitaan ko tinangal na— and hinintay umuwi ako. Muntik na. They almost replaced me. Non-negotiable for us. Hindi namin tutuloy if hindi kami," she added.
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The actress believes she was fated to play Stella and feels especially attached to the character as it was the defining role that gave her big break.
"I think it put me on the map as an actress. Not just as a working actor but an actor who can bring money in. I got trusted with better roles after this," she explained. "Hindi dapat kami originally. Last minute pairing— baka mag work. I think we are here because we were meant to be Stella and Fidel."
"100 Awit Para Kay Stella" had been nearly eight years in the making—a delay that the "Meet Me in St. Gallen" star admitted was partly due to their deep protectiveness over their characters.
"Tumagal ng pelikula kasi ang dami namin tanong sa script. Hindi sabihin to ni Fidel or Stella. It was difficult for Direk and creative staff. But we wanted it to be clean. We wanted it to have no holes. Kaya kami ang dami namin meeting inupuan di namin muna sabihin. Hindi ito gagawin ni Fidel," she explained.
"Marami kami instances doon sa ibang version… Nagte-text kami, 'wag na gawin kasi 'di kami satisfied sa story or character development," she added.
Santos and Padilla were also intent on making sure the next chapter wasn't just a response to the clamor of the first film's blockbuster success, but a necessary continuation.
"Kung nangyari ito years before, baka hilaw siya. Maganda naluto siya ng maayos. Gusto namin, besides banking in nostalgia, may bago flavor. 'Yung pressure kakaiba yun," Santos said.
"Inupuan namin meetings. Ayoko kasi nagbayad mga tao, para panuorin mga tao tapis sabihin ‘sana di na tinuloy," Padilla added.
Though Padilla has writing credits of her own, she refused to co-write the sequel, believing it remained Laxamana's story to tell.
"100 Tula Para Kay Stella" had been inspired by Laxamana's college life.
"I told them I did not want to do it. I remember they called me in the middle of the night, nasa bohol ako. They were asking me to co-write. But I am very careful not to overstep. This is his story," she said.
Padilla, however, appreciates that Laxamana was very open to discuss their suggestions.
"He is such an open and smart person that if we say this does not work for us, he gets it right away and changes it. I appreciate him as a creative genius. He allows us to change lines. Bilang babae I offer my perspective, he graciously accepts. I only go far an actor can go," she added.
"100 Awit Para Kay Stella" will hit cinemas nationwide on Sept 10.