Months after her initial cover for the March issue of FHM became controversial because of allegations of racism, Bela Padilla was able to turn the tides in her favor.

A week before the announcement of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World, Bela is now ranked 7th.

Last Wednesday, May 30, GMA Artist Center sponsored a night out for the 21 year-old actress together with Chariz Solomon at Relik Tapas Bar and Lounge in The Fort, Taguig, to boost the girls’ campaign.

Robin Padilla’s niece told us, “Actually, I was unaware of this. Parang last year I wasn’t able to campaign for myself.

“Kasi I didn’t think na, you know, it was possible for me to get to the top 10. Pero now that I know it is, I guess, yeah, it’s important for me and for other girls also.

“Kasi, I think the FHM Sexiest Campaign makes women feel sexy eh. And you know, parang, perople are voting for you cause they believe your sexy. So I want girls out there to feel that also,” she explained.

Does having a sexier image suggest that she is now ready for more daring roles?

“Actually, I don’t see that naman as a trend right now eh. Parang, hindi naman pwede masyado magpasexy sa TV,” was her reply.

“So, I’m willing to do something as long as their character really needs it. Pero, not yung you just do it for yung sexy na sake, you know. I want it to be part of the story.”

Instead, Bela would still want to portray characters that are “innocent.”

“You know, I want to do shows na parang, uhm, parang unang panahon. Yung mga, like what Jessie did, yung Sabel, parang ganun.”

“Like, story about a girl who’s innocent and pretty pero she’s not aware of it. Yung ganun. Tapos other people find her pretty and sexy, yung parang ganun.

“I want something na, different naman. Very young and fresh. Kasi parang the roles I’ve done lately are a bit heavy. Drama pa rin pero gusto ko light yung character.

And her dream leading man?

“I think… I’ve worked na kasi with Aljur. So… I know that Dennis Trillo is such a good actor. I wanna work with Dennis Trillo.”