Actress Bela Padilla surprised everyone when she flew all the way to Italy in July 2021 and reunited with her boyfriend of over a year, Swiss-Italian Norman Ben Bay. The pair first met in 2017 in Zurich, Switzerland when Bela travelled to the country for a movie. Bela and Norman kept in touch and remained friends before making their long distance relationship official during the midst of the pandemic.
Though they've been on LDR, Bela says the setup actually works for them. Nonetheless, they make their relationship work by meeting each other halfway. Bela met up with Norman on several occasions in the past year. She visited Turkey, parts of the Mediterranean, and Europe in October 2020 and February 2021 where she spent quality time with Norman.
While Bela's close friends including Dani Barretto and Adrianne Concepcion were sad to see their friend leave the country indefinitely, they're in full support of her happiness.
Check out Bela and Norman's photos below:
Bela Padilla captioned this scenic shot taken in Rose Valley in Cappadocia, Turkey with "The one I met in St. Gallen," referring to her beau Norman Ben Bay, a Swiss-Italian friend she met in 2017 during her filming in Switzerland for a movie. She is, of course, making a reference to her 2018 romantic comedy-drama movie, 'Meet Me in St. Gallen.'
Bela kept in touch with Norman after they first met. Eventually, they progressed the friendship into an official relationship in 2020.
Bela and Norman visited Turkey in 2020. The actress shared sweet couple photos of her with Norman through her social media.
Bela isn't much of a travel itinerary planner. It is Norman who takes care of arranging their travel plans.
Norman is all smiles as Bela takes his snapshot during their beach trip in Rixos Premium Belek, Turkey.
Bela is sunkissed by the beach.
Bela is basking under the Mediterranean sun.
Bela greeted Norman in late April on his birthday, "Of all special days, this might be my favorite, enjoy your day, boo! Have a slice of cake for me," she wrote in an Instagram post.
In July 2021, Bela and Norman were reunited in Italy.
While she's already happily in love, Bela is still making a wish in the famous Fountain dello Sprone in Tuscany, Italy.