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Posted by ABS-CBN on Wednesday, 6 April 2016

MANILA - Bela Padilla knew she was going to be written off "Ang Probinsyano." She knew that her character Carmen would be shot dead as she tried to escape those who kidnapped her.

Still, tears rolled down her face as she watched the ill-fated mother and husband to Joaquin (Arjo Atayde) drop to the ground on Wednesday's episode of the hit primetime series starring Coco Martin.

"Nakakalungkot na makita iyong death niya from my point of view," the 24-year-old Padilla admitted in an interview with ABS-CBN News' MJ Felipe shortly after her final episode aired.

"Siyempre [kasi] I fell in love with my character and the people she was relating to in the show. So naging emotional lang ako dahil ngayon lang nagsi-sink in sa akin na hindi na ako magta-taping," she added.

Padilla had been part of "Ang Probinsyano" since it first aired back in September. She was the love interest of a police officer named Ador (Martin), Cardo's (also Martin) twin brother, who died after earning the ire of a criminal syndicate.

Since then, she had been integral in a number of key moments in the show like when she was abducted by a leader of a prostitution ring. It led to Cardo dressing up as the alluring Paloma in order to rescue Carmen.

The finale of that story line earned "Ang Probinsyano" its highest ever share of the national television viewing audience. It got 46.7 percent, according to data from Kantar Media.

A photo posted by Bela (@belapadilla) on Jan 27, 2016 at 10:21am PST

Asked about what she will miss most about filming the series, Padilla replied: "I think everything --the people, definitely."

"The crew, the production, the cast, each and everyone --I learned something from each and everyone. I'm going to miss seeing their faces every single day," she added.

Padilla then downplayed suggestions that Carmen's death was a decision made abruptly, revealing that she was only supposed to be part of the show during the first eight weeks.

"Matagal ko nang alam that I was going to leave the show. Pero all the same, it's very sad kasi siyempre napamahal na ako sa mga taong nakatrabaho ko at sa character ko," she explained.

Padilla did admit to having damaged her left iris while filming "Ang Probinsyano," forcing her to miss a few taping days, and that she is currently undergoing treatment for acute anterior uveitis.

If left untreated, acute anterior uveitis may lead to permanent blindness, said Padilla. "But that's totally not related to why I left the show," she quickly clarified.