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MANILA -- Actress Bela Padilla does not mind being the second choice for the upcoming 2019 Metro Manila Film Festival entry "Miracle in Cell No. 7."

The role was originally offered to actress Nadine Lustre, who backed out from doing the project to take a break after doing two films this year.

"Hindi po (isyu). Hindi rin po ito ang first time. Kahit yung '100 Tula Para Kay Stella,' hindi rin po ako ang first choice. I really believe it's what you bring to the project," Padilla told reporters on Wednesday during the set visit for ABS-CBN's primetime series "Sino Ang May Sala?: Mea Culpa," which is now down to its last two weeks.

Padilla said she's just happy to be part of the Filipino adaptation of the 2013 hit Korean film.

"I'm very happy to take the role. I'm used to doing this naman. I am aware that hindi naman tayo palaging first choice for a project but as a fan of Korean shows and movies, I am very excited to be given a chance to try and portray the character," said Padilla, who shared the she was doing free diving when she received a call offering her the role.

In the movie, Padilla will be working with award-winning veteran Aga Muhlach.

"Nag-look test na po kami last week. Honestly there's really a magic around Kuya Aga. Mayroon po talaga siyang kinang. Ewan ko baka sobrang fan girl lang din ako. Pero mayroon siya. Kahit look test lang, he sparks something on screen. I was watching his videos na siya lang muna mag-isa at amazed na amazed na ako. Wala pang lines, humahanga na ako," Padilla said.

In the interview, Padilla also thanked Lustre, who praised her for being a great actress.

"Thank you so much Nadine. I'm very happy to take this off your hands. I know you can't commit to it right now. Sana magkatrabaho rin kami soon. And I hope whatever she's going through at this point in her life, she goes through it well and easily," Padilla said.