Some celebrities hard launch their relationship with a glam photoshoot. Bela Padilla did it at a Sunday market, holding a dog, while her boyfriend held a sunflower. Honestly? Goals.
.jpg "Bela Padilla and boyfriend Martin Tan at Legazpi Sunday Market with a sunflower")
Photo: Instagram / @withjohnnykHow did Bela Padilla and Martin Tan meet?
Through a common friend. And what made them click was movies. Bela, who is also a writer and director, said she got really excited when Martin started talking about films:
He said he liked movies, and I love movies also, so I was very excited when he started talking about films.
If you have ever met someone and the conversation just flowed because you both nerd out over the same thing, you know exactly the feeling.
How long have Bela Padilla and Martin Tan been together?
Eight months. They confirmed it on Sunday, September 13, 2026, when Johnny K of the reel series Meet Cutes Manila spotted them shopping at the Legazpi Sunday Market in Makati City and asked if they were dating. They said yes, and the internet did the rest.
Who is Martin Tan?
Martin Tan is the CEO of Tenext.ai, a software development company with offices in the Philippines and Singapore. When Johnny K asked what he likes about Bela, his answer was very green flag:
Her brain, and she's funny and beautiful.
Notice the order. Brain first. We love to see it.
Bela, for her part, said she likes that Martin is game to try anything, including spontaneous early morning trips to markets like the one where they were interviewed.
Were there signs before the confirmation?
Yes, if you were paying attention. The two were first linked in June 2026, when they were seen together at the opening of a pet lifestyle clinic owned by cosmetic doctors Dra. Aivee Aguilar-Teo and Dr. Z Teo. Martin also joined Bela at her Tatler Gen T recognition event and posted about it on social media to support her.
Bela's last publicly known relationship was with Swiss-English entrepreneur Norman Bay, whom she dated for four years.
Why this love story feels so relatable
No big reveal, no cryptic posts, no drama. Just two people who met through a friend, found something in common, and now spend their Sundays at the market together. It is the kind of love a lot of us are quietly hoping for.
Do you believe the best relationships start with friends introducing you? Tell us how you met your jowa in the comments.
Quick answers
Who is Bela Padilla's boyfriend?
Bela Padilla's boyfriend is Martin Tan, CEO of the software development company Tenext.ai.
How did Bela Padilla and Martin Tan meet?
They met through a common friend and bonded over their shared love for movies.
How long have Bela Padilla and Martin Tan been dating?
As of September 13, 2026, they said they had been together for eight months.
Updated September 16, 2026. Sources and photo credits: Instagram: @withjohnnyk | Fashion Pulis | GMA News. All photos belong to their respective owners.