Bela Padilla's new FHM cover

After almost 2 days of intrigues and questions on the said cover, FHM finally  released a new cover for their Anniversary edition still featuring Bela Padilla. The mens magazine's management had decided to scrap the first cover after  tons of comments from different sector was raised pertaining to the "Racist" cover that also reach the international news media the BBC

This cover seems to be lifeless and the art that was done within the first photo was really evident compare to this one, sigh... if only it was not tagged as racist i bet many will surely buy that version.

Bela Padilla Interviewed by BBC News over the alleged Racist FHM Cover

In her interview with BBC News' Mishal Husain, Bela reiterated that the picture has no intention of discriminating any race.

The GMA-7 talent said, "I don't really have any idea that I would get such negative reaction.

"But I was proud with the cover we did because racism was totally out of our heads.

"So I didn't expect that we'd get negative feedback from it because we had no intention of discriminating anyone anyway."

Bela's interview was broadcast live last night, February 28, on BBC's Impact.

Here is an excerpt of that interview:

Mishal: "When you saw that picture of you and the black model behind you and 'stepping out of the shadows,' it didn't ring any alarm bells to you?

Bela: "Honestly, I saw the picture before I saw the layout page with the caption. So I was as shocked as everyone when I saw the caption.

"But if the people get to read the article there, then you would understand why FHM chose that caption."

Mishal: "Did you think when you, first of all, saw this, you were surrounded by black models, was there nothing in that thing that makes you think or gave you clues on how would this might end up?"

Bela: "You have to understand that we took the shot because it's my coming of age here in the Philippines.

"I'm an actress here and we're trying to change my image from the younger bracket to an older one.

FHM Philippines March 2012 Issue : Bela Padilla

   Kapuso Star and niece of Robin Padilla who is formely known as Krista Valle is the new FHM Philippines' Cover Girl for its March 2012 issue that will also represent the magazines' 12 Anniversary Issue.  Bela , a sweety teen star from GMA is now embracing the mature world as he covers the magazine. 

  "I'm so thrilled that I can finally share that I'm FHM's covergirl for their Anniversary issue!! (March) I hope all of you can grab a copy :)", Bea confirmed via Twitter.

    Last year, Bela won Miss Friendship and Media Choice in the Asian Super Model Contest held at Guilin and Nanning, Guangxi Zuang Autonomous Region, China, last September 6 and 7, 2011.

Controversy

    Allegedly  a citizen from Mandaluyong had started a petition against the FHM new cover as it represents racism according to them. According to reports, the petition centers on the black and white racist arguments as Bela symbolizes the white while the 5 girls surrounding here symbolizes shadow and black. 

Bela Padilla's Racist FHM Cover March 2012 isssue

   After a release of the FHM Philippines' March 2012 cover goes viral online, some of the conservative groups condemed the racist magazine cover after a Filipino Internet user pinpointed out the "other meaning" it may generate and might affect the black and white people comparison. 

   Victor Bautista of Mandaluyong launched the petition via Change.org who saw the new Cover on his Facebook page last Saturday had already attracted a 210 signatures as of Monday morning.

   The Magazine's cover was Bela Padilla, a kapuso Star and niece of Robin Padilla was wearing a bright red swimsuit who position on the center while being sorrounded by 5 drak-skinned models that portrays as her shadows. The Cover has a title "Bela Padilla stepping out of the shadows". 

Some of the reactions against the Cover.

"Because no one should ever be judged by the color of their skin," user Marie Yasmin Sanchez said.

"It isn't just the racism, although that is a big reason. It's the perpetuation of the negative perception of darker skin in the country. This is why we keep buying whitening lotions instead of embracing our natural color. Worse yet, everyone involved seemed clueless why people are made about the cover," user Miya David said.

"Since this cover is very racist and would offend a lot of people, especially abroad," user Jim Chungalao said.