there's actually no direct translation in english for the word "pala".
when you're using this word, you're in the state where you feel surprised about learning or remembering something important and true that happened in the past. the expression is based on the explicit fact.
consider this:
'kumain ka na pala' (so, you've already had your meal, eh?)
'ah... gano'n pala ha.' (so, that's the real story.)
'ang ibig sabihin pala nito ay...' (the true meaning of this therefore...)
'biglang naglaho ang puti... ay, pula pala' (the white... I mean red, suddenly disappeared.)
Sori ha,korean k pala! [oh, I'm sorry, I thought you're (nationality)]
in a conclusive manner:
Sori ha,korean k pala! (So, you're Korean!)
:)