Kathryn Bernardo

Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo is a prominent Filipino actress.

She is recognized for her massive success in mainstream film and television. Bernardo has starred in three of the highest-grossing Filipino films of all time. These include *The Hows of Us* (2018), *Hello, Love, Goodbye* (2019), and *Hello, Love, Again* (2024). Her work has earned her significant international and local recognition. Forbes Asia has named her one of the most influential people in the Asia-Pacific region.

Bernardo's acting career follows a path of steady growth through various genres. She began as a child actress in 2003. She appeared in the series *It Might Be You* as the young character Cielo. In 2006, she took on a main role in the series *Super Inggo*. She later appeared in several shows on the ABS-CBN network. Her early years included roles in sketch comedy and various television dramas. This diverse start allowed her to develop her skills across different types of storytelling.

Her career reached a major turning point with specific breakthrough roles. In 2010, she played Mara David in the remake of the drama series *Mara Clara*. This role solidified her reputation as a rising star. She followed this with the romantic drama *Princess and I* in 2012. In this series, she played the character Mikay, also known as Princess Areeyah. This production was notable for being the first Philippine series filmed in Bhutan. She also explored horror in the film *Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay*. In this movie, she played a young embalmer.

For many years, Bernardo was part of a famous acting partnership. She worked closely with actor Daniel Padilla in many projects. Fans often referred to them by the name "KathNiel." Their first starring film together was the romantic comedy *Must Be... Love* in 2013. They also starred in the series *Got to Believe* and the film *She's Dating the Gangster*. In 2014, their contributions to the industry were recognized when they received stars on the Eastwood Walk of Fame. Their partnership included several successful films like *Crazy Beautiful You* and *Barcelona: A Love Untold*.

Bernardo has achieved incredible milestones in the film industry. In 2018, she became the first Filipino actress to reach the local box office mark of 1 billion pesos in *The Hows of Us*. She achieved this milestone again in 2020 with *Hello, Love, Goodbye*. This film broke box office records both in the Philippines and overseas. For over four years, from 2019 to 2024, it held the record as the highest-grossing Filipino film. Her 2024 sequel, *Hello, Love, Again*, became the first Filipino film to gross over 1.6 billion pesos. These numbers highlight her massive commercial impact.

Her talent is also recognized through many prestigious awards. She has won two FAMAS Awards, including Best Actress for the 2023 film *A Very Good Girl*. She also received the Seoul International Drama Award as the Outstanding Asian Star. Her accolades include 14 Box Office Entertainment Awards. She has won the Star Award for Movie Actress of the Year and the National Winner Award for Best Actress from the Asian Academy Creative Awards. These honors reflect her ability to succeed in both commercial hits and critically acclaimed roles.

Beyond the screen, Bernardo is a successful entrepreneur with many business ventures. She launched a nail salon business called KathNails by KCMB, which has eight branches. In 2020, she started a rice meal take-out franchise named Rice in a Box. This business has grown to include over 100 franchises across the Philippines. She also co-founded a boutique hotel named Isla Amara in El Nido, Palawan. In 2025, she and her family launched EMPOLO MNL, a fashion sanitary ware brand from Germany. Her career demonstrates a unique blend of artistic talent and business leadership.