Bernardo began acting in 2003, appearing as the young Cielo in It Might Be You. She went on to play different roles in other ABS-CBN shows like Krystala and Vietnam Rose before landing a permanent spot in the hit kiddie show, Goin' Bulilit.
[edit]2010–11: Mara Clara / Growing Up
In 2010, Bernardo went on to dramatic roles by landing the role of the young Victoria in ABS-CBN's Magkaribal and in GMA's Endless Love as the young Jenny. Coincidentally, both premiered in June 2010.[5]
Her first breakthrough role was Mara in the remake of Mara Clara with her co-star and real life best friend Julia Montes. Since its premiere, the teleserye was a consistent leader in the primetime ratings. Affirming its success, the show even picked up a nomination in the 2011 Banff World Media Festival in the "Telenovelas & Soap Operas" category.[6]
After the primetime teleserye finished, Bernardo soon began appearing in the Sunday afternoon teen show, Growing Up. Together again with Montes, the show starred other up and coming ABS-CBN teen stars like Kiray Celis, Diego Loyzaga and Daniel Padilla. In the show, Bernardo played the role of 15-year old Ella, who lives with her single mother.[7] The show premiered strongly ranking number 2 overall in the afternoon block.[8]
[edit]2012–present: Princess and I
The actress currently topbills Princess and I, a romance-drama royalty-themed television series, following the success of the youth-oriented show, Growing Up in 2011. Playing the role of Mikay/Princess Areeyah, the teleserye is touted as one of the grandest, being the first Philippine show to be shot in Bhutan.[9] In this show, Bernardo is paired once again to her Growing Up partner, Daniel Padilla, who has admitted in interviews to liking her in real-life. Aside from Padilla, Bernardo also has two other leading men, Enrique Gil andPilipinas Got Talent former contestant Khalil Ramos. Other veteran actors like Gretchen Barretto and Albert Martinez join the cast.[10]
The show is currently enjoying success being the number one primetime show as of September 2012. Due to its popularity, the show has been extended.[11]
[edit]Film career
Kathryn Bernardo's film career started in 2004 with the movie Gagamboy. However, it was only in 2011 where she, together with herMara Clara co-star Julia Montes, was launched as lead role in the movie Way Back Home.[12] The film opened at first place with an estimated P18 million within its first week surpassing other foreign films shown the same week in Philippine cinemas, like The Smurfsand Conan the Barbarian according to Box Office Mojo.[13]
In that same year, Bernardo joined Regal Film's Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Shake, Rattle & Roll 13. From being known as a young dramatic actress, Bernardo tried the horror genre by taking one of the lead roles in the third story, Parola.[14] Her performance received positive reviews. In a review for ClickTheCity.com, Philbert Dy calls Kathryn Bernardo's performance as "fantastic". He said in his review, "A fantastic performance from Kathryn Bernardo ties it all together. It might just be one of the best things that has ever come out of Shake Rattle and Roll."[15]
She will soon star with Vice Ganda together with her love team partner, Daniel Padilla in the upcoming 2012 MMFF entry, Sisteraka.[16]
[edit]Other ventures
Aside from her television and film careers, Bernardo is also a popular print-ad and commercial model having been chosen as an endorser for big brands like Bench and Coca-Cola, among others.[17][18]
For Princess and I, Bernardo released a single for the show's soundtrack. The single is titled "Mula Noon Hanggang Ngayon", originally sung by Lea Salonga. The album reached Gold status as of September 2012.[19]
