Now Kathryn Bernardo is living that dream, a promise fulfilled.

Breakthrough role

She had just been in her breakthrough role in the Mara Clara remake, when people noticed how this teener had what it takes to rival the accomplishments of previous young stars who hit it big in the Kapamilya network, including the actress whose first major role she essayed—Judy Ann Santos.

Now Kathryn is living that dream, a promise fulfilled.

Credit that to her screen charm, talent, versatility—and Daniel Padilla,  incidentally just the onscreen replacement of Kathryn’s original loveteam partner Albie Casino in their first Sunday afternoon drama, Growing Up. Controversy forced Albie to lie low in his career.

Fiery chemistry

With a chemistry igniting a firestorm that made them this generation’s hands-down most phenomenal and celebrated teen stars, Kathryn and Daniel’s careers zoomed to the top with highly-rated dramas such as Princess and I and Got To Believe. Both had since appeared in major films, such as 24/7 In Love and Must Be...Love.

KathNiel’s  (the name coined from Kathryn and Daniel’s names combined) phenomenon has reached its apex with their latest film, She’s Dating The Gangster, a movie adaptation of Bianca Bernardino’s Wattpad hit- turned-bestseller. It breached the P100 million mark in its first week alone.

Her partnership with Daniel is just part of Kathryn’s success. On her own, Kathryn has surged in the limelight. She has been hailed as among the finest actresses in her generation, with her most notable thespic moments in the thrillers Shake Rattle and Roll 13 Presents Parola and Pagpag: Siyam Na Buhay, not to mention She’s Dating The Gangster, where her performances drew critical acclaim.

Beyond Daniel

Is Kathryn an actress to watch even beyond the comforts of a showbiz love team? This should be the next challenge, whether Kathniel fans like it or not. Will the fans accept Kathryn without Daniel? Will her career still blossom on its own?  With the right career moves like those taken by Nora, Vilma, Maricel, Sharon, Judy Ann, and Kim, who emerged from their loveteams unscathed and became even more successful in their careers, it’s just a matter of time.