On this day, March 26, one of the brightest Filipina stars, Kathryn Bernardo, was born 30 years ago. From her early beginnings as a young child actress, her rise as a teen star, and finally, as a phenomenal box office queen, Kathryn continues to mesmerize her fans with her charisma, talent, and undeniable screen presence.
Here’s a look back on some of her early characters that helped launch her remarkable career:
Young Cielo in It Might Be You (2003)
In one of her earliest appearances on television, Kathryn played the young version of Cielo, who was later played by Bea Alonzo. Although it was a small role, it marked her teleserye debut.
Bulinggit in Krystala (2004)
Kathryn appeared alongside Queen of Philippine Soap Operas Judy Ann Santos in the fantasy adventure series Krystala. As Bulinggit, the sister of Miguel (Ryan Agoncillo), she stood out for her quirky personality and natural comedic timing, making her one of the more memorable young characters in the show.
Young Carina dela Cerna in Vietnam Rose (2005)
Kathryn played the young Carina Mojica Dela Cerna, a Vietnamese girl whose life is shaped by the traumatic experience during the war. The character, later portrayed by Diamond Star Maricel Soriano, carries a painful past that continues to haunt her even as she builds a new life in the Philippines.
The series was directed by Joel Lamangan and written by Ricky Lee.
Maya in Super Inggo (2006)
In this action-fantasy series starring Makisig Morales, Kathryn played Maya, the “kikay and maarte” childhood crush of Budong. Her lively personality and sharp comedic timing made the character an instant fan favorite. Many viewers still remember her funny moments, including scenes where she literally translated Filipino expressions like “patay gutom” and “mahirap,” clips that would later resurface online and go viral.
Young Mayumi Burgos in Prinsesa Ng Banyera (2007)
As young Mayumi, Kathryn portrayed the difficult beginnings of a character later played by Angelika Dela Cruz. Growing up in a harsh environment near a fish port, Mayumi endured cruelty from her own mother while trying to survive alongside her twin. Her life takes a turn after discovering that the fisherman who raised her is not her real father. The revelation pushed her to search for her true dad following his untimely death.
Young Anna / Victoria Valera in Magkaribal (2010)
In the fashion-oriented drama series, Kathryn played the young Anna / Victoria Valera, a character played by Gretchen Barretto later on. In a previous interview, she said that her part in the series was one of the biggest breaks she had early on, as it marked a shift from lighter, child-friendly roles to more intense scenes. In the series, Kathryn played scenes that showed the desperation and sacrifices done by Anna for her younger sister, played by Bea Alonzo, wherein Anna had to sell herself.
Kathryn noted that the series paved the way for her to land the title role in Mara Clara.
Mara in Mara Clara (2010)
The role that established her as one of the promising actresses of her generation, Kathryn played the kind-hearted, resilient, and selfless Mara in the 2010 remake of the classic series. Alongside her real-life friend and fellow teen idol Julia Montes as Clara, their chemistry onscreen led to one of the most talked-about pairings at the time and captured the hearts of viewers.
Ella in Growing Up (2011)
Kathryn played Ella, fun, stylish, and relatable. Her role was very connected to young audiences and helped her become a teen icon. This was also where she launched her onscreen partnership with Daniel Padilla, and they would become one of the most influential love teams of their generation as Kathniel.