BUZZ BEAT MEDIA

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, collectively known as “KathNiel,” are among the most beloved and iconic reel and real couples in the Philippine entertainment industry. 

Their love story, which began on-screen and transcended into real life, has captured the hearts of fans across the globe, no doubt about it. 

Let’s take a journey through the timeline of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s love story, exploring the milestones that have defined their relationship.

2011-2012: Growing Chemistry on Screen

Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN Entertainment

Kathryn and Daniel first shared the screen in the ABS-CBN series “Growing Up” in 2011. The undeniable chemistry between them quickly caught the attention of fans, giving birth to the KathNiel phenomenon. Kathyrn played a volleyball player named Elle while Daniel portrayed her teammate named Patrick.

But before their paths crossed, Kathryn was first paired with Albie Casiño in the remake of the iconic soap opera ‘Mara Clara,’ alongside Julia Montes.

Their on-screen partnership continued to flourish in subsequent projects like “Princess and I,” solidifying their status as one of the industry’s most beloved tandems. Recognizing their on-screen chemistry, the duo secured a primetime slot in the royal-themed teleserye. In the storyline, Kathryn’s character Mikay found herself torn between Gino (Daniel), Jao (Enrique Gil), and Kiko (Khalil Ramos). 

In the end, the beloved and best friend character Gino captured Mikay’s heart, bringing immense joy to both the characters and the viewers.

2012-2013: Breakthrough Film “Must Be… Love”

Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN Entertainment

In 2013, the duo starred in their first leading film, “Must Be… Love.” The movie showcased their undeniable chemistry and was a box office success, further cementing their status as a powerhouse love team. Fans began to speculate about the possibility of a real-life romance behind the scenes.

They also top billed a horror movie entitled “Pagpag: Siyam na Buhay.”

2013-2014: Emerging as Teen Royalties

Photo courtesy: Vocal Media

The KathNiel tandem reached new heights as they were hailed as the “Teen King and Queen” of Philippine showbiz. Their popularity soared, with endorsements, magazine covers, and sold-out projects becoming a regular part of their professional lives.

Meanwhile, KathNiel starred in the film ‘She’s Dating The Gangster,’ which is based on a story from Wattpad. 

They faced a challenge in the emotional scenes of the movie, but their more than three years of working together allowed them to complement each other’s strengths.

The film eventually grossed P296M at the box office, solidifying the KathNiel name in the movie industry.

2015-2016: Exploring Individual Endeavors But Still a Solid KathNiel

While continuing to work together, Kathryn and Daniel also explored individual projects, demonstrating their versatility as actors. 

This period allowed them to grow individually, both personally and professionally.

Gradually, the theme of their films took a more serious turn, showcasing a different side of Kathryn in movies like “Crazy Beautiful You” and “Barcelona (The Love Untold).” 

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

The latter showcased Kathryn and Daniel sharing their first onscreen kiss as they aim to move away from their teenybopper personas.

They also did the remake of the iconic teleserye “Pangako Sa ‘Yo.”

Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN Entertainment

In terms of their travel together, Barcelona marked a pivotal moment for KathNiel as they ventured into projects featuring more mature characters and storylines. 

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

Originally visiting the city for their film, the couple also found moments to leisurely explore, capturing an adorable snapshot of their present and, perhaps, future!

2017-2018: Confirming the Real-life Relationship

In 2018, during an episode of the television show “Tonight with Boy Abunda,” Daniel Padilla finally confirmed the real score between him and Kathryn, stating, “Hindi na namin tinatago. Happy na kami sa buhay namin ngayon, personal na buhay. Wala na kaming itinatago.” (We’re not hiding it anymore. We’re happy with our personal lives. We have nothing to hide.)

They starred in hit movies like “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and “The Hows of Us,” their last movie together on the big screen, showcasing their evolving craft as actors. 

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

The Hows Of Us further reinforced KathNiel’s acting prowess and their box office success, raking in an impressive P810 million.

They also headlined their first-ever fantasy series, “La Luna Sangre,” alongside Angel Locsin, Richard Gutierrez, and John Lloyd Cruz.

Photo courtesy: iWantTFC

On Kathryn’s 21st birthday, she explored El Nido for the first time in the company of Daniel. They also invited some of their friends to join in on the festivities!

In their role as ambassadors for the Japan National Tourism Organization, they engaged in various activities, including trying their hand at glass designing and cooking okonomiyaki.

This coincided with the period when they initially began sharing vacation photos on social media, escalating fans’ excitement about their actual relationship status. 

In the same year, they also officially confirmed that they had been in a relationship for several years, intensifying the anticipation for the film even more.

2019-2020: Solidifying Their Relationship

As their relationship became public, KathNiel continued to thrive both on and off-screen. The couple also celebrated their eighth anniversary in the industry, a testament to their enduring partnership.

However, Kathryn also had a movie with GMA Network star Alden Richards for the first time, titled “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” which is considered the highest-grossing Filipino movie of all time in the history of Philippine Cinema, raking P880.6M. The risk really paid off!

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

When it comes to leisure travel, they visited numerous countries in 2019. Considering the dates, the Morocco trip coincides perfectly with their 7th anniversary! It’s indeed a picturesque location for this lovely couple. For Kathryn, the impromptu stopovers held as much significance as their planned destinations.

Initially stepping onto Icelandic soil for their Making MEGA shoot, Kathryn and Daniel chose to return to Iceland for a distinct adventure. Remarkably, they witnessed the Northern Lights on their very first night!

Despite an eight-hour layover, Kathryn and Daniel finally experienced the Eiffel Tower together, though in 2014, Kathryn already visited Paris for the first time during her extended debut celebration.

2021-2022: Evolving Together

Kathryn and Daniel continued to evolve personally and professionally. Their projects showcased their growth as individuals and as a couple. Their public appearances, social media posts, and interviews reflected a mature and enduring love.

They still didn’t hold back on spreading kilig (romantic excitement) because even during the pandemic, they managed to work on the project “The House Arrest of Us,” a romantic comedy series available on KTX.ph and iWantTFC, featuring 13 episodes that garnered acclaim from fans. With a combined nine years of acting experience, the duo effortlessly portrayed the engaged relationship of Korics and Q.

Photo courtesy: Star Cinema/ABS-CBN Film Productions

While the duo has maintained a low profile on projects during the pandemic, they frequently engage in discussions about their future acting plans on Kathryn’s vlog, “Everyday Kath.”

In a recent video, the 25-year-old actress inquired with Daniel about any regrets he might have had about beginning their relationship at a young age, considering they met when they were only 16 and 17, respectively.

“Hindi ah. Wala namang hinahanap na oras ang pagmamahal eh, ‘di ba? Kapag para sa ‘yo, para sa ‘yo. Kahit maaga man o late. Eh nagkataon na tayo maaga so walang problema. At least maagang naibigay sa akin,” Daniel answered.

“Wala naman akong na-miss, eh, dahil bago pa rin maging tayo, ako, nagawa ko na rin naman lahat. Lakwatserong bata naman ako. Eh nung kahit tayong dalawa naman, nagawa ko pa rin ‘yung mga gusto ko.“

After hearing his response, Kathryn blushed and embraced her reel and real life partner. 

When the cases of Covid-19 decreased in 2022, they finally had a comeback teleserye titled ‘2 Good 2 Be True,’ which earned Kathryn the recognition of ‘Outstanding Asian Star’ at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2023. 

Expressing her gratitude, Kathryn extended thanks to the entire team of “2G2BT” with whom she collectively received the award. The actress took a moment to acknowledge some standout contributors to the show, giving special mention to directors Mae Cruz-Alviar and Paco Sta. Maria, the talented team of writers led by Denise O’Hara, and her lead co-stars seasoned actor Ronaldo Valdez., and of course, DJ.

Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN Entertainment

For their travel together, in celebration of their 10th anniversary, Daniel acquiesced to Kathryn’s wish to return to Thailand and partake in a memorable experience of bathing with elephants. Being enthusiasts of both nature and animals, the couple undoubtedly cherished every moment of their time in the country.

2023 and Beyond: The Future of KathNiel

Fans eagerly anticipate their continued journey, both as individuals and as a couple, despite rumors spreading around the social media and showbiz corners. 

The KathNiel tandem has officially “parted ways” in terms of project collaborations. Kathryn teamed up with Dolly De Leon in the film “A Very Good Girl.” Notably, Dolly De Leon is the first Filipino to receive a Golden Globe Awards nomination for her role as Abigail in the Palm d’Or-winning film “Triangle of Sadness.”

Photo courtesy: Tempo

In an interview with Kathryn during the conducted media conference for the mentioned film, she was asked about when she and Daniel would get married. 

The actress responded that they are not in a hurry because they are still saving, and they have many expenses to attend to. 

She also mentioned that it’s a good thing that DJ is very supportive when it comes to her career.

Meanwhile, Daniel, on the other hand, will take the lead role in the film “Nang Mapagod si Kamatayan,” alongside his friend Zanjoe Marudo.

Photo courtesy: ABS-CBN Entertainment

Whatever lies ahead, the love story of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla will undoubtedly remain a significant chapter in the annals of Philippine showbiz.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from ABS-CBN Entertainment/Star Cinema/iWantTFC