At the age of 4, she knew that she wanted to be an actress and faced all challenges head on. Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo is originally from Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija. She is the youngest of 4 children of Daddy Ted and Mommy Min. Her interest in the entertainment industry started when she learned about it through her sister Tin, who would audition and attend go-sees. She was instantly fascinated and told her parents that she's ready. Supportive of her dreams, Daddy Ted would drive her to and from Cabanatuan just to attend auditions. Young as she was, Kathryn never complained and inately knew that these were necessary to achieve her goals. Slowly, she got modelling projects and was soon considered for bit roles on TV.
With more projects and go-sees coming in, it was becoming increasingly difficult for Kathryn to travel to and from Cabanatuan. She pleaded with her Dad if they can get a place to stay in Manila-- preferably near ABS-CBN. Fortunately, they saw the perfect spot in Kamuning, which her Dad bought. Kathryn promised her Dad that she would get him a house one day soon. Kathryn was 7 when she played the young Cielo (Bea Alonzo) in It Might Be You. Followed by Krystala in 2008. She also played the young Maricel Soriano in Vietnam Rose. Soon, she became part if the youth oriented television show, Goin' Bulilit-- her first regular T.V show.
Many doors were opened for Kathryn as she became a part if Goin' Bulilit. She was 10 years old and was being considered for short but significant drama roles. She was the young Andrea Del Rosario in Gulong Ng Palad, the young Shaina Magdayao in Komiks Presents: Agua Bendita then landed another regular show as the girl inspiration of Makisig Morales in Super Inggo.
In October 2008, Kathryn graduated from Goin' Bulilit. Her studies took most of her time but she also did guestings for Maalaala Mo Kaya, Your Song Presents and dubbed for the animation, Super Inggo At Ang Super Tropa. Kathryn's acting was commended in Magkaribal when she played the role of Anna Abella, the young Gretchen Barretto, who went through several tragedies in the series. This proved that Kathryn is ready to lead on a drama soap. As luck would have it, casting was being made for the remake of the 90's drama classic, Mara Clara, topbilled by Judy Ann Santos and Gladys Reyes. This time, Kathryn was chosen along with Julia Montes to be the lead stars. The show had consistent high ratings and made Julia who played Clara and Kathryn who played Mara, household names. This led to several road shows and endorsements together. And were soon cast in the teen show, Growing Up.
After getting paired to other young artists, Kathryn and Daniel Padilla's paths finally crossed when they became a loveteam in Growing Up. Their ship immediately sailed and got solidified through the phenomenal Primetime series Princess and I, wherein they starred as Gino and Mikay. In 2013, KathNiel unapologetically rose to immense popularity as the bubbly perya-girl Chichay and the mysterious Joaquin in the highly successful series Got to Believe. The tandem graduated from preppy roles as they starred as the modern Yna Macaspac and Angelo Buenavista in the 2015 revival of the classic soap opera Pangako Sa 'Yo.
Their unmistakable chemistry didn't only thrive on television, but on the big screen as well, with “24/7 in Love” marking their film debut. Their characters terribly got fan girls "hopia" to end up with their idols. Kathryn and Daniel proved that their acting prowess isn't only for romance and drama, but for comedy too, when they joined Vice Ganda and Ai Ai Delas Alas in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry “Sisterakas.” It was absolutely the love of their loyal fans that gave them their first movie as headliners, “Must Be...Love”, which gave light to the cliche tale of BFFs-turned-beaus. In 2014, they brought us back to the 70s and tagged as along to a spontaneous trip to Albay through the film adaptation of the online novel “She's Dating The Gangster.” Kath bade goodbye to her sweet, preppy image when she unleashed the problematic wild child in her who was tamed by the affection of DJ in the 2015 blockbuster hit “Crazy Beautiful You.” On their next film, “Barcelona: A Love Untold”, the royal tandem finally heed to their fans' holler when they took on a more mature role and had their first-ever on-screen kiss!
And last year, we saw their different sides through their portrayals as an accidental married couple in the Cathy Garcia-Molina-helmed “Can’t Help Falling In Love” and as star-crossed lovers who proved that love indeed can conquer all despite their differences in the action-fantaserye La Luna Sangre.