Kathryn Bernardo is definitely one of those local celebrities whose physical and professional growth we’ve witnessed in the more than two decades that she has been in the industry. From being a child star who endeared us with her cuteness and talents in the early 2000s, she has indeed gone on to become one of the most prominent and most bankable actresses in the country.

And after so many years of thriving as an actress, she is now poised to take on a new role that she has never done yet throughout her career—to be one of the judges of the forthcoming “Pilipinas Got Talent Season 7”! But before we get to see her in another light, let this Kapamilya Spotlight feature bring us back to her prolific television journey!

It was in 2003 when Kathryn’s showbiz career started, with her special participation as the young Cielo San Carlos being her teleserye debut. Her next remarkable appearance came in 2004 via the fantasy adventure series “Krystala,” in which she won our hearts as Bulinggit, the young ally of the superheroine depicted by Queen of Philippine Soap Opera Judy Ann Santos.

The following year, she became the young counterpart of Diamond Star Maricel Soriano in the drama series “Vietnam Rose” as she portrayed her character Carina Mojica Dela Cerna. It was also in 2005 when she got cast as one of the pioneer stars of the long-running kiddie gag show, “Goin’ Bulilit.” While she was doing the weekly program, Kathryn was also busy with her other acting projects under ABS-CBN Studios.

These included the action drama superhero series “Super Inggo,” wherein we loved her as Maya Guevarra, the love interest of the titular character depicted by her then-fellow child star Makisig Morales, as well as “Prinsesa ng Banyera,” wherein she impressed us with her portrayal of the young Mayumi Burgos.

2010 was a year of breakthroughs for Kathryn as her performances in “Magkaribal” as young Victoria (Gretchen Barretto) and in the remake of the classic soap opera “Mara Clara” as Mara del Valle received critical acclaim.

In 2011, she quite took a break from the drama genre through her role as Ella in the weekly teen sitcom “Growing Up,” in which her team-up with Daniel Padilla—dubbed KathNiel—was born. Realizing the phenomenal impact of their loveteam, they were once again paired with each other in the primetime series “Princess and I” in 2012. In this romantic drama teen series, we fell in love with her and her ever-lovely character Mikay, who was eventually revealed as the missing princess of the fictional kingdom of Yangdon.

As they became one of the hottest and well-loved loveteams in the local entertainment scene, Kathryn and Daniel went on to do four more teleseryes since then, which also paved the way for her to continue flourishing as a leading lady.

The young actress charmed us as Cristina Carlotta “Chichay” Tampipi in the 2013 rom-com series “Got To Believe,”  which was succeeded by her limited appearance in the highly successful daytime series “Be Careful With My Heart” in 2014 as young Felicidad (Gloria Sevilla).

In 2015, Kathryn starred in the remake of the Pinoy classic soap opera “Pangako Sa ‘Yo” as the lovely and loving Yna Macaspac. Around a year after it ended, she went on to impress us with both her dramatic and action prowess as the hybrid vampire-werewolf Malia Rodriguez in the 2017 fantaserye “La Luna Sangre.” KathNiel then made a TV comeback in 2022 via the rom-com series “2 Good 2 Be True,” wherein she endeared us as the hardworking and passionate personal nurse, Ali Fajardo.

Aside from the aforementioned teleseryes, she also showcased her acting skills in other Kapamilya programs such as “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Komiks Presents,” “Your Song Presents,” and “Wansapantaym.”

And three years since her last television appearance, the Asia’s Superstar is about to show us her side as a critic as one of the judges of the much awaited “PGT Season 7,” alongside Donny Pangilinan, Eugene Domingo, and former ABS-CBN President Freddie “FMG” M. Garcia.

Show your love and support for Kathryn, who just turned 29 this March 26, by not missing an episode of “PGT Season 7” once it begins this coming weekend, March 29 and 30. It will air from every Saturday and Sunday night on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), TV5 and A2Z.