Kathryn Bernardo blossomed beneath the spotlight and right before the eyes of Filipino audiences, having started in showbiz at the age of seven. While most children her age were engrossed in dressing dolls, she was immersed in auditions and reading scripts, experiences that proved invaluable on her journey to success.

From a child star to a teenage sweetheart, and now a more mature actress, we’ve witnessed her craft evolve over the years. Since her discovery, her career trajectory has gone nowhere but up, and recently, she’s been captivating us more with her bolder image.

Truly, Kathryn Bernardo has shed her child star and teen queen personas to emerge as Asia’s Superstar. However, as we celebrate her 28th birthday, our hearts can’t help but feel nostalgic and wish to travel back in time to meet the young Kathryn again.

Her career commenced in 2003 with the portrayal of young Cielo in “It Might Be You,” topbilled by John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo. Though minor, this role served as a pivotal stepping-stone for the young Kathryn.

She continued to captivate viewers with playing supporting roles. Following her drama-heavy stint in “It Might Be You,” she showcased her high-spirited energy portraying the ally of Judy Ann Santos in “Krystala” (2004). Once again, she explored the realm of serious drama by joining the cast of Maricel Soriano’s “Vietnam Rose” (2005) to play the young version of the Diamond Star.

Her dedication as a child actress eventually let her to a bigger spotlight. She landed the role of Makisig Morales’ young romantic interest in “Super Inggo” in 2006, charming audiences with her wit and colorful personality.

Following her success in “Super Inggo,” she seamlessly transitioned into various projects, including “Prinsesa ng Banyera” (2007) and “Magkaribal”(2010).

In 2010, her star began to ascend even higher. She was cast in the remake of the classic ABS-CBN teleserye “Mara Clara,” where she took on the challenging role of reprising Judy Ann’s iconic portrayal. All eyes were on Kathryn, and she delivered with excellence. This would be the start of her reign as a teen sensation.

The following year, she met Daniel Padilla, who would go on to be her loveteam partner, the other half of “KathNiel,” for the next decade. Their partnership blossomed further in “Princess and I“ (2012) where her chemistry not only with Daniel but also with leading men Enrique Gil and Khalil Ramos deeply captivated audiences.

Kathryn continued to thrive as both a leading lady and an artist with each successive role. Her portrayal of Chichay in the rom-com series “Got To Believe” (2013) is a career highlight, showcasing her versatility while further cementing her love team with Daniel.

Since then, the Kapamilya star has navigated a path of continuous growth as an actress, meticulously selecting her teleserye roles. Her recent TV project, “2 Good 2 Be True” (2022), showcased her versatility as she portrayed the spirited and resilient nurse, Ali. Her stellar performance in the series earned her the accolade of Outstanding Asian Star at the 2023 Seoul International Drama Awards.

Happy Birthday, Kathryn!