A simple first name was all it took to send fans into a full-blown investigative frenzy.

During an episode of Pilipinas Got Talent (PGT) aired April 6, 2025, Kathryn Bernardo was asked about her very first crush.

“Siguro Grade 2 ako nun sa probinsiya namin. Mestizo siya,” the Star Magic actress shyly related before eventually dropping his name.

“E, kapag crush ko, mas lalo ko yun hindi kakausapin. Mas lalong hindi mo talaga mararamdaman. Kahit isabit mo ako, hindi ko aaminin na crush kita, yung ganun.”

Kathryn revealed, “Ang name niya ay Kenneth.”

It was a brief and innocent moment, but her fans took it seriously. Social media went into overdrive, determined to figure out who this “Kenneth” could be.

It didn’t take long before netizens zeroed in on one name: Kenneth Hizon, a young doctor from Nueva Ecija.

What followed was a rapid viral surge that pushed the unsuspecting physician into the national spotlight.

KENNETH HIZON’S REACTION TO KATHRYN BERNARDO’S SURPRISE CRUSH CONFESSION

By April 12, News5 managed to track Kenneth down to ask him how he felt about the unexpected attention.

“Actually, nakakatuwa, pero at the same time, siyempre, nakaka-overwhelm. Kasi being a private person, nakaka-overwhelm, pero okay lang naman,” he said, trying to make sense of the sudden buzz surrounding his name.

Kenneth was actually on duty when the reveal happened.

“Nasa duty kasi ako noon, then my friends started tagging me dun nga sa video ni Kathryn, PGT, which became viral. Kaya ayun, dun ko nalaman.”

Dr. Kenneth Hizon responds to Kathryn Bernardo identifying him as her first-ever crush. 
Photo/s: News5

Pressed about what he remembers from their early days, Kenneth offered a nostalgic smile.

“Since nursery, magkakaklase kami, which is in Christian Faith Montessori,” he recalled.

“Then lumipat siya and lumipat din ako dun sa Flowerlane [Montessori Children’s House]. Tas simula noon, di ko lang maalala kung hanggang grade 1 o grade 2 kami magkaklase.”

Even after all these years, he still remembers how Kathryn stood out.

He shared, “Si Kathryn, ang naaalala ko sa kanya is masayahin siyang tao, and pag nakikita mo siya, siya talaga yung bright kid, ganon? Tapos, siyempre, maganda kahit bata pa lang.”

When asked how he felt upon realizing he might be the Kenneth that Kathryn was referring to, Kenneth admitted to being uncertain at first.

“Nung una, I was unsure kasi siyempre Kenneth. E, di lang naman siguro ako yung Kenneth sa buong Flowerlane.

“Pero nung ni-recall ko, parang, ‘Ah, baka nga ako.’ Pero siyempre hindi ko naman sinasabing ako. Malayo lang yung chance na baka ako,” he said, laughing.

But then came a candid confession of his own, which tugged at the netizens’ heartstrings.

“To be honest, siya din yung una kong naging crush,” he revealed.

“Una, maganda. And pangalawa is sobrang bright niya talaga. As in pag nakita mo siya, yung parang matutuwa ka talaga.”

Naturally, the Internet’s next move was to root for a potential reunion, or something even more.

Kenneth, still taking things in stride, shared his thoughts on the fans’ support: “First, siyempre, nakakatuwa.

“Kasi, ikaw ba naman maging crush ng isang Kathryn Bernardo, di ba?

“Tapos, okay naman na parang na-o-overwhelm lang talaga ako nung una. Pero so far, all good naman.”

Kenneth’s Relationship Status

The curiosity surrounding Kenneth’s romantic life has skyrocketed since Kathryn’s crush reveal.

His father, Edward Hizon, confirmed on his Facebook profile shortly after the viral clip, that Kenneth is currently single.

This sparked playful online speculations and imaginative scenarios among fans, who have since shipped the two childhood friends.

Kenneth, for his part, has only spoken once to clarify that a fake comment had been posted using his name.

Nonetheless, some fans continue to root for a real-life reunion between him and Kathryn, eagerly anticipating what the future may hold for them.

Dr. Kenneth Hizon 
Photo/s: Screengrab from Instagram | @kenhiz