Kathryn Bernardo

Kathryn Chandria Manuel Bernardo, popularly known as Kathryn Bernardo (born 26 March 1996 in Cabanatuan City, Philippines), is a Filipina actress.She is best known for her role as Mara in the primetime Filipino drama, Mara Clara. Bernardo is currently a contract artist of Star Magic and ABS-CBN and most recently starred as Ana Bartolome in the 2011 drama film, Way Back Home.^[3] She also played the main protagonist Mikay in the primetime series Princess and I.

Early life

 Bernardo was born in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija and was a student of the OB Montessori Center Inc. in Greenhills. She is the youngest of four children of parents Teodore Bernardo and Luzviminda (née Manuel)

Entertainment career

Television

Bernardo began acting in 2003, appearing as the young Cielo in It Might Be You. She went on to play different roles in other ABS-CBN shows like Krystala and Vietnam Rose before landing a permanent spot in the hit kiddie show, Goin' Bulilit.

2010–11: Mara Clara / Growing Up

In 2010, Bernardo went on to dramatic roles by landing the role of the young Victoria in ABS-CBN's Magkaribal and in GMA's Endless Love as the young Jenny. Coincidentally, both premiered in same day on 28 June 2010^.
Her first breakthrough role was Mara in the remake of Mara Clara with her co-star and real life best friend Julia Montes. Since its premiere, the teleserye was a consistent leader in the primetime ratings. Affirming its success, the show even picked up a nomination in the 2011 Banff World Media Festival in the "Telenovelas & Soap Operas" category.
After the primetime teleserye finished, Bernardo soon began appearing in the Sunday afternoon teen show, Growing Up. Together again with Montes, the show starred other up and coming ABS-CBN teen stars like Kiray Celis, Diego Loyzaga and Daniel Padilla. In the show, Bernardo played the role of 15-year old Ella, who lives with her single mother. The show premiered strongly ranking number 2 overall in the afternoon block.

2012–13: Princess and I

The actress currently topbills Princess and I, a romance-drama royalty-themed television series, following the success of the youth-oriented show, Growing Up in 2011. Playing the role of Mikay/Princess Areeyah, the teleserye is touted as one of the grandest, being the first Philippine show to be shot in Bhutan. In this show, Bernardo is paired once again to her Growing Up partner, Daniel Padilla, who has admitted in interviews to liking her in real-life. Aside from Padilla, Bernardo also has two other leading men, Enrique Gil and Pilipinas Got Talent former contestant Khalil Ramos. Other veteran actors like Gretchen Barretto and Albert Martinez join the cast.
The show is currently enjoying success being the number one primetime show as of September 2012. Due to its popularity, the show has been extended.