KathNiel For real this time?

MANILA, Philippines – If we are to judge by the way they exchange sticky glances and they hold hands, it’s safe to say that there’s something going on between Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. It must be a real romance between the young stars.  

Surprisingly, Daniel has also become so expressive of his thoughts about Kathryn which was something he seemingly dreaded to do in the past. Are they beginning to open up on whatever real romantic goings-on between them?

During the presscon for Pangako Sa‘Yo finale week held Thursday, Daniel openly shared varied thoughts about the actress that played on his mind while on his way to the presscon venue.    

“I’ve been thinking about Kathryn and the times that we’re together,” he began. “Grabe na din pala yung pinagsamahan namin and I am proud of whatever she’s been achieving lately. We’re happy for each other’s successes. I thank God for being so kind to me and I really cannot ask for anything more. Iniisip ko kung may kulang pa sa akin pero wala na talaga akong mahihiling pa.”

Kathryn knows, Daniel added, that he will take care of her as long as they’re together.

It can be recalled that Daniel and Kathryn were first paired in 2012 via the ABS-CBN series Princess and I. It was followed by several projects that appealed greatly to the audience which led to the birth of their loveteam KathNiel. Since then, the reel pairing stirred the public’s curiosity if it will blossom into a real romance.

For Kathryn, Daniel is the type who is serious in everything he does. “Si DJ (as she fondly refers to Daniel), sobrang lalim n’ya mag-isip and he has matured a lot that’s why he was able to help me grow as a person — from the simplest things like dealing with other people to handling my problems in such a way na di ako masyado mai-stress. I’m thankful to Daniel for teaching me all of that.

“In return, I promised him that we will understand each other no matter what. Ilang years na yung loveteam namin? Four years na and with that, it’s not impossible to get tired of each other or magkasawaan. But we always try to understand each other by accepting who he really is at ganun din s’ya sa akin kaya nag-grow kami together.”

They openly care for each other yet Daniel and Kathryn are still mum on the real score between them. But Daniel has a ready answer.  

“Whenever I see Kath on the set feeling blue, I instantly get affected; naba-bad trip na ako but when she’s smiling and obviously happy, I can work until the following day. I am really affected by the way she feels and that’s what you call… love. Thank you so much.”   

Asked why he has become so expressive of his feelings towards Kathryn compared before, Daniel said that it is best for him to tell the truth rather than lie about his feelings “at baka mag-buckle pa ako ’pag hindi ko sinabi ang totoo.”

Besides, Kathryn added that what is important is to show to people what they are on- and off-cam. “Kung ano po ’yung nakikita n’yo ganun po talaga; that we care so much for each other. We’re like magnets that you cannot easily pull apart.” 

Meanwhile, Daniel and Kathryn are happy that Pangako Sa’Yo continues to enjoy consistently high ratings since it began airing in May. The series, Kathryn shared, ushered them to mature roles. “This is the perfect project because it’s been tried-and-tested. You can see that we really have grown here. And that’s the goal — to show a different side of us.”

Aside from the undeniable impact of KathNiel, there is also the unexpected loveteam of Jodi Sta. Maria and Ian Veneracion, now popularly known as AmorAdo, that adds excitement to the primetime series.

Stay tuned for the last five episodes of Pangako Sa’Yo as Amor (Jodi) and Eduardo (Ian) have finally found out that Yna (Kathryn) and Angelo (Daniel) are half-siblings who recently promised to love each other in an exchange of marriage vows.

Will Angelo discover that his mom Claudia (Angelica Panganiban) had an affair with Simon (Alex Medina) and that she was already pregnant prior to her marriage with Eduardo?

(Pangako Sa ‘Yo airs its final episode on Feb. 12 after FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano.)