In 'The Hows of Us,' KathNiel portrays their hardest roles yet

CEBU, Philippines — It's been seven years since young actors Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla were paired to make what would be one of the most sought-after love teams of their generation.

In their latest Star Cinema film together, "The Hows of Us," the tandem says that their reunion film with director Cathy Garcia-Molina felt the realest.

"The Hows of Us," which hits cinemas today,  circles in on young couple George and Primo who dream of growing old together, planning their future with each other. But it's not peachy keen for the two as they struggle to keep their relationship from falling apart.

Kathryn says that George is the most difficult character for her yet because the role was not an exaggeration of certain things that made the usual lead character. She was just a person. In that simplicity, Kathryn found her challenge.

"I think this movie ang pinaka-mahirap na nagawa ko ever," she began in a press conference Monday at Radisson Blu Hotel prior to a mall show at SM Seaside City Cebu, where over 10,000 fans flocked to get a glimpse of the stars.

"Pag mas simple mas mahirap siyang gawin. Lalo na kay Direk Cathy, ayaw niya na umarte kami. Ang hirap," she quipped.

Their director had to constantly push them throughout filming, which Kathryn didn't mind because she knew she needed to get to the height of even the lowest of her emotions to deliver.

Daniel said: "Mas marami na ang hinihingi ni Direk sa amin. Alam naman niya kung hanggang saan ang kaya namin."

From the trailer, "The Hows of Us" showed a love worn down by time and circumstance. It had none of their usual previous teeny-bopper plot. No seeing life through rose-colored glasses.

"It's more mature kasi yung story hindi na siya boy meets girl, start ng ligawan. Magsisimula ang movie na hiwalay na sila and habang tumatagal, makikita mo yung journey kung bakit sila naghiwalay. Hindi siya pa-cute," Kathryn said, pointing out that this was different from "She's Dating the Gangster" and "Can't Help Falling In Love" which involved lynchpins like accidental marriages and character archetypes.

But don't expect intimate scenes in this drama flick. 

"May nagbabawal," said Daniel in jest. "Ayaw muna. Marami kasing batang supporters, siyempre iniingatan. And ang story hindi kinakailangan ng love scene. Hindi yung love scene ang inaabangan, ang love story."

Daniel guarantees that viewers would learn a lot from the film.

"In general, madali tayong bumitaw. Lalo na sa edad namin. Dito pinapakita na...choose to stay. Find a reason why. Sabi nga ni Direk, maaaring may isang milyong dahilan ka para umalis pero isa lang naman ang kailangan nating reason to stay," the actor said.

KathNiel recently confirmed long-standing rumors of a real life relationship, which didn't come as a shock for followers. Just like their roles,  did they ever find themselves giving up on their relationship?

"No. Never ko pinagsisihan," Kath said despite the challenges she doesn't want to be specific about.

During a media conference in Manila, it was Daniel who spilled the beans, saying that maybe it was time and so that others would stop badgering them about it. The actor also did the same in an episode of "Gandang Gabi Vice."

"Okay na din," Kath said about admitting their five-year relationship. "Obvious naman. Deserve din naman nila [fans] malaman. Alam naman ng KathNiels na matagal na pero iba siguro ngayon na nanggaling mismo sa amin. And ayaw din namin gawing masyadong, parang announcement."

Teased about the possibility of marriage within the next five years, they were not opposed to the idea. To the room's amusement,  Kathryn counted how old they were going to be when that time comes and probably thinking if she'd be ready to settle down by then.

Exciting times await KathNiel and their  fans after "The Hows of Us": Daniel will stage a concert in October titled "Back in Araneta," while Kathryn is set to do a film with Sharon Cuneta and Richard Gomez.

Kathryn feels weird shooting a film without her perennial partner. 

"Andyan yung takot at kaba. For 11 years kasama ko si DJ.  Hindi ko masasabi na magiging normal agad sa akin na bigla nalang wala," she said. 

"Kailangan i-ready namin ang sarili namin. Hindi naman pwede na ganito, ilang taon, ganito na naman."