KathNiel: More mature but still more kilig

MANILA, Philippines - While the popularity of other loveteams fades as fast as a blink of an eye, the tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla, a.k.a. KathNiel, is on a continuous upward trajectory. Their growing fan base — whose members excitedly scream in an instant just by the mere mention of their idols’ names — already makes it obvious that KathNiel will last for a long time.

Even Gabby Concepcion and Lorna Tolentino, their co-stars in their latest movie Crazy Beautiful You, cannot deny how Daniel and Kathryn can easily make everyone giddy in every gesture that they do.

During the press con held recently at the Dolphy Theater of ABS-CBN, Gabby expressed his admiration for the two Kapamilya stars as a loveteam — both appear natural on-cam and work without any inhibitions.

“Just continue being natural,” said Gabby who portrays the town mayor father of Daniel’s character Kiko Alcantara in the latest Star Cinema movie that is set to open on Feb. 25 in theaters nationwide. “Well, it translates on screen whatever is happening between them. I could see it at maski ako, kinikilig ako. Fan nila ako,” added Gabby who also recalled his and Sharon Cuneta’s showbiz heydays as a loveteam.

Lorna, on the other hand, was asked about her thoughts on loveteams then and now. She said, “During our time, we were paired to different actors; ‘di talagang solid na ‘yung kami lang. With Kath and Daniel, I think sila lang talaga mula umpisa ang magkapareha.”

Lorna deemed that KathNiel is more akin to the hit onscreen pairings of Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, and Vilma Santos and Edgar “Bobot” Mortiz. They were popularly known in the ‘70s as Guy & Pip and Vi & Bot, respectively.

“’Pag shooting (with Daniel and Kathryn) parang nagfla-flashback sa kin yung time nung kay Nora and Tirso at Vi and Bot.”

When it comes to acting, both Lorna and Gabby agreed that working with KathNiel was a breeze. “’Pag off-cam masaya silang kasama, pag onscreen sila mas masayang panoorin. They turn serious whenever our director (Mae Cruz-Alviar) tells them to get ready for their scenes especially when direk shouts, ‘Action!’ They’re such professionals,” Gabby shared.

“At talagang nakakakilig sila,” added Lorna who plays Dra. Leah, the mom of Kathryn’s character Jackie Serrano.

Daniel and Kathryn return to the big screen via Star Cinema’s latest offering Crazy Beautiful You that is set to open on Feb. 25 in cinemas nationwide.

Direk Mae and Kathryn had worked together during the latter’s “bulinggit” days. Kathryn was then mostly relegated to portraying characters for flashback scenes in various MMK episodes. She, too, played Judy Ann Santos’ young version in Krystala. But Crazy Beautiful You was direk Mae’s first movie project this year with Kathryn and Daniel. The three initially worked in the movie 24/7 and, until this day, the director had nothing but praises for the young stars.

“Nakakakaba nung una,” revealed direk Mae. “But after, what a revelation especially for Kathryn and Daniel. Now I understand even more where they are now kasi they’re not just a loveteam, they have so much more to give as actors. I see na malayong-malayo ang mararating nilang dalawa individually and together.”

In Crazy Beautiful You, Kathryn and Daniel portray characters far different from their respective roles in last year’s box-office rom-com hit She’s Dating The Gangster. Of course, the gangster in the title referred to Daniel. This time, Daniel plays a mature young man while Kathryn displays a rebellious persona.

“I can say that our approach to our (respective) characters here are much different from Gangster; Mas mature dito and I think a lot of people can relate to the story,” Kathryn said.

“That’s because the story can possibly happen in real life,” added Daniel.

In fact, their hearts bled upon arriving in an Aeta community living near the Mt. Pinatubo where they shot most of the scenes in the movie. They discovered how much support the Aetas — young and old — truly need. That’s why, Daniel and Kathryn wasted no time in seeking support from their sponsors.

“We asked our sponsors (for assistance) so we can give or temporarily provide for the many things that they really need,” Kathryn said.

“Pag-dating mo pa lang kasi makikita mo na agad kung ano ang mga kailangan nila,” Daniel added. “Makikita mo din kung gaano kasimple ang buhay nila.”

(Crazy Beautiful You also stars Iñigo Pascual as Daniel’s half-brother Marcus.)