ON THIS DAY: Kathryn Bernardo appeared eight years ago in ABS-CBN and GMA-7 shows

Remember when Kathryn Bernardo became a Kapuso and Kapamilya on the same day?

Eight years ago today, June 28, Kathryn Bernardo appeared on both ABS-CBN and GMA networks. She played the younger versions of Marian Rivera in Endless Love (GMA), and Gretchen Barretto in Magkaribal (ABS-CBN).

Did you know that there was one day when Kathryn Bernardo was seen on both ABS-CBN and GMA-7?

This happened eight years ago, on June 28, 2010, when Kathryn was tapped to star in the Kapamilya series Magkaribal, and the GMA teleserye Endless Love.

On that day, Endless Love and Magkaribal aired their pilot episodes.

YOUNG MARIAN RIVERA.

In Endless Love, which aired on GMA-7’s second prime-time slot, Kathryn played the young Jenny, who was later played by Marian Rivera.

Kathryn was paired back then with Kristoffer Martin.

Kristoffer was cast as the younger version of Dingdong Dantes’s character, Johnny.


Kathryn’s appearance in the Kapuso show lasted for a week.

Even before the show’s airing, Kathryn and Kristoffer had been actively participating in promos for the series.

At that time, their participation in the show came as a shock to loyal ABS-CBN viewers, since they were both talents of Star Magic.

Kathryn and Kristoffer were already being tagged as the next Barbie Forteza and Joshua Dionisio.

The team-up of Barbie and Joshua became popular when they played the younger versions of Rhian Ramos and Dingdong Dantes, respectively, in the 2009 remake of Stairway to Heaven.

At that time, Kathryn and Kristoffer were offered to sign contracts with GMA Artist Center, the talent arm of GMA-7.

Kathryn was still a Star Magic artist back then, and Kristoffer’s contract had just expired.

YOUNG GRETCHEN BARRETTO.

Right after the airing of Endless Love, Kathryn was seen in the pilot episode of the ABS-CBN prime-time series Magkaribal.

In this show, she played the young Anna Abella, the character of Gretchen Barretto.

Anna Abella later changed her name to Victoria Valera to forget the hardships she experienced in the past.

Even though Kathryn’s appearance only lasted for two days, her performance was well-applauded by viewers because of a particular scene.

In that scene, Kathryn’s Anna became a prostitute so that she could pay the hospital bills of her younger sister, Angela (Barbie Sabino).


While allowing a Japanese man to touch her, Anna put on a stoic face as tears rolled down her face.


In the second episode, Kathryn showed some skin as Anna almost stripped off her bath robe in front of Ronaldo Valera (Allan Paule).


However, Ronaldo stopped her from doing it and instead, adopted her as his own child, prompting Anna to change her name to Victoria Valera.

Kathryn’s notable performance in the show earned her to be offered the role of Mara in the remake of the classic drama series Mara Clara.

YOUNG KATHRYN.

In an interview during the press conference of Endless Love, Kathryn was actually aware that she would be seen in the pilot episodes of the two rival networks on the same day.

She said, “Hindi po yata sabay ng timeslot, pero same day.

“Kasi po, end of May po dapat talaga yung Magkaribal, tapos na-move po siya nang na-move. Hanggang sa pumasok na po yung Endless Love. Ngayon po pala yung nagkataong sumabay, hindi ko po talaga alam na magkakasabay.”

When asked to choose between Jenny and Anna/Victoria, Kathryn answered, “Yung mas malapit po sa personality ko, siguro po yung dito sa Endless Love. Kasi po, simple ‘tapos childish, parang gano’n din ako.

“Sa Magkaribal po kasi, parang mabibigat po yung scenes, puro mga sunog, mga gano’n po.”

Her role in the GMA teleserye might be closer to her personality, however, when it comes to the TV network that Kathryn chose.

In October 2010, ABS-CBN announced that Kathryn would be top-billing the drama series Mara Clara, along with Julia Montes.

This marked the time when Kathryn finally graduated from “the young” roles and would be headlining her own shows.

A year later, in 2011, Kathryn was first paired with Daniel Padilla, who would later become her reel-and-real life sweetheart.

The two starred in the shows Growing Up (2011), Princess and I (2012), Got To Believe (2013), Pangako Sa ‘Yo (2015), and La Luna Sangre (2017).

Even if Kathryn signed up with ABS-CBN, she remained friends with Marian Rivera.

In fact, she was even asked to become one of Marian’s bridesmaids during her December 2014 wedding with Dingdong Dantes.

However, Kathryn wasn’t able to come because of a prior commitment.

Kathryn has also remained friends with Kristoffer, who stayed with GMA-7 after Endless Love.