Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo. Photo: Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla Fan page/Facebook

It’s been over a year since the break-up we all prayed never to see. 

Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla’s story is a modern-day fairy tale, at least as to what we see on screen. The A-list couple who we loved and grew up with left the world at a standstill when they announced that they have reached the end of the road. 

It was 11 years of love, growing up, surviving storms, grief, happiness and in betweens. But before 2023 ended, Kathryn announced that finally, KathNiel is over. 

A year later, the world has healed and so were the hearts that broke along with KathNiel. 

The news that shocked the world 

November 30, 2023 was, for millions of fans, a day of national mourning. Kathryn through an Instagram post, an open letter to all the KathNiels telling them that she and DJ, her loveteam of 12 years and boyfriend of 11 years have now parted ways. 

But aside from the split, another thing that caught the world was how Kathryn gracefully handled the break-up. 

Unlike exes’ usual trade of barbs after a bitter break-up, Kathryn gave a fittingly dignified ending to the 11-year romance that made the public almost believe in forever. 

Kathryn showed that we can separate with no bitterness, just love. 

“Like any other relationship, we tried our best to make it work. We’ve been drifting apart for a while now, and we ultimately had to accept that we can’t go back to where we used to be. It just won’t be fair to pretend that everything is still the same,” she said. 

“Deej, you gave me 11 beautiful years and the kind of love that I will forever cherish. I will always be grateful for you,” she said.

Kathryn also never abandoned their fans. Part of her letter was dedication to the solid KathNiels. 

Daniel, for his part, also dedicated a post for Kathryn. 

“Thank you for dancing with me during my highs and thank you for singing with me during my lows.

“Our lives may drift away, but our love will still ride that tide.”

Kathryn after KathNiel 

Kathryn obviously did not slow down after KathNiel. Her most famous project is the global hit “Hello, Love, Again,” the sequel to their 2019 hit “Hello Love Goodbye.” 

The reunion movie with Pambansang Bae Alden Richards is now the highest grossing Filipino film of all time earning over P1.4 billion. 

Kathryn is also set for her most daring role yet, a wartime sex slave in the upcoming movie “Elena 1944,” a reunion project between the actress and filmmaker Olivia Lamasan who last worked together in the movie “Barcelona: A Love Untold.” 

Her endorsements also multiplied further last year. 

As a result of her earnings, she was able to build her dream home for her family in 2024 in Rizal. 

Daniel after KathNiel 

First time working without Kathryn, Daniel still proved his place in acting when he top-billed ABS-CBN’s upcoming series “Incognito” to be shown on Netflix starting January 17. 

After renewing his contract with ABS-CBN last February, Daniel earlier announced that he will be making music with OPM icon Ely Buendia, a movie with Zanjoe Marudo and John Arcilla and a project with Diamond Star Maricel Soriano.