Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla of the KathNiel duo answer questions from reporters during the "Artists for Mar" gathering in Quezon City, Philippines, on May 3, 2016. (Photo : Yibada/Conviron Altatis)
Kathryn Bernardo, 20, is endorsing Mar Roxas for the 2016 presidential race in the Philippines. The Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award nominee was a former member of the Iglesia Ni Cristo religious group, which is known for its solid vote during Philippine elections and is endorsing Rodrigo Duterte.
On May 3, Tuesday, Bernardo attended the "Artists for Mar" event at the Mesa Filipino Moderne restaurant at Tomas Morato cor. Scout Fernandez in Quezon City, Philippines. She was with her KathNiel duo partner Daniel Padilla, 21, and his mother Karla Estrada.
The "Artists for Mar" event was headlined by Puerto Rican-Filipino singer Gary Valenciano with Jim Paredes and Leah Navarro as hosts and Roxas's wife Korina Sanchez, as the keynote speaker. Among the celebrities who attended were Buboy Garovillo, Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza, Jayda Avanzado, Alfred Vargas, Ruffa Mae Quinto, Eagle Riggs, Chocoleit, Donita Nose, Jason Francisco, Celeste Legazpi, Noel Cabangon, Kris Lawrence, Bernadette Alyson, Martin Escudero and Samantha Lopez.
On May 4, Wednesday, INC announced that they are endorsing Duterte for president and Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos, Jr. for vice president. The 12 senatorial candidates they are endorsing are Manny Pacquiao, Vicente Sotto, Ralph Recto, Martin Romualdez, Francis Tolentino, Migz Zubiri, Panfilo Lacson, Joel Villanueva, Sherwin Gatchalian, Richard Gordon, Franklin Drilon and Risa Hontiveros.
In 2015, INC broke three Guinness world records with the historical-biographical film "Felix Manalo," which dramatized the first Executive Minister of the religious group. Starring Dennis Trillo as the title role, the film has the largest audience in a film premiere, the largest audience in a film screening and the largest paying audience for a film premiere.
The film also starred Vargas, Bela Padilla, Gabby Concepcion, Ryan Eigenmann, Jaclyn Jose, Joem Bascon, Gladys Reyes and Jacky Woo, among others. Bernardo was not included in the cast because of schedule conflict.
Also in 2015, Bernardo ranked number 80 in the 100 Most Beautiful Faces of 2015 by TC Handler. Also in the list is her fellow Filipino actress Liza Soberano, who ranked sixth.
In March, Bernardo was nominated for Favorite Pinoy Personality at the 2016 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Award along with Enrique Gil and James Reid. However, they all lost to Maine Mendoza, the other half of the record-breaking AlDub duo.
On Jan. 8, Bernardo won the Best Foreign Actress award at the 2016 Face of the Year Awards in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Daniel, her "Got to Believe" co-star, also won the Best Foreign Actor award.
Watch a clip of the KathNiel duo endorsing Roxas here:
