In their generation of actresses, Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre have proven time and time again their staying and star power in show business. From the their respective acting accolades to influence beyond the screen, these two women are increasingly known not just for their beauty but more for their talent, strength, confidence, and wisdom beyond their years. Their recent reunion at the birthday celebration of Dr. Aivee Aguilar-Teo that have made fans buzzing that this is just the tip of their “interaction iceberg.”

Call us overreaching, but these interactions are particularly significant—especially because they have constantly been pitted against each other for so long. Seeing them together is a reminder to everyone that there’s ultimately no bad blood between the two. People just have to accept that in the entertainment industry, you can maintain mutual respect for each other without forcing a deep connection—much like love teams.

So, while our fingers are still crossed for a possible project together, a joint campaign with Aivee, or a even a double cover for MEGA, here are a few ways Nadine and Kathryn are similar—in more ways than one—when it comes to championing identity, strength, and self-love.

Their Self-reinvention

^{MEGA February 2020 Issue}

^{MEGA April 2024 Issue}

In their respective solo on and off-screen journeys post-breakups, Nadine and Kathryn both graced MEGA’s cover; the former in February 2020, after the joint statement coming from her and her previous reel-to-real partner; the latter just in April issue of this year. They both talked about finally claiming the power of choosing themselves.

Let’s look back on the self-love narratives of Nadine and Kathryn, as told to MEGA.

The Head On Mindset

In decisions that involved the matters of the heart, Nadine and Kathryn knew that thinking logically and feeling intensely were equally important when processing a chapter that was both a beginning and an end.

“I know myself and that wasn’t me,” the 30-year-old artist Nadine told MEGA three years ago. “I gave myself a couple of months, time to feel it, to just be in that space and be miserable or sad; I let myself be like that because after a few weeks of being in that place, I will be in a better one.”
^{Nadine looked back on her previous relationship with gratitude for their growth}
For actor-business owner Kathryn, making sense of her status then involved an awareness of honoring her commitments. “I mean, you’re a human being. You have to experience all the process, all the pain, lahat. But I always make sure that when it comes to my work, nothing is affected.”

^{Kathryn felt the need to feel her emotions, but with a mindful intention of professionalism}

Their Peace Protection Agenda

A lot can be said about a breakup, especially when it is between two people in the public eye. But even with the noise of unsolicited comments and advice, here’s how the two found peace. For the A Very Good Girl star, it is by keeping distance for herself, and not for anyone else. “For me, you can forgive people who deserve it. But when I forgive you, it doesn’t mean that I have to keep you in my life. I forgive you for my peace of mind, for clarity, and for everything. But it doesn’t mean na puwede kang bumalik. It depends. I’ll just keep my distance; you keep your distance. We’re okay like that.”
^{Distance, for Kathryn, is a step towards peace}
Nadine, on the other hand, chose to embark on an adventure of embracing uncertainty. “It can’t always be flowers and sparkles and clear blue skies. It feels different when you’re in a place that teaches you that being risky is also beautiful, that being dangerous is also beautiful. That kind of experience, when you get out of it, you’re a different person. How I see uncertainty now is starting to change because of what I just said.”
^{Nadine’s road to peace is embracing uncertainty}

Defining Their Now

Kathryn and Nadine have always been their own selves. And today, having to be half of a love team, the stage is all theirs for the taking—and they’re owning independence well.
^{Building her identity is Nadine’s ultimate testament of self-love}

This is not to say that they thrive on working and living their lives on their own. The two actresses find balance in intimate celebrations with friends and family, filtering the noise on social media, and having a say on their next projects and endorsements. After their respective breakups, they’ve chosen to make it big on their own terms and make it MEGA as their next step. This decision circles back to self-love.
^{Kathryn’s vow to love of all kinds and all ways? To keep choosing herself}

Finding Comfort in Nature

For Nadine and Kathryn, peace and sanctuary are found in nature—the ocean in particular. This similarity strikes another similar chord between them, they both seek nature for its serenity, a break from the noise of show business. Their mutual self-love agenda can also be seen in the way they care for their bodies—keeping fit by working out and paying visits to their derma as well.

Moving Forward With Fashion

They even share a penchant for fashion, as illustrated by how they recently sported their own iterations of Gucci’s pieces. Although dressing up helps them effectively play their roles in their shows and movies, both Nadine and Kathryn have established their off-screen personal styles anchored on staying true to themselves.

One thing they have in common is they don’t subscribe to the gender of clothing. Comfortably switching between styles and aesthetics, they like to alternate their looks from feminine formal wear to the everyday ease of androgynous button downs, blazers, and more.

The individual journeys of Kathryn Bernardo and Nadine Lustre are both narratives of women who have found and made sense of inner peace and happiness as defined by themselves. As they continue to live out their true selves in their present life stages, their by chance reunions are indeed a sign that asserting one’s womanhood comes with respect and support for others.