Filipina actress Kathryn Bernardo has achieved a significant milestone in her career by winning the Snow Leopard Rising Star Award at the 10th Asian World Film Festival (AWFF). The award marks Bernardo’s first recognition from a Hollywood-based film festival, further cementing her status as a globally celebrated artist.
The event, held on Thursday night, saw Bernardo gracing the gala alongside her mother Min Bernardo, co-stars, and executives from ABS-CBN Films. The recognition comes after the massive success of her record-breaking movie Hello, Love, Goodbye, which showcased her acting prowess to international audiences.
In her acceptance speech, Bernardo expressed gratitude and reflected on her 22-year journey in the entertainment industry. “It feels so surreal to be standing here tonight receiving this award. Thank you so much to the Asian World Film Festival board of directors for this incredible honor—not only for recognizing my body of work but for celebrating all the stories that we as Asian artists continue to share with the world,” she said.
A montage of Bernardo’s notable works played on screen during the ceremony, highlighting her evolution as an actress since starting her career at the age of six. Vietnamese actress Kieu Chinh presented the award to Bernardo, emphasizing the significance of her contributions to Asian cinema.
Bernardo shared how her diverse roles over the years shaped her both as an artist and as an individual. “Each character gave me something new not just as an actor but as a person. After 22 years, I am still here pursuing my first love and my passion, which is acting,” she said. “Yes, I know it’s a tough job, but moments like tonight make it all worth it.”
The actress also took pride in representing the Philippines and her home network, ABS-CBN, on the international stage. “It is such an honor being here representing my fellow Filipinos and my home network ABS-CBN,” she concluded.
This award not only recognizes Bernardo’s acting achievements but also underscores the global appeal of Filipino talent in the entertainment industry. With this recognition, Kathryn Bernardo continues to inspire aspiring artists and bring Filipino stories to the world stage.