The reigning box-office queen has officially arrived in wax.
In a star-studded, emotional, and historic event held at Glorietta 2, Ayala Malls in Makati City, Madame Tussauds Hong Kong officially unveiled the wax figure of Philippine superstar Kathryn Bernardo. The exclusive launch marked a monumental milestone, making Kathryn the fifth Filipino personality—and notably the youngest—to be immortalized by the world-famous attraction.
Orange Magazine PH was live on the scene to witness the breathtaking reveal of Kathryn’s “twin,” capturing the overwhelming joy of her family, friends, and the legions of devoted fans who filled the venue. While the unveiling itself was historic, the true heart of the event belonged to Asia’s Superstar, who opened up about everything from her initial disbelief to her grounded view on her career.
“Why Me?”: From Tourist to Main Attraction
The road to creating the perfect likeness began back in August 2025, requiring nearly a year of intensive, highly detailed crafting by experts in the United Kingdom. Madame Tussauds Hong Kong General Manager Wade Chang shared the inspiration behind choosing the actress, highlighting her undeniable impact.
“Kathryn is a well-celebrated icon, and we really acknowledge her commitment to her work,” Chang noted. “It’s such a treat to do a figure launch in the Philippines because of the warmth, love, and support from fans.”
For Kathryn, seeing her lifelike wax clone was a surreal reality check. She admitted that when the offer first arrived, she thought it was anything but real.
“Actually, it wasn’t a call. It was a message from my mom,” Kathryn laughed, recalling the exact moment the opportunity dropped. “She sent like a deck, I think, and I’m like, ‘Oh man…’ I used to go to Madame Tussauds! My family, my papa, and I went to Madame Tussauds in LA. So I’m a fan of Madame Tussauds. I was like, ‘What’s this?’ And then as I browsed through the text, I’m like, ‘What? Me? Why me?’ That was my reaction—why me?“
Nothing actually sank in until she sat in the measurement chair for half a day with the artisans flown in from the UK. “They match up everything so meticulously. The next thing, I’m like, ‘Oh my god, it’s really happening. I’m going to be part of it.’ It’s like a full-circle moment. Until today, I couldn’t believe it.“
Standing Beside Her Twin: The Captivating Reveal
When the red velvet curtains finally parted, the crowd erupted into cheers. Standing side-by-side with her figure, Kathryn was left temporarily breathless, staring in complete awe at her striking double.
The figure replicates Kathryn’s look from a major career milestone—the pristine, elegant white gown designed by Martin Bautista that she wore when she received an award in South Korea in 2023. From the exact shade of her hair and makeup to the tiniest individual details like her piercings, eyelashes, nails, and moles, the replica is visually flawless.
“I got scared because we look alike! Seeing myself in the flesh like right there in front of me, it’s crazy,” Kathryn joked playfully. “I didn’t know where to look first because there are so many details happening. Even my baby hairs, from my facial features down to the toes—I checked it and I’m like, ‘Oh my god, it matches my polish!’“
She added warmly that the pose was deliberately chosen to be approachable: “I think it’s very classic, very timeless. And I think it’s easy to pose around her. You can hug her, you can do any poses with her.“
An Emotional Gift to Her Fans and Kababayans
Looking at her completed “Kath-twin,” Kathryn grew sentimental, holding back tears as she looked out at the sea of supporters packing the Makati mall.
“Maybe a while ago I was just a bit emotional, sentimental, and all, because looking at it, you know, it wasn’t an easy ride,” she shared candidly. “People get to see just the ‘Kathryn’ on television, but in order for this to be possible, the fans made it possible. It was a lot of hard work, a lot of challenges. So, this is a gift for the fans. Actually, this is not my milestone; it’s our milestone, because this wouldn’t be possible if not for them. This is for you guys.“
She also noted the profound comfort the figure would bring to Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in Hong Kong, a city deeply connected to her historic film Hello, Love, Goodbye.
“Hong Kong will always have a special place in my heart,” Kathryn shared sentimentally. “We created ‘Joy’ there… and we have all our kababayans in Hong Kong. A lot of them don’t get to go home, so at least we bring a piece of the Philippines there. I hope I’ll be able to bring smiles. Looking at the wax figure, especially for the fans, it’s a nice moment just to take a pause and journey to get to this moment.“
By joining the ranks of fellow Filipino icons like Manny Pacquiao, Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray, and Lea Salonga, Kathryn cements her legacy as a global Pinoy pride symbol. “I’m just very humbled to be there alongside these icons… and now, I think I’m the youngest! I hope this will open doors to more Filipinos.“
Staying Present: Upcoming Projects and Inner Peace
With a major series coming up this July and a jam-packed schedule ahead, the superstar is intentionally shifting how she approaches her future. When asked about her next big career leap, Kathryn offered a deeply mature perspective on success.
“I have a lot, a lot, a lot of goals,” she said. “But what I learned, especially last year, is that I need to just savor everything and just to enjoy it. I don’t want to rush anything. Yes, I have goals, but sometimes we’re so focused on the future we don’t get to appreciate the present anymore. With everything that’s happening now—I have a series coming this July, and then after that, so many exciting things—I just want to be happy. I want to live a good and balanced life, more than anything.”
Closing her message with a final word of gratitude, she offered a parting thought for the next generation of dreamers: “I want to inspire more Filipinos out there, especially the younger ones, that you can dream big and it will happen if you put a lot of hard work into it. Today, I’m just savoring everything. Stop and smell the roses. Stop and appreciate.”
Catch the “Twin” Before It Flies
Filipino fans have a very limited window to view the masterpiece locally. Kathryn’s wax figure will remain on display at Glorietta for a brief public viewing before being packaged and shipped off to its permanent home. Beginning July 17, global fans and homesick kababayans alike can officially visit Kathryn’s figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
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