MANILA — Karla Estrada urged followers of her son Daniel Padilla and the actor’s long-term girlfriend, actress Kathryn Bernardo, not to intrude on the high-profile relationship following a recent string of rumors, from a hidden engagement to the romance being on the rocks

The “Familia Blondina” star was asked about the “KathNiel” tandem Sunday after a press conference for the film, which is scheduled for release on February 27.

Estrada stressed she remains on good terms with Bernardo, a week after the young actress clarified that she had accidentally blocked the Instagram account of Padilla, causing them to un-follow each other.

What appeared to be a momentary rift, just basing on the stars’ Instagram following, alarmed some fans, and set off speculation that the two were going through a rough patch.

“I never had any issues with Kathryn, alam niya ‘yan, ng family niya. I’m good doon sa relationship nilang dalawa ni Daniel, because nakita ko naman na ang anak ko, nag-mature. Actually, silang dalawa, pareho silang naghilahan paakyat. Wala akong puwedeng sabihing hindi maganda,” Estrada said.

Padilla, 23, and Bernardo, 22, have been a couple for nearly six years, roughly the same amount of the time since their love team was formed.

 

Over the years, the relationship has weathered intrigues and controversies, even prior to their first confirmation of being official in mid-2018.

Both Estrada and Bernardo’s mother, Min, have been visible figures in the couple’s shared lives, as they openly expressed admiration for their respective child’s partner.

“Of course, bilang nanay,” Estrada continued, “bago ko sabihin sa mga tao ang aking mga hinanakit o kung anuman ang kailangan kong maging komento kay Kathryn at saka kay Daniel, mauuna na ‘yon sa bahay, sa aking anak.”

“Hindi tayo puwedeng maglaba ng maruruming damit natin sa social media, because wala silang maitutulong lahat. Kung hindi, makikilaba lang din sila,” she added.

Asked about the alarmed reactions to Bernardo and Padilla appearing to un-follow each other, Estrada said: “Ako, wala, natawa lang ako. These things really happen sa mga magkakarelasyon.

“Maganda naman doon, na-explain naman ni Kathryn na, of course, it wasn’t Daniel ang nag-unfollow. Tawanan lang kami. Hindi masyadong big deal ‘yang mga bagay na ‘yan. Hindi naman niya raw sinasadaya, ‘di ba, she was saying.

“Huwag na tayong manghimasok doon, hayaan na natin sila sa mga ganu’n nila. Basta, ang importante, ang anak ko ay nag-de-deliver nang maayos sa buhay pag-ibig, sa buhay sa pamilya niya, at lalong-lalo na sa kanyang buhay sa trabaho.”

In the same interview, Estrada also denied rumors that Padilla and Bernardo were recently secretly engaged — an example of the supposed intrustion into their private lives.

“Nag-assume lang tayo, ‘yung mga nakapanood. Actually, hindi naman talagang big deal ‘yon. May mga bagay na seryoso na mangyayari sa anak ko pagdating ng panahon and ako ang unang makakaalam noon,” she said.