The poll results for Push.com.ph’s most kilig love team for 2012 placed the tandem of Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla (KathNiel) in the top spot, garnering 41 percent of the total votes. Kim Chiu and Xian Lim (KimXi) came in second with 33 percent of votes, followed by Sarah Geronimo and Gerald Anderson (Sasa-Gege) with 20 percent of votes, and Jodi Sta. Maria and Richard Yap with 6 percent of votes.Arguably the most popular teen love team today, Kathryn and Daniel first worked together in the weekly series Growing Up (2011). On hindsight, they were somehow fated to be a tandem since Daniel got the role instead of Albie Casiño, who happened to be Kathryn’s original love team in a previous project (Mara Clara). Kathryn and Daniel eventually gained a solid fan base especially when they teamed up again in the primetime teleserye Princess And I (2012 to present).
But aside from their undeniable onscreen chemistry, Kathryn and Daniel further gained public interest with their real life relationship. Celebrity couples such as Bea Alonzo-Zanjoe Marudo and Angelica Panganiban-John Lloyd Cruz even joke about emulating the kilig factor between the two youngsters in their respective relationships. As it is, Daniel has been very vocal about his feelings for Kathryn and is willing to wait until they reach the right age to be in a relationship. Their parents approve of their courtship as long as their main priority is still their growing showbiz career.