MANILA, Philippines — Award-winning actress Kathryn Bernardo is the latest Filipino celebrity to be immortalized with a wax figure at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong.
On Instagram, Bernardo shared a behind-the-scenes video of her sitting session last August, where sculptors took her measurements for the wax model.
“The ‘Kath’ is finally out of the bag! So excited to finally share this with everyone. Thank you @madametussaudshongkong for this huge honor,” she wrote in the caption.
Madame Tussauds Hong Kong confirmed the announcement, calling Bernardo one of Asia’s brightest stars.
“Only the greats get a spot at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong,” the museum said, adding that the actress’s inclusion was “no surprise” given her influence and achievements.
Bernardo, dubbed the “Phenomenal Box-Office Queen” of Philippine cinema, began acting at age seven and has since become one of the country’s most bankable stars. Her credits include popular TV dramas such as “Got to Believe” and “Pangako Sa ’Yo,” and blockbuster films “The Hows of Us” and “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” which was set in Hong Kong.
Its sequel, “Hello, Love, Again,” broke records in 2024, becoming the first Filipino film to surpass P1 billion at the global box office.
Bernardo was also recognized by Forbes Asia in 2020 as one of the most influential celebrities on social media in the Asia-Pacific region, she remains a top endorser across Southeast Asia, with a fan base spanning Vietnam, Thailand and South Korea.
“It’s a dream come true to have my own wax figure, and I’m grateful to the Madame Tussauds Hong Kong team for their trust in me. I’m excited for my fans worldwide to visit and interact with my twin, especially as Hong Kong especially since it’s such a meaningful milestone for me,” Bernardo said in a statement.
Wade Chang, general manager of Merlin Entertainments Hong Kong, said the decision reflects the museum’s commitment to celebrating Filipino excellence.
“We value our Filipino market and aim to provide them with an unforgettable experience at Madame Tussauds Hong Kong. Kathryn is an inspiring artist who has worked tirelessly to achieve her success. At Madame Tussauds, we honor excellence with a global impact, making Kathryn the perfect choice for our next Filipino wax figure,” Chang said.
Bernardo’s figure is currently being sculpted by Madame Tussauds’ London-based artists, who are known for their painstaking precision — each wax replica can take months to complete. The figure is expected to be unveiled in 2026.
When it’s revealed, Bernardo will join fellow Filipinos Manny Pacquiao, Pia Wurtzbach, Catriona Gray and Anne Curtis at the Hong Kong branch. Broadway legend Lea Salonga’s wax figure is displayed at Madame Tussauds Singapore.