Is it official? Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala’s rumored romance heats up

Kapamilya star Kathryn Bernardo and Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala have set social media abuzz after photos of the two together surfaced online, fueling long-running rumors of a romantic relationship between the actress and the local government official.

Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala in Thailand. (Images courtesy of Kapamilya Online World & notyourelena|X)

The pair was spotted at Suvarnabhumi Airport in Bangkok, Thailand, with photos circulating on social media on March 31. Reports said that the two had already been in Thailand for about a week, having visited both Chiang Mai and Bangkok, before heading to their next destination — reportedly Bhutan, for a camping trip.

This is far from the first time the rumored couple has been seen together. The two have previously been spotted at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, at upscale restaurants, and in various other locations across the Philippines. However, the Thailand sighting — complete with photographic evidence — has been described by many observers as the most telling yet.

Despite the growing number of sightings, neither Kathryn nor Mark has publicly confirmed a romantic relationship. Kathryn, in particular, has not made any reference to Mark on her social media accounts, leaving fans and followers to speculate.

Reaction online has been mixed. While some fans expressed excitement over the pairing, others raised pointed questions about Alcala’s responsibilities as a public official.

Critics questioned whether it was appropriate for the mayor to be on an extended overseas trip amid ongoing concerns in the Philippines, including a national oil price crisis. Some netizens also targeted Kathryn for her association with the politician.

Kathryn Bernardo was spotted having dinner with a man, with whom she was seen holding hands. According to a netizen, the man is believed to be Mayor Alcala, identified by his distinctive bracelet.

Supporters of the mayor, on the other hand, pushed back against the criticism, with some Lucena City residents expressing pride that their mayor was making headlines alongside one of the country’s biggest stars.

As of writing, both Kathryn Bernardo and Mayor Mark Alcala have yet to issue any official statement regarding the Thailand trip or the nature of their relationship.

— Robert Requintina

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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph