After days of speculation regarding an alleged snubbing incident between Alden Richards and Kathryn Bernardo at the Bench Body of Work fashion show, the two stars have seemingly put the rumors to rest, proving that their friendship remains strong. The highly anticipated event took place over the weekend at the Mall of Asia Arena, where both actors were among the biggest headliners.

The controversy began when fans noticed that Richards and Bernardo did not publicly acknowledge each other while on stage. With Richards opening the show and Bernardo closing it, many were eager to see whether they would interact. However, since no on-stage exchange took place, netizens speculated that the two were avoiding each other, fueling discussions online.

Shortly after, a TikTok video uploaded by Anj Abad went viral, showing the two warmly greeting each other backstage. In the clip, Bernardo and Richards were seen hugging and exchanging a cheek kiss, instantly debunking rumors of tension between them. Fans took this as a sign that there was no bad blood between the two, despite ongoing speculation surrounding their relationship.

Richards and Bernardo’s dynamic has long been a subject of public interest, especially after their undeniable chemistry in the blockbuster films Hello, Love, Goodbye (2019) and its highly anticipated sequel Hello, Love, Again (2024). Their on-screen partnership led many to believe that there was something more between them, with rumors circulating that Richards had been courting Bernardo behind the scenes.

However, recent reports suggested that the Kapuso actor had stopped pursuing the Kapamilya actress, sparking mixed reactions from fans. Some expressed disappointment, while others speculated about the real reason behind his cryptic social media posts, which many believed were related to his rumored feelings for Bernardo.

Despite the ongoing speculation about their personal relationship, Bernardo and Richards continue to make history together. Their latest film, Hello, Love, Again, recently achieved a remarkable milestone, becoming the first Filipino movie to surpass P1 billion at the global box office.

Directed by Cathy Garcia-Sampana, the film serves as the sequel to Hello, Love, Goodbye, which remains the highest-grossing Filipino film of all time. The continuation of Joy and Ethan’s love story has captivated audiences once again, proving that their on-screen magic remains as powerful as ever.