Newly single Kathryn Bernardo opens up about forgiveness

Kathryn Bernardo. Mega Magazine/Instagram 

“I know that I’m okay. I can say I’m healed.”

Kathryn Bernardo made this declaration as she, in a rare moment, opened up about her process of moving forward from her split with her boyfriend of 11 years, Daniel Padilla.

The Kapamilya star appears on the latest cover of MEGA Magazine, where she flaunted her toned physique against a beach backdrop in El Nido, Palawan. She credits this to her newfound habits of running two to three times a week and playing tennis, among others.

Speaking with Mega , Bernardo said she has learned how to compartmentalize, allowing herself to “feel” without sacrificing her work and other obligations.

“It’s not like I was masking everything I was feeling. But it was very personal and I didn’t want people to see me as a victim or to feel bad for me because it happened,” she said. “So for me, the best way to cope was first, I needed to heal and look at the bright side: I have so many blessings and so many people who stayed with me through all this. I focused on that. Second, I kept myself busy. Walang lull.”

“Sometimes I would ask my manager, ‘May I have a few days just to recharge? Once I go back, okay na.’ Now, where I am is exactly where I’m supposed to be,” she added.

When asked to give advice to people who are also trying to move on from a breakup, Bernardo admitted: “I actually don’t know because first, I’ve never imagined myself being in this situation and then overcoming it.”

She then added: “Depende. But distance is my way of protecting my peace.”

As for forgiveness, the actress said it’s a “case-to-case basis.”

“Ang lalim kasi ng word na forgiveness. For me, you can forgive people who deserve it. But when I forgive you, it doesn’t mean that I have to keep you in my life,” she stressed. “I forgive you for my peace of mind, for clarity, and for everything. But it doesn’t mean na puwede kang bumalik.”

“It depends. I’ll just keep my distance; you keep your distance. We’re okay like that. I mean, kunwari I got hurt, why would I allow you to come back?” she asked.