Cover Kathryn Bernardo at the Tala Awards 2026, marking a new chapter in her relationship with Ultherapy Prime
Kathryn Bernardo at the Tala Awards 2026, marking a new chapter in her relationship with Ultherapy Prime
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Vanguard Aesthetics & Merz Aesthetics
Kathryn Bernardo is the new Philippine ambassador for Ultherapy Prime, reflecting on confidence, beauty, self-care and growing into every season of life
Kathryn Bernardo has been in front of cameras for most of her life, but the moment that mattered most at this year’s Tala Awards had nothing to do with a film or a franchise. She walked onstage to be introduced as the newest Philippine ambassador for Ultherapy Prime, and with it, put a name to a relationship with the treatment that has quietly spanned more than a decade.
The story begins in her twenties, when a doctor recommended Ultherapy to address something Bernardo had long felt self-conscious about: her fuller cheeks. She noticed a difference, she says, and the treatment became part of her routine, something she returned to once or twice a year rather than a single fix.
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Beauty has become less about chasing perfection and more about making thoughtful choices that support you in the long run
Speaking to Tatler after the announcement, Bernardo was asked what it actually means to be in one’s prime. Her answer resisted the neatness of the question. “Being in your prime doesn’t matter with age,” she said. “You have different seasons of your life and different primes. It’s about being confident.”
It is a distinction that reframes the entire premise of her new role. Ultherapy Prime is built on micro-focused ultrasound technology, with real-time visualisation that allows practitioners to see the tissue layers they are treating and adjust accordingly, a next-generation version of the same procedure Bernardo first tried years ago. But her account of it has always leaned less on the mechanics and more on the mindset.
“I think people today are more informed than ever,” Bernardo said during her conversation at the Tala Awards. “Beauty has become less about chasing perfection and more about making thoughtful choices that support you in the long run.”
Above Kathryn Bernardo takes the stage at the Tala Awards 2026, where she was introduced as the newest Philippine ambassador for Ultherapy Prime
Kathryn Bernardo takes the stage at the Tala Awards 2026, where she was introduced as the newest Philippine ambassador for Ultherapy Prime
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Above Kathryn Bernardo takes the stage at the Tala Awards
Above Kathryn Bernardo was introduced as the newest Philippine ambassador for Ultherapy Prime
Kathryn Bernardo takes the stage at the Tala Awards
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That idea of long-term care runs through Bernardo’s approach to beauty. Asked whether skincare is another form of investing in oneself, she drew a parallel with education, careers and health. “It’s about being consistent and taking care of yourself early, so you’re giving yourself the best foundation possible,” she said. “To me, that’s really an investment in confidence.”
Her philosophy is notably proactive rather than corrective. Looking back at her younger years, Bernardo said she would tell her younger self “not to wait until something becomes a concern before taking action,” adding that small habits can make a difference over time—not as a means of stopping ageing, but as a way of caring for oneself.
That mindset has been shaped, in part, by a public life spent under near-constant observation. Bernardo is candid about the fact that confidence is not something she takes for granted, even after years as one of the country’s most recognisable faces. At the Tala Awards, she spoke about acknowledging fear, about the discomfort of comparing her own timeline to someone else’s and about choosing to grow regardless.
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Above Kathryn Bernardo joins the evening’s celebrations at the Tala Awards 2026
Kathryn Bernardo joins the evening’s celebrations at the Tala Awards 2026
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The partnership also reflects a shift in how Kathryn Bernardo sees her own beauty journey. “Ultherapy saw me when I was in my twenties, and now, Ultherapy Prime continues that journey with me,” she said. The continuity, rather than a dramatic before-and-after narrative, is what makes the collaboration feel personal.
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For Bernardo, being limitless has little to do with perfection. It has more to do with refusing the terms other people set. When asked about her decision to join Ultherapy Prime, she returned to the same idea: “It’s not about changing who you are—it’s about taking care of yourself and feeling confident in every stage of life.”
For Kathryn Bernardo, entering her prime is not a finish line. It is simply where she is now, one season among the ones still ahead.
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A creative storyteller with a background in literature and culture, Dowee has been with Tatler since 2016 and now leads the brand’s digital voice—pursuing stories that highlight inspiring people, moments, and experiences. She holds a Master’s degree in Creative Writing from De La Salle University and is pursuing her PhD in Philippine Literature and Society at the University of the Philippines. She is also a member of the writers group, Taftique, which hones young writers in the field of creative literature.
For story leads, collaborations, or inquiries, reach out via dowee@tatlerphilippines.com or info@tatlerphilippines.com.
