In an unexpected twist straight out of a political telenovela, Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala has once again found himself at the center of gossip headlines—not for any scandal involving governance or public funds, but for his rumored romantic pursuit of one of the country’s biggest stars: Kathryn Bernardo.
During a courtesy visit on February 18, 2025, when senatorial hopeful Willie Revillame and GP Party-list representative Atty. JP Padiernos was dropped by Lucena City Hall, and Mayor Alcala came face-to-face with members of Cabinet Files. When the topic shifted to the now-infamous July 2024 PEP.ph report alleging his courtship of the actress, the 29-year-old mayor was quick to react—not with a denial, but a dramatic plea.
“Please, have mercy. Don’t bring it up again,” Alcala reportedly said, half-jokingly, half-desperately, a statement that only fanned the flames of intrigue. The mayor’s father, Vice Mayor Dondon Alcala, smirked in the background, adding a layer of “dad knows something” energy to the already juicy moment.
In a more private exchange, Alcala tried fishing for the source of the Cabinet Files report, only to be shocked when told it came from someone close to him. He probed further but firmly refused to reveal the “reliable source.” The mayor’s response? A mix of amusement, nervousness, and visible discomfort.
When asked point-blank if he was indeed courting Kathryn Bernardo, Mayor Alcala neither confirmed nor denied the claim—a non-answer that deepened the mystery.
Is it love or just politics?
Rumors have now escalated from mere flirtation to full-on relationship speculation. According to insiders close to the alleged couple, the two have been “exclusively dating” since December 2024, though not yet in an official relationship. While some sources claim they are just getting to know each other, others insist that the pair has been spotted in several out-of-town getaways—including one reportedly in Balesin—raising eyebrows and sparking questions.
Why all the secrecy? Is the mayor protecting a budding romance from the public eye—or is this a calculated move tied to future political plans?
After all, being linked to a high-profile actress like Kathryn Bernardo is nothing short of a PR jackpot. Whether it’s sincere affection or strategic maneuvering, the public can’t help but watch, speculate, and gossip.
As this story develops, one thing is clear: Mayor Mark Alcala may be trying to avoid the spotlight, but this love angle has already taken center stage.
And if there is a Part 2? He can’t say we didn’t warn him.