Janine Gutierrez stands in a room filled with trailblazing women, yet, she doesn’t see herself as one of them.
Headlining the Cosmopolitan Philippines Women of Influence Recognition Dinner 2025—held on March 27, 2025, at Casa Buenas, Newport in Pasay—she is recorgnized for her impact as an actress.
But when asked about her own influence, Janine tells PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), "I don’t really feel influential."
She further explains:
"I guess I would define influence based on what I feel influences me. And parang what resonates with me are always people who try to share their truth.
"Whether it be good or bad, parang the totality of whatever experiences they go through.
"And parang that vulnerability is always something that I think can connect with other people and influence other people and also help people in their own experiences."
For the Kapamilya actress, influence isn’t about fame or status—it’s about honesty, resilience, and sharing the lessons she has learned.
Read: HIGHLIGHTS: Cosmo.PH Women of Influence 2024 recognition dinner
WOMEN WHO SHAPED HER JOURNEY
When it comes to the women who have influenced her most, Janine credits those closest to her—her mother, Lotlot de Leon; her grandmother, Pilita Corrales; and her sisters, Jessica and Maxine.
"There's just, I think, I guess a collective experience of being a woman that we go through so many similar things.
"Whether it be growing up and feeling insecure until eventually gaining that confidence in yourself.
"So it's really mostly, of course, the people in my life."
Beyond her family, Janine has drawn strength from her female friends, whom she describes as her rock.
THE POWER OF FEMALE FRIENDSHIPS
When asked to describe girlhood as a sense of community, Janine's face lights up.
"I am like, I'm everything because of my female friends and my barkada and all the experiences that we've shared.
"All the embarrassing, cringy, heartbreak, happy successes.
"I think girlhood is really about sharing your life and your stories with the people around you.
"In that way, you know, you don't feel alone.
"And you always offer also a helping hand to the women whom you interact with in your life."
Read: How Janine Gutierrez overcomes imposter syndrome
JANINE GETS PAST IMPOSTER SYNDROME
On the topic of beauty, Janine ranks resilience above physical appearance.
"I guess what makes me feel beautiful is like when I overcome doubt.
"When I'm able to believe in myself, and push through with my decisions even if other people say that that's not the right thing to do.
"And then eventually realizing that it was the right decision and it was a good thing to bet on myself.
"Parang that's what really makes me happy and confident and feel beautiful."
Janine previously talked about her struggles with Imposter Syndrome, which, according to WebMD is not exactly a mental-health diagnosis, but it "involves unfounded feelings of self-doubt and incompetence."
When reminded of this, the 35-year-old actress says, "I feel like really, really happy now.
"You know, there will always be days where you doubt yourself.
"But the important thing is to start over the next day and keep building on your confidence and your knowledge and working hard at your job.
"And it's really just about picking yourself up."
In January 2024, Janine talked to PEP about her moments of self-doubt and insecurity.
"I mean, I can't avoid the days that I don't feel like one hundred percent or parang there are just days na aside from your appearance, you feel like you're not good enough.
"Or like imposter syndrome, and you don't feel like you can achieve your goals or parang it gets a little cloudy.
"You start comparing yourself to the other people around you whether in looks or in achievements."
One crucial step Janine took was occasionally stepping back from social media.
She revealed, "Whenever that [imposter syndrome] happens, I just take the time to put my phone away.
"Usually, it starts on like doing scrolling. So I try to be very mindful of my time with social media and things like that.
"And, yeah, I just wanna remind everyone that everyone is on their own path so, you should really never compare yourself with anyone.
"Once you know what makes yourself happy and what your goal is, parang your only competition should be yourself."
READ MORE: