Janine Marie Elizabeth Gutierrez is an actress, host, model, endorser, and social-media personality in the Philippines.
Born on October 2, 1989, Janine Gutierrez began her career in GMA-7, one of the country's top broadcasting networks.
After ten years, the actress transferred to ABS-CBN, the rival broadcasting network of GMA-7.
Family background
Janine, who turns 31 this 2020, is the eldest daughter of former matinee stars Ramon Christopher "Monching" Gutierrez and Lotlot de Leon.
She has three siblings: Jessica Clarisse Gutierrez, 30; Diego Emmanuel Gutierrez, 23; and Laura Maxine Jillian Gutierrez, 20.
Her mom, then 16, and dad, then 18, got married in 1989.
After 15 years of marriage, Lotlot announced in 2004 that she and Monching had called it quits.
Three years after the announcement, Lotlot filed a petition for nullity of marriage on the basis of their ages. The petition was granted in 2008.
Today, Monching, now 49, and Lotlot, now 47, maintain a civil relationship for their children.
Lotlot remarried in 2018, while Monching chose to remain single.
As the daughter of Monching and Lotlot, Janine comes from a long line of showbiz personalities.
Her grandparents are considered industry legends: former matinee idol Eddie Gutierrez, Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, award-winning actor Christopher de Leon, and the Superstar Nora Aunor.
Her relatives include actors Jackie Lou Blanco, Tonton Gutierrez, Ian de Leon, Matet de Leon, Richard Gutierrez, Raymond Gutierrez, Ruffa Gutierrez, Mariel de Leon, and Gabriel de Leon.
Janine's brother Diego recently joined showbiz as well.
Education
Janine attended St. Paul College Pasig during her elementary and high-school years.
For her college studies, she went to Ateneo de Manila University in Loyola Heights, Quezon City, where she graduated with a degree in European Studies in International Business.
In her "Ask Me Anything" vlog posted in May 2019, Janine revealed that she initially wanted to become a diplomat.
The Kapuso star said, "Siguro pag may time, puwede ko pa i-try i-pursue. Pero mahirap kasi kailangan mo mag-Foreign Service Exam... Kailangan talaga na ang dami mong oras na ibigay doon.
"So, right now, hindi ko siya magawa. Pero that's still something that I want to do in the future. Be an ambassador."
from newcomer to leading lady
Janine was still in university when she began to consider a career in showbiz.
But she promised her mother Lotlot that she would graduate from college first, so she entered the industry at the age of 21.
Despite her showbiz lineage, Janine was not given any special treatment by the Kapuso network.
In fact, when the young talent failed to do her role in one of her early acting jobs, Janine faced the consequence—she became jobless for a year.
This setback strengthened Janine's motivation to become an actress.
"Nagka-second thoughts na ako, kasi I was really sad that I wasn't getting work," the film and TV actress told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during her PEP Headliner interview in April 2019.
"Wala akong show, ganyan, 'tapos sobrang nalulungkot na talaga ako. I was thinking baka mali na nag-artista ako.
"Baka dapat tinuloy ko na lang iyong plano ko na magtrabaho somewhere else.
"Baka dapat mag-aral na lang ulit ako para makapag-diplomat ako... Ang dami ko nang naiisip talaga."
GMA-7 then produced a remake of the '90s series Villa Quintana, which gave Janine the chance to redeem herself.
Under the guidance of actress-director Gina Alajar, the newbie gradually found her rhythm.
She continued in her PEP Headliner interview: "Sobrang thankful ko sa kanya kasi hindi niya ako sinukuan noon.
"As in, talagang ina-acting niya lahat ng eksena. Kapag hindi siya happy, hihingi talaga siya ng take two from me.
"So, she really taught us and pushed us, and that's when I was really, really sure that this is what I wanted to do...
"I really want to learn how to do this well. I really like acting.
"I really like working with all these people, being part of these stories, so dun ko talaga pinagtuunan ng oras na mag-workshop, pag-aralan iyong mga role."
The 2013 remake of Villa Quintana was Janine's first lead role. Since then, the actress has work every year.
She was first paired with then Kapuso actors Elmo Magalona and Aljur Abrenica.
Janine landed her first solo lead role in the 2017 afternoon prime series Legally Blind.
Two years later, Janine headlined the GMA-7 afternoon series Dragon Lady.
Janine considered Dragon Lady as her "most challenging role" specifically because of the prosthetics. To portray the titular character, she wore dragon scales on the upper half of her face and body.
The GMA-7 star recalled in her YouTube Live Q&A session streamed April 25, 2020: "Nung una, I hated Dragon Lady. I hated that character kasi sobrang hirap nung prosthetics, and I would have to go to work earlier than everyone else. 'Tapos [ako] iyong huling aalis sa set.
"As in, wala na matitira sa set. Umuwi na silang lahat. Umuwi na buong [production crew]. Kasabay ko na lang umuwi sa taping, iyong mga bumabaklas ng tent.
"At first, I really hated Dragon Lady kasi nga four hours ako nilalagyan ng glue all over my face, 'tapos ang init kasi iyong parang prosthetics na nilagay nila."
Despite the challenges that came with the role, Dragon Lady became one of Janine's favorite roles.
She continued, "But eventually, nung wala na iyong prosthetics, I really enjoyed playing that character, si Scarlet Del Fuego, kasi sobrang saya rin iyong feeling na hindi siya nagpapaapi.
"'Tapos ang dami niya mga snarky, mean one liners that was really fun... That whole set was really fun."
Dragon Lady also fulfilled one of Janine's dreams: to work with fellow Kapuso actor Tom Rodriguez.
Another actor she hopes to work with in the future is John Lloyd Cruz.
After ten years as a talent for GMA-7, Janine transferred and signed a contract with ABS-CBN on January 15, 2021.
She is set to appear in a teleserye produced by Dreamscape Entertainment, a content-producing unit of ABS-CBN.
She is also set to do a movie under Star Cinema and will also appear in the network's variety show ASAP Natin 'To.
indie film actress
Janine made a name for herself on the big screen by starring in independent films.
The young talent made her film debut in the 2015 Metro Manila Film Festival entry Buy Now, Die Later.
After that, Janine appeared in Lila, a Sinag Maynila Film entry, and Dagsin, a Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival entry. Both films premiered in 2016.
Three years later, Janine starred in the QCinema International Film Festival entry Babae at Baril. She won the Best Actress award in the festival's awards night.
This role also got her nominated for Best Actress in the 43rd Gawad Urian Awards, which is slated for October 2020.
Janine considered Babae at Baril as one of her favorite roles, especially because of the character's fighting spirit.
With regard to her dream roles, Janine revealed in her "Ask Me Anything" vlog in May 2019 that she would want to play a character similar to the ones in the film Girl, Interrupted or "Mila Kunis in Book of Eli."
Janine was set to have a romance movie with Paulo Avelino titled Ngayon Kaya this 2020, but its April premiere was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
SHOWBIZ ROMANCES
In Janine's "Truth or Drink with Mom" vlog posted July 19, 2020, it was revealed that the Kapuso star has only had three romantic relationships.
Her mother Lotlot was asked to rate Janine's current and past boyfriends on a scale of 1 to 10.
Lotlot only called by name Janine's current boyfriend, Kapamilya-turned-Kapuso actor Rayver Cruz.
But showbiz fans would know that Janine was in a relationship with Kapuso-turned-Kapamilya actor Elmo Magalona in 2014. They were together for two years.
After their breakup in 2016, Janine chose to stay single.
Then some time in 2017, Janine reconnected with Rayver.
The Kapuso artist recalled that moment in her "Ask Me Anything" vlog: "Nakita ko ulit siya kasi nagpunta siya sa opening ng restaurant ng mommy ko, and then we ended up talking hanggang mga 5 a.m.
"As in tawanan lang kami nang tawanan nila Rayver and Rodjun kasi, if you don't know, sobrang funny iyong magkapatid na iyon.
"And since then, we haven't stopped hanging out."
Janine and Rayver have kept most details about their relationship private, but they often appear on each other's social media posts.
Rayver has appeared thrice on Janine's YouTube channel.
Fashion darling
Apart from her work as an actress, Janine is also a model and celebrity endorser.
Thanks to her photo shoots with good friend and photographer BJ Pascual, the fashion world has recognized Janine as one of its darlings.
Janine has headlined many of the country's top fashion magazines, including Preview who declared her as fashion's "new muse" in 2015.
Preview also included Janine in its Best Dressed list twice.
Janine's beauty and head-turning outfits have attracted endorsement deals from brands like Belo Beauty, Olay, L'Oreal, and Tresemme.
She has also been given the chance to attend two Fashion Week events in late 2019 and early 2020.
Janine attended the Paris Fashion Week for L'Oreal in September 2019. She went to the New York Fashion Week twice for Tresemme: first in September 2019 and again in February 2020.
High-end brands like Jo Malone and Louis Vuitton have also tapped Janine.
Social media reach
Janine is active on social media.
The GMA-7 actress-endorser has a Facebook page, which features most of her social media activites. Her page has around 1.1M followers and 250K likes.
Janine uses Instagram to promote her endorsements and projects, showcase her fashion style and beauty looks, and document celebrations. She has 1.6M followers on the platform.
Her YouTube channel gives Janine an outlet to talk about her interests and personal life. The channel has 355K subscribers.
On Twitter, Janine is more vocal about her beliefs and advocacies. Recently, she has spoken about her stands on LGBTQ+ rights, the Anti-Terrorism Act, and the ABS-CBN shutdown. 171K users follow her on Twitter.
Janine also uses her social media platforms to promote her advocacies for the environment. She is currently an ambassador of World Wildlife Fund or WWF Philippines.
MOVIES
- Buy Now, Die Later (2015) as young Maita
- Lila (2016) as Jess
- Dagsin (2016) as young Corazon
- Spirit of the Glass 2: The Haunted (2017) as Sabrina
- Elise (2019) as Elise
- Babae at Baril (2019) as saleslady
- Ngayon Kaya (2020) as A.M.
Television
- My Beloved (GMA-7, 2012) as Joanne Ledesma
- Makapiling Kang Muli (GMA-7, 2012) as Lynley Valencia
- Together Forever (GMA-7, 2012) as Jasmine "Jas" Trinidad
- Villa Quintana (GMA-7, 2013-2014) as Lynette Quintana / Maricel Mangaron
- More Than Words (GMA-7, 2014-2015) as Erika "Ikay" Balmores / Katy Perez
- Dangwa (GMA-7, 2015) as Maria "Rosa" Capulong
- Little Nanay (GMA-7, 2016) as Carmela Villon-Batongbuhay
- Once Again (GMA-7, 2016) as Reign Soriano / Desiree "Des" Mateo / Paula Carbonnel
- Encantadia (GMA-7, 2016) as Agua
- Legally Blind (GMA-7, 2017) as Grace Evangelista
- Sherlock Jr. (GMA-7, 2018) as Irene Manansala
- Victor Magtanggol (GMA-7, 2018) as Gwen Regalado
- Daddy's Gurl (GMA-7, 2019) as Mina
- Dragon Lady (GMA-7, 2019) as Celestina "Yna" Sanchez (Atienza) Chua-Chan / Scarlet Del Fuego
major Awards and nominations
- German Moreno Youth Achievement Award at the 2014 FAMAS Awards
- Nominee for Favorite Pinoy Star at the 2017 Nickelodeon Kids' Choice Awards
- Nominee for Best Supporting Actress at 2017 Gawad Urian Awards for Dagsin
- Best Supporting Actress at 2017 Urduja Heritage Awards for Dagsin
- Best Actress at 2019 QCinema International Film Festival for Babae at Baril
- Nominee for Best Actress at 2020 Gawad Urian Awards for Babae at Baril
Read more about Janine Gutierrez:
- Janine Gutierrez: In a League of Her Own
- Janine Gutierrez and Rayver Cruz: First time in Paris
- Janine Gutierrez now an owner of nail spa franchise
- Janine Gutierrez turns heads at New York Fashion Week garbed in pricey togs
- QCinema 2019 winners bared; Janine Gutierrez named Best Actress
- Janine Gutierrez sets her sights on getting a house
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