Janine Gutierrez Is Ready for Her Close-up
Used to being in the spotlight but wary of the shadow it casts, the award-winning actress carves her own path by embracing her fame while subverting it with a balance of humility, ambition, and preference for beauty that radiates from within.
PHOTOGRAPHY Andrea Beldua
STYLING Loris Peña
The bane of a classic beauty is always being reminded of it. In history, women of the sort always bear the burden of being exalted and diminished for something they barely had any hand in creating. Janine is a fine example. Determined to transcend beauty clichés, she pushes her career in unexpected directions, focusing more on her filmography instead of her fame.
For Babae at Baril (2019), she garnered the affirmation she needed to follow this path. Eager to explore characters beyond your typical girl-next-door, Janine played a fed-up department store saleslady who chances upon a revolver, for which she won a Best Actress Award at the 43rd Gawad Urian. Recently, Janine won the Rising Star Award in the New York Asian Film Festival for her headstrong character in the quarantine film Dito at Doon (2020). She continues her exploration of strong female leads in an upcoming Auraeus Solito-directed film, where she plays a washed-out child star who spends lockdown alone. Romantic comedies are also in the pipeline, including Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin with Pepe Herrera and TV series Marry Me, Marry You with Paolo Avelino.
With all the buzz surrounding her career now, it’s hard to imagine that she once shied away from it. Being the daughter of actors Lotlot de Leon and Monching Gutierrez, the granddaughter of Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales (aka Mamita) and Eddie Gutierrez, and the niece of beauty queen Ruffa Gutierrez, one would think it came as naturally as her Mamita’s signature backbend.
“I grew up very aware that my family was famous. My grandparents used to be in our social science book, and my teachers would always ask about my mom and dad. I really didn't want to join the family business because I kind of resented that the schedules were so unpredictable,” Janine says. Being an awkward teen was also a factor. “I had super thick hair. My classmates would run after me with tweezers because I also had fluffy eyebrows, and I was always in the same T-shirt. It was only in college when I started experimenting with clothes — although I always loved Mamita’s shoe collection!”
It was also during this time when her mom sat down with her and seriously asked if she wanted to try acting. “It was the first time anyone had asked me in a serious manner. It took me by surprise, and I just wanted to grab the opportunity,” Janine says. The rest is history still being written and by the looks of it, Janine’s main-character energy is here to stay.
Top and miniskirt, 1017 ALYX 9SM; Platform sandals, Simone Rocha
Do you ever watch your parents’ old movies for inspiration?
Not really. I don’t get to use that for the stuff that I do, but I do love their old movies. I grew up watching them, and they’re really fun to watch. Even up to now, if we see our dad’s movie on Cinema One, we’d still send him a video.
Do you have a favorite one?
My parents did this movie called Love Boat. They were on a ship and my grandfather was the captain of the ship. It was a very 80s burst-into-song-type of movie.
I remember Love Boat. It was fun! Did any of your career goals change since winning Best Actress? Has people’s perception of you changed?
More than anything, it reaffirmed the decisions that I was making. It’s always been my goal to do different types of projects and not be tied down to one genre or archetype. Winning for Babae at Baril reaffirmed that decision — that you should go out of your comfort zone, and tell stories that you believe in.
Speaking of transformations, how do you become the characters that you play?
I start with reading the script over and over again to get the whole picture. When you read a book when you’re younger and then read it when you’re older — you see it in a different way. With the script, that’s kind of the same thing. Today, you might notice this, and tomorrow you might pick up something else.
With the character, I try to fill in the blanks. Sometimes in scripts, there’s a lot that’s left out. It’s up to you to make up a backstory for your character, all the way from when she was a kid, like, what her house looked like, if she was close with her parents. It makes it easier to figure out how she would act. And then, I’ll assign a thing to her. What’s her essence? It could be a gun or sunshine or anything like that. And then, I just always remind myself of that.
With every character in a television series or in a movie that I do, I have a different scent for them because I love scents. When I smell something, it reminds me of a time or a person.
Maxi dress, Emir Yamamoto
Did you feel like you were being typecast?
Last year, I got an offer. I thought if it was dangerous to go out — I only want to go out for something that I really believed in. But it was one of those roles for display because they wanted someone who looked angelic. I explained why I didn’t want to do it...I was so happy when I won because that’s really what I want to do. You shouldn’t be put in a box by anyone.
You portray a lot of strong female characters. When do you feel empowered in the business that you're in?
When I get to represent stories of real women that aren’t usually seen like with my new show, Marry Me, Marry You. It’s about an independent girl who chooses her family over her relationship, which I think a lot of Filipinas go through. Anything that is in solidarity with other women is something that I enjoy and makes me feel empowered.
Do you think there’s a connection between empowerment and beauty?
Yes, I think you need to be empowered in order to accept yourself, and you need to accept yourself in order to be empowered. They go hand-in-hand, and it all has to come from within you.
Swimsuit worn as top and shorts, Louis Vuitton
Can you say at this point that you’re completely confident in who you are and what you do?
I think it took a long time to get here but these past few years, I’ve become more confident in my choices and saying what I mean. I think it's also about the experience. I used to need validation to make a decision, so I had to consider so many other people’s opinions that I end up regretting it. I knew what I wanted was correct, but I didn’t fight for it because I wasn’t confident or empowered enough to fight for it. Going through that heartbreak or failure, knowing that I could have fought for it more, really taught me that it’s important to believe in yourself and just trust yourself.
What are your plans for having longevity in the business?
I can’t say that I really have a plan, but longevity was always the goal, and my mom would always say that in this business, or maybe in any business, it’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon. That’s why my goal was never to be the popular one or the fan-favorite. I always just wanted to do good work and have a nice filmography that’s diverse and unique. I think that also led me to where I am now.
White polo, ANTONINA; Trousers, Basic Movement
“That’s why my goal was never to be the popular one or the fan favorite. I always just wanted to do good work and have a nice filmography that’s diverse and unique.”
But now that you are becoming the favorite, do you feel like you need to share more of yourself?
I do really want to share more, and that’s always been a challenge for me! Growing up, I was taught to be a private person since my parents were in showbiz. When my parents broke up when I was 13, it was on the news and so many people were asking me about it. My teachers were writing me letters that said, “there’s a rainbow always after the rain.” I always wanted to be a private person, and I never wanted my personal life or my relationships to be the most interesting thing about my career. I see that happen to a lot of people, and I just want it to be about the work. But now, I feel like it’s more important to be truthful. That’s the root of why I became more vocal on Twitter. People would always respond to honesty more, and it shouldn’t matter if there are negative reactions. I want to share more; that’s my goal this year.
What are your thoughts on the concept of beauty that stands the test of time?
I think it’s really about youthfulness within yourself, your attitude, and your confidence. Whenever I hear “beauty that stands the test of time” — I think of Mamita. Of course, she’s super beautiful, but I think what’s special about her is her energy. She’s so playful. She’s not afraid to make fun of herself or for her to be the joke. It’s really about your outlook in life and how you relate to other people.
Are there any skincare rituals that you really care about?
It’s really about drinking a lot of water, working out, and getting good sleep. When I was younger, I didn’t care, but Dr. Vicky pointed out to me once: “You sleep on this side, correct?” and I was like, “How do you know?” So now I try to sleep on my back. Applying sunblock is my favorite thing. I also really like facial mists especially now that we’re always wearing masks. It’s something that I always have in my bag. When it comes to the body, there’s this hack from my grandmother. She says that after every shower, you have to put body oil on, and that’s why her skin is still nice up to now.
Any other beauty tips from your mom or grandmother?
They are super opposites. My mom is super low maintenance when it comes to beauty. She never has anything on. I learned that simplicity from her — that lipstick is enough or curling your eyelashes is enough. I got the playful side from lola. Even if she’s just at home, her hair is done, her makeup is done, she’s in super long nails — and it’s just us! Beauty is really for you. You should do it for yourself, and not to get anyone else’s attention.
Cropped top, IMMA; Denim pants, IMMA
“Beauty is really for you. You should do it for yourself, and not to get anyone else’s attention.”
PRODUCERS Chica Villarta and Loris Peña
CREATIVE DIRECTION Loris Peña
MAKEUP Anthea Bueno
HAIR Mark Familiara
PRODUCTION DESIGN Justine Arcega-Bumanlag
VIDEO DIRECTOR MV Isip