Actress Janine Gutierrez at the unveiling of the "Sexiest Woman Alive" by Esquire Magazine, March 17, 2026 in Mandaluyong. MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News
MANILA — TV and movie actress Janine Gutierrez is the “Sexiest Woman Alive” by Esquire Philippines.
The official announcement was made Tuesday, March 17, together with the release of the three-cover feature of the magazine.
Gutierrez was flattered by the title and grateful to have been chosen among a long list of qualified women. "I'm so grateful and kilig that you guys chose to have me as your ‘Sexiest Woman Alive,’" she said during the unveiling.
"I was super surprised, pero yes agad kasi I’m aware of the ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’ title. I always wanted to do an ‘Esquire’ cover and hindi ko magawa-gawa. So when I heard it was ‘Esquire’, I was excited to do it," she added.
It has been seven years since Esquire Philippines did a "Sexiest Woman Alive" cover or feature, according to editor-in-chief PJ Caña.
For Gutierrez, “sexy” is defined by "being brave and parang for me authentic to who you are as a woman - the good and the bad."
"Being passionate with the things in your life, like the people you love, your work, your advocacies. I feel like that kind of passion defines a sexy person," she added.
As she pushed for empowering women, Gutierrez had some straight-forward sentiments about the lewd and misogynistic remarks that Quezon City 4th district representative Bong Suntay made about actress and host Anne Curtis-Smith recently.
READ: House requires Rep. Suntay to appear before March 18 ethics panel hearing
“Sobrang nakakagalit. Kadiri for that to be even said out loud anywhere more so to be said in a place of power and public office. So, siyempre ang sama talaga pakinggan. And hopefully, this serves as a lesson to all other men, politicians to be reminded that, that is not acceptable,” Gutierrez said.
She lauded Curtis-Smith for speaking up, not just for herself but for all the women.
"I really admire what she said, na anuman yung nangyari sa kanya sabi niya it’s not just about her. She really used her platform para magsalita in behalf of all the women who experienced these things. Siyempre, we’re all behind her," said Gutierrez.