Janine Gutierrez participates in a Q&A with entertainment reporter Ganiel Krishnan for the digital series 'Oh My Gan,' held at ABS-CBN Digital Studio 1 in Quezon City on April 7, 2026. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News
Actress Janine Gutierrez opened up about her “adulting phase,” sharing how living independently has taught her some of life’s most important lessons.
During her guest appearance on “Oh My Gan,” Janine spoke about the joys and challenges of living alone, saying the experience helped her become more responsible, self-aware, and comfortable in her own company.
Janine revealed that while she had already moved out of their family home years ago, transferring to a different condo last year felt like a new chapter in her life.
She said one of the things she enjoys most about this stage is slowly building a home filled with meaningful items.
“Sabi kasi nila that it’s better to slowly build your home with your travels, sa mga bagay na makahulugan para sa’yo, para it grows with you,” she shared.
For the actress, living independently also gave her a deeper appreciation for solitude and rest.
“I enjoy the time that I have to rest alone. Ako yung gagawa ng pagkain ko. Yung kami lang ni Punchy, my dog,” she said.
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Janine added that one of the biggest lessons she learned from living alone is mastering everyday life skills that many people take for granted.
“Siguro yung life skills, talaga,” she said, recalling how she learned to do laundry, cook, and take care of bills on her own.
She said those experiences made her feel more capable not only of caring for herself, but also of helping her siblings and family.
“Pakiramdam ko nung natutunan ko na alagaan yung sarili ko, mas nagkaroon din ako ng skills na matulungan yung mga kapatid ko, yung family ko,” she explained.
Still, Janine admitted that stepping into independent living was scary at first, especially with the weight of financial commitments and personal responsibility.
“Siguro yung unang kailangan mo is tapang,” she said. “Hindi ka pa sure kung kaya ko ba itong financial commitment.”
But for Janine, the rewards of living alone have gone far beyond practical skills. She said it also taught her how to enjoy her own company and become more intentional about the people she allows into her life.
“One thing I learned also is to enjoy my own company,” she said. “Kapag happy ka sa ikaw lang, parang mas nagiging conscious ka din sa kung sino ang bibigyan mo ng oras mo.”