Janine Gutierrez made her contract signing with ABS-CBN and Star Magic official on Tuesday, June 2, in an event held at the ABS-CBN compound.
The occasion was graced by the company’s executives, with ABS-CBN President and CEO Carlo Katigbak, Chairperson Mark Lopez, COO for Broadcast Cory Vidanes, Group Chief Financial Officer Rick Tan, and Star Magic head Lauren Dyogi all present to welcome her personally.
The day was full of surprises. Janine received video messages from her parents, siblings, and director Mae Cruz-Alviar. But the moment that drew the biggest reaction came when her boyfriend and The Loyalty Game co-star Jericho Rosales showed up in person, bouquet of flowers in hand, to deliver his message directly.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Janine Gutierrez credits Jericho Rosales for boosting her confidence as an actress
In a media conference held after the signing, Janine was candid about what the moment meant to her.
She said she was moved not just by the milestone itself, but by the fact that there was room for her at all in a roster already packed with talent.
"I am so grateful na they accepted me with open arms. Because alam ko na Star Magic is super loaded and packed with so many talented Kapamilyas and actors – talagang a lot of people that I look up to. So I'm so happy na mayroon pa palang space for me. Siguro just coming into this new contract with ABS-CBN kasi siyempre marami pa akong gustong gawin and ma-achieve. And I know that under the guidance of Star Magic na talagang very successful in mentoring and supporting their artists, alam ko na mas madami pa akong mararating," she said.
What struck Janine most, however, was not the fanfare of the signing – it was a quieter moment that happened earlier, when she first walked into the Star Magic office and sat down with Direk Lauren Dyogi.
She came in ready to be honest about her goals, not just professionally but personally.
"Noong una akong nakaakyat sa Star Magic office, naikuwento ko na kay Direk Lauren – 'Direk, ito po kasi 'yung mga ipapatayo ko, ito po 'yung mga pinag-iipunan ko.' Pero what's nice is sobrang na-appreciate niya na shine-share ko sa kanya. Hindi lang 'yung goals ko sa trabaho pero para sa amin ng pamilya ko. And 'yung response niya at nu'ng manager ko is 'Okay sige, kaya natin 'yan together.' So feeling ko, ang dami kong naging bagong kakampi sa buhay," she said.
Janine first joined ABS-CBN five years ago, and when asked what has changed since then, she said the feeling has only grown stronger.
"It means the same. Parang stronger lang. Parang when I first joined kasi, sobrang grateful ko. And talagang naniniwala ako sa vision ng ABS-CBN at 'yung pagpapahalaga sa mga Kapamilya talaga – na lahat ng ginagawa mo is to uplift the viewers, uplift the industry. And now, isa na rin sa mga goal ko is maging mabuting asset ako sa ABS-CBN and sa Star Magic. And I hope I can contribute to all the efforts of the network to really continue being a service to Filipinos all over the world," she said.
She also spoke about why the work feels meaningful beyond the projects themselves.
"Parang pakiramdam ko lahat naman ng ginagawa natin para talaga sa mga kapwa natin. Kasi never mo rin masasabi kung sino ang nanood sa project mo, kung may pinagdadaanan sila and there's something about what you're saying na talagang naka-relate sila or mapangiti sila or feeling nila hindi sila nag-iisa. So feeling ko super halaga talaga ng ginagawa natin dito," she said.
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Janine Gutierrez teases a bolder and sexier role in 'The Loyalty Game'
On what is next, Janine is excited about her upcoming work with Jericho in The Loyalty Game, though she admits it surprised her how much depth the role turned out to carry.
"Madami pa akong gustong gawin. Pero I really look forward to 'yung mga reaction ng mga Kapamilya natin sa next role ko sa The Loyalty Game. Akala ko kasi noong una, simple lang 'yung role — na wife discovering something about her husband. Pero 'yun pala, sobrang layered din nu'ng role. And I'm excited because it's with Jericho again. Pero this time, ibang dynamics naman. Malayong-malayo sa 'Lavender Fields,'" she said.
She also shared a bigger dream she is working toward – one that goes beyond local screens.
"Ang pangarap ko talaga para sa sarili ko is to be part of Filipino projects na whether dito ginawa or Filipino 'yung production tapos mapapanood siya sa ibang bansa or makikita ko siya sa mga film festival kahanay ng mga Hollywood films. Kasi sa tingin ko, sobrang inspiring nu'n na dito natin ginawa, Filipino creatives, tapos hahangaan at aabangan ng iba't-ibang mga bansa. And it's also a way to show our culture," she said.
Aside from The Loyalty Game, Janine has two more projects in the works: Mag-Iina for Cinemalaya, and a Netflix film titled Balaraw.
—By Paolo Lim