Janine’s answered prayers

MANILA, Philippines - Janine Gutierrez says that the year 2015 will be a very memorable one for her.

“I have so many answered prayers this year,” Janine says. “When the year started, I prayed that God would give me a chance to do a movie. And He gave me not just one, but three movies.”

She adds, “I’m now in Buy Now Die Later for direk Randolph Longjas of Quantum Films. I also finished shooting Lila for direk Gino Santos and Dagsin for direk Ato Magadia. And all of them are entries in local filmfests. Buy Now Die Later is in the Metro Manila Filmfest this Christmas, Lila is in Sinag Maynila Filmfest in March and Dagsin is in Cinemalaya in July.

“I also prayed to have a primetime soap and that was granted in More Than Words early this year. Then I got another show, Dangwa, with Mark Herras and Aljur Abrenica now being shown in the mornings. It will run daw until February. Another wish granted is for me to be able to work with my mom (Lotlot de Leon) and grandma (Nora Aunor) — and that happened in an episode of Karelasyon.

“This year, I was also able to buy my own condo unit and hopefully, the interiors will soon be completed so I can move there in January. I got my own place to learn to be more independent. It’s important to learn to live on your own for you to grow up, be more mature and responsible in making your own decisions.”

What are her roles in the movies she did? “In Buy Now, my mom Lotlot de Leon plays Maita, who wanted to be an actress when she was younger. Through a magic cream she got from the mysterious TJ Trinidad, she did look like when she was in her 20s. When she transforms into her younger self, nagiging ako yun. In Lila, a thriller, I feel so guilty with the death of my younger brother in a car crash where I’m the one driving. I go to our Lola named Violeta or Lila, and that’s when horrifying things start happening. In Dagsin, which means ‘gravity,’ the story revolves on an old couple, Marita Zobel and Tommy Abuel. In the flashback scenes during World War II, they’ll be seen when they were young at kami ni Benjamin Alves will play their younger selves.”

Is her relationship with boyfriend Elmo Gutierrez adversely affected by his moving over to ABS-CBN? “No, we’re okay, doing great. It’s his and his management’s decision and I really don’t have anything to say about it except that, whatever happens, I will support him for sure.”

Some writers point out that her love team with Elmo is known as JanElmo. Now, it’s still JanElmo, but it’s for Elmo and Janella Salvador. “Ay, ano raw sila, ElmElla kasi nga, ginamit na sa’min ang JanElmo. I’m really hoping the viewers will support their show.”

A lot of writers predict that their relationship will not last very long now that he is with ABS-CBN and they say the best example is LJ Reyes, whose relationship with Paulo Avelino also ended soon after he became a Kapamilya.

“Grabe nga po, it’s as if they really want us to break up. We just laugh about it because as of now, nothing has changed between us. We still see each other, although not as often as before. Nakaka-miss din because for two years, we’re always together at the taping of Villa Quintana and later, More Than Words, but I remain very supportive about his transfer as it gives him new opportunities for growth as an artist. I watched him when he was officially introduced in ASAP and I’m really happy for him. So, we just don’t want to dwell on the negative predictions na maghihiwalay kami.”

Doing Buy Now Die Later is a special treat for her since she’s in it with her own mom Lotlot. “I’m glad that this is my first movie kasi nga kasama ko si Mommy. I also enjoyed working with my co-stars here, who are mostly Kapamilya like Vhong Navarro, Rayver Cruz, Alex Gonzaga and John Lapus. They’re all very warm and easy to work with,” Janine says. “It’s also great to have a young and talented director like Randolph Longjas with very fresh ideas. He has a great concept for the movie where our five senses are involved in a story that is both funny and scary. They built a special set in a vacant building in Binondo, representing the antique store of TJ Trinidad. It’s very expensive but at the climax of the movie, they burned the whole thing down. I’m sure viewers will love this horror-comedy that opens on Christmas Day as part of Metro Manila Filmfest.”