By Len Armea
Kapamilya actress Janine Gutierrez’s 2024 was marked by standout moments, from starring in ABS-CBN’s hit drama series “Lavender Fields” to gracing international red carpets at prestigious festivals like Tokyo and Venice, and even finding love again with actor Jericho Rosales.
Since joining showbiz in 2011, Janine has worked tirelessly to carve out her own path in the entertainment industry, stepping out from the shadows of her actor parents, Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher, and her renowned grandparents, Pilita Corrales and Eddie Gutierrez. Her dedication is paying off. She is now recognized as one of the finest actresses of her generation, with a Gawad Urian Award for Best Actress in 2020 and a string of other remarkable achievements under her belt.
Dazzling on the International Stage
Recently, Janine graced the red carpet of the 37th Tokyo International Film Festival (TIFF) at Tokyo Midtown Hibiya, stunning in a custom deep-purple gown by Filipino designer RR Pineda. The 35-year-old actress was there to represent Lav Diaz’s four-hour black-and-white Philippine drama “Phantosmia,” which was featured in the festival’s World Focus section.
In the film, Gutierrez portrays Reyna, a key character in the story that stars Ronnie Lazaro as Hilarion Zabala, a man grappling with a mysterious olfactory condition believed to be a lingering case of phantosmia.
For Janine, TIFF was more than just a red carpet moment; it was a chance to showcase the depth of Filipino cinema on the international stage. She expressed her pride in representing a film that tackles not only personal and psychological struggles but also broader issues affecting the Philippines. Her participation in TIFF marked another significant step in her journey as an actress, one who continues to take on roles that are both thought-provoking and inspiring.
“After Venice, Busan and Vienna, Lav Diaz’s ‘Phantosmia’ is part of the Tokyo International Film Festival! So happy to be here to represent the film and so grateful for Tokyo IFF’s hospitality,” she beamed in an Instagram post.
“Phantosmia” had screenings on Oct. 28 and Nov. 2 at Humantrust Cinema Yurakucho and on Nov. 5 at Marunouchi Toei. The film received warm applause and rave reviews from both critics and audiences. - With report from Florenda Corpuz
Read the full article in the November 2024 issue of the Filipino-Japanese Journal, out now in Japan.
(Photos by Din Eugenio)
