Janine must let her heart rule over her head

MANILA, Philippines - Janine Gutierrez admits she must learn to listen to her heart more, and set aside what her head tells her when she’s facing the camera.

She’s the type who analyzes too much, looks for a rational explanation in everything. This is great if the Kapuso actress is taking up further studies (she graduated with a degree in European Studies from Ateneo de Manila), or if she’s holding a corporate job, where one must study cold, hard facts.

But not when she’s playing a role where emotions must flow naturally, and spontaneity is the key to success.

“Four or five years ago, when I was starting my career, (acting coach) Tita Beverly Vergel had a hard time with me because I was too calculated. I was overthinking. I was a fresh graduate then, so I was a stickler for everything factual,” the star of Cinemalaya entry Dagsin recalls.

Janine had to unlearn things slowly but surely. She did teleseryes. These and her first indie, Sinag Maynila’s Lila, gradually weaned Janine away from the “intellectual” approach.

“I’m getting there,” she smiles.

With co-star Benjamin Alvez, who plays her husband Justino in the indie film

For instance, in her honeymoon scene with co-star Benjamin Alves, who plays her husband Justino, a war veteran, Janine let go of her misgivings and willed herself to think that newlyweds have nothing but  happiness for each other on their first night together.    

Besides, Benjamin was there to help her get rid of those butterflies in her stomach. Janine told heself she should stop worrying about her dad Ramon Christopher Gutierrez’s reaction to the love scene. 

After all, this is the job she chose, the reason she turned down offers to join prestigious beauty contests. Janine has to hurdle all the challenges acting throws her way. 

She must leave her overthinking self at home the minute the director shouts “Action!”

Now, she’s discovering the rewards of surrendering herself to the moment’s feelings. She finds relief in forgetting her worries and letting her emotions take over, even for a while.

Her emotions take Janine to places she’s never been to, or never imagined she’d find herself in. She has learned the art of letting go, and feeling good about it.

“Sometimes, your worst enemy is yourself,” Janine repeats a famous quote.

That’s why she longs to break from the chains of good-girl roles people see her in too often and jolt the audience by playing a murderer. It’s a dream role for which she’ll gladly stop everything she’s doing.

Janine is also looking forward to more indie films because they allow her to spread her wings, and set aside studio contracts and network do’s and don’ts.

“You work with theater actors and different directors. The story is not the typical rags-to-riches or lost-child-finds-new-family type. You do things you don’t get to do in mainstream movies.”

That’s why her first Cinemalaya film — Dagsin — is a dream come true for Janine. Even her mother, award-winning actress Lotlot de Leon, convinced Janine to play the young Corazon (Marita Zobel plays the older version) in the film.

Co-actor Tommy Abuel’s intensity in playing Death March survivor Justino (younger version) simply blew Janine and Benjamin away.

Tommy and actors like him are the reasons Janine feels she’s still a newbie in the business.

“I still have so many things to do. I want to work with so many actors. I think I’m not good enough whenever I see myself on screen,” she admits.

Benjamin finds this humility and willingness endearing.

“Work gets easier when you humble yourself. You can prepare for a role better because you’re more vulnerable, more open. This doesn’t apply to someone so full of himself,” notes Benjamin.

It goes without saying that Janine and Benjamin hit it off well as an onscreen couple, even if Dagsin is their first film together. They crack jokes while fielding questions from the press. Benjamin even speaks on behalf of Janine so she can finish her dinner.

Why not a JaBen (Janine-Benjamin) love team the next time around then?

Fans who line up to see Dagsin at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) are proving that the tandem works. Now all it needs is for someone to transfer that magic to mainstream cinema or TV.  

Janine and Benjamin won’t mind. At the rate audience response to Dagsin is going, it seems the audience won’t, as well.