Janine Gutierrez had little time to process the triple blow that hit her family earlier this year. Over the course of three weeks, she lost three people dear to her. She lost her Mamita, Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, her maternal grandmother, the late National Artist Nora Aunor, and her uncle, seasoned actor Ricky Davao.
“Some days are easier than others,” she said, her voice soft. “But you never really get used to the emptiness.”
“Some days are easier than others,” she said. “But you never really get used to the emptiness.”
The losses came just as work was picking up, but she had little choice but to return. One of her first public appearances after the losses was for iCare, a health maintenance organization that introduced her as its first brand ambassador.
At 34, Gutierrez understands that health is essential not only for her personal wellbeing but also for her ability to keep working.
“Losing loved ones reminded me how important it is to take care of yourself,” she said.
She tries to make time for physical activity, mentioning tennis and paddle as regular parts of her routine. “It helps clear my head,” she said. “It keeps me steady.”
She also said health is a regular topic between her and her partner, actor Jericho Rosales. “We talk about health a lot because our work is physically and emotionally demanding. Health is our capital, and that goes for everyone,” she told reporters.
“We always talk about how to be healthier, whether it’s through regular check-ups or taking care of our families. Health is very important to me, and I’m glad I have a partner who shares that. Take care of your health, live your life, and choose the right people to have around you, they’re the ones who’ll lift you when you need it.”
iCare president and CEO Geronimo Francisco said the company chose Janine as their ambassador because she represents the values of “hope, dignity, and courage to say yes to better health.”
“We don’t just offer health plans,” he said. “We create options for families, freelancers, and businesses, people who are often left behind by traditional systems.”
For iCare board member Carol Dominguez, the decision to bring Gutierrez on board was also personal. Dominguez is the sister of the late Leo Dominguez, the talent manager who helped guide Gutierrez’s career. He was also an iCare member during his final days.
“Janine isn’t just a brand ambassador,” Dominguez said during the launch. “She’s part of a legacy.”
Earlier this year, iCare launched a campaign in Boracay featuring ten orange-sailed paraws to promote health awareness. Some thought it was a personal announcement involving Janine. The company clarified that it wasn’t a love story, it was about choosing to live well.
That message fits where Janine is right now. Even while dealing with personal loss, she is choosing to look after her health and encouraging others to do the same.
“It’s not always easy,” she said. “But I try.”
