Janine explains her decision to transfer to now franchiseless ABS-CBN

While Janine Gutierrez said she was extremely excited about her recent transfer to ABS-CBN, the actress admitted that she had hoped to do a project with boyfriend and GMA 7 contract artist Rayver Cruz when she was still with the Kapuso network.

“But as an actor, you go where your job takes you,” said Janine during a virtual media conference on Tuesday that formally launched her as a Kapamilya artist. “I feel the confusion of our fans. I understand that they were hoping to see us in a project together.”

To their supporters, Janine has this message: “Don’t worry. We still see each other, even though we no longer work for the same company. He’s very supportive. He introduced me to all his friends in ‘ASAP.’ He was part of it for 18 years. He’s excited for me to get to work with his Kapamilya there.”

Janine signed a contract with ABS-CBN on Jan. 29. She will join the musical variety show “ASAP Natin ‘To” as a host. She is also set to do a TV series under Dreamscape Entertainment and a movie for Star Cinema.

When asked what made her decide to push through with the transfer, Janine said: “What I’ve learned in terms of my career in recent years is that it’s better if it’s a personal decision. But I’m grateful because I had the support of my family, friends and my manager (Leo Dominguez). But since I’ve already been part of the industry for a long time, I’m now more confident to decide for myself. I’ve thought about this for a long time. I examined the pros and cons, but it’s something that’s been in my heart for a while.”

As to why she opted to transfer at a time when ABS-CBN is still trying to recover losses from its failed bid for a franchise renewal, the actress explained: “Despite the situation, I’m amazed at how ABS-CBN still comes up with so much quality content. Also, ‘di bumibitaw ang mga Kapamilya. Now, even ‘ASAP’ is on TV5, and everything is on digital. I feel that the opportunities are limitless these days.”

The 31-year-old actress pointed out that “I feel that some opportunities only come once and I want to grab them; make new projects, work with new people. Whatever the situation ABS-CBN is currently in, I’m happy to be part of it. I also dream of being part of an international project. What better place to start than from here?”

She is also very excited to be joining her younger brother, Diego, who was introduced as a regular in “ASAP” a week ahead of her. “He’s the next singer in the family after our Mamita (Pilita Corrales),” she said. “Although he got into ‘ASAP’ ahead of me, as his older sister, I always advise him to not feel shy.”

She also doesn’t mind being paired with ex-beau, Elmo Magalona, who used to be a Kapuso before transferring to ABS-CBN in 2015. Without mentioning his name, Janine declared: “I trust Dreamscape. Sir Deo (Endrinal, business unit head), I leave everything up to you. Whoever I’d end up partnering with, game! Why not?”

Janine also felt “flattered” because people thought she was the best actress to play Valentina in ABS-CBN’s movie adaptation of Mars Ravelo’s “Darna,” opposite Jane de Leon. “I’m a fan of Darna, of the old films. I remember seeing my grandmother (Pilita) play that before,” she said.

Janine said she had always been “impressed” with people working in ABS-CBN.

“I find it very exciting because I feel how passionate people here are about the stories they’re producing.”

Janine said, she would be forever grateful to the people she worked with at GMA 7.

“I’m grateful that everybody there gave me their blessing,” she declared.