Janine Gutierrez still healing after successive deaths in family

Janine Gutierrez. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

It’s been two months since Janine Gutierrez lost three of her loved ones — who also made a name for themselves as notable icons in the entertainment industry — and she is still coming to terms with their deaths.

Gutierrez mourned the loss of her grandmothers, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor, who died on April 12 and 16, respectively. Two weeks later, she lost her uncle, veteran actor Ricky Davao.

“Siyempre, malungkot pa rin. Sobrang ano kasi… nagsabay-sabay. We lost three family members in three weeks (Of course, I’m still sad. Things happened so fast),” she said during an iCare launch event at St. Luke’s Medical Center when asked how she was doing.

The “Lavender Fields” star paused for a moment, which made the reporter quickly apologize for her question. “No, it’s okay,” she said to the reporter, smiling.

“There are good days and bad days. It is also a testament to how important family is. Naramdaman namin ‘yung support ng isa’t isa. Actually, kinakabahan kami coming to St. Luke’s because my uncle (Ricky Davao) was here in the ICU, so parang medyo fresh pa. But I guess, it’s also part of my message,” she continued.

(There are good days and bad days. It is also a testament to how important family is. We felt our support for one another. I was actually nervous coming to St. Luke’s because my uncle was here in the ICU, so things are still fresh. But I guess, it’s also part of my message.)

Janine Gutierrez (center) was announced as an endorser for a health maintenance organization brand at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

Life or death

Touching on the topic of addressing physical and mental health, Gutierrez said she realized the value of being surrounded with a support network and being mindful of one’s body.

“You never really know what’s going to happen. No matter how prepared you think you are, it’s so important to have people to rely on and masasandalan mo na kapag hindi ka okay,” she said. “It’s really life or death sometimes. Take care of your health. Live life to the fullest and always find the best partner. At the end of the day, it’s really the people around you na talagang makakaangat sa’yo in times of need.”

(You never really know what’s going to happen. No matter how prepared you think you are, it’s so important to have people to rely on and lean on when you’re not okay. It’s really life or death sometimes. Take care of your health. Live life to the fullest and always find the best partner. At the end of the day, it’s really the people around you who will lift you in times of need.)

‘THERE ARE GOOD DAYS AND BAD DAYS’

WATCH: Janine Gutierrez admitted that she is still healing following the successive deaths of her grandmas Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor and her uncle Ricky Davao. | @HMallorcaINQ

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— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) June 22, 2025

When asked about the importance of paying attention to one’s health, the actress acknowledged that people tend to “ignore the symptoms of their diseases,” but hoped that many would remember that “prevention is better than cure.”

“Nakita ko ‘yun sa mga tao sa paligid ko, dala na rin ‘yun sa hirap ng buhay na kailangan mong magtrabaho instead of taking a sick leave. Pero ang dami ko nang nakita [sa paligid ko] where they ignored a small problem, lumaki nang lumaki hanggang sa lumala. I always believe that prevention is better than cure,” she said.

(I saw it in the people around me. This is due to life being tough, where you need to work instead of taking a sick leave. But I also witnessed people ignoring a small problem, which grew and became worse. I always believe that prevention is better than cure.)

Janine Gutierrez during a launch event for an HMO brand at St. Luke’s Medical Center in Taguig. Image: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net

This led to Gutierrez reiterating that taking care of one’s health leads to having “peace of mind” to keep working. “If I do have a question in mind about my health or, God forbid, may aksidente sa set or anything, hindi ako mag-aalala sa babayarin ko. I can just focus on getting better.”

“Kasi ang dami kong nabisitang loved ones sa ospital na imbes mag-focus sila sa pagpapahinga, naka-focus sila sa kung paano bayaran ‘to,” she continued. “Hindi talaga siya nakakatulong because your mental health is as important as your physical health. [Kaya] makinig ka sa katawan mo.”

(If I do have a question in mind about my health or, God forbid, there is an accident on set or anything, I wouldn’t worry about my bills. I can just focus on getting better. I have visited loved ones in the hospital who, instead of focusing on their recovery, were focused on how they could pay the bills. It doesn’t help because your mental health is as important as your physical health. This is why you need to listen to your body.)

Gutierrez’s recent project is “Lavender Fields,” where she took on an antagonist role. The actress is set to reunite with her boyfriend, Jericho Rosales, in an upcoming project. She is also working on a documentary about Corrales.  /ra