Janine Gutierrez shares biggest lessons on heartbreak, healing, and self-love

Love isn’t just about the fairy-tale endings we dream of. It’s the heartaches, risks, and messy in-betweens that teach us life’s most meaningful lessons. Every quiet moment and difficult choice shapes us into who we are and who we’re becoming. Reflecting on these truths, “The Loyalty Game” star Janine Gutierrez shared her honest thoughts on love, relationships, and the lessons she has learned along the way on “Push It.”

Janine fondly looked back on her childhood, recalling the innocent thrill of having crushes. When asked about her first crush, she mentioned veteran actor Eric Quizon, whom she would later have the chance to work with. She also named Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto, who happened to be her preschool classmate. 

From those early experiences, Janine said she learned what it truly felt like to admire someone. She confessed that she would instantly become shy and awkward whenever her crush was around. So, when asked if she was the type to make the first move, she firmly answered no, explaining that it simply wasn’t her style. 

Janine admitted that one clear sign she likes someone is when she can’t stop talking about them. She also shared that kindness and humor are among the first qualities she notices in a person, especially when someone comes across as sincere and genuinely funny. 

As she grew older, Janine said she also developed a clearer sense of what she looks for in a partner before falling in love. “A leader na alam kong mapapagkatiwalaan ko with any problems. May initiative to help out or check if you’re okay. Very loving, maalaga, and responsible.”  

When she was younger, Janine’s idea of love was simply enjoying time with someone she could always talk to. As the years passed, however, her perspective deepened. She shared that love became more about standing by each other through good and bad times, wanting the best for one another, and being honest. “I found out that love is really feeling calm, safe, and secure in your relationship and in your heart,” she added. 

When asked what made her realize that love alone isn’t always enough to make a relationship work, Janine pointed to the lessons she learned as an adult. “Even if you love someone, kung iba kayo ng gusto sa buhay, iba kayo ng tinatahak na landas, it’s still not gonna work out kahit mahal n’yo ang isa’t isa,” she said.  

Janine also reflected on how love taught her to appreciate and love herself even more. “Kasi kapag love mo na ‘yung sarili mo, dun ka din talaga makakahanap ng partner that is your equal sa mga gusto n’yo at sa relationship. When you love and respect yourself, then you wouldn’t settle for someone who doesn’t treat you right,” she remarked. 

Building on that, she emphasized how much loyalty means in a relationship. For Janine, having a loyal and loving partner gives you the courage to take risks and pursue your own path. Though she has experienced disloyalty, Janine said it should never define someone’s worth. “Take it as a sign na rin na that’s not the right person for you and you should learn when to let go,” she explained.  

Janine also admitted that it’s easy to lose yourself in love, and she went through that experience herself. Wanting so badly to make the relationship work, she ended up sacrificing her own happiness—something she later realized wasn’t healthy for anyone. “Not just because you love someone, kailangang tiisin ang kung anumang masasakit na bagay,” she quipped. 

She added that losing yourself can also be a sign that it’s time to let go. For her, love shouldn’t feel heavy; instead, it should bring a sense of safety and peace. Recalling one of her past experiences, she shared, “After praying for months to make it work, ‘yung prayer ko is [naging] kung hindi talaga, ‘wag na lang. Tapos nag-break na kami agad a few days after.”  

For the final question, Janine was asked which is harder: accepting or moving on. She answered that it will always be “accepting,” since it comes first before you can move forward. “Mahabang proseso ’yan, just be easy on yourself. Feel your feelings,” she advised. For her, expressing emotions is the way to ease the burden and start healing.

Catch Janine alongside Jericho Rosales in the hit suspense-filled thriller “The Loyalty Game.”