Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez are stealing the spotlight as the most talked-about ‘It’ couple in town

When their meeting finally happened, what was supposed to be a script review over coffee became a six-hour date that went on and on, from lunch to an afternoon sushi meal and a long, engaging conversation. They instantly clicked, talking about their roles in Lavender Fields and sharing interests and visions for the industry’s future and life. This connection was amplified by their aligned humour and adventurous spirits, and they eventually progressed to becoming good friends. However, their ten-year age gap kept Rosales back in pursuing Gutierrez. “At first, I mistakenly thought she was 24. I said there’s no way I would date a 24-year-old,” says the then 44-year-old actor. He eventually learnt Gutierrez’s real age and decided it was worth making a move.

Now, on a more serious level, Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez continue to give each other the kind of love that lets them soar to heights and freely do the things that genuinely make them happy. For Rosales, Gutierrez is someone who understands how passionate he is at work and in many aspects of life. “We’re similar but also different in many ways. It’s such a healthy balance. We both like the beach, driving and old cars,” he says.  For Gutierrez, having Rosales by her side gives her more confidence in pursuing higher goals. “He’s so supportive, and he’s made me feel that there’s always someone who believes in me, who encourages me that everything’s possible,” she shares.  

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The new couple is now dubbed one of the hottest celebrity couples in the Philippines. Both are focusing their energies on the present, cherishing every moment they share. “He is really a cool guy. I saw so many layers about his personality and how sweet, kindhearted, and adventurous he is,” Gutierrez shares. 

Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez love spending quality time together, doing even the mundane. “Even just watching movies at home, cooking or working together, he puts 100 per cent of himself in everything. I always feel his presence, that he’s there and attentive in the moment,” she says. “It’s great because we’re sharing new experiences, like travelling. He always wants to spend time with my family, too. And he loves my dog!” Gutierrez muses, appreciative of her partner’s efforts to shower her with love and attention despite their busy schedules. 

Like any other couple, the two have their fair share of occasional misunderstandings—one that Rosales considers an important part of any relationship. “We’re in the learning stage. How one couple learns to communicate and understand each other usually occurs during difficult times. That’s the whole exercise of getting to know your partner. It’s all about understanding how each one receives and gives,” he says, also emphasising the importance of respect. So when they disagree, for instance, the couple makes sure to talk things out. “He’s so open and expressive. He’s willing to talk. It sounds simple, but it’s important,” says Gutierrez. 

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One key lesson that both of them learnt in their relationship is to keep things private as much as possible. “At the end of the day, whatever relationship you have is between you and the other person. You have to have a good foundation and trust because it’s a partnership,” Gutierrez says. “[For us, we both consider] what’s a healthy amount of information that we want to share with the public,” Rosales explains. “I like that we’re both like that, and we don’t put pressure on ourselves [to share much of our private lives],” he adds. 

With this, it was not surprising that Jericho Rosales and Janine Gutierrez remained tight-lipped when asked about marriage and their plans. “We’re so new, and we want to take things slowly,” Gutierrez says, stirring the conversation away from what “plans” mean to them regarding their current status. “For now, our plans include returning to Japan and planning our birthday trip. We also want to do a project together, conceptualising it from beginning to end. So it’s all about really exciting things,” the beautiful actor comments. 

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Even if the 100-episode Lavender Fields ended in January this year, their bond still grew despite being busy with their respective careers. In March, Rosales started filming for Quezon, the third instalment of the Bayaniverse film series by TBA Studios, following the success of the two earlier movies, Heneral Luna and Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral. Directed by Jerrold Tarog, Quezon delves into the life of Manuel L Quezon, a lawyer and a soldier who became the first president of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944.

“When they asked me, they were honest to admit I was not the first choice [for the role],” Rosales says. But this did not seem to be a problem for the talented actor. “It’s not the first time it happened to me, and I’m very thrilled to have been given this opportunity,” he adds, sharing that besides the interesting role and storyline, he was drawn to the character because he sees some similarities with Quezon, whether in the personage’s fashion sense or movement. “That’s the style! He had a crisp, stylish suit, and I had the same hairstyle at some point. I’m so lucky,” Rosales enthuses. Quezon is set to be distributed locally and internationally and is supported by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Rosales will star alongside Game of Thrones star Iain Glen, who will play the role of Governor General Leonard Wood.

Being part of Lavender Fields and Quezon was a remarkable comeback for the 45-year-old actor. Before these two projects, he went on a break from the spotlight. “I didn’t stop; rather, I paused things that people would expect me to normally do, like guesting on TV or doing TV shows,” Rosales says. “I got busy learning how to produce and write for a film. I was searching for stories and meeting people who could help me bring these stories to life.” But then, the offer for Lavender Fields came, and because he liked the dimension of the character, it was an easy yes for him. “It’s something that challenged me. It’s a different colour, different temperament.” And then, he met Gutierrez. 

Gutierrez came from an illustrious clan in the Philippine entertainment industry. Her grandmother, the late Pilita Corrales, is Asia’s Queen of Songs, while her parents, Ramon Christopher Gutierrez and Lotlot de Leon, are also respected actors. The late National Artist Nora Aunor is her maternal grandmother. But despite her strong affiliation with some of the best names in show business, Gutierrez has made it a point to carve a name for herself. “It made me want to make my path even more,” she says. For her, it was not all about following in the footsteps of the people in her family. It was the opposite. ”I just wanted to do what would make me happy and not try to surpass anyone else’s achievements or copy what anyone else did. It even made me wish not to do what they’ve already done,” the humble actor says.

With this philosophy, Gutierrez worked hard to hone her craft. She started at age 21 and took around three years before she finally landed a lead role in the 2013 remake of Villa Quintana. “By the time I got [a lead role], I was ready to do my best. I followed all instructions and listened to the veterans around me. I knew the value of that opportunity,” Gutierrez says.  

The couple also commented on the current state of the content and entertainment industry in the Philippines: “It’s a fascinating time for everyone. We have people from all walks of life creating content. The short-form videos we see on social media and other digital platforms allow everyone to create, practice, and sharpen their creativity. I’m looking forward to more tasteful and original output from my fellow Filipinos,” Rosales says.

Gutierrez is ecstatic that with the rise of digital platforms, Filipino films and series can now be seen alongside projects from different countries. “When you’re watching Netflix, for example, you can see Lavender Fields beside Gyeongseong Creature and Young Sheldon,” she explains. This means our films are visible to the global audience alongside entertainment powerhouses like Korea and Hollywood. “We also have that space to show our stories from the Philippines. I look forward to us, Filipinos, becoming one of the major players in the global film industry,” Gutierrez says. 

However, while there are tremendous opportunities on the international stage, both agree that our local entertainment industry needs more government and private sector support. “There’s so many stories to tell, and we have great filmmakers. But we need to make it easier for people to be able to go back to the cinemas. Ticket prices are so high, and when it’s that high, it turns people off from watching,” the award-winning actor rallies. He adds that the schools can also be instrumental in honing future filmmakers but would also need support for it to happen. “When you go to film festivals [abroad] and see these countries that their government supports, I hope we have the same support.”

Gutierrez wants to see more opportunities for regional filmmakers. “There’s so much talent in Visayas and Mindanao, and hopefully, there’s a national effort to support them, like through government grants, so these regional productions can get their work up and running.”

The couple also advise those who would like to follow in their footsteps. “Just really keep working on yourself and continuously learn. Any opportunity to talk to another actor or a director, or audition or go to a workshop, grab all of them,” Gutierrez says. She reiterates the importance of putting yourself out there to chase your dreams. “If there’s somebody you want to work with, let them know, send them a DM, or make yourself visible and available for possible connections.”

Meanwhile, Rosales recalls one question someone had asked him: “What’s a life worth living?” Enlightened, he answered, “A life of getting to know yourself”. Since then, he has never stopped appreciating every question, decision, and situation that has pushed him to understand himself more.

Their love story is not just a charming romance; it’s a shared dream for the future of Philippine entertainment and their common interests. Their strong belief in each other makes their journey feel like destiny unfolding on screen and beyond.

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