Mc Richard Paglicawan
Actress Janine Gutierrez is now the brand ambassador for iCare, one of the most trusted and affordable HMO providers in the Philippines — a role she embraces with deep personal conviction, especially following the recent loss of three close family members within weeks of each other.
At the media launch held at St. Luke’s Medical Center, Gutierrez opened up about how the passing of her grandmothers, Pilita Corrales and Nora Aunor, and her uncle, Ricky Davao, changed her perspective on life and health.
“There are good days and bad days,” she said emotionally. “We lost three family members in three weeks. It’s a testament to how important family really is. I wouldn’t have made it through without their support.”
Gutierrez recalled how nervous she was returning to St. Luke’s for the event, as it was the same hospital where her uncle was confined in the ICU. “Everything still feels fresh,” she admitted. “You’ll never really know what’s going to happen. That’s why it’s so important to have people you can rely on.”
In her speech, the actress underscored the importance of prevention, peace of mind, and accessible healthcare — something she said became especially clear after seeing a childhood nanny battle cancer. “I don’t usually talk about it,” she shared, “but I entered showbiz to help my second mom, my yaya since birth. She had cancer, and I saw firsthand the stress of not just the illness but also the medical bills.”
Gutierrez said her advocacy for health now extends to her own family. As the eldest daughter of actors Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, she makes sure her siblings have health coverage. “Every year, HMO is part of my budget. Even when you take care of yourself, things can still happen unexpectedly.”
Geronimo Francisco, President and CEO of iCare, said choosing Janine to represent the brand reflects their commitment to making healthcare more accessible. “She is a voice of purpose. Her story aligns with our mission — to empower every Filipino to say yes to better health.”
The campaign kicked off last April 9 in Boracay, where Gutierrez said “yes” to the partnership while ten orange-sailed paraws sailed in the background. The moment, she joked, was so picturesque it was mistaken for an engagement announcement with her partner, actor Jericho Rosales.
Gutierrez, who is currently working on a new teleserye ‘The Accused’ with Rosales, also revealed that she is producing a documentary about her grandmother Pilita Corrales. “We started filming interviews with people she worked with last year, but her health issues made us pause. Looking back, I wish I had done it sooner.”
Her takeaway: don’t delay doing something meaningful. “If you feel like it’s important, that’s a sign from the universe — do it now.”
As she moves forward with her projects and personal healing, Gutierrez leaves this message: “Take care of your health. Don’t ignore what your body tells you. Prevention is better than cure — and with the right support system, you don’t have to go through it alone.” (with reports from Carlos Aragon)
