Janine Gutierrez reveals she entered showbiz because of her yaya who had cancer

How touching!

Janine Gutierrez shared that she joined the entertainment industry to help her yaya in her battle with cancer.

In a recent Magandang Buhay episode, the actress revealed that she wanted to help her Yaya Pat fight the disease in her own way even though she was too “shy” to be in showbiz.

“Mahiyain talaga ako. Hindi ko naman inisip na mag-aartista ako, pero nung college ako, si Yaya ay nagkasakit, tapos parang hindi ako makatulong. Sabi ko sa mommy ko, ‘Ma, gusto ko na mag-artista para may panggamot si Yaya,’” she said. 

Yaya Pat recalled how Janine and her siblings came to mind when she got diagnosed with cancer. “Alam mo nung sinabing cancer, sa doctor, hindi ako umiyak pero paglabas ko dun sa pasilyo ng St. Lukes, umiiyak ako, kawawa naman ‘yung mga alaga ko. Baka kapag may ibang mag-alaga, ano, baka sigawan, baka apihin.” 

Janine said that her yaya served as her second mom growing up. “Si yaya po kasi, hindi pa ako pinapanganak, siya na po ‘yung yaya ko. So talagang second mommy ko talaga si yaya. Tapos nung nag-aaral ako, tinuturuan niya ako ng homework. Regalo niya sa akin mga dictionary,” she said, noting how Yaya Pat has been by their side even in their struggling moments. 

Yaya Pat noted that Janine has been consistent in showing her love and care for her even in her yesteryears. "Tuwing pagdating galing school, kahit hindi ko birthday, pag-gising, 'I love you, Yaya. You're the best yaya in the world,'" she said. 

Janine entered showbiz when she was just 21. She spent 10 years as a GMA-7 artist and moved to ABS-CBN in January 2021. The 33-year-old currently stars in Kapamilya revenge series Dirty Linen.