Janine Gutierrez Wins Rising Star Award at the New York Asian Film Festival

Janine Gutierrez just made fans of Philippine cinema proud.

The New York Asian Film Festival (NYAFF) just recognized her as one of the three winners of its 2021 Rising Star Award. Janine won for her role in Dito At Doon, a rom-com movie about two students (played by Janine and JC Santos) who, amid a lockdown, "butt heads online" but end up falling in love with each other.

"Thank you for supporting Filipino artists and Filipino films and making sure our stories are out there on the international stage," Janine said in a post on NYAFF's IG account. "I hope this serves as a reminder that you are not alone and that we're all in this together."

On her Instagram, Janine posted photos of herself holding her NYAFF Rising Star Award trophy, where she dedicated her achievement to supporters of Filipino films despite the struggles the industry is currently facing.

"This award is especially for everyone who has supported Filipino films despite cinemas being closed for a year and a half now. Hindi madali pero [nandito ka]. Sa mga bumibili ng ticket online, sumusuporta sa mga streaming sites at naglalaan ng oras para sa mga virtual premiere—salamat. Thank you for supporting the industry and everyone who works in it. You mean everything to us. Thank you for coming with us on this journey."

This isn't the first time that Janine had the opportunity to represent the Philippines in the NYAFF. In 2020, Janine's revenge-thriller movie Babae At Baril was also part of the film festival. 

Dito At Doon is set to premiere on Netflix worldwide on September 2.

From: Cosmopolitan Philippines