Janine Gutierrez takes pride in leading woman-centric film 'Babae at Baril;' speaks up against catcallers
Janine Gutierrez takes pride in leading woman-centric film Babae at Baril.
She portrays a saleslady in the action-drama film that tackles real events in the life of a working woman.
"Saleslady s'ya all through out the film and nag-shoot talaga kami doon sa other part of the mall that you don't see. [Kaya makikita n'yo] kung ano talaga 'yung buhay ng saleslady," Janine shared in an interview during the mediacon of Babae at Baril last October 14.
As someone who usually portrays dramatic roles on TV, the 30-year-old actress assured that the viewers will see a different Janine in Babae at Baril.
She said, "Iba 'to sa mga nagawa ko, iba 'to sa mga kwentong nakita na nila dati. Even for me, super challenging siya dahil wala pang nagawang gan'to. 'Yung character ko, meron siyang malaking shift na pagdaraanan na to the point na parang dalawa 'yung character n'ya."
Aside from this, the reason why Janine accepted the role because she believes it's a good way to increase awareness of women's rights.
"Para sa 'kin, ang pinakamalaking message nito is hindi mo kayang magtiis. You should have to settle lalo na kasi rito sa 'tin sa Pilipinas. Minsan bilang babae, pinalaki tayo na mahinhin, dapat tahimik, sumusunod."
She added, "I think it's very important to know na bilang babae, may kapangyarihan ka to say no, to ask for more, to realize that you deserve more, at hindi mo kailangang magtiis kasi babae ka."
Speaking against catcallers
Dealing with catcalling is just one form of sexual harassment that Janine's character encounters every day. It is a scary experience where a passerby receives unwanted comments and gestures from a total stranger.
It happens all the time and even Janine is no stranger to experiencing such in real life.
"Meron kasing coffee shop sa labas ng condo ko na 'pag tinatamad ako magluto, bumibili ako ng pagkain doon," the Kapuso showbiz royalty shared.
"Palagi pa naman akong naka-shorts.
"Talagang tamad ako magbihis, shorts at t-shirt lang talaga ako 'tsaka tsinelas on a normal day.
"So bumili ako ng pagkain, tapos naglalakad ako pabalik sa condo tapos may kotse na nag-slow down tapos ni-roll down niya 'yung window tapos sabi n'ya, 'Miss, sakay ka dito.'
"Sobrang sinigawan ko siya.
"Siguro nakilala niya 'ko pero wala talaga 'kong pakialam.
"What more to someone who has to walk every day, what more to someone who has to commute every day, who has to ride the jeep every day?
"Ako sobrang privilege ko na kasi 'di ko kailangan na mag-commute everyday."
Speaking from her own experience, Janine believes that catcalling cannot be tolerated and it's okay to fight back.
"Kaya nating lumabang mga babae.
Hindi dapat binabalewala ang kakayahan ng mga babae and I hope maka-leave din ng impression [ang Babae at Baril] sa mga manonood na kaya at dapat lumaban."
Babae at Baril is an entry to QCinema International Film Festival 2019's Asian Next Wave Competition.
It will be shown until October 22, 2019, in select cinemas.
IN PHOTOS: At the premiere night of 'Babae at Baril'