Janine Gutierrez couldn't help recalling the first time she signed up with ABS-CBN during a recent media conference to announce the renewal of her contract. She said the momentous event happened somewhere at the Rockwell Center in Makati City at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic, thus attendance was limited to essential participants.

"So ngayon ko lang na-experience 'to (It's only now that I get to experience this)," the actress-model exclaimed, referring to the face-to-face question-and-answer session with reporters just after the contract-signing ceremony.

"I'm just happy to be renewed with the Kapamilya network. I'm so grateful to sign with the bosses. Siyempre iba 'yung pinuntahan ka nila and celebrate this special day with you. Nakakatuwa (Of course, it's something else when they come to your special day. It's heartwarming)."

"Kasi dati, it was just something that I was looking forward to. But, now, talagang ramdam na ramdam ko na Kapamilyang-Kapamilya ako to be signing a new contract (Before, this was just something that I was looking forward to. Now, I truly feel I am a Kapamilya)," added the actress who's now on her 12th year in showbiz.

Gutierrez acknowledged her involvement in the hit drama series Dirty Linen as the highlight of her three-year stay with ABS-CBN. In the revenge-centric teleserye, her Alexa character takes another identity, Mila, to infiltrate the household of the Fiero family that's responsible for the mysterious death of her mother. She pulled off the acting challenge and avoided getting eaten alive by her much-experienced costars, such as the multi-awarded Joel Torre, John Arcilla, Tessie Tomas and Janice de Belen, thus earning kudos from viewers and colleagues alike.

She admitted feeling the pressure of making another Dirty Linen, which was produced by Dreamscape Entertainment for ABS-CBN. But she's hopeful to be given a similar opportunity.

Needless to say, staying a Kapamilya is a no-brainer for Gutierrez, as she gushed, "Every time I go to work or mag-taping here, talagang excited ako. Excited akong umarte, excited akong makita ang mga director, excited kaming basahin ang script, kung anong mangyayari… It's such a fun and fulfilling experience din pag nakita mo na ang reaction ng mga manonood, kahit sa Tiktok (I'm really excited. I'm excited to act, to see my directors, for us to read the script, on what's going to happen next. It's also fulfilling to finally see the reaction of the viewers, even on TikTok)."

Who among her "idols" on ABS-CBN would she love to work with next?

Gutierrez has a ready list of names: Jodi Sta. Maria, Iza Calzado, Angel Locsin, Anne Curtis and "icons" such as Maricel Soriano.