JANINE GUTIERREZ and Paulo Avelino are currently being linked to each other after the success of their recent soap, “Marry Me”.
They’re the special guests of Ogie Alcasid in his “OA sa Love in the USA” concert tour in the West Coast and in their zoom presscon, the press kept on asking them as to what is the real score about them.
“As of now, we’re both busy,” says Paulo. “I have a new project na sekreto muna while Janine is busy with iWant. So, work muna, saka na yung love.”
“Sa USA na lang,” says Janine. “Kasi yun ang title ng concert natin, di ba? Love in the USA.
"But seriously, I’m just happy to be part of this show kasi first time ko to perform in a concert out of the country and first time ko ring magka-working visa sa US. We’re both super excited kasi we sang sa ASAP and now we’ll do a show in the US together.”
What is the level of their relationship since they’ve just been seen in Palawan with their “Marry Me” co-stars Edu Manzano and Cherry Pie Picache who are very open about their own relationship?
“Nasa masayang level kami,” says Janine. “I’m happy that we’ve stayed in touch with Tito Edu and Miss Pie. We’re very grateful sa lahat ng pinagsamahan namin.
"And now, I’m looking forward to this trip to the US since we were cooped up during the pandemic.”
Janine is currently unattached after her breakup with Rayver Cruz. But Paulo was linked to a foreign model. Are they still on? “I’m single,” he says.
Janine says she’s grateful that when she moved to ABS-CBN, her first leading man in a teleserye was Paulo. “I really enjoyed working with him. I really feel na sobrang swerte ako na siya ang una kong nakapareha as a Kapamilya.”
Paulo has confirmed that he is making a side trip to New York to visit his son Aki who lives there with mom, LJ Reyes.
“Kasi nasa States na rin lang ako, I might as well go and visit my son. I haven’t seen him since they left for the States last August. He now goes to school there. I already talked to his mom so we can arrange the dates of my visit.”
Will Janine join him in his trip to New York? “I don’t know.” In case she goes with him, how will he introduce her? “Diretso na. Aki, ang nanay mo. Joke!”
Paulo really looks much happier now, unlike when he did “Fan Girl” when he looked gloomy. “2022 na kasi so I changed my outlook in life,” he says.
Is it because of Janine? “Not really, I did it for myself. Like what they say, paano mo papasaya ang ibang tao kung ikaw mismo, hindi ka masaya?”
With them going to the States together with Janine having no chaperon, it can’t be helped if some folks would speculate that they’ll get married there.
“May nagtatanong nga kung pupunta raw ba kami sa Las Vegas (which is noted for its quickie weddings),” says Janine.
SInce they have a rest period of six days, they can easily go there. “Oo, pwede naman to go there by land,” says Ogie.
So what will he do if they’d go there? “Di kunin nila akong ninong,” Ogie jokes.
Janine says she’s not yet sure if she’s going to New York with Paulo. “Inaayos pa ang schedule ko kasi ang gusto ko talaga, magpunta sa Disneyland and it has to be scheduled daw before hand. So yun ang priority ko sa rest days namin.”
“Ako naman, pag walang work, I will just be staying in the hotel to read the Bible. But I want to visit Star Wars Galaxy theme park at Hollywood Studios.
"I really want to thank Kuya Ogie for getting us to perform with him in the US. We’ve work together before sa ‘Bubble Gang’ when we’re both still with GMA then sa ASAP & ABS Christmas specials, but this is the first time we’re doing a conert.”
So what’s the final word about their relationship since they’re both single now?
“As of now, we just enjoy working together and we have a really good friendship,” says Paulo. “So tingnan na lang natin in the future kung anong mangyayari.”
“I’d say we really get along fine and I really enjoy talking to him and working with him,” says Janine.
What can Janine say now that her ex, Rayver Cruz, is said to be playing beautiful music with Julie Anne San Jose? “Ay, wala po akong alam doon. Sorry, but I’m not really updated.”
Don’t miss “OA sa Love in the USA” at Alex Theater in Glendale, California on March 26, at the Sycuan Casino Resort in San Diego, California on April 2, and at the Morongo Casino Resort and Spa in Cabazon, California on April 3.
