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MANILA, Philippines — Actress Janine Gutierrez believes that the title "Sexiest Woman Alive" goes beyond the physical.
Janine is the first woman in seven years given the title by Esquire Philippines. Catriona Gray was the last woman named "sexiest" a few months after she won Miss Universe 2018.
A signature title of the main Esquire magazine, which turns 92 this year, stars like Scarlett Johannson and Angelina Jolie have been named the "Sexiest Woman Alive."
The Philippine publication has been giving the local title out since 2011 to individuals like Pia Wurtzbach and Karen Davila; the pandemic, however, caused the outlet to put the recognition on hold.
In an intimate meeting with other media including Philstar.com, Esquire Philippines' editor-in-chief PJ Caña said it took two to three years after the pandemic to get their groove back and return to the magazine's monthly themes, which are often planned a year in advance.
Caña shared that when the editorial team sat down and discussed about it, their shortlist only had a few names but Janine's quickly came out on top.
"Talking to her shows something increasingly obvious behind her beauty," Caña explained, relaying Janine's intelligence and kindness coming through each time he met her.
It is Esquire Philippines' first time doing multiple covers as Caña said it was hard for the team to pick from the pictures shot by celebrity photography BJ Pascual.
Related: Janine Gutierrez remembers Pilita Corrales in 'Sexiest Woman Alive' title
Janine revealed that she had always wanted to do an Esquire cover, having already done the same for other Summit Media publications, hence it was a quick yes when the outlet approached her to be the "Sexiest Woman Alive."
'Sexy' defined
Echoing what she mentioned in the cover story written by former Philstar.com writer and author Chuck Smith, Janine gave her definition of a sexy woman.
"[It's] being brave, fully authentic to who you are as a woman in all the good and bad, and being passionate with the things in your life," the actress explained.
Janine also praised past titleholders and Miss Universe winners Catriona and Pia, whom she said were passionate about their respective advocacies and had hearts that radiated.
"Sobrang confidence booster to have a group of women around you when you feel insecure," Janine added.
The actress humorously shared other titles and superlatives she'd love to be named one day, like being the "most hardworking," "most professional," or "most joyful."
"There's been a lot of difficult things that have happened in the past," Janine said about the latter," And the lesson for me is to really find joy in everything, even in the small accomplishments."
RELATED: Janine Gutierrez praises Anne Curtis for statement decrying misogyny, sexism
