In her latest film role Ngayon Kaya, Janine Gutierrez plays the role of a rich college girl who connects with a shy working student (played by Paulo Avelino) in what is the beginning of a close friendship which eventually develops into something deeper for both of them at different points in their lives.

“I really love this role kasi sobrang nakaka-relate ako sa kanya. Kasi parang everybody in their lives, meron usually yung isang tao na palagi mong naiiisip na what if? Or parang ano kaya kung iba yung ginawa ko or iba yung sinabi ko? And ito yung tema ng pelikula,” she shared during the Ngayon Kaya press screening event held last June 2.

READ: Janine Gutierrez shares why she calls Paulo Avelino a ‘bully’ on the set

Even before she and Paulo shot their first teleserye together Marry Me, Marry You, Janine admitted they had already finished filming Ngayon Kaya which was originally scheduled for theatrical release in 2020.

“For the past three years ngayon ipapalabas na ito. Kasi dati, umabot na kami sa nag-shoot na kami ng promo, naka-schedule na ng mall shows. So nung nag-lockdown shucks sobrang excited ako for this to come out. And now two years later, ito na nga, ngayon kaya ito na siya. Happy ako kasi I think eventually, kung ano yung timing ng universe yun sana yung best. So hopefully talagang pumunta sa sinehan yung mga tao at panuorin ito,” she admitted.

Playing two college students at the start of the film, Janine said all their scenes were shot in chronological order despite the film jumping from present time to the past.

“Luckily we were able to film it somewhat chronologically because I had to cut my hair for the present scenes. So in a way, sobrang nag-benefit na nag-request sila ng change look kasi nahati yung feel and yung mood ng first part which is yung younger, college, carefree, to the present na parang grown up tapos medyo nagkapalit kami ng situation in life,” she added.

READ: Paulo Avelino reveals dating Janine Gutierrez in the past: ‘Parang nasaktan ako’

Just like her character onscreen, Janine shared that she also had a big “what if” moment in her life and the biggest one was related to a work opportunity.

“I have something off the top of my mind. A random funny story lang. Super nakaka-relate ako sa character ko dito kasi I also believe na parang in manifesting and things like that. Very ganun ako mag-isip.

“And then many, many years ago, I auditioned for the Encantadia reboot in GMA and then parang na-shortlist, parang umabot ako sa finals. And I was considered to be Amihan. But in the end the role went to someone else tapos sobrang heartbroken ako kasi sobrang fan ako ng Encantadia, fan ako ni Iza (Calzado) so parang di ko ma-gets, oh my gosh, like parang gusto kong gawin ito pero I didn’t get it.

“And then when I got the script of this (film), nakita ko yung name ng character ko is Amihan. So I was like, oh my gosh, gets ko na that this was the Amihan that was meant for me,” she revealed.

Ngayon Kaya stars Paulo Avelino and Janine Gutierrez. Also staring Alwyn Uytingco, John James Uy, Donna Cariaga, Haley Dizon, and Rio Locsin. Directed by Prime Cruz. Produced by T-Rex Entertainment and co-produced by WASD Films. Ngayon Kaya opens in theaters on June 22