By Phoebe Dorothy Estelle

Chin Chin GutierrezBalancing time for family, career, passion and love is hard enough for an ordinary gal. But Chin-Chin Gutierrez is a walking evidence of an empowered woman. A first-rate actress, environmentalist, patriotic singer, loving daughter to her family, and devoted to her spirituality.

She recently made news when her family’s ancestral house was burned down. That occurrence proved how brave and courageous Chin-Chin was. Many were stunned by her heroic deed saving her mother, who eventually died just twelve days after New Year.

Chin-Chin started out as commercial and ramp model at the age of 16. It was only a matter of time before she was charmed by the entertainment world and appeared in different television programs. National Artist Eddie Romero picked her to play Maria Clara in his “Noli Me Tangere” TV version.

She did more than 20 flicks including international productions. Her long list of acting achievements include receiving several acting awards like the Gawad Urian (1994) for her “Maalaala Mo Kaya: the movie” and Asian Television Awards for Melinda (1996) and for “Desaparacido (1999).

These days, Chin-Chin lends her her acting prowess in the prime time soap opera, “Maging Sino Ka Man.”

Chin Chin’s Nationalistic Hymns

Unknown to many, Chin-Chin toured the entire Philippines to collect lullabies. This successful project didn’t only stay in Philippine shore but sailed in in other countries as well. In France, for one, she did numerous stage performances that astounded French VIPs.

“I decided to go around the Philippines to collect lullabies, iyong mga awit na pampatulog sa mga bata. Pero they’re not actually songs for children dahil madaming values na makukuha doon saka ang ganda talaga ng mga melodies. They’re just simple songs pero it’s important to experience our cultural diversity.”

Through a partial grant from National Commission on Culture and Arts, she produced her own album “Uyayi: A Collection of Philippine Lullabies” album. Chin-Chin admits that it was her longing to bring back the cultural awareness to Filipinos that prompted her to do the album.

“Hindi nagwawakas ang magigiting na panahon sa mga nakasulat sa history books. Ang mga ginintuang kultura ay naririyan hindi nawawala. Kailangan lang natin buksan ang ating mga tenga at mata.”

In 2004 she won Best Secular Album from Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA). Also, the album was voted as one of the world’s best music in a French music magazine.

Chin-Chin The Passionate Environmentalist

Chin Chin poses for photographer Pat UyTime Magazine recognized Chin-Chin’s environmental advocacy in 2003. She was featured in the international magazine as of the Asian Heroes because of her celebrated works for the environment.

“Aside from personal fulfillment, I feel fulfilled for the environmentalists of this country and of the world because mahirap ang trabahong ito. Marami sa kanila ang nag-start long before me. At least nakaka-contribute ako sa pagpapatibay ng loob na kailangan talagang pangalagaan ang ating kalikasan.”

Chin-Chin works with different NGO’s and with her own Mother Earth Foundation. Her advocacy was also acknowledged by The Outstanding Women in Nation’s Service (TOWNS) in 2004.

“Ginagawa ko lahat ng magagawa ko sa panahon na libre ako dahil fundamentally it is a vocation already. Kung baga promise ko na ito sa lumalang sa akin.”

Indeed, Chin-Chin Gutierrez shows that a woman can do all things with faith and passion. She has several activities but with proper time management, all her goals are accomplished.

“I am contributing to our industry na ang artista mayroon role pala talaga sa ating society na hindi lang sa sine na nagpapataawa o nagpapaiyak. Kundi puwede ring inspirasyon sa mga tao para kumilos at gumawa ng maganda.”

(Photos: Photo #1 courtesy of Avon; Photo #2 courtesy of Lhasa by Pat Uy)

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