By Cedie Lazaro
In a few hours, the world is officially welcoming the Year of the Fire Horse, a pairing of the Zodiac animal and the fiery element in Chinese culture, which happens once in 60 years. The merge is a rare one, making 2026 a unique combination of speed and flame. What better way to celebrate the once-in-a-blue-moon occurrence than by blowing all the sparkles and pixie dust on our very own correspondent: Filipina-Chinese media personality and artist Janeena Chan.
We Filipinos have a very interesting, close tie with our dear Chinese neighbors, that the Mandarin sensibilities are very much a part of our own– from our food (hello Pinoy cuisine faves such as pancit, lumpia, siapao, and more!), to family values (mano po!), down to common Chinoy traditions (ang pao, and more). We’re so connected to Chinese traditions that the oldest Chinatown on the entire planet is actually located in the capital city of the Philippines: Binondo in Manila, established in 1594.
For Chinoy host, singer, and Sparkle artist Janeena Chan, both sides of her culture are equally precious. Janeena is not only the Chika Minute showbiz correspondent of primetime news show “24 Oras” on GMA, but also one of the most booked hosts in the metro for luxury gatherings and live event shows. Her personality just shimmers, her quick wit and ability to think on her toes are impressive, and her Chinay beauty is just top-shelf. As visible as she’s been in the fashion, lifestyle and entertainment scenes in the past decade, Janeena shared that being under the spotlight was not always on her mind, as being in the entertainment industry is not seen as a profit-making opportunity, especially by the Chinese side of her roots.
“Honestly, I’m so grateful to be in this position to do a lot of jobs in the entertainment and media industries. I guess, to be an example also, to fellow Fil-Chi ladies out there who kind of want to do the same thing as I’m doing right now, or at least something similar,” Janeena told STYLISH during the photo shoot.
“Especially at that time, before like way back…grabe naman yung panahon ko, parang… when I was a kid, it wasn’t really mainstream among Chinese to do all these that I am doing now, like at all…”
“Parang kumbaga, ako pa yung, (Even I myself would say,) ‘Huh, how would she do that (a career in media and creative industries)?’ Kasi back in my (Chinese) school, ‘yung mga sikat nun ‘yung mga mathematicians!” she said in jest.
(“I myself would question myself like, ‘Huh? How would she do that (a career in media and creative industries)? Because back in the day in my (Chinese) school, the popular ones were the mathematicians!”)
“The Chinese people I was surrounded with were all about academics. And I felt like I had to make sure all the more–hindi naman sa proving–but I wanted to show them, or at least inspire them myself, that one can prioritize both your academics, and the things that make you happy and passionate. And for me, my passion is the creative side of things. I guess I showed my people that this kind of endeavor could actually be a fruitful and meaningful career.”
The sought-after lifestyle host actually started in the scene with her interest in music at a young age, joining a lot of singing competitions. She eventually became a part of the Disney Princess singing contest, wherein she met an agent for hosting and modeling industries. She would do modeling for Barbie on the side, all decked out in cute Barbie outfits of course, for various mall shows. Then one thing led to another, until she got her stint as a kiddie host for a local TV channel at just 11 years old.
From Kiddie Host to TV Show Junior Journalist
Janeena recalled being a shy kid at first though, although already a “bibo kid” but not the chatty, talkative kind.. yet.
“I was very bibo (active) but also very shy, like a demure baby. Like my Mom would recall, that parang I was more graceful pa nga eh. Like I would dance around…”
“And now when I host, people think I’ve always been talkative. But I was a shy kid. I’ve always had a quiet side. I guess it goes back to that childhood. I would join singing contests because of my teachers and my parents who would encourage me. Because they know I love music and I’m musically inclined. And then I tried hosting a kiddie show on one of the local TV channels. And then eventually, I was doing both hosting for the TV show and modeling simultaneously for Barbie. I had such a fun childhood because of that.”
Her early exposure to hosting in the show brought her to another opportunity as a kiddie journalist for another lifestyle telemagazine show, which taught her the ropes of multimedia reportage, live presentation, segment production, and content creation.
“My dad was just flipping through channels and then he was like, ‘Oh, they’re looking for junior journalists.’ So yeah, I auditioned for that. Honestly, I was like, ‘Ano ‘to?’ Parang, in my mind, parang boring pa nga siya eh. Sabi ko, huh? Bakit parang news? News na parang pambata or something.’ But I tried it out. And then I eventually enjoyed it also. We were really trained to do our own TV show segments. We were producing our own segments. Imagine, at 14 years old? I was doing that ’til I was 19 years old.”
(“My dad was just flipping through channels and then he was like, ‘Oh, they’re looking for junior journalists.’ So yeah, I auditioned for that. Honestly, I was like, ‘What’s this?’ It was like, in my mind, this could turn out to be boring, news for kids or something?’ But I tried it out. And then I eventually enjoyed it also. We were really trained to do our own TV show segments. We were producing our own segments. Imagine, at 14 years old? I was doing that ’til I was 19 years old.”)
These experiences not only built her confidence, but also honed her multimedia skills such as storytelling, filming, video editing, and TV production. She describes her childhood as “super fun,” because of amazing opportunities to earn a living and grow creatively at the same time—an important lesson that passion can indeed be a source of livelihood.
At 21, her life took a poignant turn when her father passed away. Despite the grief, this event served as a catalyst for her to push forward. Her perseverance to do her best in her craft turned it into a full-blown career in traditional media. Janeena’s early training in her teenage years in trad media served as a crucial stepping stone toward her current success.
Balancing Arts, Faith, and Cultural Heritage
Janeena’s artistic talents on television eventually extended beyond the airwaves, as she started getting booked for hosting gigs for various live events, and even courtside reporting for sports-oriented TV shows and occasions. From traditional media to digital content, Janeena is one of the OG lifestyle content creators and influencers in the Philippines in the early 2000s, one who truly went with the flow in terms of the ever-changing trends in content consumption from TV, live events, to the early aughts of social media.
She’s become one of the Philippines’ top tastemakers in the early stages of the local digital world, sharing her insights on what’s poppin’ in fashion, beauty, wellness, dining, travel, and lifestyle in her then blog entries, which have evolved into vlogs and personal social media platforms.
Her Filipino-Chinese heritage is an integral part of her identity as a multimedia personality. She’s very much vocal about her Oriental roots in all her platforms, sharing how she practices traditional Feng Shui and celebrates Chinese cultural traditions, all while she also incorporates her faith and personal values into her life.
She’s remained rounded in her faith and spirituality. She openly shares how prayer and trust in God’s purpose guide her daily life. Her belief that her work is for a higher purpose keeps her motivated and grateful, especially amid the challenges of the industry.
Her approach to her cultural roots is modern and respectful, blending tradition with modernity through her personal style and contemporary sensibilities. She views her Asian heritage as a source of strength and inspiration, a foundation of her innate creativity.
Advocating for Self-Respect and Boundaries
A core message Janeena passionately imparts is the importance of self-love, which can start with setting boundaries– be it in personal or professional aspects of life.
Having experienced her own struggles in her journey—such as battling Bell’s palsy and overcoming perfectionism and people-pleasing— she emphasized that true peace and positivity come from knowing and loving oneself.
She openly discussed during the interview her past tendencies to be a people-pleaser, driven by a desire to avoid conflict and seek approval. By following her path, she learned the significance of self-awareness, asserting boundaries, and prioritizing her well-being.
The Chinay It-Girl
This multimedia darling has always been loved for her fashion sense and taste in lifestyle.
Janeena’s personal style is a reflection of her personality—sleek, modern, and ever-evolving. She prefers clean silhouettes, neutral tones, and versatile pieces like long skirts, which she finds both comfortable and elegant.
Her love for aesthetics goes beyond fashion, as she always shares with her audience her passion for home interiors, describing her abode as a space that feels “airy,” “light,” and “refreshing.” Her home exudes minimalism, with a focus on good energy and practicality—incorporating Feng Shui principles that align with her belief in energies and balance.
Her style choices also extend to her beauty routines, where she enjoys experimenting with different trends and looks.
Self-expression and authenticity have always been her core when it comes to approach in lifestyle and fashion. She encourages others to embrace their individuality, mix different styles, and prioritize comfort without sacrificing elegance.
The Empowered Modern Filipina-Chinese Woman
Throughout her interview, Janeena emphasized the importance of balancing tradition with modern aspirations.
She tackled how she advocates for Filipina-Chinese women to pursue creative careers and follow their passions, despite societal expectations or cultural stereotypes. Her message is clear: with confidence, faith, and perseverance, women can break barriers and achieve their dreams, empowering her to be a role model for other Filipino-Chinese women.
Janeena’s story challenges the notion that pursuing a creative career, deemed as unconventional, is risky. She believes that today, the creative industry is more accessible and monetizable than ever before.
She would like to encourage women to have the “audacity” to aim high, trust in their abilities, and be relentless in their pursuit of happiness and fulfillment.
The vibrant media personality wants to inspire women to trust that the universe, and God, will support those who stay authentic and true to their purpose. Her own experiences with health challenges and emotional growth serve as powerful reminders that self-love and boundaries are essential for long-term happiness and success.
“You have to have the audacity to go for your goals and your dreams, and just be relentlessly positive,” she said. She’s vowed to advocate for women to love themselves fully, understanding their strengths, weaknesses, triggers, and dreams. Her mantra is to “shine so brightly” that opportunities naturally gravitate toward her.
Her journey is proof that with faith, hard work, and self-love, women can carve their own paths and inspire others along the way.
Chinay Heritage
Our cover girl’s story is a testament to resilience, authenticity, and the power of embracing one’s roots and passions.
Her journey from a childhood filled with music and style, to becoming a sought-after host, content creator, and lifestyle tastemaker embodies the spirit of a modern Filipino-Chinese woman, the kind who dares to dream and stay true to herself despite the traditional expectations of her ethnicity.
Her message resonates deeply—whether it’s about setting boundaries, trusting in divine purpose, or loving oneself fully.
As she continues to shine even more brightly in her career and personal life, Janeena will always be an inspiring role model for women everywhere to pursue their passions unapologetically, while embracing all the facets of her heritage and identity.
Writer: Cedie Lazaro
Shoot Producer & Sittings Editor: Marane Plaza
Photographer: Angelo Willis
Fashion Stylist: Kathrina Vapor
Makeup Artist: Janeena Chan
Makeup Retouch: MK De Dios
Hairstylist: Jhaira Dejan
Videographer: Ericson Casiquin
Podcast Host/Story Interviewer: Aiza Gaufo
Our #StylishPodcast episode featuring our September-October cover girl Jasmine Curtis-Smith is out. Watch it on Facebook and YouTube.
Stylish Magazine is “your source of self-love, style & inspiration” first introduced in June 2020. Our television series format, Stylish TV, once ranked one of the Top 50 Most Watched Multicultural Shows in the USA, can be streamed on iWantTFC and be watched on TFC (The Filipino Channel) in more than 50 countries. Watch it online here.
Style Visionary Network is a lifestyle-business online platform where #WeCreateVisionaries. Also introduced in June 2020, Style Visionary Network is also the digital home channel of media brands Stylish Magazine and Stylish TV.