Producer and veteran actress Sylvia Sanchez became visibly emotional during the grand mediacon of ‘I’m Perfect,’ one of the official entries in the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025, held ahead of its December 25 nationwide release.
‘I’m Perfect,’ written and directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, stars Earl Jonathan Amanda and Anne Krystel Daphne Go, both persons with Down syndrome. Several other individuals with Down syndrome are also part of the cast and were formally introduced during the mediacon.
The film centers on a love story between two people with Down syndrome, making it the first Filipino film to feature persons with Down syndrome as lead characters.
Director Sigrid Bernardo revealed that the concept for ‘I’m Perfect’ was formed 15 years ago, and that she had pitched the project to several producers over the years.
“Ang hinihiling ko lang talaga, magkaroon ng tamang producer for this kind of project,” Bernardo said.
While many producers liked the idea, none were willing to take the risk—until she met Sylvia Sanchez (Ibyang) of Nathan Studios, Inc.
Bernardo admitted she did not immediately believe the project would push through.
Hindi raw siya naniwala “hangga’t hindi kami nagsu-shooting,” she shared. The film was finally completed and is now set to premiere on December 25 as part of the MMFF.
Sanchez said she committed fully to the project the moment she learned that the lead actors would be persons with Down syndrome.
“Nang makita ko itong project na ito, nang ibigay ko ‘yung tiwala ko sa project na ‘to, nu’ng sinabi niya na ang mga bida ko ay persons with Down syndrome, ibinigay ko nang buong-buo sa persons with Down syndrome ‘yung puso ko, ‘yung tiwala ko. From day 1, hindi ako nag-alangan,” she said.
The actress-producer also shared that she has a best friend with Down syndrome and a nephew with cerebral palsy, making the project deeply personal for her.
At one point during the mediacon, Sanchez broke down in tears as she recalled how the cast with Down syndrome supported her family during a difficult time.
“Nang time na bagsak ako, kaming lahat, ‘yung mga angels na ‘to… angels tawag ko, why? Six o’clock in the morning, ‘how are you mamang? Kumusta ang pamilya?’” she said.
She added that she was surprised by how aware and compassionate the cast was.
“Sabi ko, ‘naiintindihan ba nila mga nangyayari? Bakit alam nila?’… Pero hindi nila kami jinudge, tinanggap kami buong-buo ng mga batang ‘to,” she shared, fighting back tears.
Sanchez admitted she has no expectations about the film’s box-office performance.
“Honestly, hindi ko alam kung tatangkilikin ‘to, hindi ko alam kung kikita ‘to. Pero matamis kong tatanggapin at buong-buo kong tatanggapin. Kung hindi man kikita ‘to, buong-buo kong tatanggapin dahil ang kapalit ng pera, sampung anghel at mga magulang nila,” she said.
Joining Sanchez in the film are powerhouse supporting actors Lorna Tolentino, Janice de Belen, Tonton Gutierrez, Joey Marquez, and Zaijian Jaranilla.
Tolentino revealed that working with the cast with Down syndrome was not difficult at all.
“Hindi, kasi mas giving ang pagiging actor nila… wala silang wall, wala silang inhibitions… natural lang na being ‘yung kanila,” she explained.
She added that the veteran actors often adjusted to the children, reacting organically to whatever emotions the young cast gave during takes.
“Kung ano ‘yung ibibigay nila… mas nagiging realistic, mas nagiging truthful,” Tolentino said.
Tolentino also shared that she has a relative with Down syndrome, which made the project even closer to her heart.
During the red carpet presscon at Gateway 2 Cinema 16 in Quezon City, the cast with Down syndrome—whom Sanchez fondly calls her “angels”—were present in full force, visibly emotional and excited as they watched the full trailer for the first time.
Those emotions spread to the rest of the cast and crew, creating what many described as a powerful and moving moment.
‘I’m Perfect,’ directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo of Kita Kita fame, is one of the eight official entries of the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival, which runs from December 25 to January 7, 2026.
The film is produced by Nathan Studios and aims not only to entertain but also to raise awareness, empathy, and understanding toward persons with Down syndrome.
