As the star of the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry Child No. 82 (Son of Boy Kana), JM Ibarra admitted he had to overcome a lot of pressure after finding out he would be playing the lead in his first film project. During the Child No. 82 gala night held last October 4, JM talked to PUSH ABS-CBN about his unforgettable big screen debut.
“Hanggang ngayon nga po hindi ko pa na-o-overcome yung kaba. Kahit tapos na yung film kinakabahan pa rin po ako... Natanggal lang po yung kaba ko nung parang third day na po ata ng filming. Dahil din po sa kanila kasi binibigyan nila ako ng encouragement. Hindi nila ako hinahayaang magkaroon ng sariling mundo sa set. Lagi nila ako ini- nclude sa kahit anong bagay. Sila din yung dahilan kung bakit nagampanan ko ng hindi ako nahihiya. Confident ako sa sarili ko,” he shared.
As one of the the 10 full-length films and the 10 short features that are being showcased as part of the Cinemalaya competition this year, JM said he is grateful to everyone behind the film for their support in helping him perform his best. This includes his co-stars Rochalle Pangilinan and Vhong Navarro who play his estranged parents in the film.
“Lahat sila po yung nag-guide sa akin araw-araw. Sa mga una hanggang matapos po yung taping namin. Yung guidance nila yung ginawa nila talaga para sa akin,” he added.
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After he watched the final cut of his debut film, JM recalled how nervous he was before watching it for the first time. “Kasi before ko mapanood sobrang kinakabahan po ako. Tinatanong ko pa rin po ako sa sarili ko kung nagawa ko ba ng maayos. Na-satisfy kaya silang mga manonood? Ako na-satisfy ako personally. Happy ako, super happy ako sa naging final output. Gusto ko pang ulitin,” he admitted.
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In director Tim Rone Villanueva’s dramedy/fantasy film, JM plays the role of a high school student who is out to prove that he is the 82nd illegitimate child of the Philippines’ biggest action-fantasy movie star Maximo “Boy Kana” Maniego Sr. (played by Vhong).
Working with the It’s Showtime host was a good experience, according to JM. “Thank you kay Kuya Vhong. Hindi po siya mahirap lapitan. Sobrang approachable pa ni Kuya Vhong. Siya pa nga po yung nag-i-initiate sa sa amin dalawa ng conversation para mag-guide po niya ako sa gagawin naming sequence. Sobrang mapagbigay din po ni Kuya Vhong… Napakahusay, napakabait. Napakahusay na actor, napakabait na tao po ni Kuya Vhong. Sana, sana magkaroon pa po ng proyekto na kasama ko po ulit siya,” he said.
Now that he has gotten a taste of doing a major role, JM revealed what kind of projects he looks forward to doing in the near future if given the opportunity.
“Wala naman po akong role na role o genre na preference. Gusto kong subukan lahat. Gusto Kong ma-challenge. Kasi yung mata ko naka-focus lang sa kung ano yung learnings na makukuha ko sa bawat project na ilalapit sa akin. And ano sobrang looking forward lang po ako, kahit ano pang role yan, kahit ano pang genre yan!” he admitted.
The 21st edition of the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival will run until October 12, Sunday and will be screened at the Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong, Gateway Cineplex 18 in Cubao, and Ayala Malls Cinemas.