Jaehwa Bernardo

A scene from the teaser of 'I'mPerfect.' Screenshot from Nathan Studios on YouTube

Article (news)

Turned down by producers, ‘I’mPerfect’ now named MMFF best picture

Josh Mercado

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1766891226379IMPERFECT.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="960"/>A scene from the teaser of &#x27;I&#x27;mPerfect.&#x27; Screenshot from Nathan Studios on YouTube</div>For the first time in Philippine cinema history, a film that accurately and beautifully portrays the lives of people with down syndrome was produced.And it recently made history when its lead actress, Krystel Go, an actress with down syndrome, won the highly sought-after best actress trophy at the Metro Manila Film Fest (MMFF).“I’mPerfect,” which won another MMFF top award, the best picture, was developed by filmmaker Sigrid Bernardo after a member of the community of people with syndrome asked her to direct a fashion show for them in 2009.“Nagsimula [ito] since 2009. Nagsisimula pa lang po ako bilang filmmaker — una akong gumawa ng maikling pelikula nung 2006. Alam po natin na nung 2009 ay hindi pa tayo ganoon ka-open minded lalo na po sa persons with syndrome,” Bernardo shared.Acknowledging that she initially had doubts, Bernardo added, “May na-meet po akong person with down syndrome. Pinagdidirek ako ng fashion show. Sa totoo lang, I have to admit na hindi po ako noon naniniwala kung kaya nila.”She went on to say that she spent all of her time with them in 2009 and discovered the potential of those with exceptional needs.“After nung na-meet ko sila—nag-immerse ako—nagulat ako. Bakit hindi alam ng mga tao kung ano ang kakayahan nila? I volunteered to do the workshops in 2009 sa persons with disabilities. Lahat po. Natutunan ko po ‘yung mga kakayahan nila imbes ‘yung mga hindi po nila kaya,” she recalled.Finally, in 2014, the filmmaker wrote the script, vowing to put a spotlight on people with Down syndrome.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/12/25/mmff-review-i-mperfect-offers-tender-look-at-love-and-life-with-down-syndrome-1000">REVIEW: ‘I’mPerfect’ offers tender look at love and life with Down syndrome </a></div>She said, “Sabi ko, bilang nagsisimulang filmmaker nun, dapat malaman ito ng maraming tao. Doon po nagsimula, at ipinangako ko na gagawa ako ng pelikula dahil ‘yun lang ‘yung way ko. In 2014, I made the script. Wala po akong producers nung time na ‘yun.”“Nung nanalo po kami sa FDCP—nagkaroon kami ng pera—gumawa kami ng teaser para maniwala ang mga tao. ‘Yung una ko pong teaser ay 2017,” she added.Unfortunately, some producers liked the film&#x27;s teaser but did not fully commit to funding it, despite its emotional appeal.  “Maraming nagkagusto sa project pero ‘yung maniwala po talaga ay mahirap,” she expressed.Despite the film&#x27;s challenge to find a willing and open producer, the female director persisted, instead praying for a producer with the same passion and advocacy.“Hindi ko talaga binitawan ‘yung project. Noon pa man, sabi ko, sana lang bigyan ako ng tamang producer [para sa] ganitong project na hindi iibahin [‘yung mission]. Sana ‘yung producer ko, sana may same passion dahil ayaw ko pong magamit sila (people with down syndrome),” she emphasized.Advocating for inclusivity, she added, “Nasa puso ko talaga ‘to. Gusto kong maging included sila. They are not wallflowers. Hindi sila pang-display. They are not symbols. They are humans. They can be angry and they can experience love. They can fall in love and be independent.”Years later, she finally found Sylvia Sanchez, the ideal producer for the film, who actually has family members with special needs.However, Bernardo first provided Sanchez with different stories. When Sanchez rejected other stories, she asked Bernardo to propose another one. Bernardo showed Sanchez &quot;I&#x27;mPerfect&quot; while lying down on the couch, and their partnership began.<div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/12/28/vice-ganda-call-me-mother-win-big-in-51st-mmff-gabi-ng-parangal-0041">READ: Vice Ganda, &#x27;Call Me Mother&#x27; win big in 51st MMFF Gabi ng Parangal </a></div>Recalling how she fell in love with the story, Sanchez said, “May dalawa siyang movies na ni-pitch sa akin. Tinanggihan ko ‘yun kasi may rason. Sabi ko, ‘Direk, magbigay ka sa akin ng ibang kuwento.’ Tapos nakahiga na ako sa sofa, sabi niya, ‘Mayroon pa akong ginawa. Tingnan mo lang ito.’ Pagbukas niya nung laptop, unang eksena ay ‘yung apat na persons with down syndrome. Sabi ko, ‘Direk, ‘yan ang ipro-produce ko.’ Hindi pa siya naniniwala.”“Sabi niya, maraming nagkagusto pero ayaw gawin. Sabi ko, yes, maraming nagkagusto sa script kasi ang ganda talaga pero walang nagtiwala,” Sanchez continued.“Nagkataon lang na nung unang pagtingin ko sa mga bata, buong-buo na ‘yung tiwala ko. Mayroon din po akong pamangkin with down syndrome. Napaliligiran po ang pamilya namin ng mga persons with down syndrome, autism kaya ang bilis nang pagtanggap ko,” she recalled.The producer, like the director, believes that persons with Down Syndrome should be given platforms to express themselves as humans rather than as accessories.“Ang inisip ko lang talaga ay ipagmalaki sila. Kailangan din silang marinig, makita, at pahalagahan. Ito na ‘yung script for them. Bago namin ito binuo, humingi kami ng tulong at nakipag-meet kami sa lahat ng organizations (down syndrome and PWDs) kasi gusto naming gawin nang tama ang pelikulang ito. Gawin na nating tama, big time, lahat,” Sanchez shared.She continued, “‘Yung kumita, ibibigay ng Diyos ‘yun. Maniwala kayo sa akin—itong mga batang ito—gagawa ito ng history sa December 27. Ang galing-galing nila. Kayang-kaya nila.”<div>RELATED VIDEO</div><div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/wlmj9QKy1RI?&amp;pp=ygURTU1GRiBhYnMtY2JuIG5ld3M%3D&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>

For the first time in Philippine cinema history, a film that accurately and beautifully portrays the lives of people with down syndrome was produced.

For the first time in Philippine cinema history, a film that accurately and beautifully portrays the lives of people with down syndrome was produced.

Turned down by producers, ‘I’mPerfect’ is now MMFF best picture

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Turned down by producers, ‘I’mPerfect’ is now MMFF best picture

Josh Mercado

Published Dec 28, 2025 11:38 AM PHT

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cinema

film

I'mPerfect

2025 MMFF

Metro Manila Film Festival

Sylvia Sanchez

Sigrid Bernardo

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