Dannyka Manangan

Sylvia Sanchez shares why she turned down star-studded projects for ‘I’mPerfect’

Article (news)

Alyana De Guzman

Push Team

<p>Actress and film producer Sylvia Sanchez opened about why she turned down star-studded projects and chose to produce the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry <em>I’mPerfect</em>, highlighting her belief in the talent and potential of actors with Down Syndrome. </p><p>The breakthrough 51st MMFF entry tells the story of Jessica (Krystel Go) and Jiro (Earl Amaba), a couple with Down Syndrome, who strive to break societal stigma and show that they can live life fully, including choosing and fighting for love. </p><p>Sylvia, along with director Sigrid Bernardo, shared their personal thoughts on the film’s casting in an interview with Aiko Melendez on December 23. </p><p>The actress shared that her decision was deeply personal, inspired by her own experiences growing up surrounded by individuals with special needs. </p><p>“Lumaki akong meron akong best friend na may Down Syndrome sa Mindanao. Meron akong pamangkin with cerebral palsy. Napapalibutan kaming pamilya mula Mindanao hanggang [dito] ngayon ng ganitong mga beautiful people. Yung talagang, sila ang kasiyahan.”   </p><p>According to Sylvia, her family has always been surrounded by these “beautiful people” whose joy is contagious. </p><p>“May kwenta sila. Sobra-sobra silang nakaka-happy pag kasama mo sila. Yun yung reason, nag take risk talaga ako,” she explained. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-0" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DSOmkBPkwZk/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A0%2C%22os%22%3A65055.00000000093%2C%22ls%22%3A64458.700000000186%2C%22le%22%3A64458.700000000186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-0" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>Sylvia recalled the day Sigrid was pitching two possible movie storylines for her to produce. According to her, the initial story pitches were not to her liking and that she was not that interested in producing it. However, Sigrid then showed Sylvia four persons with Down Syndrome that she had made a story with in 2014. According to the director, she was not pitching that time, just showing. But to her surprise, Sylvia immediately said that that was the movie and story she wanted to produce. </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/12/24/sylvia-sanchez-on-working-with-actors-with-down-syndrome-hindi-ko-akalain-na-ganun-sila-kagaling-0952"><strong>READ: Sylvia Sanchez on working with actors with Down syndrome: &#x27;Hindi ko akalain na ganun sila kagaling&#x27;</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“Nakita ko [kahit] wala pang dialogue, napamura talaga ako. Tapos nung nagsalita na silang apat, sabi ko ‘yan ang gusto ko i-produce.&#x27;”   </p><p>Sigrid initially pitched stories with big stars, but Sylvia chose this project, trusting in the talent and heart of the newcomers.  </p><p>“Sabi ni Direk sa akin ‘yung mga pinitch ko sa’yo big stars pero itong [movie] na ito wala pang pangalan pero gusto mo’ sabi ko, ‘Why not?’ kaya nila. Why not? May tiwala ako sa kanila.’ Ang ganda ng project na ‘yan.” </p><p>She also recalled that Sigrid did not immediately believe she was committed to the project until filming began. Sylvia explained that many people doubted the ability of actors with Down Syndrome, but she was confident in their capabilities.  </p><p>“Kailangan natin siyang intindihin kasi siyempre 2014 [pa niya ito ginawa] tapos 2024 ko tinanggap, so 10 years na pini-pitch niya ito pero walang nagtiwala. Sabi ko sa kaniya, ‘sorry direk, pero maraming nagkagusto pero tingin ko walang nagtiwala na kaya ng mga persons with Down syndrome’”.  </p><div><br/></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/12/28/turned-down-by-producers-i-mperfect-is-now-mmff-best-picture-1138"><strong>READ: Turned down by producers, ‘I’mPerfect’ is now MMFF best picture</strong></a></div><div><br/></div><p>“Ako kasi lumaki ako na nakapalibot sila, kaya alam ko na kaya nila. Kaya ko nga kinuha kaagad eh,” she added.   </p><p>During auditions, Sigrid treated the process as both a casting session and a workshop, carefully assessing how each participant could follow direction, engage with the material, and bring out their strengths.  </p><p>“Actually, iba po ‘yung proseso dito dahil sa audition pa lang, kailangan workshop na talaga. Kasi doon ko po makikita kung kaya nilang sumunod sa akin, kung engaging yung speech, lahat po. Yung strength ng person, yung mood, everything kailangan makita ko muna para rin ma-assess ko. Audition pa lang workshop na talaga.”   </p><p>She also highlighted how the experience extended even to those who were not cast in lead roles, saying that everyone was excited to be part of the project and grateful for the opportunity to perform. </p><p>“In fact, lahat po ng [nag-audition] kahit hindi main role, sinama po namin sa pelikula. Ang maganda po kasi kahit po audition siya at workshop, natuwa yung mga nag-audition kasi nagkaroon sila ng chance para maka-follow ng instruction, as simple as that.”   </p><p>“Very excited sila kahit hindi sila yung main role, kahit supporting [role]. To be part of it, sobrang grateful [na sila],” she maintained. </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSzok7BgNh6/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A65072.50000000093%2C%22ls%22%3A64458.700000000186%2C%22le%22%3A64458.700000000186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="510" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>The film’s success also sparked initiatives to continue supporting inclusivity. Sylvia shared that all 10 actors with Down Syndrome had signed contracts to become ambassadors for a nail studio.  </p><p>“Naniniwala ako na start pa lang ito. Maraming magbubukas [para sa kanila],” Sylvia assured.   </p><p>She emphasized that this was just the beginning, revealing plans for a weekly comedy series featuring the cast.   </p><p>“Sabi ko ‘Direk, laban tayo. Gawa tayo ng series para sa kanila. Once a week na comedy show’ alam mo yung mga ganon. Gawa tayo. Ang daming plano for them, hindi lang mags-stop dito kasi sayang naman kung mag-stop ka kasi ang ganda ng platform na ito for them.”   </p><p>“Inumpisahan na namin ito. Gusto namin patunayan sa lahat na kaya nila, hindi sila hanggang dito lang,” she emphasized.   </p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-2" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DS1N6lRk5wn/embed/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=540&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A2%2C%22os%22%3A65089.700000000186%2C%22ls%22%3A64458.700000000186%2C%22le%22%3A64458.700000000186%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="881" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-2" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p><em>I’mPerfect</em> went on to claim major awards during the 2025 MMFF Gabi ng Parangal, including Best Picture. The film also won the new Jury Prize for Best Ensemble with Krystel Go taking home the Best Actress award.</p>

<p>Actress and film producer Sylvia Sanchez opens up about why she decided to turn down star-studded film pitches to become the producer of 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry 'I’mPerfect.'</p>

Actress and film producer Sylvia Sanchez opens up about why she decided to turn down star-studded film pitches to become the producer of 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry 'I’mPerfect.'