Flonique Guimary

JM Ibarra takes on his first-ever title role as ‘Child No.82’ in Cinemalaya 2025

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Jemuel Tandoc

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<p><em>Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 </em>alumnus JM Ibarra takes on his first-ever title role as <em>Child No. 82</em> at the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival.</p><div><br/></div><p>In the film, JM plays Max—the 82nd child of the Philippines’ biggest action-fantasy movie star, Boy Kana, portrayed by Vhong Navarro.</p><div><br/></div><p>But Max’s journey won’t be easy. He must prove that he is the rightful son of Boy Kana before the wake ends. On top of that, he is facing the challenges of becoming a young father, having grown up without a father figure himself, while his girlfriend is now expecting their child.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744637143635tjvg.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p>During the press conference for the Cinemalaya entry, JM shared how he prepares to portray his character, despite not personally knowing any young fathers.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Wala akong kaibigan na may ganoon klase rin ng estado ng buhay. Siguro para mas ma-portray ko ng maayos ‘yung ganoong side ng character ni Max, binabase ko rin sa mga napanood ko na noon. Since bata ako, mahilig talaga ako sa pelikula eh, ‘yung mga may hawig na kwento sa ganoon kay Max,” JM explained.</p><div><br/></div><p>However, there is one aspect of Max&#x27;s story that personally resonates with JM.</p><div><br/></div><p>“Sobrang relatable po nung character ni Max sa akin mismo kasi, dito sa film, parang it&#x27;s also about a father and son issue. And, gaya ng mga nakasubaybay sa akin sa loob ng bahay ni Kuya, eh, siguro isa rin ako sa mga lumaki na longing sa pagmamahal ng isang ama. That&#x27;s why ramdam ko yung character mismo ni Max,” he shared.</p><div><br/></div><p>Meanwhile, the other half of the JMFyang love team expressed confidence that their fans would remain supportive, even though he is not paired with Fyang Smith in this project.</p><div><br/></div><p>“May tiwala ako sa fandom namin. The way nila kami supportahan, the way nila kami iangat. Halos hindi na fans ‘yung tingin namin sa kanila; literal na pamilya na. Kasi sila din’ yung nakikipaglaban para sa amin eh. And sa nakikita ko naman, bago pa nga lang mangyari ito, supportado na nila,” he expressed.</p><div><br/></div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1744637170314ghcv.JPG" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div><br/></div><p><em>Child No. 82 </em>is set to premiere at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival in August 2025 as one of its official entries. The film also stars Kai Montinola, Irma Adlawan, Rochelle Pangilinan, Donna Cariaga, Iyah Mina, and Vance Larena.</p><div><br/></div><p>The fantasy dramedy marks the full-length directorial debut of Tim Rone Villanueva, who co-wrote the screenplay with Herlyn Alegre.</p>

<p>Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 alumnus JM Ibarra takes on his first-ever title role in '<i>Child No. 82'</i> at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2025. He also shared how he’s preparing for the role and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his fans.</p>

Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 alumnus JM Ibarra takes on his first-ever title role in ' Child No. 82' at the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2025. He also shared how he’s preparing for the role and expressed gratitude for the unwavering support of his fans.