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How JM Ibarra prepared to take on a young father role in Child  No. 82

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Jemuel Tandoc

Push Team

<p>JM Ibarra takes on his first-ever film starring role in the Cinemalaya entry <em>Child No. 82</em>. But this is no easy feat—aside from playing the title role, his character is also multi-layered, blending fantasy, action, comedy, and drama.</p><p>In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, JM shared how he fully immersed himself in this dynamic material.</p><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1759056374244How-JM-Ibarra-prepared-to-take-on-a-young-father-role-in-Child--No-82.jpg" style="width:600px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><p>“Ako, mahilig talaga ako sa mga lumang pelikula talaga. Lalo sa mga fantasy film. International, Hollywood man o local, mahilig talaga ako. Isa nga sa mga paborito ko noon, ‘yung <em>Panday</em> ni Sir Jericho Rosales. So, ayan, na-enjoy ko lang siya habang ginagawa ko. Hindi ko iniisip na ako eh. Iniisip ko ako si Kuya Jericho. Habang nagtatrabaho ako dun, pakiramdam ko nasa isang fantasy sequence talaga ako. Hindi ko iniisip na fantasy sequence ng pelikula. Inisip ko na fantasy sequence talaga. Mas nararamdaman ko ganun,” he shared.</p><p>But beyond tackling the fantasy and action sequences, JM’s character Max also has depth. During the project announcement for the Cinemalaya entry, it was revealed that Max play the role of a young father.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-3" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DOdSe1Rgf-Y/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A3%2C%22os%22%3A5132434%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="605" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-3" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>JM opened up about how he prepared for a role that he had never experienced in real life.</p><p>“Ginawa ko dito — kasi may ilan akong barkada sa lugar namin na mga solido kong kaibigan na maagap na naging tatay — so, may ilan lang naman akong ginawang katanungan sa kanila para at least may idea ako bago gawin si Max. Inalam ko lang kung anong pakiramdam nila nung una nilang nalaman na buntis pala itong girlfriend nila. So, inaalam-alam ko ganon. And then, habang dinadamdam ko, isinapuso ko, kusa na lang lumabas ‘yung behavior ni Max. So, inisip ko talaga naako yung nagka-baby, ako ‘yung alam mo, ‘yung naging batang ama,” JM explained.</p><p>Many are excited for this project, especially JM’s love team partner Fyang Smith, who has been very vocal in her support. JM expressed how grateful he is for her encouragement.</p><p>“Ako, sobrang happy ako kasi noon pa man, very vocal na siya na proud siya sa akin na ginawa ko itong pelikulang ko. And, ayun, sobrang happy lang ako na nakikita ko na mas nauna pa siyang ngumiti kapag naririnig ‘yung <em>Child No. 82</em>,” JM expressed.</p><div><br/></div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-4" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DMSMgvgB7e_/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=502&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A4%2C%22os%22%3A5133350.400000095%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="921" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-4" 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><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>He added that he’s excited to see the film for the first time alongside Fyang.</p><p>“Feel ko, mas mag-e-enjoy siya panoorin itong pelikulang to. And, excited ako na kasama ko siya. Siya ‘yung mismo katabi ko kapag pinanood ko sa premiere,” he revealed.</p><div><iframe width="1116" height="636" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/qL8-lK6Od0Q" title="Cinemalaya 21: Child No. 82 | Teaser" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe></div><p>Catch <em>Child No. 82 </em>as part of the official lineup of the Cinemalaya Film Festival starting October 3.</p>

<p>JM Ibarra reveals how he prepared to portray a young father in his first-ever film. The reality show alumnus also shared his reaction to Fyang Smith’s support for his solo project.</p>

JM Ibarra reveals how he prepared to portray a young father in his first-ever film. The reality show alumnus also shared his reaction to Fyang Smith’s support for his solo project.

EXCLUSIVE: How JM Ibarra prepared to take on a young father role in Child No. 82: 'Inisip ko talaga ako 'yung nagka-baby'

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EXCLUSIVE: How JM Ibarra prepared to take on a young father role in Child No. 82: 'Inisip ko talaga ako 'yung nagka-baby'

Jemuel Tandoc,

Push Team

Published Sep 28, 2025 06:48 PM PHT

Read More:

JM Ibarra

Child No. 82

Jericho Rosales

Panday

Fyang Smith

JMFyang

Cinemalaya

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