The closing credits were still rolling on the big screen when the lights came up at Cinema 3 of SM North Edsa-The Block. Swollen eyes were everywhere in the audience. We had just witnessed I’mPerfect, a drama written and directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernardo.
Nathan Studios’ Sylvia Sanchez and Riya Atayde stepped forward to thank the audience for supporting the red carpet screening of the movie, which is one of the eight official entries in this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival. The mother-daughter team who produced the film was visibly moved by the response.
I’mPerfect marks a historic first: it is the first full-length Philippine film to focus on the lives, challenges, and triumphs of young adults with Down Syndrome. The film follows the story of Jessica (Anne Krystel Daphne Go) and Jiro (Earl Jonathan Amaba), supported by a cast of talented actors who are also members of the Down Syndrome Society of the Philippines: Carl Jason Garcia, Richelle Joyce Primo Uy, Gio Jose Dicen, Angela Batallones, Javi Sarmiento, Bea Mendoza, Royce Gian Rivera, and Jonathan Tilos.
Backing them is a powerhouse ensemble of respected actors, including Joey Marquez, Janice de Belen, Tonton Gutierrez, Zaijian Jaranilla, Sanchez, and Lorna Tolentino.
The plot is elegantly simple: boy meets girl, they fall in love, and against all odds, they elope to start a life together away from their families. But simplicity does not lessen the story’s weight. I’mPerfect is a moving exploration of love, acceptance, and self-discovery, reminding audiences that love knows no condition.
Directing this cast was no small feat. Bernardo led two lead actors with Down Syndrome and eight supporting actors with the same condition, demonstrating that people with this condition can perform at the highest level of artistry.
“Every day I see actors with Down Syndrome acting, I say, I didn’t make a mistake. When the director showed me the project, I took it immediately. They’re great. Believe me,” Sanchez said in an interview about the film. Bernardo herself noted, “The movie is not easy to make, it is really challenging, but it’s worth it.”
Filming began in October 2024 and took the cast and crew to stunning locations in Mindanao, from Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, to a breathtaking rose farm in Claveria, Misamis Oriental. These picturesque settings became unforgettable backdrops for the film’s most poignant and climactic moments.
While the film is deeply moving, it is not without flaws. The pacing at times feels slow and uneven. A strong supporting cast helps, but the narrative occasionally drags. Yet the movie’s heart and its advocacy for inclusion outweigh these shortcomings.
I’mPerfect proves that people with Down Syndrome are not limited to supporting roles—they can lead, shine, and tell stories that resonate with everyone. Beyond acting, individuals with Down Syndrome are capable of thriving in diverse fields.
Ultimately, the film is a heartwarming reminder that ability is not defined by a diagnosis and that love, determination, and artistry exist in every individual, regardless of condition.
