‘I’m Perfect’ is more than a movie — it’s a moment of grace

December 20 ------ There are no accidents — only grace in disguise. At least, that’s how Sylvia Sanchez-Atayde makes sense of how a long-gestating and profoundly meaningful film project came to her to produce during one of the most difficult times in her family’s life.

“Kaya pala dumating sila sa buhay ko — may rason. (Maybe there’s a reason these children came into my life when they did),” Sylvia said, tearfully recalling how a group of young people with Down syndrome — the lead stars of Nathan Studios’ Metro Manila Film Festival entry, “I’m Perfect” — surrounded her with love and light just when she needed it most. “Bagsak na bagsak ako ‘nun (I was at my lowest). I wasn’t okay. None of us were,” she continued, alluding — without naming it — to the controversy her congressman son Arjo and her husband, businessman Art Atayde, continue to face.

But, damning news cycle after damning news cycle, the young actors she has come to call her angels were there for her — sending text messages first thing in the morning to ask, “Mamang, how are you? How’s Papang? How’s the family?” or offering tight, comforting hugs the moment they saw her on set.

At first, Sylvia couldn’t understand how they knew what her family was going through. Their parents later explained that the children had been quietly reading social media and were aware of current events. What floored the actress-producer even more, however, was that they never judged her or her family, nor treated them differently, despite what they had read. “They embraced us completely,” she said — a gesture that profoundly softened the weight she was especially carrying as mother and wife.

That unconditional love — something audiences will fully grasp once the story unfolds onscreen — is also the soul of “I’m Perfect.” More than a romantic drama, it’s an advocacy project — championing visibility, dignity, and representation for individuals with Down syndrome.

Historic in scope, groundbreaking in casting, and gentle in spirit, the film stars first-time actors Earl Jonathan Amaba and Anne Krystel Daphne Go as Jiro and Jessica, young adults with the condition who fall in love and openly navigate the joys of affection, self-expression, and independence in a world not always built for them. From their first encounter to their shy but sincere confessions of love, Jiro and Jessica’s journey is woven from everyday moments: walking together after chores, learning to speak up for themselves, and discovering the dignity of being seen and heard for who they truly are. At its core, the film is a story about love not in spite of differences, but through them — a simple yet powerful assertion that people with Down syndrome deserve connection, agency, and joy like anyone else.

Backing them is a cast of seasoned performers — Lorna Tolentino, Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, Tonton Gutierrez, Zaijian Jaranilla, and Sylvia herself — who step into supporting roles with warmth and restraint, allowing the central story to shine. As Sylvia said, the film’s vision began long before it landed in her lap.

In 2009, director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo wrote “I’m Perfect” but struggled for years to find a producer willing to take the risk. In 2014, she even created a trailer, hoping to convince studios that a love story led by actors with Down syndrome deserved its place on screen. It wasn’t until she shared the idea with Sylvia that the long-dormant project was revived. “I didn’t hesitate,” Sylvia recalled. “Even if I don’t earn from this, I will accept it wholeheartedly — because what I gained is worth more than money. I received 10 angels, and their families, too.”

Filming finally began in late 2024 and took the team to scenic corners of Mindanao, including Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and the rose farms of Claveria, Misamis Oriental. Between takes, the set turned into more of a family outing than a production. There were impromptu dance numbers, shared snacks, and hugs so frequent they became a language in themselves. Each day brought joy and gentle breakthroughs, on camera and off. Held at the Gateway Cinemas on December 14, “I’m Perfect’s” media launch was as emotionally charged as the film itself. The seasoned cast, Direk Sigrid, and even the press — this one included — broke into tears as each of Sylvia’s angels spoke.

“I’m Perfect” is set to make Philippine film history as the first mainstream romance featuring lead actors with Down syndrome. But beyond breaking barriers, the film offers a tender invitation: to see people — all people — as capable of deep love, resilience, and joy.

Sylvia said it best when asked what the film asks of its viewers: “To understand them. To love them. To stop laughing at them — and instead, to stand beside them.” “I’m Perfect” may be just one of this year’s MMFF entries, but its message lingers long after the credits roll — a reminder that cinema can heal, include, and make space. Stories like Jiro and Jessica’s are more than worth telling. Sylvia Sanchez, more than anyone, will vouch for that.

Source: manilatimes.net