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Why Sylvia Sanchez calls 'I'mPerfect' actors with Down syndrome her angels: 'Dapat silang ipagmalaki'
Entertainment
Movies and TV
Why Sylvia Sanchez calls 'I'mPerfect' actors with Down syndrome her angels: 'Dapat silang ipagmalaki'
Why Sylvia Sanchez calls 'I'mPerfect' actors with Down syndrome her angels: 'Dapat silang ipagmalaki'
Published Dec 20, 2025 01:20 pm
Emotions ran high as actress-producer Sylvia Sanchez spoke candidly about her highly anticipated entry for the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival, titled "I'mPerfect," produced by Nathan Studios.
Producer-actress Sylvia Sanchez and director Sigrid Andrea Bernardo pose with the lead actors of 'I'mPerfect' (Images courtesy of Facebook)
The film tackles the poignant, often misunderstood challenges faced by individuals with Down syndrome, and Sylvia's heartfelt reflections reveal the depth of her connection to the subject.
Her eyes glistened with tears as she shared the powerful message behind the film, emphasizing the importance of compassion and understanding in a world that often overlooks the beauty and strength of those who are different.
"Everyday na nakikita ko yung mga actors with Down syndrome na umaarte, sabi ko, hindi ako nagkamali. Noong ipinakita ni direk (Sigrid Andrea Bernardo) ang project, kinuha ko ito agad. Ang galing nila. Maniwala po kayo. (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)," said Sylvia during the media conference held recently at Gateway 2 in Araneta City.
Sylvia added, "Sila yung mga anghel ng pamilya namin. Noong time na bagsak ako, alam n'yo naman lahat ng nangyari, kaming lahat. Angels ang tawag ko sa kanila. Why? Magte-text sila early in the morning. 'How are you mamang?' 'Kumusta ang pamilya?' Sabi ko, 'Naiintindihan ba nila ang mga nangyayari? Bakit alam nila?' Sabi ng mga magulang, 'Alam nila ang mga nangyayari. Nagbabasa ng socmed yan. (They are the angels of our family. When I got depressed, you know what happened. I call them angels. Why? They would text early in the morning. 'How are you, ma'am?' 'How is the family?' I said, 'Do they understand what's happening? Why do they know?' The parents said, 'They know what's happening. They read social media.)"
"Pero hindi nila kami na-judge. Tinanggap kami ng buong-buo ng mga batang ito. Honestly, hindi ko alam kung tatangkilikin ito or kikita ito. Kung hindi man kumita ito, buong-buo kong tatanggapin dahil ang kapalit nito at sampung anghel at mga magulang nila. (But they didn't judge us. These kids accepted us wholeheartedly. Honestly, I don't know if the movie will make money. If it doesn't make money, I'll accept it wholeheartedly because the reward is 10 angels and their parents)," Sylvia also said.
The cast of 'I'mPerfect' joins the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival Parade of Stars
What is Down syndrome?
According to the Mayo Clinic, Down syndrome is a genetic condition caused when an unusual cell division results in an extra full or partial copy of chromosome 21. This extra genetic material causes the developmental changes and physical features of Down syndrome.
The term "syndrome" refers to a set of symptoms that tend to happen together. With a syndrome, there is a pattern of differences or problems. The condition is named after an English physician, John Langdon Down, who first described it.
Down syndrome varies in severity among individuals. The condition causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays. It's the most common genetic chromosomal cause of intellectual disabilities in children. It also commonly causes other medical conditions, including heart and digestive system problems.
Better understanding of Down syndrome and early interventions can greatly improve the quality of life for children and adults with this condition and help them live fulfilling lives.
The official film poster of 'I'mPerfect'
'I gave it my all'
Director Sigrid praised Sylvia, who brought the ambitious vision to life.
"Matagal ko na itong project at naging honest ako sa kanila. Gusto ko lang talaga itong matuloy dahil ang goal ko is to impart the story to the audience. Sabi ko nga tipid lang dahil gusto ko lang siyang matuloy. Hindi ako makapaniwala na siya ang tamang producer. It took years dahil maybe hindi ko pa na-meet yung tamang producer who will understand my project until Sylvia came along. (I've had this project for a long time, and I've been honest with them. I really want it to continue because my goal is to impart the story to the audience. I said I'm just being frugal because I want it to continue. I can't believe she's the right producer. It took years because maybe I hadn't met the right producer who would understand my project until Sylvia came along.)"
"I call her Sylvia 'Stress' Sanchez. But it's good stress. Grabe kasi yung plano niya sa movie. Andun na rin siya sa usaping awards night. Sabi niya dapat ganito ang blocking natin. Sabi ko madam tapusin muna natin ang pelikula. Sobrang advance. Nandoon na siya. But it helps din naman because confident talaga siya sa project. (I call her Sylvia 'Stress' Sanchez. But it's good stress. She has many plans for the movie. She's already there for the awards night. She said this is how we should block. I said, 'Ma'am, let's finish the movie first.' It's very advanced. She's already there. But it helps because she's really confident in the project)," the director also said.
Reacting to the director's comments, Sylvia said, "Noong binigay ko ang tiwala ko sa project na ito, noong nalaman ko na ang mga bida ay persons with Down syndrome, binigay ko ng buong buo ang puso ko at tiwala ko. From Day 1, binigay ko na ang lahat. (When I gave my trust to this project, when I found out that the leads were persons with Down syndrome, I gave my whole heart and my trust. From Day 1, I gave it my all.)"
Sylvia added, "Meron akong nakakausap, lumaki ako na ang best friend ko ay may Down syndrome. May pamangkin with cerebral palsy. So nakakausap ko sila. Binibiro ko pa nga. Sabi koi eto yung reason kung bakit ganun ang tiwala ko. Dapat silang ipagmalaki. Heto na yung movie na dapat hindi sila pinagtatawanan. Bato ka na lang kung hindi mo ma-open ang sarili moi kapag napanood mo ang movie na ito. (I have talked to some people, I grew up with my best friend, who has Down syndrome. I have a nephew with cerebral palsy. So I speak to them. I even joke around with them. I told them this is the reason why I have such confidence. They should be proud. This is a movie that shouldn't be made fun of. You're a stone if you can't open up to them when you watch this movie.)"
"Sabi ko kay Direk, akin na ito. Hindi ako nagkamali sa project na ito. Yung pamilya ko alam ito. Bata pa lang sila, kasama na nila yung mga sinasabi ko na persons with Down syndrome. (I told Direk, 'This is mine.' I didn't make a mistake with this project. My family knows this. They know about people with Down syndrome.)"
"Sa office ni Cong. Arjo (Atayde), meron kami doon nagtatrabaho na with Down syndrome. Ganun po ang pamilya ko. Hindi namin ito ginawa para magpasikat or purihin. Karapat-dapat din silang mahalin. (In Cong. Arjo's (Atayde's) office, we have someone working there with Down syndrome. That's how my family is. We didn't do this to be famous or praised. They also deserve to be loved)," the actress said.
Entertainment vlogger Ogie Diaz, who is also an occasional actor, stated that he has seen the movie and wouldn't be surprised if the lead stars received award nominations. "Sylvia, thank you for producing this kind of film. Who knows what this movie will bring in the future?"
Sylvia thanked award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino for waiving her talent fee for the film. Other stars of the movie shared their insights about being part of this impactful project.
"We always think about them differently. Iba ang pakikitungo natin sa kanila. Pero bakit naman natin gagawin yun? Gusto ng family nila is to treat them as normal people. Nothing special. Gusto nilang maramdaman na pareho lang natin sila. (We always think about them differently. We treat them differently. But why do we do that? Their family wants to treat them as normal people. Nothing special. They want to feel like they're just like us)," said Janice De Belen.
Zaijan Jaranilla said, "Eye-opener po ang movie na ito because ipinapakita dito yung ibang pamilya kung gaano sila naging strikto sa anak nilang may Down syndrome. May isa naman gusto nilang hayaan lang yung anak nila na mamuhay ng normal. Palagay ko, after watching this movie, maiiba ang perspective nila tungkol sa Down syndrome. Dapat hindi natin sila kinukutya at tao lang talaga sila na nagmamahal, napapagod at nagagalit. "(This movie is an eye-opener because it shows how strict some families are with their children with Down syndrome. Another family wants to let their child live a normal life. I think after watching this movie, their perspective on Down syndrome will change. We shouldn't make fun of them, and they are just people who love, get tired, and get angry.)"
Production commenced in October 2024. The journey took the cast and crew to diverse locations, most notably Nasipit, Agusan del Norte, and a breathtaking rose farm in Claveria, Misamis Oriental—picturesque settings in Mindanao which would become unforgettable backdrops for its poignant, defining scenes all the way to its powerful, climactic ending.
Also starring in the film are Joey Marquez and Tonton Gutierrez. "I'mPerfect," an official entry to the 2025 Metro
Manila Film Festival will be shown in cinemas beginning on Christmas Day.