It is an extraordinary film highlighting the plight of children born out of wedlock.
There’s certainly more than meets the eye to “Pinoy Big Brother” alumnus JM Ibarra. Months after his stint at the “bahay ni Kuya” as part of PBB’s Gen 11, JM is now starring in his first movie. The heartthrob is the lead in the Cinemalaya 2025 entry “Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana,” a story of a young unwed father who journeys to pay respects to the late action star Boy Kana, as the boy believes he is the 82nd child sired by the fictitious cinema icon. JM plays 16-year-old Max; Rochelle Pangilinan portrays Max’s mother, and taking on the character of Boy Kana is no other than Vhong Navarro.
Throughout this ‘80s-inspired fantasy-comedy, JM displays a range of emotion and also performs physically challenging scenes. The film has a Filipino flavor as it was shot on location in the municipality of Pinili, Ilocos Norte — thanks to the effort of producer Outlplay Media Production with the support of Cinemalaya, FDCP, CCP, NCCA, RSVP Film Studios and other generous groups and individuals.
Co-writer-director Tim Rone Villanueva was very surprised with JM’s talent and versatility. “To be honest, as the director hindi ganun kataas ang expectations ko kay JM as a budding artist, lalo na at hindi ganun kadali gampanan ang character ni Max,” Tim told us in an email interview. “Pero nung sinabi ni JM sa akin na ilalaban niya ang pelikula at ang role to the best of his ability, ‘yun ang pinanghahawakan ko.”
Tim was not disappointed. JM’s strength as an actor emerged during the workshops and the actual principal photography. Tim said, “Bukod sa guwapo at mahal siya ng camera, si JM ay matalino, pursigido, determinado, focused at hindi sumusuko. Madali siyang maka-adapt at turuan. Lalo na sa fight scenes, sobrang excited niya at game na game siya! Kaya niyang makuha ang routines in a short and quick rehearsal… Kahit alam namin na pagod na siya, sasabihin niya, ‘Hindi, Direk, okay ako. Kaya ko.’ Ganito siya ka-committed sa role at sa character.”
That “Child No. 82” is a fantasy-comedy in the mold of Fernando Poe Jr., Ramon Revilla, Jr., Dolphy, and Vic Sotto classics and vintage Regal Films, makes it an extraordinary film to highlight the phenomenon of children born out of wedlock.
Tim shares the following data that he and co-writer Herlyn Alegre discovered: 1) According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, 870,000+ children were born out of wedlock in 2020 — a 57% increase from 2018. 2) Many of these kids are not given financial support and are not recognized by their biological fathers.
Furthermore, Tim also underscores a study by C.T. Valdez entitled “Tatay, Sana Kasama Kita: Lived Experiences of Fatherless Male Students” (QSU Research Journal) that describes the fatherless children as persons with “unmet needs.” The study reveals, “This gap dramatically affects their emotional well-being and contribute to higher risks of school dropout, teen pregnancy and mental health issues.”
Tim emphasizes, “Kaya naman kailangan itong pag-usapan sa pelikula at mapakita kung ano ba ang dinadanas ng mga katulad ni Child No. 82 na lumaking walang ama, lalo na kung anak sa labas.”
Cinemalaya 2025 (happening from October 3 to 12 at Shangri-La, Gateway and Ayala Cinemas) is only the beginning for JM, Tim and their advocacy of creating unique, entertaining and relevant stories for the country and for the Filipino youth. Tim declares, “Hoping magkaroon ng strong impact statement ang aming pelikula sa mga manonood.”
