JM Ibarra is ‘Child No. 82’ in Cinemalaya 2025 action-comedy movie

Cinemalaya is the biggest independent film festival in the Philippines. Not only filmmakers are getting noticed and discoveredd because of their works, but also actors. The beloved film festival is celebrating its 20^th anniversary this year and it already includes a film starring Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11 alumnus JM Ibarra in his first lead role and Vhong Navarro in his first Cinemalaya movie. They are joined by Rochelle Pangilinan and another PBB Gen 11 alumnus Kai Montinola. The film is titled ‘Child No. 82.’

The biggest action-fantasy movie star of Philippine Cinema, MAXIMO “BOY KANA” MANIEGO JR., has passed away; and the ultimate goal of MAX – the 16-year-old rumored illegitimate son of the late icon – is to prove that he is his 82nd child before the end of the public visiting hours. This will help Max claim his inheritance to support his pregnant teenage girlfriend and their baby.

Will Max reach the casket before the clock strikes 12, if he needs to stand in line with hundreds of fans and villains to claim his place as Child No. 82?

So, how would writer and director Tim Rone Villanueva describe his journey in casting and preparing to shoot Child No. 82?

“Casting, very notorious ako sa casting. Hindi ito agad-agad na sila JM, nagpa-audition talaga kami, naghanap talaga kami. From audition to first callback, second callback, until final callback, ganun siya kadugo. Sobrang tedious ‘yung naging process namin in terms of casting, in terms of the audition. Casting Max, marami, mga 82 plus silang nag-audition for the lead role kasi marami talagang interested na mag-play. But then, nung nag-audition si JM, sabi ko one of the qualities na hinanap namin kay Max is raw talent and new face – may appeal, gwapo, alam mong anak ito ng artista. So, nung nag-audition si JM and looking at the monitor, siya ‘yung merong ganung quality or trait na pasok for Child No. 82. And of course, casting the legendary Maximo Maniego, Sr., hindi siya basta basta. Nag-usap kami ng producer ko kung sino ba ang perfect na mag-play ng isang superhero na minahal ng masa at tumawid across generation and wala na kaming ibang naisip kung hindi si sir Vhong Navarro.” Child No. 82 director Tim explains.

“But then again, gusto ko lang din sabihin na bago muna namin in-offer kay sir Vhong, marami ding nagka-interes,” director Tim continues.

What’s JM Ibarra’s reaction to landing his first lead role in a Cinemalaya movie?

“Sa pagkakaalala ko, may isa o dalawang buwan na after nung lumabas ako sa bahay ni kuya,” JM Ibarra, the lead actor of Child No. 82 shares.

“That time po kasi wala akong ibang hinahanap kung hindi mag-go see sa kung ano man na lalabas na pelikula, madalas ko kasama ‘yung manager ko. That time, madami naman akong event at shows pero, kumbaga sa loob ko mas magiging masaya ako if magkakaroon ako ng film project,” JM continues.

What’s his reaction when he finally got the lead role?

“Mahirap paniwalaan until now at alam ko sa sarili ko na hindi pa ako ganun ka-kargadong aktor. Hindi ko din ma-imagine kung gaano kalaki ‘yung tiwalang binigay nila sa akin para sa role na ‘to pero at the same time, masaya ako kasi eto na ‘yung pagkakataon ko para mapatunayan sa sarili ko na kaya kong umarte at the same time, may pressure,” JM answers.

How about Vhong Navarro who will play JM’s father?

“Sa sinabi ni direk, ang taas naman nun baka hindi ko maabot ang expectations mo pero una sa lahat, excited ako dahil first time ko sa Cinemalaya. Sa tagal ko na sa industry, pangarap ko talagang magkaroon ng isang project sa Cinemalaya. Siyempre, sobrang excited ako dahil matagal ako napahinga sa pelikula at eto na ulit ang balik ko. Sabi ko nga, wala akong problema kung hindi ako ang bida, kung supporting ako kasi dun ako nagsimula at ang sarap balikan ‘yung mga ganun. Kumbaga kung may bida, ikaw ang sumusuporta sa’yo at ako willing ako sumuporta lalo na kay JM at kay Kai. Masasabi ko lang, salamat sa pangalawang pagkakataon sa proyektong ito kasi muntik na mawala sa akin dahil sa schedule pero si direk ang nag-adjust para matuloy ako. Kaya pinapangako ko na hindi kita ipapahiya,” Vhong answers.

The Cinemalaya 2025 film “Child No. 82” has announced its cast. The lineup composed of both established and upcoming names includes JM Ibarra, Vhong Navarro, Rochelle Pangilinan, Vance Larena, Kai Montinola, Irma Adlawan, Iya Mina, Che Ramos, Donna Cariaga, Dexter Doria, and Zairene Fernandez.

Pinoy Big Brother breakthrough star JM Ibarra plays the title character Child No. 82.

Central to the story is the wake of the Philippines’ biggest action-fantasy movie star where a persevering senior high school student must prove that he is the icon’s 82nd child, hoping to see his father one last time.

The fantasy dramedy is the full-length directorial debut of Tim Rone Villanueva who co-wrote the screenplay with Herlyn Alegre.

Arvin Belarmino and Johndel Tacata of Outplay Media Production are the producers, with Cinemalaya, Cultural Center of the Philippines, Film Development Council of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Mr. Jacinto Victa, Mrs. Maria Rolinda Villanueva, Marvin Jason Rodriguez, RSVP, and the Municipality of Pinili as the co-executive producers.

Filmmaker Tim Rone Villanueva, who hails from Kawit, Cavite, is known for his short film “Santa Nena!” Through his fellowship and work at the North Luzon Cinema Guild, he supports filmmakers, educators, cultural workers, and human rights advocates in the Philippines. He is also a part-time lecturer at St. Dominic College of Asia under the BA Communication and BA Multimedia Arts Program.

His next film project is “Santa Isabel!”, a short film part of his Santa Multiverse following “Santa Nena!” – to be released in 2026.

Cinemalaya is slated to run this October 2025 in select cinemas.