From the moment JM Ibarra walked out of the “Pinoy Big Brother” Gen 11 house, he’s been steadily turning reality-show fame into an acting career worth watching.
Now front and center in the iWant hit digital series “Ghosting”—and sharing the screen with breakout star Fyang Smith—JM says he’s more than ready for the ride.
“Even before we started filming ‘Ghosting,’ my heart was already open to it,” he shares. “I enjoy the work, my screen partner, and every lesson I can pick up. Every new project is a chance to learn, and I always try to embrace that.”
The on-screen chemistry between JM and Fyang isn’t just for the cameras. “We’re happy. From day one up to now, nothing has changed—if anything, it’s leveled up every time we work together,” he says.
But JM’s biggest leap is happening on the big screen. He headlines the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry “Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana,” his first full-length lead role.
“Of course there was pressure and nerves,” he admits. “But the entire production team guided me from start to finish.”
The film tackles social and family issues through the story of Max, an illegitimate son of a well-known figure. “It touches on something very current,” JM explains. “Max is essentially an unacknowledged ‘nepo baby,’ and many Filipinos can relate to that.”
Festivalgoers can catch “Child No. 82” at Red Carpet Cinemas, Shangri-La Plaza, from October 3 to 12.
Wait, there’s more.
JM and Fyang are also set to join the main cast of “Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins,” the latest installment of the beloved horror franchise from Regal Entertainment.
With a string of projects lined up and an ever-growing fan base, JM Ibarra is proving he’s more than a reality TV alum. He’s a young actor embracing every challenge, and audiences are ready to follow wherever his passion takes him next.
