Tonton Gutierrez proudly lends support to 'I'mPerfect' stars with Down Syndrome

Tonton Gutierrez feels honored to play a supporting role to the lead actors with Down Syndrome in Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025's "I'mPerfect.

- By NATHALIE TOMADA

Under the direction of Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, 'I'mPerfect' follows Jiro and Jessica (Earl Amaba and Krystel Go), both living with Down Syndrome, as they journey through daily life, including romance.

Under the direction of Sigrid Andrea Bernardo, "I'mPerfect" follows Jiro and Jessica (Earl Amaba and Krystel Go), both living with Down Syndrome, as they journey through daily life, including romance. The veteran actor is Jiro's doctor-father in the romance/ family drama produced by Sylvia Sanchez's production outfit Nathan Studios.

"This is a unique film," Tonton shared in a chat with The Philippine STAR and another news outlet during the MMFF 2025 Celebrity Golf Tournament.

"Ang galing! Ang husay nila... Umaarte talaga! They were really acting," he further said of the lead cast. "Minsan kami nga, namamangha na lang kami. We, senior actors, were there to support. Kami nina Lorna (Tolentino), Joey (Marquez), Ibyang (Sylvia Sanchez), and Janice (de Belen), support kami dito. It's all them! They are the stars. Sila ang bida ng pelikula."

There were challenges, he had to admit but it was a lesson on patience more than anything. "Sometimes because of the speech, 'di nai-intindihan. We had to be really patient. From the start, we were already told by the director that we had to be patient... hindi tayo pwede mainip. Hindi ito yung minsan one take or two takes only."