Lorna Tolentino waives talent fee for ‘I’mPerfect’

Posted by ReyFort Media

Award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino revealed during an emotional press conference for Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2025 entry “I’mPerfect” that she has decided not to get her talent fee as one of the artists in the film.

Co-producing the movie, Tolentino explained, “Matagal na po kaming nagsasama ni Sylvia [Sanchez] sa pagsilip [at] pagtingin ng mga pelikula. May mga pelikula kaming hindi natutuloy na kaming dalawa. Finally, natuloy ito.”

Tolentino went on to say that the story and its impact on her spirit influenced her decision to invest in the film, which stars real-life young adults with Down Syndrome.

“Mayroon din naman po akong kaunting itinaya. ‘Yung TF po — bilang part na rin ng investment. Naniniwala po ako na may tusok sa puso ng lahat — ‘yung istorya, ‘yung experience with them,” she told the press.

Adding that she has a family member with autism, she stated, “Alam ko po ‘yung sinasabi ng lahat na nakakahiya [na maka-distract ng ibang tao kapag nasa public places]. ‘Yung experiences na ganyan.”

The Grandslam Queen praised the young actors, calling them pure.

“‘Yung experience ko with them, totoong-totoo, very pure, very being. Pagmamahal ang na-share nila sa amin. Hindi mo mararamdaman ‘yung problema kapag kasama mo sila. Happiness at joy ang ibinigay nila,” she said.

Moved by their acting’s unpolished quality, she expressed, “May mararamdaman ka sa eksena na magic. ‘Yung bigla mong mararamdaman ‘yung emosyon nila na tumatama sa’yo. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung rawness. Wala ‘yang mga technique, method na natututunan sa workshops. Ito talaga ‘yung totoo. No-acting piece talaga.”

She added, “Dahil sa pureness na ‘yun, lalong tumatama sa puso mo kapag kaeksena mo sila. Wala nga akong ibang ginawa sa pelikulang ito kundi umiyak nang umiyak. Nakita ko talaga kay direk kung paano niya inalagaan ang mga bata.”

Tolentino closed by thanking the cast and encouraging the moviegoers to watch “I’mPerfect.”

“Nagpapasalamat ako na naging parte ako ng pelikulang ito. Isa ito sa palagay ko na unang-una na magbibigay ng magandang tatak sa Nathan Studios,” she concluded.

Directed by Sigrid Bernardo and executive produced by Sylvia Sanchez, “I’mPerfect” also stars Janice de Belen, Joey Marquez, Zaijian Jaranilla, Viveika Ravanes, and many more. (J. Mercado/abs-cbn)