JM Ibarra | |
|---|---|
| Born | John Mark Daniel Ibarra |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2024–present |
| Agent | Star Magic |
| Known for | Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 Child No. 82 |
John Mark Daniel "JM" Ibarra is a Filipino actor and model. [1] He rose to prominence in 2024 as a contestant on the reality television series Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 . [2] After his time on the show, he began a career in film and television, securing a lead role in the 2025 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival entry Child No. 82 . [3]
Ibarra was born and raised in Mauban, Quezon. [1] Before joining the entertainment industry, he was an aviation student with the goal of becoming a pilot. [1] He worked various jobs to support his family and served as their breadwinner. [1] Ibarra has publicly discussed his estranged relationship with his father. [4] He stated that he reconnected with his father after his eviction from the Pinoy Big Brother house. [5]
In 2024, Ibarra competed in Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 , where he finished in fifth place. [1] During the show, he was dubbed "Ang Poginsyanong Pilo-ToBe ng Quezon". [1] After the competition, he was paired with fellow housemate Fyang Smith in an onscreen partnership known as a "love team". [6]
In January 2025, Ibarra appeared in the music video for Regine Velasquez's song "Wherever You Are". [7] He also made a cameo appearance in the film My Love Will Make You Disappear. [8] Later that year, he served as a voice actor for the Tagalog-dubbed version of the South Korean film Picnic, voicing a character alongside Smith and veteran actors Nova Villa and Ces Quesada. [9] He also modeled for the clothing brand Bench during Bench Fashion Week Holiday 2025. [10]
Ibarra landed his first lead film role in Child No. 82 (also titled Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana), directed by Tim Rone Villanueva. [11] The film was a finalist in the 21st Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival. [12] Ibarra played Max, a teenager who claims to be the illegitimate son of a deceased action star, played by Vhong Navarro. [5] Ibarra stated that he used the Meisner technique to prepare for the role. [3] He also mentioned that he channeled his personal experiences with his own father to perform emotional scenes. [4] The film tackles social issues such as "nepo babies" (children of nepotism) and illegitimate children. [13] [14] Ibarra noted that this was a solo project without his onscreen partner Fyang Smith, but he remained confident in the support of their fanbase. [5] [11] He also remarked that he viewed criticism from "bashers" as a sign of progress. [5]
In 2025, Ibarra starred in the digital series Ghosting, produced by IWantTFC. [15] He played Wilberto, a spirit who falls in love with a human. [16] The series was considered a success, with its trailer gaining over 12 million views. [16] Due to high viewership, a sequel titled Ghosting Part 2 was released in November 2025. [17] [13] A spin-off series, Girly Pop Diaries, was also released to provide backstory for the characters. [18] Ibarra mentioned in an interview that filming the kissing scene for the series caused him to develop a stiff neck due to tension. [19] Ibarra and Smith also recorded the theme song for the series, "Tayo Hanggang Dulo". [16]
Ibarra was cast in the horror anthology film Shake, Rattle & Roll: Evil Origins, an entry to the 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival. [20] [2] He has expressed a desire to work with actor Joshua Garcia. [21] When asked about future roles, Ibarra stated he is not comfortable performing in the Boys' Love (BL) genre. [19] He also expressed a desire to be known as a serious artist rather than just a "leading man". [2] [22] He has also stated his ambition to star in a blockbuster film. [23]
Ibarra is often associated with his onscreen partner Fyang Smith. [24] While fans have speculated about a romantic relationship, both actors have stated that they are focused on their careers but remain happy when together. [6] [23] Ibarra credited Smith for helping him build confidence for his film debut. [25] Smith has likewise credited Ibarra as a positive influence on her professional and personal growth. [26] In July 2025, Ibarra defended Smith on social media against fake news and edited videos. [27]
In May 2025, Ibarra received death threats on social media from a fan account associated with a rival fan group. [28] [29] The post claimed a hitman had been hired to target him. [30] His management agency, Star Magic, issued a statement condemning the threats and warned that they would take legal action if necessary. [28] [30] Talent manager Ogie Diaz also publicly commented on the incident, urging the agency to file charges to set an example. [29]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Child No. 82 | Max | Lead role; Cinemalaya entry | [1] |
| Picnic | N/A | Filipino voice dub | [9] | |
| Shake, Rattle & Roll Evil Origins | James | 2025 Metro Manila Film Festival entry | [20] |
| Year | Title | Role | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | Pinoy Big Brother: Gen 11 | Himself | [1] |
| 2025 | Ghosting | Wilberto | [15] |
| Girly Pop Diaries | Treb / MacMac | [18] | |
| Ghosting Part 2 | Macmac | [17] |
| Year | Song | Artist | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | "Wherever You Are" | Regine Velasquez | [7] |