PBB Gen 11’s JM Ibarra discloses the role he wishes to portray, what parts of showbiz he wants to explore

He might be notably reticent throughout his stay inside Bahay Ni Kuya, yet JM Ibarra still managed to stand out and gain the admiration not just of “Pinoy Big Brother Gen 11” housemates, but of his throngs of supporters as well. Even though he was among the longest-staying contenders during their batch, that was still not enough for us to get to know him deeper.

Thus, his fans were absolutely delighted when “BRGY,” the online talk show of the The Filipino Channel on YouTube, had him in a recent episode wherein he talked about his personal life, his greatest ambitions, and his remarkable stint in PBB.

Not a lot of people are probably aware that he is the panganay or eldest child in their family. Thus, his two younger siblings look up to him as they regard him as their role model, especially since he did great in school and was very madiskarte when it comes to finding sources of extra income for their family. Besides, although he’s not the type who would open up about his problems to his family and be very vocal about his love for them, he still serves as their strong support system.

The “Ang Poginsyanong Pilo-To-Be ng Quezon” said that being able to open up with other people whom he just met for a short period of time was among the best things that ever happened in his PBB stint. And that’s all thanks to Big Winner Fyang Smith and Binsoy Namoca, who boosted his confidence to express himself and made him feel that he could rely on them whenever he would need a shoulder to cry on. His closeness with Binsoy was so tight that he couldn’t help but be emotional when he got evicted, since aside from being his best friend inside the house, he was also his bet to become their batch’s Big Winner.   

It might have been weeks already since he went back to the outside world, yet JM admitted that he’s still actually in the adjustment period. But among the things that are new to him now that he’s already a certified celebrity, he revealed that it’s having fans that shocks him the most since he didn’t expect to receive massive support from people he hadn’t met yet.

“Noong una ho, masyadong overwhelming. ‘Yong iba ho, napunta na mismo sa address ng tinutuluyan ko sa Cubao, sa bahay ho ng Tita ko. Nagugulat ho ako bakit umabot sa ganitong punto,” he imparted when asked by Bianca about his reaction. Since he and his ex-housemates’ schedules have been hectic ever since they went back to the outside world, JM only got to spend a little time with one of his fan bases.

He was then quizzed about the most memorable task they’d ever done inside the PBB house, which for him was the one where he and Fyang were the task leaders. Aside from the fact that they won, he was also able to receive a heartwarming gift from Big Brother for his birthday, which was a birthday greeting from his beloved mother. 

Apart from Fyang and Binsoy, JM was also able to create a notable closeness with Jas Dudley-Scales, with whom some of the fans have been shipping him. When asked how he feels about it, he said, “Mas napatunayan ko ho sa sarili ko na talagang kahanga-hanga ang katangian na mayroon ang babaeng ito. Mas nakilala ko po siya nang lubos.”

Their worlds inside and outside Bahay ni Kuya are totally different, yet the bond among “PBB Gen 11” housemates has remained the same, even though there are fans who have been pitting them against each other, like his close friends Jas and Fyang. 

“Ang masasabi ko lang po do’n, sila lang po ang gumagawa ng ikasasakit ng ulo nila. Kasi ako ho bilang malapit doon sa dalawa, sa pakiramdam ko ho at sa nakikita ko, wala hong problema doon sa dalawa,” JM remarked when asked for his reaction about it.

Now that he’s already part of the entertainment scene, Bianca asked him what part of this field does he aim to try. He conveyed his interest on acting and going back to dancing, yet he’s not comfortable with singing yet although he’s willing to undergo singing lessons. When asked what kind of role he wishes to portray, he said that it’s going to be the “bida.”

Due to his closeness with Fyang and Jas, JM has been arguably perceived by some as a “babaero” or womanizer, which the BRGY host dispelled by divulging that he actually only had two relationships that were both serious and long-term.

Although he has been single even before going inside the PBB house, he confessed that he’s not yet ready to be in a relationship again. He told Bianca, “Ay, hindi pa ho. Sa estado ho ng buhay namin ngayon, the only thing that I can do ay humanga lang talaga.”

Of course, the interview didn’t end without him expressing his gratitude to all his supporters. “Sa lahat po ng sumuporta sa akin, maraming-maraming salamat po. Di ko po alam kung sa anong bagay po ako makakabawi sa inyo, pero gusto ko pong iparamdam sa inyo na sobrang lubos ang pasasalamat po ang gusto kong ihatid sa inyo.”

We look forward to seeing you on Kapamilya programs (or even movies?), JM!