GAIL SORRONDA top worn as cape, DKNY skirt, NICOLE WHISENHUNT DESIGN earrings, CARTIER trinity ring, and JMC BRIDAL shoes. Photographed by Artu Nepomuceno for the March 2025 Issue of Vogue Philippines
Jo Berry on true beauty and standing up for who you are.
Jo Berry rarely wears red lipstick on set. Crimson hues, typically reserved for on-screen villains, don’t often grace the lips of a lead actress like her. In her role as the lead in TV drama Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law, her makeup artist opts for nudes and pinks that evoke simplicity and kindness, traits audiences expect in main characters on Philippine television.
“But red is my favorite color,” Jo admits, smiling. “When I’m not filming, I still reach for it. It makes me feel powerful, and I like that association.” The thrill was unmistakable when, at her Vogue Philippines shoot, the makeup direction was bold red lips. “I did a double take when I first saw the photos. It means so much to be here and to show people that it’s possible. That I can be here.”
At just three feet tall and 30 years old, Jo may not fit society’s standard idea of height nor the typical image of a lead TV actress, but with her confidence and talent, she undeniably stands as tall as anyone.
Jo was raised in a household where height differences were part of everyday life. As the youngest of four children, her mother and two siblings were of average height, while she, her eldest brother, and their father lived with dwarfism. This dynamic fostered an environment of empathy, empowerment, and mutual respect. Her father, Perry Berry Sr., not only raised Jo to thrive in a world that often viewed them as “different,” but also became a prominent figure in the community. He led the Little People Association of the Philippines and managed the Hobbit House, the popular restaurant that employed little people, for nearly two decades.
“We weren’t rich, but my parents worked tirelessly to provide for us,” Jo recalls. Her father’s dedication to creating supportive spaces for little people shaped her worldview and instilled in her a strong sense of self-worth. “My father always told people in our community not to settle for acting roles that reduced them to punchlines on screen. But he also understood the need for work, that some had no choice but to take what was available.”
“My difference is my strength.”
This environment of resilience and respect became the actress’ foundation, teaching her that true value lies in how one sees themselves, not how others see them. Growing up, she didn’t feel “different” in a negative sense, though she recognizes the practical realities that come with her height. “If it takes someone 10 minutes to get somewhere, it might take me 20. But I’ll still get there, and I’ll get the job done,” she says. There are still practical advantages to her stature, Jo finds, like being the first to pick something up from the floor. “Life’s too short to wish for things to be different,” she laughs. In fact, she views her height as a defining asset, one that sets her apart in a competitive industry. “If I were average height, I’d be just another actress. My height makes me unique.”
Jo’s journey to acting wasn’t a lifelong dream. It began as a way to save money for law school, as she was working an office job and wanted to be self-sufficient. In a twist of fate, GMA 7 was casting for an actress with dwarfism to portray a woman’s life story in the long-running anthology Magpakailanman. Her brother, Perry Jr., played an instrumental, albeit humorous, role in pushing Jo toward the profession. “He joked, ‘You fit all the criteria, except for a pleasing personality.’” This teasing, along with her family’s encouragement, convinced Jo to go for it.
She remembers coming straight from her office night shift, exhausted and without any acting background. But Jo was determined. “I had no idea how things worked, so I asked a lot of questions to the staff. I read the script and hoped for the best. I was surprised when I eventually got the role.”
Her two-day filming experience felt surreal. She felt supported by the crew, which gave her confidence to learn and grow on set. It was this role that led to her next big break in Onanay, a primetime series where her performance made a lasting impression. This was a turning point, not just in her career, but in her understanding of the power of representation. Her work now embodies her father’s vision, using her platform to uplift a marginalized community. “It feels like a full-circle moment,” she shares. “Now I’m able to do for others what my father wanted: give them roles that show dignity.”
Since her debut, Jo has noticed a shift in public perception. “When other little people tell me that they’re now treated better because of my work on screen, it fuels my passion,” she says.
Jo’s strength was put to its greatest test in 2021 when COVID-19 claimed the lives of her father, brother, and grandfather within weeks. “It happened so fast,” she expressed as her voice cracked. Her father’s final words—“keep playing your game”—became a source of strength as she returned to filming shortly after their passing. “Losing all three of them was incredibly hard, especially because my eldest brother, Perry Jr., was my best friend,” Jo shares. He not only managed her career but also, along with her father, provided the strong role models that made her childhood so fulfilling. “The grief transformed my craft. I never had many sad memories to draw from before, but now, I feel like my performances have more depth.” She channels the love and strength of her late family members into every role, finding a way to honor their memory through her work.
Jo maintains balance by writing each night to process her emotions, and when filming wraps for the day, she washes away her character to return to herself. “As I wash my face in the evenings, I try to imagine myself shedding off the character I played for the day. It can be heavy, carrying the emotions of these characters along with mine.” As she explains, “As an actor, our wounds may never fully heal because they become a part of the roles we play, ready to be revisited when needed.” This journey, marked by resilience and love, fuels Jo’s passion to continue, embodying not only her family’s legacy but a broader message of strength for others.
Jo’s presence on screen is breaking boundaries in more ways than one. She doesn’t rely on sympathy; her characters are empowered, multidimensional individuals who defy easy categorization. As her titular character in Lilet Matias, she is assertive, smart, and unapologetically strong, qualities that echo her own personality. “I’m happy that now, my character sketches aren’t defined by my size. Being a little person is not the main point of Lilet Matias’ story. It’s just a part of who she is and it’s not a hindrance to becoming who she wants to be.”
This role is deeply personal to Jo, as it allows her to fulfill a dream she shared with her late father: becoming a lawyer. “I want to do it for him, for others, and for myself.” Though she chose programming in college for its practicality, her passion for law still inspires her. “I’ve always wanted to help people, and being a lawyer seemed like a way to do that without being held back by physical limitations.” Now, through acting, Jo helps by using her platform to challenge barriers and change perceptions. The show recently won Best Drama at the Catholic Mass Media Awards.
Jo believes that the world has become kinder since she entered show business. Although she’s faced negative comments in the past, she credits her father for teaching her to rise above them with a smile. “It’s never about me. When I smile at such remarks, I take back my power,” Jo shares. Today, fans often approach her for photos, and she’s moved by the shift in perception. “It fills me with so much emotion that we’re now seen differently. Especially when little people tell me they’re now called by my character’s name instead of slurs.”
One of the most defining aspects of Jo’s journey is her refusal to be confined by conventional beauty standards. “People often ask if I wish I were taller,” she confesses. “But I wouldn’t change a thing. My difference is my strength.”
Her confidence stems from an upbringing filled with love and acceptance, something she holds dear. Recognizing that even those without disabilities struggle with self-acceptance, she says she hopes “people will recognize their worth, because once you see it, the world will see it too.”
By CAROL RH MALASIG. Photographs by ARTU NEPOMUCENO. Beauty Editor JOYCE OREÑA. Stylist: Carlos Mangubat. Styling Consultant: Rei Buesing. Makeup: Gery Peñaso. Hair: Gab Villegas. Art Director: Jann Pascua. Producer: Bianca Zaragoza. Beauty Writer: Bianca Custodio. Prop Stylist: Meg Manzano. Nails: Extraordinail.
