Sunshine Is the Wake-Up Call Filipinos Need About Teen Pregnancy
Antoinette Jadaone’s new film doesn’t hold back in showing what happens when young people are left in the dark about their bodies and what it costs them
Teenage pregnancy is a problem that persists worldwide. In the Philippines, it’s a discussion that’s on the fence for many when religion is inserted.
Antoinette Jadaone’s movie Sunshine delves into this subject. The movie’s title may depict something happy. It’s a story of 19-year-old Sunshine (Maris Racal), who dreams of making it to the Philippines’ gymnastics team. But when she discovers she’s pregnant, she must choose whether to be a young mom or pursue her dream.
More than Sunshine’s story, it also delves into the reality of the abuses women face.
The Consequences of Pre-Marital Sex
Sunshine dreams of being part of the Philippine Gymnastics team, training every day after school. However, during one training, she begins to experience dizziness and later faints. When she woke up, she was asked when the last time she had her period. She couldn’t answer and later went to the drugstore to get two pregnancy kits. To her shock, both tested positive – she was indeed pregnant.
Unsure what to do, we see Sunshine going around the streets of Quiapo, a place known for its religious beliefs, but also an area where you can buy herbal medicines and pills that can prevent unwanted pregnancies. As Sunshine tries to make a decision, she is haunted by the appearance of a little girl, who keeps following her, reminding her that her plan to abort the child is bad.
Her boyfriend, Miggy (Elijah Canlas), didn’t give Sunshine any help either. When she tells him she is pregnant, he even asks if the child is his. This shows the lack of accountability on his part. Angered by Miggy’s apathy, Sunshine smashes his car.
Screenshot from Project 8
At home, Sunshine tries to be normal, not telling her sister, Geleen (Jennica Garcia), about what happened.
Sunshine decides to party with her friend Thea (Xyriel Manabat). She confesses to Thea about the pregnancy.
Abortion Goes Wrong
Sunshine blackmails Miggy to give her money for an abortifacient, buys it, and goes to a motel to do it. Unfortunately, the bleeding went bad, and she was rushed to the hospital. She later wakes up to be chastised by an OB-Gyne for trying to abort her child. Geleen defends her sister and tells her to rest, but she refuses.
Sunshine then goes back to Quiapo for another round and meets a girl, Mary Grace, who she discovers was impregnated by her uncle and wants to abort the child. Sunshine then gives her money to buy the abortifacient.
Later, Sunshine meets the little girl again and introduces a friend named Ariana, who later becomes uncomfortable and rushes home. They later discovered that Mary Grace used the abortifacient, and they rushed her to the hospital. Upon arriving at the hospital, the doctor refuses to attend to Mary Grace, fearing suspension. A kind and discreet doctor named Helena intervenes and saves Mary Grace, who loses the child.
Screenshot from Project 8
When Sunshine comes to Mary Grace’s home, she discovers that the mother was cavorting with the uncle who sexually abused Mary Grace. Enraged, she beats him with a bottle and runs.
At home, Geleen tells Sunshine that Miggy and his dad, Jaime, a pastor, were waiting for her. She faces them, and Miggy apologizes for not being man enough to face the problem. Jaime tells her they will help with the baby. She refuses their help, telling them she doesn’t want to be a mother.
In her room, Sunshine tries to sleep, and Geleen tells her that she will support her in whatever decision she makes.
At the gym, we see Sunshine practice her routine. After her flawless performance, the little girl hugs her, assuring Sunshine she understands the decision. This insinuates that Sunshine aborted the child. The movie ends with Sunshine competing in the qualifiers.
Screenshot from Project 8
Why The Movie is a Reminder for Parents and Teens
Sunshine’s story is a reminder that parents should be open in discussing reproductive health. Important information, especially about their bodies, is a topic that should be explained to them without any hesitation. While it could be a subject in school, why not start early in explaining to them how babies are created and the purpose of life?
It’s important to talk about the hard subjects, and the topic of reproductive health and sex falls into this category for some. Parents often side-step in teaching their kids about the hard subjects, saying they are not ready, but when will they be ready? When a mistake is made?
According to an article from Humanium, there is an alarming increase in teenage pregnancies among girls under 15. The country ranked second in Southeast Asia for having girls aged 15 to 19 years old become moms every day, according to a study by Save the Children.
The movie serves as an eye-opener on why reproductive health is a topic of importance and should be taught in schools. More than the debate of pro-life and abortion, it’s also a reminder out there that there’s still a lot of dialogue that needs to be done on reproductive health education.
Sunshine is just one of the movies that could spark discussions and hopefully show that the situation is serious and more than just about beliefs and religion.
More on the topic of teenage pregnancy
POPCOM Reminds Us to be Vigilant About Teenage Pregnancies
Awareness is Key to Fighting Teenage Pregnancy
How We Can Talk To Our Teens About Pregnancy
