'Sunshine' is painfully real yet hopeful

Seeing Maris Racal embody a teenage Sunshine, panicking through the streets of Manila in desperation after finding out she's pregnant, made me uncomfortable, because I couldn't help but think that there are many Sunshines in the country who are in the same position.

- By JANUAR JUNIOR AGUJA

Sunshine is a gymnast rehearsing for national tryouts. She has so much ahead of her that an unexpected pregnancy feels like the end of the world. She gets pregnant after engaging in unprotected sex with Miggy (Elijah Canlas), who promises her he'll “pull out.”

With her career and reputation at stake, Sunshine purchases illegal abortifacients at a market in Quiapo, where an unknown girl (Annika Co) suddenly appears, chastises her, and eventually follows Sunshine as she rationalizes her decisions.

Everything depicted in Sunshine's journey feels realistic that it's almost like watching a documentary not just about her, but about our country as well.

There are many moments when strangers judge Sunshine for her choices. In one scene, she buys a pregnancy test while pretending it's for a friend, and the pharmacist gives her unsolicited, condescending remarks about how young people get pregnant.

Religious bigots also rebuke Sunshine, not only for being pregnant but also for considering abortion. It feels like a nutshell of the Philippines' puritan views on sex due to religion.

The film is set in the chaotic streets of Manila, where everything feels catastrophic. Viewers will feel that it's an unforgiving world for Sunshine, so much so that walking the streets at night is far from the scariest part of the film.