Despite challenges like typhoons and going head-to-head with major international releases, Antoinette Jadaone’s Sunshine continues to go strong as it expands to more cinemas in its second week.
At a special block screening in Quezon City, Maris Racal — who plays Sunshine — shared how overwhelmed and grateful they are for the love the film has been receiving.
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“Ako sobrang grateful ako as in, hindi namin to inexpect. Happy na kami sa three cinemas, at least tatlo pero naging 35. Grateful kami sa lahat ng sumuporta, sa lahat ng gumawa ng ingay sa social media, sa lahat ng nagpaulan ng papuri sa Sunshine, sa pelikulang Sunshine. Maraming maraming salamat talaga sa kanila kasi hindi ito mangyayari kung hindi nagkaroon ng rave, ng power ng word of mouth kaya sobrang, grabe talaga, grateful lang,” she expressed.
Antoinette Jadaone admitted feeling the pressure of going up against major international releases, but thanks to word of mouth, Sunshine continued to find its audience and gain momentum.
“Pareho lang kasi, nong una kinakabahan kami kasi nung una, hindi isa hindi dalawa, may tatlong bagyo kaming kasabay tas meron kaming mga kasabay na malalaking pelikula pero nung nag open kami biglang nasosold out yung screenings. Biglang yung iba nauubusan ng ticket, kahit 1 p.m. nanonood yung iba so sobrang, sobrang saya lang na akala namin, kami kami lang ang manonood nung Sunshine pero through the power of word of mouth, yung sabi ni Maris nagpopost yung iba sa social media, yung iba pangalawang beses nanonood sinasama yung ibang friends, yung nanay at tatay nila at pinag-uusapan, nagkakaroon ng conversation tungkol sa kung anong gustong sabihin ni Sunshine kaya sobrang happy, thankful,” she said.
Sunshine follows the journey of a determined young gymnast whose shot at huge tournaments including the Olympics is derailed by an unexpected pregnancy. As everything she’s worked for hangs in the balance, she must decide: will she hold on to her dream or choose to become a mother?
As the story tackles topics considered taboo in the country, including abortion, Maris admitted she felt nervous about how the film would be received.
“Ako, may halong kaba at takot kasi di namin alam paano ‘to tatanggapin pero nagulat talaga kami sa power ng mga kabataan, as in sila yung nangunguna at tsaka sa mga millennials, sila yung nangungunang mag-engganyo sa lahat na manood at sila yung willing at bukas ang mga isipan na i-absorb ang Sunshine, at yung mensahe ng Sunshine nang buong buo kaya thankful kami sa kanila, may power talaga ang kabataan guys, so thank you! Thank you, thank you sa lahat ng mga nanood,” she expressed.
Director Antoinette clarified that Sunshine is not about being pro or anti abortion, but about showing compassion to others — a message she believes resonated deeply with audiences, as the film is meant for all the real-life Sunshines out there.
“Parang si Maris meyo kinakabahan nung una pero kasi pag papanoorin mo yung Sunshine, hindi talaga sya tungkol sa religion, kung pro or anti pero tungkol sya sa compassion, at lahat tayo may kapasidad maging compassionate, maging kind kaya siguro nagresonate yung story ni Sunshine kahit di naman natin sya pinagdaanan pero lahat kasi tayo merong kilalang naging Sunshine or kilala ng kilala natin na naging Sunshine or hindi natin alam meron pala tayong mga kaibigan na si Sunshine din sa totoong buhay pero natatakot silang sabihin. Pero ngayon sana dahil napanood nila yung Sunshine, di na sila matakot,” she shared.
The critically acclaimed Sunshine continues to screen in select cinemas nationwide.