‘Sunshine’ screening brings legislators face-to-face with young girls’ reality

Imagine a film so powerful it brings policymakers face-to-face with the harsh realities many young girls endure. That's exactly what happened at a recent special screening of Antoinette Jadaone's thought-provoking film, 'Sunshine,' where legislators and public servants gathered to confront the challenges faced by young women in the Philippines.

Held at SM Aura in Taguig City, the exclusive viewing aimed to propel critical conversations forward. The film centers on a young student, Sunshine, who becomes pregnant, vividly highlighting the urgent need for stronger legislative protections for girls in similar vulnerable situations.

The event drew a notable presence, including Department of Justice Undersecretary Margarita Gutierrez, Philippine Commission on Women Deputy Executive Director Anette Baleda, Taguig Mayor Lani Cayetano, and several key representatives such as Lani Mercado, Javi Benitez, Kabataan Representative Renee Co, and ACT Teachers Party-list Representative France Castro. Their attendance underscored the gravity of the issues being addressed.

At the heart of the discussion was the contentious issue of decriminalizing abortion. Gabriela Party-list Representative Arlene Brosas pointed out that the film vividly exposes the deep-seated problems associated with the current restrictive laws. National Youth Commission Chairperson Joseph Francisco Ortega praised the film's raw storytelling for effectively laying bare systemic national challenges.

Director Jadaone herself emphasized the limits of art without legislative action, urging policymakers to translate empathy into tangible support through laws and policies. This call to action is particularly poignant given the Philippines' outdated abortion law, part of the 1930 Revised Penal Code, which harks back to Spain's 1822 penal codes and continues to severely restrict women's bodily autonomy, leading to dangerous, unregulated practices.

However, pushing for such reforms is an uphill battle. Decriminalizing abortion faces significant opposition, largely due to the pervasive influence of religious institutions in the predominantly Catholic Philippines. Celia Lagman-Sevilla, a veteran legislative staffer, noted that many lawmakers fear political backlash, while Representative Castro openly stated that some colleagues actively obstruct progressive legislation, citing long-stalled divorce and SOGIE bills as examples.

The stigma surrounding abortion runs deep, even within governmental discourse. Mayor Cayetano acknowledged the highly controversial and emotionally charged nature of discussing abortion in legislative sessions, often leading to personal attacks rather than substantive debate.

Despite these formidable hurdles, various groups and government allies are actively working to protect women and children. DOJ Undersecretary Gutierrez highlighted efforts to raise awareness at the barangay level, emphasizing that a lack of comprehensive sex education exacerbates the very problems depicted in 'Sunshine.' The DOJ Action Center, under her leadership, is actively providing legal aid and educational workshops on women's and children's rights, especially vital in combating the alarming rates of abuse in rural areas.

On the legislative front, militant party-list organizations like Kabataan and ACT Teachers have committed to championing gender rights issues, including abortion decriminalization, in the absence of Gabriela Women’s Party representation. Representative Castro assured ongoing collaboration with the Philippine Safe Abortion Advocacy Network (PINSAN) to craft genuinely impactful legislation for women and children.

Ultimately, Jadaone and her team envision 'Sunshine' moving beyond cinema halls, reaching into classrooms and the very halls of Congress. Representatives Renee Co and Lani Mercado echoed this sentiment, expressing eagerness to bring the film to high schools and their districts, hoping to open hearts and minds to these critical realities. As Jadaone passionately declared, "Sunshine is bigger than us. This is the fight of the youth. This is the fight of women. If we can’t win this for them, then Sunshine’s victory isn’t complete."