Gualberto, Rosana Beatrix D.

October 2021
STEM 12 – Genereal Santos

Performance task in English for Academic and Professional Purposes

1. Film Critique

The Comedy Drama film “Seven Sundays” was directed by Cathy Garcia
Molina on October 2017. The film was produced and released by Star Cinema
Productions starring Ronaldo Valdez, Aga Mulach, Dingdong Dantes, Cristine
Reyes, and Enrique Gil. The films running time is 2 hours and 8 minutes.

The film starts at a flashback where the Bonifacio children can be seen writing
letters and keeping them in an emplty rebisco can, as it simultaneously shows
illustrations of their success in life. In a moment, former brgy. captain Manuel
Bonifacio (Ronaldo Valdez) enters the scene where he is left mourning for his
late wife and distant children who has left him alone with Jun (Ketchup Eusebio),
his godson who assists him in every way. Later on, three of his children Allan
(Aga Mulach), Bryan (Dingding Dantes), and Cha (Christine Reyes) along with
his granchildren makes a call and greets their “tatay/lolo” a happy birthday, yet
even they can’t celebrate with him on the day of his birthday because of
numerous reasons. Evening came yet his doctor manages to show up bringing
cake and perplexing news, although isn’t shown how the doctor delivers it. In the
morning all of his sons and daughter came responding to his text last night that
he is dying with lung cancer that he’d live for only up to two months, Allan even
thinking that it is all a joke because they hadn’t shown up at his special day.

Then it was finally decided that they should vote whether they would have a
second opinion or let their father decide for himself, but it came out that his father
won the agreement. Sunday mass has ended when they prepared a belated
birthday surprise, although they end up fighting and brought up their conflicts.
After a while, they concluded to spend their fathers remaining days with him and
set aside their arguments and hate for the seven weeks that their father has left
by staying with him at their old home. But they misinterpreted the thought of
learning that the illnes their father had was not cancer but only TB infection, so
they came out disappointed because they should’ve known it earlier, yet the
news came when another argument between the siblings had occurred. So, as
he was left by his children, he then felt the familiar loneliness that he once felt
before all the incident has happened. Subsequently, they went on their own lives
reflecting and contemplating their conflicts through the argument. So they
managed to come to terms and reconcile together with their father as they visit
their mothers grave.

The film Seven Sundays generally focus on strained family relationships,

impending death, and imminent loss. Manuel Bonifacio, accepted the news of
having lung cancer; however, he declined for treatment and chose to live his life
to the fullest and spend the rest of his remaining weeks with the company of his
beloved family, which came out to be the best memories of his life. This is one
problem between growing families now, others somehow leave their elder
parents behind and stay focused on their own families that they tend to forget
spending quality time with them. Regarding the story, four of his children
should’ve had decided that one must be left taking care of their father so he
wouldn’t be alone and left out.

As Manuel received news that his doctor was mistaken and his illness was
less fatal and curable, he realized that once he informs them of the
misunderstanding, it would all come back to how it was before, there will be only
Jun to accompany him in the house again, and there will be no more commotion
in the house by his playing grandchildren. So because of the delay, it wasn’t him
to announce the news but he was preceded by his quarreling full grown children,
which made the conflict complex. Diversely, only three of his children were
confused and angered by the thought, and since because Allan already knew, it
made them more furious that Allan is the only one aware. Above all, they
should’ve known better and act mature than to burst their rage in front of their
whole family, especially the children witnessing their quarrel.

Moving on to the other character roles, Allan’s jealousy of how his son Marc
favors his uncle Brian than him in particular. Also, Allan envies how Bryan is so
knowledged and sucessful in life that he doesn’t struggle in simple ways. Bryan
on the other hand comprehends the attachment of becoming a father of his
recently known son. Cha finally deals with the problem of her debauched
husband who she recently cast out of their childrens home. Lastly, Dexter’s
childhood wasn’t easy after their mother passed, it’s as if they all perished and
left him alone to seek refuge, yet he was left alone. Years passed and he still
brought the ache in his heart, but now he finds closure between his two elder
brothers and of course the whole family.

In conclusion, I loved the theme of the film that deals about family relationship
whenever times get rough. These kind of films are the ones that must be sold out
to cinemas worldwide, because films focused about family opens our minds to
the importance of having each other through every obstacle, and it reminds us of
our duty and role as a family member, that we guide and accompany each other
and never stop loving one another.

REFERENCES:

Wikipedia contributors. (2021, November 4). Leni Robredo. In Wikipedia, The

Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 13:59, November 4, 2021, from
https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Leni_Robredo&oldid=1053506647
2. Position Paper (introduction/body/conclusion)

As of now, people are debating for whoever president they would give their
votes in the upcoming 2022 elections. The names Bongbong Marcos, Leni
Robredo, Manny Pacquiao, Panfilo Lacson, and Isko Moreno are the five main
candidates running for the presidential elections. There are people who prefer
this person to that just because of power, money, and relations, yet what would
their money do if intelligence and knowledge isn’t applied and it all ends up on
reasoning? So who are you voting for?

Honestly, I was still undecided a month ago to who I must vote for next
year. Since the talk of the elections grew larger, the thaught came to me that I
already have to decide at once, which is why I started reading verified blogs,
research, and specially the news. After a few reviews, I was amazed on Leni
Robredo’s career from the start. Maria Leonor "Leni" Gerona Robredo, the wife
of the late Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo is the current vice president of the
philippines since 2016; but before her success she went through a lot of
experiences.

June 30, 2016, she was sworn as Vice President of the Philippines, since
then she has already made numerous changes. On August 2, the government of
Thailand bestowed upon Robredo the Honorary Outstanding Women Award of
Southeast Asia. On August 23, non-governmental organization Filipina Women's
Network bestowed on Robredo the 'Most Influential Filipina Woman of the World
Award'. These awards are not just for apperaneces, but a praiseworthy honor
given to a woman who risked her life for her duty as a filipino.

On the year 2016, she has provided asistance to those affected by

disastrous typhoons. after the onslaught of Typhoon Ferdie in Batanes, Robredo
visited the island and brought emergency shelter assistance to the people. In the
same month, Robredo met with Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines
(CBCP) president Lingayen-Dagupan Archbishop Socrates B. Villegas to discuss
drug rehabilitation programs. Following the effects of Super Typhoon Lawin,
Robredo visited Cagayan and met with Cagayan Governor Manuel Mamba and
local disaster officials to inquire about the damage, in order to ascertain the kind
of assistance her office could provide. Robredo's anti-poverty program, also
known Angat Buhay Program, has benefited 83,707 families across the country
in its first year of implementation. On November 17, Robredo was bestowed the
TOWN's Tanglaw Award for 'championing women's rights' and 'empowering the
marginalized'.

Reported by CNN Philippines, In the five months that Vice-President Leni

Robredo served as the Chairperson of the Housing and Urban Development
Coordinating Council (HUDCC), she has listed down her remarkable
achievements upon becoming leader and an advocate. These include: the cutting
of red tape, providing low-cost housing for at least 46,000 families, and the start
of construction of at least 17,000 homes for victims of super typhoon Yolanda.
Because of this, I consider her as a convenient person as she devote her time
and effort for the people who are less fortunate, and it is a beneficial trait of
becoming a leader.

On the following years until the next elections, she continues to support
and subsidize, yet it is surprising how she contributes much more. In October
2017, the Senate increased the 2018 budget of the Office of the Vice President
(OVP) by ₱20 million, which was allotted for the vice president's Angat Buhay
program. In the same month, Robredo called on fellow Filipinos to remember the
165 soldiers and police who gave their lives for the liberation of Marawi City.
Robredo said her office was already preparing to help in the rehabilitation of
Marawi City, primarily through its flagship anti-poverty program. On 2020, during
the aftermath of the 2020 Taal Volcano eruption, she went to Batangas and
Cavite, the most affected regions of the volcano eruption, on January 21 to
distribute relief goods through her office and some partner organizations. A total
of ₱17.3 million was raised for these donations, including food and care
packages for the health workers and their families.

As a member of the 16th Congress, Robredo was one of the principal

authors of the house version of "The Tax Incentives Management and
Transparency Act (TIMTA)". She also co-authored the house version of the
following laws: National Children’s Month Act, Charter of the Quezon City
Development Authority, Open High School System Act, Probation Law of 1976,
Graphic Health Warnings Law, and Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015.
In addition, Robredo was one of many co-authors of the National Budgets for the
years 2014, 2015, and 2016. Robredo was also a key supporter of: HB 4911:
People Empowerment Bill to create a partnership between local governments
and civil society through the establishment of a people's council in every local
government unit. This act also prescribes the powers and functions of said
council.

Last election 2016, she faced Bongbong Marcos against the Vice
presidential elections, and once again she comes up against him at the
upcoming 2022 elections. There may be issues and misinterpretations against
Leni’s side especially on social media saying that she hasn’t really done any
good to the innovation of the country. That’s the wrong thought on peoples
minds, they prefer to expose the misconducts of people who rather must be
given credit for contributing for the nations advantages

Gender inequality was natural and had been tolerated since time began;
however, as time evolved, people opened their minds that women may be as
knowledged as men in countless ways. A bee colony is well-organized and led by
their queen; Queen Elizabeth has lived the longest-reigning monarch to lead the
United Kingdom; and there are several women who has proved themselves
worthy of facing the worlds problems, even in war. So why not let Leni lead? Why
not try to chose women for president? Maybe it would all be different. Above all
these praises and accomplishments by Leni Robredo, she has proven herself
worthy of the country’s support. It is natural to receive hate and disapproval from
the people, but the truth will always give out and whatever those people think, the
majority of votes will always win, and may God guide whoever is fated to lead our
nation.