MENDEZ

A Star Cinema Filipino comedy and drama film directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina that has a
heartwarming Bonifacio family. In addition, the film was produced and released on October 11,
2017. Seven Sundays won the best actor, best in screenplay, and best in editing at Film
Academy of the Philippines (FAP) Awards in 2018. This film is full of messages and symbolism
that will inspire everyone who wants to watch. In addition, it is recommended for those people
who want to be related to the film because it contains real-life family problems and situations
that will strike people’s hearts.

The film started with heartwarming past photos and letters of the Bonifacio family. It is good to
add this in order to inform the audience what is their past experience with the family. Moreover,
it introduces Manuel as a father who hopes for a reunion with his four children (Allan, Bryan,
Cha, and Dexter) but cannot do anything because each one of the siblings has busy lives. He is
alone in his old house with past memories he couldn’t get a glimpse of because he worked
abroad to financially support his family resulting in not seeing his own children grow up.
Unfortunately, Dr. Nelson came to Manuel’s house and said that he is diagnosed with lung
cancer. Hence, he has two months left to live. His one wish for his descendants is to have a
reunion every Sunday until he dies. He intends to reunite and reconnect the relationship of his
four children because he wishes to see for the last moment that they will grow happy and have
a care for each other.

As they have a reunion, some conflicts arise such as siblings scolding each other or who among
them has the right opinion. Manuel was so sad seeing his own children fighting and not getting
along with one another. He admits that he lacks guidance and bond with his children that is why
he is having a hard time to discipline them. When the siblings realized that their father was so
sad because of their rude actions. They agreed upon their father’s wish to have a bond with
each other. They reunite at the house but the siblings hide their own problems from the rest of
the family just to avoid conflicts with each other. But in the end all of their secrets were unveiled
and made long arguments with each other. Conflicts between the family arise but there is a slow
transition of resolving it. Each one of them realizes that they should accept one another. They
are the one who should understand the situation of each family member and not make their own
problems a secret. Resolving their problem makes Manuel so grateful that he can now rest in
peace. He is now happy seeing that his family attained happiness, acceptance, and
contentment in life.

It is very heartwarming to see the character development of each character throughout the film.
Comparing Seven Sundays to other Filipino teleserye is a big difference because of the fact that
the story is well written. Seven Sundays has a lot of lessons to take with. For me, the film shows
me that no matter how many problems we have. If we stand as one family and take care of each
other. We can conquer those obstacles and find what true happiness is.