Seven Sundays - UCSPOL Movie Analysis

Where you can watch - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vUFMfzZz2U

Members:

De Jesus, Jamaila Faye

Dela Cruz, Katrine Ibig
Valenzuela, Denzel Hendrix
Geronimo, Danica James
Caliguia, Elena Pei
Quirante, Aremy Ann

Short summary of the movie:

Intro: The movie is about a family whose bond was broken after the mother died leaving the
father, Manuel Bonifacio/ Kap Manuel clueless on how he would parent his growing children.
Years have passed, each sibling and the father lived their own lives already, a day after Kap
Manuel’s 69th birthday, he was diagnosed with lung cancer and according to the doctor, he will
only live for 2 months. He requested his children to gather every Sunday so he can see him all
together, and this is for 7 Sundays only since he is dying. After weeks, he found out that he was
misdiagnosed. Instead of lung cancer, he has Tuberculosis (TB). But, instead of telling this to
his children right away, he decided to keep this a secret as he found the perfect time to tell them
the truth. His children found this out when they were in the middle of a conflict with each other
and got upset with their father. The movie ends where all of his children got together and got
their good endings all together.

1. Analyze the chosen movie using the three theoretical perspectives we discussed

a. structural functionalism
- Pamilya - sila ay magkakasamang lumaki sa iisang tahanan, ngunit nang sila ay lumaki
sila ay nagbukod na. Iba’t-ibang relasyon ang mayroon sila sa kanilang mga magulang
ngunit kitang kita ang pagpapahalaga at pagmamahal nila sa kanilang pamilya at sa
kanilang itinayong pamilya.
- Edukasyon - lahat sila ay nakapagtapos maliban kay Dexter
- Relihiyon - they believe in the Heavens at sa kabilang buhay
- Gobyerno - the government has their own responsibility to provide and protect their
fellowmen, especially their papa is one of the kapitan in Barangay back then
- Ekonomiya - some of them are struggling financially, while others are financially
abundant.

Lahat ng tao sa istoryang ito ay may kanya-kanyang gampanin sa lipunan. Sa kabila ng

kanilang pagkakaiba, ang kanilang pagkakaisa ay malaking kontribusyon sa ating kapaligiran.
 b. conflict theory
- In the movie, we can see the difference in terms of money between the two
siblings— Allan Bonifacio and Bryan Bonifacio. We can see that Allan struggles
with money to the point he has no choice but to accept his brother’s money.
Bryan on the other hand is the wealthy one who does not struggle financially and
can afford their wants and needs.
- Also, Mr. Kim's guilt-tripping to Allan that he should sell his store to him because
he's bankrupt, exploiting its weakness to make him displeased. Mr. Kim is
arrogant because he is selfish in his property ownership, which is why he offers
Allan to sell their family business for his benefit.

c. symbolic interactionism
● Sasakyan (Car) - for some it was only a mode of transportation with different colors but
for the Bonifacio Family it was valuable because it is their only time that they’re together
while they were just children, and the place where they made memories
● Litrato (Picture) - a simple visual too, it is associated with memories and also gives a
nostalgic feeling about the past event
● Biscuit box - a simple food box full of biscuit, but also the thing where they put their
letters to each one of them

Identify the following elements present in the movie:

a. Material Culture
- Food - the special pancit of Bonifacio’s Family mother that was re-created by Cha
Bonifacio. the “unhealthy”lechon kawali of Allan Bonifacio that was given to his father on
his birthday.
- Pictures - the pictures have a special place in the heart for every Filipino. It is treasured
by an individual, especially the Bonifacio Family. They keep pictures and put it in the
frame, how they started and what did happen in their life while they were growing up.
Even their father greets their mother through the picture everyday, showing his undying
love.
- Musical Instruments (Piano) - each one in the Filipino family are talented especially in
singing and playing instruments.

b. Nonmaterial culture
- Norms (folkways, laws, mores, taboos)

Folkways:

● They portrayed the unconditional love a family could have. It conveys the traditional
behavior of Filipinos respecting and uniting as one.
● Every birthday, there is always a surprise party celebration and it includes certain
“handa” such as spaghetti, lechon, prutas, pansit, and many more.
 ● In the Filipino Tradition, we visit our loved ones regularly especially on their death
anniversary and birthday.
● Basic human decency or a bare minimum a person can give such as saying thank you,
sorry, giving compliments, and helpful
● The children who grew up and had their own family are separated from their parents and
their home because of their own paths.

Laws
● Kap. Manuel Bonifacio, their father was a retired captain of their barangay back then
who did his responsibility which He was respected up until now by his fellowmen.
● Also, Dex who had charges against the people because of the unexpected scam he had
faced and the victims of it violated the Estafa by means of Deceit Law of Article 315 of
the Revised Penal Code
● Cha’s Husband violated the VAWC Law of Republic Act No. 9262

Mores
● We should be respectful of the elderlies by “pagmamano” and “po and opo”
● Be helpful and understanding
● Loving and uniting in a family

Taboos
● the common toxic filipino belief was present in the movie where Cha refuses to leave her
cheating husband just for her children to have a father even if this means hurting her
emotionally and being scolded by her family while she was cheated multiple times with
different girls and just accepted the fact that he was a good father to their kids but not a
good husband.
● The toxic behavior of Cha’s husband shouldn’t be tolerated and be followed.

- The cognitive components (e.g. beliefs, values, knowledge)

Beliefs
● They believe that there is an afterlife, allegedly after their father announced that he’s
diagnosed with cancer which led them to death conversations.

Values
● pag mamano, pagbebeso, “po” and “opo”
● Dexter tried to show respect to his father, and the father hugged him tightly instead.
(Physical Touch)
● Every Sunday, the family came together to spend time together at the father's residence.
They also visited the beach and participated in a game. (Quality Time with Family)
● They were able to put aside their disputes and allowed themselves to see that at some
point, they damaged one another. (Understanding)
● They still have faith in their family after all what happened, and they gave forgiveness to
each other. (Forgiving)
 ● Filipinos are known as resilient, so despite the different circumstances the Bonifacio
family had, some of them hit rock bottom but grew stronger afterwards because they are
united.
● It represents the experiences of being a loving-father and a single parent that supports
his children.

Knowledge
● All families have different situations
● We cannot judge the role of each family members because they have their own different
burdens
● We all make mistakes but it is not too late to make it right

Conflict Theory
● The Bonifacio family is not poor, so I believe they are a middle-class family in society.
However, the siblings are struggling because of capitalism, especially Allan, who runs a
store. His income is so low since many stores have opened up and are competing with
each other
● Also, Mr. Kim's guilt-tripping to Allan that he should sell his store to him because he's
bankrupt, exploiting its weakness to make him displeased. Mr. Kim is arrogant because
he is selfish in his property ownership, which is why he offers Allan to sell their family
business for his benefit.