Republic of the Philippines

NUEVA VIZCAYA STATE UNIVERSITY

Name: Melanie Mae A. Almorado Course/Year: BSED-3A

Magnifico
(Reaction Paper)

The movie itself was extraordinarily rich in plot twists within the characters roles, scenarios, or
events. The story depicts the wonderful, genuine heart of a kid named Magnifico, who experienced
the same status as mine. His name was derived from a magician named Magnifico, whom his father
named his son, the same as the magician. The magician did incredible things, like how Magnifico
became an incredible kid who changed the lives of people around him, and they learned from him to
have a positive outlook on life. Magnifico is an ordinary kid who goes to school. He lives an ordinary
life with his siblings, parents, and grandmother, who brought the life of Magnifico to a life of optimism.
I also have the same experience—a life that is sometimes miserable, pathetic, spontaneous
discouragement, failures, and being entitled to be poor. It was hard for Magnifico, for aside from
having an unfavorable situation in life when it comes to material things, he was called a slow-witted
kid by his parents and others. He was an optimistic, sympathetic, and hopeful kid who walked through
the pain and hardships of life. He is an ordinary kid, but what makes him extraordinary is how he was
able to show love, protect his sick sibling, and work hard for his grandmother without a lot of money to
show off. He was able to show it all genuinely, with no doubt about doing it all. He is a kid, but not just
a kid, for he can share, feel, see, and do ways to solve problems like an adult. His friend said that
Magnifico is a kid who carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, taking on and resolving the
problems that adults must deal with. That’s the life of the magnificent Magnifico, a resilient and
genuine kid.

The movie depicts the lives of ordinary people, especially here in the Philippines. It reflects
how hard the life of Filipinos is in terms of financial aspects. Even with that kind of life, Magnifico was
able to show incredible things to his family, especially to his sister, who has a mental disorder that
makes her unable to talk. He works hard to build a coffin for his terminally ill grandmother with cancer
and tries to buy a wheelchair from Mang. Domeng for his sister to ride on when they come to the
fiesta. Everything he does is for his family and other people, not for himself. He was curious about
things, asking a lot of questions, but that made it reasonable for him to achieve his goal and lessen
his family’s burden. The coffin that he built was for his grandmother; he also prepared money for the
flower and fixed the wedding gown of his grandmother. His family expects that his grandmother will
die sooner, so Magnifico has done everything to give his grandmother a proper burial with a nice
coffin made of shattered wood from the workplace of his father, and he borrowed tools to make it
possible. Magnifico made his life by being with his family, especially his sister, wherein he and his
friend sell juice and water at the fun fair or during their fiesta to gain money to buy or rent another’s
wheelchair for his sister to have something to use. That scenario taught me that when you really care
and love someone, you will do anything to make them happy. Despite how hard life may be, we can
always choose to be happy and optimistic in order to overcome our struggles. He might not be able to
buy or rent the wheelchair from Mang. Domeng because he used the money, he earned to buy
medicine for his grandmother, but he still fulfilled his promise to his sister to go to the fiesta. So, he
offered his back and carried his sister until they reached the fun fair; they went there and spent the
night together to enjoy the moment, and I’ve seen how grateful and happy his sister was. When
Mang. Domeng saw them together; he was able to show compassion to his sister, and he realized
that Magnifico needed the wheelchair for his sister.
 Magnifico made an impact on others’ lives when he brought two medicines and gave them to
Ka Doring, who has a husky voice. After Magnifico learned the story of Ka Doring, he was able to
show sympathy and offer medicine. At first, she didn’t accept it, but later on, with Magnifico’s
encouragement and letter, she was able to accept and drink it. When she drank it, she was able to
bring her voice back to normal. His perseverance made the changes in others’ lives possible. When
Mang. Domeng called him after seeing them on their way home the night before, carrying his sister at
his back. They had almost met on the highway road when suddenly a car passed by, Magnifico went
missing, and Mang Domeng was not able to see him anymore. Until an elder shouted that there was
a kid who was in a car accident, and that was a sad twist in the story when Magnifico died.

When Magnifico died, everyone mourned, including Tessie and Cristy, who both shared
compassion for him and his sister during the fiesta by giving them money. They caught each other's
eyes and smiled after they both smiled at Magnifico. In that moment, they forgot their hatred for each
other until Magnifico died. Mang Domeng also offered the land, which he bought for himself when he
died, but then he offered it to Magnifico’s body to be buried. Ka Doring also felt sadness when he saw
that the kid who used to bring her medicine died suddenly. His family also mourned and felt the
heartache of losing their child. His father was crying while he cut the coffin of his grandmother,
knowing that it was not for his grandmother at all but for his son Magnifico. His grandmother cried a
lot, for Magnifico used to care for her and talk to her even if others wouldn't, for his mother had
something on her, knowing that their grandmother was a burden. His good intentions, perseverance,
care, and mature way of thinking as if an adult who can care for people’s burden made the viewers
learn that age is not a hindrance to doing good things, and a kid shouldn’t belittle, but we must be
compassionate, embrace, guide, and believe in them.

Those people have changed their ways; his mother can care wholeheartedly for the mother of
his husband; she can now see her as not a burden but a mother to care for; his sister improves and
can talk; and in the big picture, they care much for each other. This movie shows us how much
darkness we can see in the lives of unfortunate individuals, but it is a fate that can be changed. It
might not be changed in one night, but with a positive outlook and perseverance, it will become
possible and evident. We all have a choice, like Magnifico, to live positively even if it is impossible,
but when we embrace a little light in life, we can choose to add something to brighten it up wider each
day.