DE CASTRO, Bea Patrice R.

CMT2A November 20, 2019

Documentary Film: Burak at Pangarap

SUMMARY

The documentary was about two young boys namely who earns money to help

their family from severe poverty. However, the boys earn money by snorkeling down in

a lake full of trash, filled with mud and dirty water. They get plastics and metals to sell in

a junk yard and get money in return. Their will and dreams to give their family a better

life and to be able to get a degree somewhat corresponds greater challenges to their

health. Due to untidy surroundings, poor sanitation and lack of nutrition, the two young

boys namely Jun Jun and Miko are susceptible to acquire diseases. Miko’s foot was

wounded and remains unhealed after getting an injury from snorkeling in the dirty water.

Jun Jun’s hand was swollen. The two boys were treated in a barangay health center in

Malabon.

RESPONSE

Despite the fact that Philippines is a developing country but still has a long way to

go (Investopedia, 2019). The country falls behind on every standard used by economist

to determine status in terms of development. The Philippines' per capita gross domestic

product, Human Development Index and life expectancy stays below the edges for

developed country status. The country's infant mortality rate is very high and the

industrialization is minimal. Several citizens lack access to quality health care and

higher education. According to Beale (2017), despite the national developments, the

primary challenge is the high poverty rate which was estimated at 21%. Among the
reasons, experts have emphasized weak governance, corruption, elite capture,

inadequate education, health services and infrastructure, limited access to financing,

and increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters.

The said descriptions about the development of the country was evident in the

documentary film. The said challenges bring uncertainty to the dreams of its citizens to

live a prosperous life. One of which is Miko from the documentary: Burak at Pangarap

by Pulido (2018) whose family came from the province of Samar who moved to Manila

thinking that they will have a better life in the city. On the other hand, Jun Jun’s family is

sinking in severe poverty begging and depending on the food and supplies given by the

relief group and their neighborhood. Their shelter was burned in flames in Malabon City

and still doesn’t have a house as today.

The documentary showed the bravery and the perseverance of the two boys who

really wanted to give not just their selves but also their family a better life. Despite their

young age, the two boys maturely think and strive to earn a living for their present

situation not minding what is ahead of them. The parents of Jun Jun are somewhat

irresponsible. How could they let their child do such risky job and all they do all day is to

get the relief and sit in their tent. They should also find a job and stop being dependent

on the relief and savings of Jun Jun. Miko’s parents should not let Miko’s injury just like

that. They should have been the ones who brought Miko to the barangay health center

and get the wound treated.

There are somethings maybe the government doesn’t see or do not look at.

These people damaged from the calamity should be given not just relief but also shelter

and job opportunities to help them live a better life. The environment should also be
taken care of by the government as well as the health status of the communities.

Knowing that there is such a community sulked in poverty and calamity, the public

health officers must conduct a health relief program – giving aid to the illness of the

citizens.

However, this documentary showed how difficult it is to live in the Philippines –

the poor getting poorer and the rich getting richer (Rivas, 2019). As the economic

development of the country continues to diminish slowly (Malpass, 2019), the public and

not just the government must act in unity to fight the poverty and apply solutions to the

growing problems and needs of its citizens. If only the taxes were used effectively and

efficiently, Philippines would have grown more than what we experience and what we

are today.

REFERENCES
Beale, N. (2017, July 28). Economic Reform & Development in the Philippines.
Retrieved from https://asiafoundation.org/:
https://asiafoundation.org/publication/economic-reform-development-in-the-
philippines/
Investopedia. (2019, August 2). Top 25 Developed and Developing Countries. Retrieved
from https://www.investopedia.com/: https://www.investopedia.com/updates/top-
developing-countries/
Malpass, D. (2019, October 10). Philippines Economic Update October 2019. Retrieved
from https://www.worldbank.org/:
https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/philippines/publication/philippines-
economic-update-october-2019-edition
Pulido, M. (Director). (2018). Burak at Pangarap [Motion Picture].
Rivas, R. (2019, May 30). IN CHARTS: Rich Philippine regions get richer, poor ones
barely improve. Retrieved from https://www.rappler.com/:
https://www.rappler.com/business/231871-charts-regions-get-richer-poor-ones-
barely-improve-philippines