Magnifico

Now that Magnifico has turned nine years of age, his family have big things in store for him. Like his older brother, Miong, his parents are determined that Magnifico should also have an opportunity to lead better life than they did. A decent education and a good profession is the future his parents have mapped out for him. However, Miong’s hopes of a career in far-off Manila are dashed and with it his family’s dreams of a life of prosperity.
However, this is not Magnifico’s only problem. The other members of boy’s family are his disabled sister and his grandmother, who senses that her death is drawing near. Feeling responsible for both his sister and his grandmother, the boy decides to fulfil his sister’s dearest wish and take her to a fair a long way from where they live; for his grandmother, he sets about building a comfortable coffin, thereby easing the family’s already overstretched budget. As far as Magnifico is concerned, a little sensitivity and clever thinking are all that’s needed to solve these problems. Before long, the boy’s warm-heartedness performs a small miracle, enabling both his family and their friends to regain a sense of calm that helps them cope with both life and death.
by Maryo J. delos Reyes
with Jiro Manio, Lorna Tolentino, Albert Martinez, Gloria Romero
Philippines 2003 123’ recommendation: 9 years and up

Additional information

Download additional information