Director Antoinette Jadaone has stepped in to defend BINI member Jhoanna Robles after the P-pop star received online backlash for her personal review of the film ‘Sunshine’, which stars Maris Racal and tackles issues such as reproductive health, sex education, and abortion.
Robles had praised the film in a heartfelt Instagram post after watching it with her mother, sharing that it resonated with her deeply, especially its portrayal of mental health and young motherhood. “You never really know what someone’s going through and it’s really important to be more understanding of the silence, the sadness,” she wrote. “You are seen and you are strong. Strength isn’t about being tough, it’s about choosing to keep going kahit ang bigat-bigat na.”
However, her post drew criticism online, with some netizens and advocates interpreting her take as “pro-life” and misaligned with the film’s central message about reproductive rights. “Disappointed with BINI Jhoanna’s take on Sunshine,” activist Jona Turalde wrote on X. “Maybe BINI needs an overall situationer of reproductive health and rights in the Philippines.”
Amid the backlash, Jadaone came to Robles’ defense via social media, writing: “I’m surmising these girls can’t just openly express opinions on abortion or other polarizing issues, so Jho just shared whatever touched her most deeply in Sunshine (she posted it just mins after watching, she and her mother cried).”
Jadaone also invoked the well-known phrase in literary theory: “‘The author is dead,’ so if you’ve watched it, it’s yours—the sunshine is Jho’s. Thank you, Jho, for watching and always supporting!!”
i’m surmising these girls can’t just openly express opinions on abortion or other polarizing issues, so jho just shared whatever touched her most deeply in sunshine (she posted it just mins after watching, naiyak sila ng nanay nya)
— Toñet (@tonetjadaone) July 31, 2025
Robles, for her part, addressed the controversy in an Instagram Story, clarifying her intent and apologizing for any misunderstanding caused by her initial post.
“I appreciate the constructive feedback. If my choice of words and how I presented Sunshine’s experience came across differently than intended, I sincerely apologize,” she said. “What I hoped to emphasize was the weight of societal pressure, the necessity of support systems, and how access to proper education can empower people to make informed, safe decisions for themselves, whatever those decisions may be.”
She acknowledged that her post “didn’t quite capture the essence” of the film’s core message, and emphasized that she’s open to “thoughtful discussions and learning from different perspectives.”
Despite the issue, Robles thanked the filmmakers and reiterated that Sunshine is “definitely worth watching.”
The award-winning ‘Sunshine’ follows a young gymnast who discovers she’s pregnant on the eve of the national team tryouts. The film has received international acclaim, including the Crystal Bear for Best Film at the Berlin International Film Festival and multiple awards at the Austin Asian American Film Festival (AAAFF).
