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Bonifacio

Directed by Grace Simbulan
  • 20 mins
  • International premiere
Bonifacio tells the story of Jose Bonifacio “Boni” Garcia, a 50-year-old single father who has faced a lifetime of challenges, including illiteracy and the discrimination and ridicule that come with it. Despite these challenges, Boni is determined to create a better future for his son, Joboy. Boni works as a janitor at a small restaurant, a job that covers their day-to-day expenses but also serves as a constant reminder of the education he never received. Boni’s decision to enroll as a first-grade student in the same school as his son Joboy earns him ridicule from some and skepticism from others. As Boni navigates the challenges of school, he also works tirelessly to provide a warm and loving home for Joboy. Boni’s presence in Joboy’s life becomes a source of pride for his son, who learns invaluable lessons about perseverance, love, and the importance of family.

Ultimately, Bonifacio is a story about the power of education, the strength of a father’s love, and a testament that it’s never too late to learn and grow.


Grace is a Manila and LA-based documentary filmmaker. Her works lie at the intersection of ethnography, film, and art, reflecting her commitment to exploring narratives through immersion and long-term engagement with communities that address social justice issues.Her works have been supported and recognized by Berlinale, the Australian International Documentary Conference, Tokyo Docs, the Asian Film Academy, QCinema International Film Festival, and DMZ Docs, among others. In 2020, she received the Nō Studios Artist Grant in film to support her work in Wisconsin. Her first feature film, A is for Agustin (2019), premiered in South Korea and was shown in China, Italy, France, New Caledonia, Canada, the Philippines, and the US. This film was also featured in CNN Philippines’ Top 10 Filipino Films of 2019 and was nominated for Best Documentary by prestigious award-giving bodies such as Gawad Urian and FAMAS in the Philippines.

Plays in

Shorts Program VI – Larger Than Life

Larger Than Life sheds light on films that showcase stories that address current world issues from different perspectives…

Dates & Times

AMC Theater Plaza Bonita, Westfield

October 4, 2024
4:30 pm