"Himala is deservedly one of the most timeless, most important, best Filipino films of all time," Director Pepe Diokno said about the 1982 film directed by National Artist Ishmael Bernal and written by National Artist Ricky Lee.
And it couldn't be more true.
The film starring Nora Aunor bagged nine awards (including Best Film) after it premiered at the inaugural Metro Manila Film Festival in 1982. And 42 years later, it is back at the Metro Manila Festival 2024 as a musical film titled Isang Himala with Diokno at the helm.
Nora Aunor as Elsa in 'Himala' (1982)
"I have seen the film as a film student, and it left an indelible mark in my mind," Diokno continued during the MMFF film's media launch last December 4 at the VS Sports Tower.
"And then when I watched the staging in 2018 and 2019, with the wonderful cast starring Aicelle Santos, written by Ricky Lee and music by Vincent De Jesus. It was the most powerful experience I've ever had in the theater. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it gave me goosebumps, and when I left the theater, dami kong iniisip. I was thinking about the play long after the staging. And that's the same experience that I would like to share with viewers. Isa po siyang kuwentong aantig sa puso at isipan nating lahat."
Aicelle Santos as Elsa in 'Isang Himala' (2024)
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Himala: From Film to Musical
Himala is a powerful Filipino drama centered around the character Elsa, a young woman living in the rural village of Cupang. She claims to have seen a vision of the Virgin Mary, which gifts her with miraculous healing powers. This claim turns Elsa into a beacon of hope for the villagers, drawing a surge of visitors seeking miracles. As faith and frenzy escalate, the narrative delves into themes of religious fervor, superstition, and the human condition. It challenges the village's dynamics, exploring the impact of belief and the fine line between faith and deception.
The 1982 film by Ishmael Bernal (director) and Ricky Lee (writer) is known for Elsa's iconic line 'Walang himala! Ang himala ay nasa puso ng tao. Nasa puso nating lahat! Tayo ang gumagawa ng himala. Tayo ang gumagawa ng mga sumpa at ng mga Diyos. Walang himala'.
Alongside Aunor, the 1982 film featured the talents of Spanky Manikan as Orly, Gigi Dueñas as Nimia, Laura Centeno as Chayong, Vangie Labalan as Aling Saling, Veronica Palileo as Mrs. Alba, Ama Quiambao as Sepa, Ben Almeda as Baldo, Cris Daluz as Igme, Aura Mijares as Mrs. Gonzales, Joel Lamangan as Priest, and many more.
Himala first saw its transformation to another medium in 2003, when Tanghalang Pilipino staged it as Himala: Isang Musikal at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The stage musical was directed by Soxie Topacio in collaboration with writer Ricky Lee and composer Vincent de Jesus. It starred May Bayot as Elsa, alongside Isay Alvarez, Cynthia Culig-Guico, Eladio Pamaran, and Ariel Reonal, with the special participation of Dulce.
Himala: Isang Musikal's director and lead went on to win at the Aliw Awards; then, the show came back to the theater a year later for a restaging. It then became the first-ever Philippine entry to the Asian Contemporary Theater Festival in 2008. In 2013, it was produced as a musical concert by the Philippine Educational Theater Association, with most of the 2003 original cast.
In 2018, Himala: Isang Musikal was revived and produced by 9 Works Theatrical and The Sandbox Collective at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Theater in Circuit Makati. This second staging saw a new set of cast members: Aicelle Santos as Elsa, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, David Ezra as Orly, Sandino Martin as Pilo, Floyd Tena as the priest, and Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling. It was directed by Ed Lacson Jr., who also took charge of the set design. Joed Balsamo for musical arrangement, BarbieTan-Tiongco for lighting design, and Carlo Pangunaling for costume design joined the creative team.
Aicelle Santos as Elsa in Himala: Isang Musikal (2018) at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Theater
After dominating the 11th Gawad Buhay Awards that year with eight awards (including Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical), Himala: Isang Musikal saw yet another restaging in 2019. That time, Vic Robinson joined the cast as an alternate for the role of Pilo.
Bituin Escalante also won Female Featured Performance in a Musical, while Aicelle Santos was recognized as Female Lead Performance in a Musical. They also bagged Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical, so it doesn't come as a surprise that most of the principal cast members were called back for the MMFF film Isang Himala.
