NATIONAL Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Ricky Lee maintained director Ishmael Bernal, who worked at the helm of 1982’s Himala, will be “happy and amused” to see the new version of the film musical, Isang Himala, directed by Pepe Diokno.

“I know him because he was my friend and co-worker,” said the award-winning screenwriter. “He will even be challenged to see his work which has many different versions today. Not from the same milieu, because Ishma liked discourse.

“When Ishma was working on Himala 42 years ago, our timeline coming from him, expressionist din siya, like Pepe’s version today. This new version is a different take on ‘Himala,’ but very faithful to the original. The essence was natural and to the letter.”

Today’s generation is somewhat confused about Himala’s identity because of social media. “So, it’s important for them to watch films that show what it means to Filipinos. How we were before is how we are now.

“I hope we appreciate films from before because they are part of history that led to the films we have today. It’s a long river that comes from that stream.

“So even if you’re not a filmmaker, we should look back and recognize that once upon a time, this (Himala) was the kind of film we had.

“Once upon a time, Nora Aunor made a film that shook the Berlin Film Festival and won CNN’s best Asia-Pacific Film of all time. Even today, people are still watching Himala. So, we, too, should appreciate it.”

Himala brought prestigious awards for direk Ishma. He won the Catholic Mass Media Award (CMMA) best director for Himala in 1983, as well as the bronze Hugo Award in the Chicago International Film Festival that same year.

Essaying the role of Elsa, the barrio lass who witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary that changed her life, is a huge challenge for any actress who will portray it, especially since the role was originated by Nora Aunor.

The script was written by Ricky Lee. It became an official entry in the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), where it won nearly a dozen awards, including best film and best actress for Nora.

Himala was also the first Filipino film to be included in the competition section of the 33rd Berlin International Film Festival in 1983.

On its 30th year in 2012, “Himala,” produced by the Experimental Cinema of the Philippines (ECP), became the first film to be restored by the ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project, with a premiere at the 69th Venice International Film Festival as part of the Venice Classics section.

Through the years, “Himala” was turned into a musical, book, stage play, concert and now, a film musical for the coming 50th anniversary of the MMFF with Pepe Diokno at the helm. Isang Himala is one of the ten official entries but the only musical in the MMFF.

“We are very fortunate to witness the issues that were present in the original film and the issues that we have in our society today,” said direk Pepe, who megged last year’s award-winner, Gomburza.

The director keeps the faith that the new version of Isang Himala will resonate with today’s audience, the Gen Zs included.

“You can watch the film with your child, your neighbor, your friend,” said direk Pepe. “This is one of the most timeless, most important and best Filipino films of all time.”

He admitted that from the script of the musical, there were scenes from the original film that they had to inject shots in this new version of “Isang Himala.”

“But nothing will replace Ishmael Bernal’s version, Nora Aunor’s and Sir Ricky Lee’s Himala,” direk Pepe said. “This film musical is a different take on Elsa told very powerfully through the performances of the artists.”

“Like in the musical, playing the iconic role of EIsa in Isang Himala is always a huge responsibility,” admitted lead star Aicelle Santos. “I always go back to the script. I always go back to who Elsa is. I had a different interpretation of Elsa five years ago. I have a different interpretation of who Elsa is now.

“The interpretation of Ate Guy was really different. After five years, I have more to add to portraying Elsa again in Isang Himala. It’s different now. A lot of things changed. The things that we saw in theater before, it will be different in film now.”

Aicelle was overwhelmed when she was chosen to play Elsa on the big screen. Five years ago, she essayed Elsa onstage when Himala: Isang Musikal was presented at the PowerMac Theater.

Aicelle keeps the faith that Isang Himala will become a box office entry in the MMFF. “I hope the Gen Zs will get to watch this film. And many Filipinos will watch ‘Isang Himala’ again. The families will hopefully watch this film together.

“This is not just for entertainment,” said Aicelle. “Isang Himala brings a lot of lessons that will remind us. We will be amazed with the quality and excellence of our actors.”

Although Himala was staged as a musical in 2018 and 2019, that waa a different medium, as emphasized by Aicelle. “That was a different medium then. Singing was good to us, but filming was totally different. That was really became different in our work.”

Music and lyrics of the songs in the musical are by Vincent de Jesus. Isang Himala is produced by Madonna Tarrayo and Jose Lorenzo Diokno for Unitel Films.

The film gathers the “crème de la crème” in theater, noted event host Phi Palmos, a theater actor.

Aside from Aicelle Santos, the theater cast includes Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Sweet Tiongson as Mrs. Alba, Neomi Gonzales as Chayong and Floyd Tena as a priest.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio