Film

Miracles, Hysteria and A Miracle in A Song: Pepe Diokno’s Isang Himala

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MANILA, PHILIPPINES — On the same day as the Festival of the Black Nazarene, adobo Magazine was invited to an exclusive screening of Isang Himala with the cast and crew at the Uptown Tempur Cinema at Megaworld’s Uptown Mall. Director Pepe Diokno adapts the musical version of Ishmael Bernal’s film about the impoverished town of Cupang and their “miraculous” happenings. 
 
Isang Himala follows the story of Elsa, a girl from the isolated town of Cupang portrayed by Aicelle Santos, who claims to receive visions from the Virgin Mary. Initially dissuaded by her adoptive mother Saling (Bituin Escalante), she engages in healing the sick and infirm and attributing these to how she is the hands of the Virgin Mary.  

Most of the cast have been residents of Cupang for many years now, with the cast all coming from either the 2003 or 2018 stage runs of the musical. Diokno notes that the film crew were the newcomers to the story, and revealed not only it was his time to direct a musical, but also his first time working with stage actors. 
 
It’s this combination of care and energy which has led to Isang Himala picking up several nominations and various wins at the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival which includes Best Musical Score and Best Original Theme Song. For her portrayal of the strong-willed Nimia, Kakki Teodoro won Best Supporting Actress – an award which coincidentally she shares with Gigi Dueñas from the original Himala from the 1982 MMFF. The film also landed the Special Jury Prize. 

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Isang Himala screening at Uptown Mall’s Uptown Tempur Cinema

This begins the reversal of fortunes of Cupang, whose residents believe that the town’s impoverished state was initially caused by divine retribution. Elsa’s visions bring an influx of visitors to the town, which include filmmaker Orly (David Ezra) who is dedicated to showing Elsa’s miracle to Manila and beyond. The added interest brings pressure into the relationships between the individuals of Cupang, which includes Elsa’s childhood friends Chayong (Neomi Gonzales) and Nimia (Kakki Teodoro) who end up as the centerpieces of this tragedy involving faith, guilt and poverty. As the news shows the millions who descend upon Quiapo, Manila in a frenzy to venerate the image of the Black Nazarene, it is hard to believe that a 40 year gap separates the original film and the current musical with how enduring the messaging is. 
 
While the original Himala film is austere and subtle in how it portrays the Catholicism at the root of Filipino poverty, Isang Himala is bold and unapologetic in its approach with soaring vocals and choral numbers which bring to mind other religious musicals such as Jesus Christ Superstar and The Book of Mormon. The score is adapted directly from the original musical, with much effort being put into recreating the energy in Vincent de Jesus’s work which encompasses both powerful and tender pieces.  

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The Cast of Isang Himala with Pepe Diokno enjoying the novel cinema experience

The 50th Metro Manila FIlm Festival is extended to January 14 2024. Isang Himala is currently available as of writing at Cinema 76, Gateway Mall, Robinson’s Magnolia, Gmall of Digos and Gmall of Tagum. Check local listings or CreaZion Studio’s Facebook page for more information.

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