Two generations of Filipino storytelling took center stage in a special double screening of the iconic Himala and its contemporary musical reinterpretation Isang Himala. The event, part of the “Mga Hiyas ng Sineng Filipino” program, highlighted the enduring legacy and cultural impact of these critically acclaimed films.
A Double Feature of Faith and Film
The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) led by the Gender and Development Focal Point System and in collaboration with the Film Development Council of the Philippines, The Metropolitan Theater, and ABS-CBN Film Restoration Project Sagip Pelikula, screened the classic film “Himala” back-to-back with the contemporary musical “Isang Himala” in celebration of the National Women’s Month.
The restored black and white version of “Himala,” a film born from the collaboration of three eventual National Artists: director Ishmael
Bernal, writer Ricky Lee, and actress Nora Aunor, was shown for the first time in public.
“Himala” is widely recognized as one of the most important films in Philippine cinematic history. The film stars Aunor as Elsa, a young woman living in a poor, drought-stricken, and isolated town, whose life is dramatically changed by an apparition of the Virgin Mary, leading to mass hysteria in Barrio Cupang. The film garnered numerous awards, including an almost sweep of the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival and recognition from local and international film festivals.
Afterward, the program shifted to “Isang Himala,” directed by Pepe Diokno and also written by Lee. The musical film offers a fresh perspective on the original “Himala,” drawing from the musical play of the same name and bridging the gap between theater and cinema.
Aicelle Santos stars as Elsa, portraying a simple barrio woman who becomes a figure of hope and controversy when she claims to have seen the Virgin Mary, supposedly granting her the power to heal. The film explores how her faith healing transforms the town into a pilgrimage site and challenges the beliefs and relationships of its inhabitants.
Following the screening of “Isang Himala,” a talkback session provided a platform for discussing the representation of women in Philippine cinema. Diokno and cast members Santos, Bituin Escalante, David Ezra, and MMFF 2024 Best Supporting Actress Kakki Teodoro shared their creative processes and insights into the film’s exploration of women’s issues.
Kim Harold Peji of the Philippine Commission on Women also contributed to the discussion, highlighting the government agency’s programs for the month-long celebration.
Both films delve into themes of blind devotion, questionable morality, and the blurring of reality and falsehood – issues that resonate strongly in contemporary society.
The day culminated with the presentation of certificates of appreciation to the talkback speakers by NCCA Deputy Executive Director for Operations Bernan Joseph Corpuz and NCCA GAD FPS Head Maricel Diaz.
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