From Himala to Isang Himala: The Iconic Film’s Musical Return to MMFF
Himala, which premiered at the 1982 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), is returning to the festival 42 years later with a reimagined take on the classic story.
Now titled Isang Himala, the musical film adaptation is written by National Artist Ricky Lee, who also penned the original film’s story and screenplay. It is developed by director Pepe Diokno, with music by Vincent A. DeJesus and cinematography by Carlo Mendoza.
The cast features the ensemble from the 2018 and 2019 stage musical Himala: Isang Musikal, produced by The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical. Aicelle Santos reprises her role as Elsa, alongside Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Vic Robinson as Pilo, Floyd Tena as Pari, Sweet Tiongson as Mrs. Alba, and Joann Co as Sepa.
NOW A ROCK OPERA
For fans of the stage production, Isang Himala offers an intriguing evolution. The music, which was originally composed for piano, now takes on a rock-inspired sound.
“Gusto mo gawin nating rock?” DeJesus recalls asking Lee. “Eh dream din ni Sir Ricky, nalaman ko sa isang interview, na gusto niya gumawa ng rock opera. Doon na kami pumunta.”
He adds, “Bagay siya sa set, bagay siya sa buong grit, sa costumes, sa colors, sa lahat. So parang natural lang na maging rock opera, rock musical, with a twist. Hindi iyung [mimics screaming]. Iyung musicality is very rock and gritty and maangas.”
NEW HIMALA
When asked why the movie needed a new version, Lee explains, “Why not. Ako ang feeling ko, itong ginagawang ito, para siyang tribute doon sa 1982 film na ginawa namin.”
He continues, “Natuwa nga ako noong nilapitan ako ni Pepe. Nagkaroon ako ng feeling na parang iyung last na Himala, nanganganak siya ng iba’t ibang versions. And para sa isang writer, masayang nakikita mo iyung trabaho mo, nagt-transform into different mediums.”
Diokno shares a personal connection to the story. “I have seen the film as a film student and fell in love with it. It really had an indelible mark on my mind,” he recalls.
His experience watching the 2018 and 2019 stage productions left an equally strong impression. “It was the most powerful experience I’ve ever had in theater. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it gave me goosebumps. And then when I left the theater, ang dami ko pong iniisip. I was thinking about the play long after I had seen it. And that’s the same experience I would like to share with the viewers this MMFF.”
He adds, “Isa po siyang kuwento naaantig sa puso at isipan natin lahat. And I think 42 years after the original film, napakalakas pa po ng mga themes and ideas. Ang kuwento ni Elsa is something that I think really needs to be revisited and this time with a different dimension of music.”
For Diokno, the film’s musicality also offers a fresh perspective. “I think ang main difference between the original film and the musical is because sa music, nailalabas natin iyung mga nasa loob natin. Iyung mga hindi natin nasasabi, nasasabi natin sa pamamagitan ng kanta. And here because of that, you’re given a different view of Elsa and a different view of everybody.”
1982 THEMES, 2024 LENS
“Nothing will replace Ishmael Bernal, Nora Aunor, and Sir Ricky Lee’s Himala. And this is a different take on it,” says Diokno. “It’s a different take on the story with Elsa told very powerfully through these wonderful performances and such really powerful, wonderful music.”
He adds that many of the themes in the 1982 film—faith versus blind faith, truth versus lies, and societal interactions—remain relevant today.
Lee agrees, reflecting on the evolution of the story: “Nung ginawa namin ni Ishma iyung Himala in 1982, ang guideline naming lahat coming from him, minimalistic siya. Kaya halos walang mga salita. Nung nag-present si Pepe ng kanyang vision for this version, expressionistic siya. Musical na siya and then expressionistic siya. So ibang klaseng Himala and yet nung lumapit si Pepe, ang nakuha ko, he would be and he was very faithful doon sa original and yet in a way also, very unfaithful, kung may ganun man.”
A MUSICAL AT THE MMFF
What sets Isang Himala apart from the other MMFF entries? Santos highlights its uniqueness:
“I think we have something new to offer, being the only musical among the 10 entries. May cultural and historical significance po ang Isang Himala, dahil base ito sa classic film ng ating National Artist.”
She adds, “We have Direk Pepe na [nag-direct] ng napakagandang pelikula namin. At siyempre si Sir Ricky and the music of Sir Vince DeJesus, at kasama ko po ang pinakamagagaling na aktor sa teatro dito sa ating bansa.”
Isang Himala premieres nationwide at the MMFF on December 25. You can watch the official trailer below.
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