‘Isang Himala’ Wins Awards at the MMFF 2024
Just hours before the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival Gabi ng Parangal livestream, Isang Himala director Pepe Diokno tweeted:
Just got the heartbreaking news that “Isang Himala” is down to 9 cinemas…Pero madadagdagan tayo ng Powerplant bukas! Please watch the film before it’s too late, and please request the film from your nearest cinema if it’s not yet showing in your area 🙏❤️🔥 #MMFF50 #MMFF2024
— Jose Lorenzo Diokno (@PepeDiokno) December 27, 2024
It has been an uphill battle for the film, to say the least, beginning the festival with the fewest number of cinemas nationwide—32 on December 25—dropping to 24 the very next day, then to 17, and now to just 9.
With Isang Himala winning a number of awards at this evening’s ceremonies, everyone involved in the production, along with the audiences who have been campaigning for it to stay in cinemas, hopes it can secure more screenings before the festival’s final day on January 7.
The film won a total of five awards for the evening: Best Musical Score for Vincent A. DeJesus; Best Original Theme Song for Ang Himala ay Nasa Puso, performed by Juan Karlos; the Special Jury Prize; 4th Best Picture; and Best Supporting Actress for Kakki Teodoro.
In Teodoro’s speech, she said:
“Ako po si Kakki Teodoro. Ako po ay 37 years old. Ako po ay mula sa mundo ng teatro.”
“I would like to thank the people who have trusted this musical para dalhin dito po sa MMFF50, at maraming maraming salamat po MMFF for having us for your 50th year.”
“Mabuhay ang Teatrong Pilipino at mabuhay ang Pelikulang Pilipino!”
Isang Himala is an adaptation of the 2018-2019 stage musical Himala: Isang Musikal, produced by The Sandbox Collective and 9 Works Theatrical and directed by Ed Lacson Jr., with music by Vincent A. DeJesus. The musical itself was based on the 1982 classic film Himala, written by National Artist Ricky Lee and directed by Ishmael Bernal.
Aicelle Santos reprises her role as Elsa, a young woman from the fictional town of Cupang who claims to have witnessed an apparition of the Virgin Mary. Santos previously portrayed Elsa in the 2018 and 2019 stage productions. Also reprising their roles are Bituin Escalante as Aling Saling, David Ezra as Orly, Kakki Teodoro as Nimia, Neomi Gonzales as Chayong, Vic Robinson as Pilo, and Floyd Tena as Pari.
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