Himala has made itself an icon in Philippine cinema as a masterpiece by Ishmael Bernal, written by National Artist Ricky Lee, and is one of the most notable films of Nora Aunor. The story has transcended into different forms of media and one of them is the musical adaptation in 2003 with music by Vincent De Jesus. The most recent version of the musical was in 2018 which the movie and songs are based. Which brings us to ISANG HIMALA, one of the entries to the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival.
It seems like a full circle moment for the film, which was also part of the 1982 MMFF and won 9 awards for that year. For Isang Himala, it brought some of the people who were part of the original movie to be integrated with the new generation of actor and singers mostly coming from the musical that can bank on nostalgia and the amazing songs and performances of the cast.
Himala tells the tale of Elsa, a young woman who proclaims that the virgin Mary has made an apparition to her in the forsaken town of Cupang. The town quickly became a healing mecca due to Elsa's healing powers which also benefited the town in many ways with the influx of tourists. However, many do doubt this and causes tension between the people of Cupang as well as the friendship of Elsa's best friends Chayong and Nimia. Many things will unfold as things get dark and complicated leading to the climax.