MMFF 2024 REVIEW: Isang Himala - Miraculous Cast Brings Iconic Film To Life

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.

An Ingenious Script and Impeccable Acting Make “Changing Partners” a Must-Watch Film

The most-awarded film at the 2017 Cinema One Originals Awards is now showing in theaters across the U.S. and Canada. “Changing Partners” is based on the Palanca Award-winning musical play by Vincent De Jesus. The stage-to-screen opus, starring Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, Sandino Martin, and Anna Luna, won several of the major awards, including Best Director for Dan Villegas, Best Actress for Isidro, Best Actor for Lorenzo, and Best Ensemble Acting for Isidro, Lorenzo and co-actors Martin and Luna, among other awards.

At the recent Philippine Movie Press Club Star Awards for Movies, “Changing Partners” received the Indie Movie of the Year Award, Indie Movie Director of the Year (Villegas), Indie Movie Musical Scorer for the Year (Vincent de Jesus), Indie Movie Editor of the Year (Marya Ignacio), and Indie Movie Screenwriter of the Year (Lilit Reyes and De Jesus).

Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady Goes OnStage

If you have missed the run of Dalanghita Production's Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady or probably craving to have a second round of the unique musical, well there is indeed good news with the restaging of it now on a bigger venue at OnStage Greenbelt. Catch the powerful beings of Fuwerza Filipinas and Kayumangilas battle it out as well as the witty and dramatic life of Mely and her sister Viva. 

At first, I was quite skeptical about the change of venue, with its staging at PETA has the perfect balance of staging, lighting and music, moving it to a different venue would mean big changes to everything and might affect viewer experience. However, all of these were extinguished when I went to see the preview at OnStage for their first public performance. It did retain the same vibe and energy like when I first saw it.