MEGA Entertainment talks to last year’s Best Director Pepe Diokno and artist Aicelle Santos on making Isang Himala, the only musical that made it to the Metro Manila Film Festival 2024 roster
This year’s Metro Manila Film Festival is an interesting collection of entries. Among the many suspense, thriller, and action movies is the singular musical film Isang Himala. From the 1982 MMFF entry Himala, to the 2003 musical stageplay adaptation, and then restaged in 2018 with Aicelle Santos as Elsa, we have witnessed National Artist Ricky Lee’s writing twist into several versions over decades and generations. This year, MMFF 2023’s Best Director Pepe Diokno, who brought us GomBurZa, takes on this adaptation with writer Lee, and Himala: Isang Musikal award-winning musical composer Vincent de Jesus.
MEGA Entertainment spoke to Director Diokno and Aicelle Santos—who reprises her role as Elsa from the stage to the big screen—to talk about the obra maestra that is Isang Himala.
RELATED: 10 Entries of the 50th Metro Manila Film Festival
Diokno’s Directorial Vision
After winning Best Director at last year’s MMFF, Pepe Diokno admitted to having some pressure on his shoulders—but that didn’t stop him from taking on the challenge of directing his first ever music film adapting one of the greatest Filipino movies of all time in his own lens. Being so moved by Himala: Isang Musikal, the director has made the decision to not only bring the actors of the 2018 musical stage production to the big screen, but to also apply the theatrical approach to the film as well.
“I wanted to honor both the musical staging and the film,” Diokno explained, going further into Ricky Lee’s idea that maybe Cupang, the setting of Isang Himala, isn’t a real place, but instead a symbol of purgatory—one of the director’s interpretations of the masterpiece. With the National Artist’s blessing, Diokno was given the freedom to produce the film however his interpretation of it is.
“We’re gonna be something totally new and different, and that first major decision freed everybody up to play around, because it also did come from Sir Ricky when we started the project. He said, ‘It’s yours to to play around with, to be as faithful and unfaithful.’ Making that decision gave everybody, I think, the leeway to play around,” the director shared.
Diokno also underscored the importance of music in Philippine culture, having worked on his latest film to date. “Look at what’s happening now in the theater scene. There’s really this fresh, strong wave of really great musicals. [With] Sold out screenings, it’s hard to get tickets. The community is growing and growing so rapidly. I can understand why it’s having a renaissance in theater because we are a musical people. I hope that translates to the film,” he expressed.
“Music is in our hearts. We like to sing and there’s always this song in our hearts, and I’ve always wondered why.”
– Director Pepe Diokno, MMFF 2023 Best Director
Aicelle’s Comeback as Elsa
As for the lead star Aicelle Santos, a lot has happened in her life since playing the role of Elsa in the 2018 musical stage play: the pandemic, giving birth to two kids, and the loss of her mother. In spite of all these, she is grateful to be back as Elsa again, but with a few changes. “In terms of characterization, this version of my Elsa [now] has more layers. Hopefully, more relatable sa generation natin ngayon,” the actress explained.
MEGA asked the actress how it feels to lead the ensemble, to which she answered proudly: “Noong nasa stages ako abroad, and performing alongside different nationalities, masi-single out mo talaga kung gaano kagaling ang Pinoy.” While the Philippines doesn’t have as many schools for music and theater compared to others, Aicelle praised the Filipino artists not just for keeping up with the others.
“We’re driven by passion for our craft, and we really are very talented. Umaangat talaga ang Pinoy. Mahusay talaga tayo, that’s why you have all those names, bannering different shows.”
– Aicelle Santos on Filipino talent shining on stage
Working Miracles on Screen
Describing her experience working with Director Diokno as collaborative, Aicelle shared, “It amazes me how he sees some scenes, na sa daming beses ko na siyang pinortray, hindi ko siya nakita ng gano’n,” Santos said honestly. “So, it was very interesting when meron siyang bagong vision for that particular scene, and then I would try to do it, and then it would feel right. Ang sarap ng bagong direksyon na ‘yun. I enjoyed that.”
Director Diokno agreed, adding how each day working with the ensemble’s performances brought a different experience. “Seeing the performances on screen…It brought out so many emotions that I don’t usually get with previous films that I’ve done.”
“Because everything’s magnified on the screen,” Santos explained. “Minsan, ‘pag hindi ako ‘yung fini-film, napapanood ko rin ‘yung mga eksena. Kahit ilang beses ko na silang nakasama at napanood sa side stage ng teatro, seeing their works sa screen…namamangha ako and I would say everyone gave their hundred percent para sa pelikulang ‘to.”
“It’s not often that you are driven to tears or laughter based on what you see on screen. It’s not very often on the film set, but with this one, every day was a joy.”
– Director Pepe Diokno, MMFF 2023 Best Director
Experiencing the Himala
There’s a reason why, 40 years later, Elsa’s story is still being revived. With its themes revolving around inspiring, challenging, and questioning faith, these concepts are still relevant today. “We are always looking for saviors, especially when times are tough,” Diokno simply stated. “And Elsa’s message and the film’s message is just as powerful and resonant today, because we face the same issues. Hearing or seeing it again in a different form, I think will give different effects, especially to viewers today who are also different.”
“We offer something different because we’re the only musical among the ten entries. We want the new audience—ang bagong henerasyon—maka-witness ng himala. To be able to see this kind of obra, this kind of masterpiece, and these talents in the mainstream… I hope people get to to watch them, watch us.”
– Aicelle Santos on what she hopes Isang Himala will achieve
Featured Image and Photos: CREAZION STUDIOS
