Ready to Make Miracles Happen: ISANG HIMALA Hits Theaters on December 25th for MMFF 2024

This film was on my list since I've heard of it. Surely, if you're a fan of the original film starring the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor in the 80's called HIMALA, this musical film called "ISANG HIMALA" would give you the same feels, but even more chills. This is the handy work of famed writer National Artist Ricky Lee and music by Vincent De Jesus. This is directed by Pepe Diokno and is officially an entry to the Metro Manila Film Fest 2024 who's also celebrating their 50th Anniversary. 

I've known Aicelle Santos for a few years now. It would be an understatement to call her A VERY TALENTED SINGER because I feel she's more than that. Her character Elsa who hails from a town called Cupang saw an apparition and began doing miracles with people. There's bound to be trouble with that because everyone would need to get healed and make things happen with that. Instead of getting better religious belief, they began fan service for the healer and Elsa wasn't going to take it. So in a nutshell it'll be the same story, but what will make this totally different is how they would tell it through music. For those who don't know, this has already been made into a musical (on stage), but there will be more things to offer now that they're doing the musical on the silver screen. Aicelle's voice will surely give you chills, but hold up, there's more to expect in this film!

Though there's Aicelle, she also has Bituin Escalante, Floyd Tena, David Ezra, Neomi Gonzales, Kakki Teodoro, Vic Robinson, Joann Co and an ensemble cast (hello Ivan Panganiban!) eager to tell this story. It's definitely not a one woman show, and with these powerful FILIPINO voices spun together, it's going to be a masterpiece waiting to happen.

Much of these folks may have not been seen on movies or TV, but they've got years of experience in theater which they'll be bringing to the table. They'll prove once again that pinoy singers reign supreme when it comes to singing, and this isn't even the karaoke type people fear in contests around the world. 

 

 

Ricky Lee says "I feel this is a tribute to the 1982 version we did in the past, when I met Vincent, I was glad it was being interpreted in different mediums. She (Nora Aunor) also will have participation in this film but you would need to watch it."

Pepe Diokno says "I fell in love when I watched the film, and the musical was the most powerful material on theater and I thought about it long after watching it. 42 years after watching it, I think it needs to be revisited, the difference is it's more emotional because of the songs."

Bituin Escalante adds "I never imagined I could be a mother, it's a family affair for me when my sister was cast in 2018, this is himaLOVE."

Aicelle adds "Back in 2018, Nora Aunor watched us on stage and I remember she told us how it was something that made her remember the shoot in 1982. She almost cried, and I've got proof of it. It was during the RAK of Aegis party when Sir Vincent approached me and told me I could do Elsa. I was taken aback because I saw the concert and how big the role is. I've had personal miracles, my brother myocardium issues, I prayed for him, and he opened his eyes. My Mom stopped crying, I really believe in miracles, this film just shows how we all have miracles of our own. There will be one on December 25. I think we have something to offer, it has historical and social content. We hope people get to watch it, especially since it is the only musical in the entries this year. I am more excited because it is hard to think of pressure, we enjoyed doing it so whatever it becomes, we welcome it."

Vince says "In 2003, Soxy Topacio asked me to work on a project with Ricky Lee, I wasn't crazy to say no. Things just come, the whole production is just a miracle for us including the MMFF 2024 nomination. The new music is originally piano but we made it into an orchestra, but it's now a little rock opera ish. The set actually fits the music, it is gritty and fierce."

Buckle up and go wear your Sunday outfits because "ISANG HIMALA" will hit theaters on December 25. Don't be afraid to sing a long with your friends and family, bring them along to the miracle that is "ISANG HIMALA", the official entry of Kapitol Films and UXS Inc. for the 50th Anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival.

Alden Richards for CENTERSTAGE

Sunday will never be the same again now that CENTERSTAGE will premiere this evening. It's the new show hosted by Asia's Multimedia Star Alden Richards and Concert Jester Betong Sumaya. The show will be making superstars out of kids who would want to make their dreams come true every week. It is limited to 7-12 year olds but I got to do it a few days ago against some media reporters at the GMA Studios. I enjoyed it a lot even though I didn't win, but really, this is ingenious because they get to pick winners every week and new kids can get you out of contention if they sing much better than you. This just means you must do your best everytime so as not to lose your place in the competition. There are rings in the Centerstage which indicates how many times you've won so you get to do the next rounds, so you can expect this to run a couple of months. 

The judging panel is composed of International Theater actress and singer Aicelle Santos, Concert Queen Pops Fernandez and Music Director Mel Villena. They will be telling how you will advance on the rounds so make sure to please them as soon as the song plays on stage. This is obviously an original concept by GMA, like their previous successful ones, they know how you're gonna love this weekend show!

They will be scouring contestants from across the country and all you need to do is join, or watch at home. This is another exciting show hosted by Alden Richards who was so excited during the preview.

 

Aicelle Santos is Back in the Philippines

We have all been missing her. It’s been a year since she had gone to UK and did Miss Saigon’s Gigi Van Tranh. She’s Aicelle Santos and she’s back in the Philippines.

Aicelle says “Doing Gigi was very personal journey for me, she taught me a lot about myself as a person and being an actor. I wasn’t in my comfort zone, being away and far from home made me think about the important things in life. It made me cherish family and friends, it made me more independent. Whenever I open a show for any musical or concert, I am really nervous, but it was so good to hear them applaud, I felt that surge of power. I am the same me but I just learned to wear a bikini, it was a holistic experience. Living alone was hard, homesickness is real, but it reminds you why you are there. I am glad to go home and do this musical show on GMA.”

About getting married she says “It felt so nice to be here, to hold hands, to walk in a mall and simply just do boyfriend and girlfriend things. The long distance relationship wasn’t really hard, one year went by so fast, the only thing weird about the distance is touch, but we waited. We also surprised each other twice. The experience doing that made me realize things, it is a blessing, I even learned a lot in my solitude.”

Aicelle will be performing in Ballet Philippines’ Tales of Manuvu, the local production showcasing the culture of the Manobo tribe in Mindanao. It is a pop rock opera ballet and will end on March 31st. She will also be part of successful show Studio 7. She will also do the role of Elsa in the Himala: Isang Musikal by Sandbox Collective and 9Works Theatrical Group. They have received several standing ovations in that project and she is very grateful to be part of it.

She adds “I want to live in the moment and embrace life. I want to thank everyone who supports me, and to the Lord who continues to guide me in this path. Here’s to creating more music and marrying the man I love!”

Aicelle would like to thank her GMA Artist Center family, her sponsors for the short luncheon Sapporo Noodles, Dentiste and Aficionado Perfumes.

Make sure you watch out for her as her star shines brighter this year!