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.

TOPAKK Comes Home for MMFF 2024

It was hot, humid, but everyone was in a celebratory mood over at the TOPAKK press conference in Quezon City. Greeted by a different sounding Basti Artadi performing on stage, I was like "Wow!" because of how b4d 4$$ it was, it felt like a dream for me. Then they started the presscon.

We had the pleasure of actually being on location when they shot TOPAKK in Rizal for the finale scenes. Just looking at it back then, I knew this was going to be something special because it will bring back a genre that was sorely missed, plus we get to see multi awarded actors on screen like Cong Arjo Atayde, Julia Montes, Sid Lucero, Enchong Dee and Kokoy de Santos. 

They also had Levy Ignacio, Bernard Palanca, Paolo Paraiso, Vin Abrenica, Cholo Barretto, Julio De Leon, Ivan Carapiet, Jeffrey Tam, Gerard Acao, Michael Roy, veteran character actress Ms. Maureen Mauricio, Elora Espano, Claire Ruiz, Anne Feo, Bong Cabrera, Manu Respall, Rosh Barman, Victor Medina, Ivan Rivera, Ian Lee, Nico Dans, Yian Gabriel, Raquel Pareno, Precious Laingo, Kayley Carrigan and Geli Bulaong to complete the ensemble cast for this film. Mind you, this has been showcased and raved about in different film festivals internationally. This year, it's going HOME to the Philippines and will be shown on the 50th Anniversary of Metro Manila Film Festival. This feels like fate to say it frankly.

Direk Richard Somes is one heck of an action film director. The quality is certainly for international consumption, and he didn't shortchange with regards to set design and hard knocking scenes. What's a bit of a let down though is the rating because this is R18 outside SM Cinemas while those who want to see it in SM can do it on an R16 rating. This has heavy fight scenes and very bl00dy encounters so we kinda understand why it's rated that way. Though I would suggest you do the R18 version so you could get the full experience of the movie. Don't worry though for the R16 because you will still learn and get the story.

Nathan Studios producer Ms. Sylvia Sanchez isn't worried about it though because they're giving movie goers real good options. Aside from Nathan Studios, they are working with Fusee and Strawdogs as producers for this project. Hopefully to make more of these (a sequel no?). Some of the people who saw the movie that evening told me this is a material where Julia Montes really excelled, though she's been doing action stuff on Coco Martin's TV series, she is more hands on in the scenes. She's going to be in really physical fight scenes which she's never done before. This is more raw, and Julia with Arjo means it's got emotional scenes will be there. They also had the army spokesperson at the press conference praising them about how they portrayed the Filipino soldiers, TOPAKK will certainly be a good thing to watch if you're thirsty for action films this year.

This is the opportune time for you to watch TOPAKK, it's international release name is Triggered. You've got to see why critics have been raving about it. Hopefully, this picks up awards in this festival too!

Serving Halal Certified Food in the Country: AlBarakah Philippines

This is the first time I've seen a LOT of people clad in their best garb and outfits that could resemble royalty in Mindanao, but right smack in the heart of Ortigas Center's Crowne Plaza. We were there for AlBarakah, a new brand of halal certified food chain in the country. For those who don't know, Halal certified food is a bit scarce in this side of the country, but with their presence, it would now be possible for halal food and ingredients to be served in different parts of the country.

This is the brainchild of AlBarakah CEO Ameerah Tamundong who says "It is a bit difficult to adhere to dietary principles in Metro Manila and different parts of the country. With the existence of AlBarakah, good halal certified food and drinks is now accessible for Filipinos. We also have different dishes to serve for our Filipino patrons if they're looking for carefully prepared meals."

 

At the venue, they had Muslim attendees enjoy dishes like Shredded Corned Beef, Minced Hash Corned Beef, their 3 in 1 brown coffee, and also white coffee. They also had Protein Bites which could serve as snacks in between meals, or even before athletes race, as it's got peanuts, almonds and other seeds. Each is assured of halal certification and lawful in Islamic ways. If you're in need of their services, visit their social channels on FB or their website albarakahph.com as all the details on how to order will be there.

ALAMAT, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera Dantes Celebrates DITO Telecommunity Wins

The premise of meeting primetime King and Queen Dingdong Dantes, Marian Rivera and talented PPOP group ALAMAT was certainly something I'd wish for during Christmas. A few nights ago, DITO Telecommunity celebrated with with media, guests and DITO subscribers and closed the year with the country's Fastest Mobile Network Award. It's something they've been steadfastly working on in improving business growth and consumer experience in the last few years. The event was witnessed by DITO executives Atty. Adel Tamano their current Chief Revenue Officer for Enterprise, Evelyn Jimenez the Chief Revenue Officer for Consumer Business and their stakeholders.

 
Ms. Evelyn Jimenez pronounced how DITO is still putting up infrastructure as we speak. Their dream is to get those far flung and underserved communities connected to the network so they too could benefit from the internet and fulfill their dreams too. They have received the Philippines Fastest Mobile Network Award (all in all 14 categories) from Opensignal beating their rivals in the country. Their 5G connection is on a different level, having over 287.2 Mbps which nearly doubles their closest competition. This is a milestone for DITO, something that they've don in the last half of 2023 and first half of 2024, but they're not stopping there.

Discovering Talent

Filipino work and craftsmanship is world class. DITO recently launched Galing DITO, to showcase those who excel in their craft (I remember Herminio Tan, a great sculptor from Antipolo which they did a few months ago), also this time, PPOP phenoms ALAMAT. We talked to the boys and saw how it has made their lives easy, they were happy to share their experience with it and the various shows they got mounted with the bullish telecom company. They are also doing a concert today called RAGASA at the New Frontier Theater in Araneta City. You should definitely watch this before the show!

Primetime King and Queen for DITO

 

 Powerful couple Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera Dantes also obliged us with an interview. They were so happy to have been able to accomplish so much with DITO, and how they have been able to grow with it. Dingdong told us how they started and sees how huge the DITO Telecommunity is now, and was excited to tell us about what they do at home while they enjoy time with kids, or plainly working.

Marian was giddy, telling us how the need of being online 24/7 was answered by DITO. Whenever Dingdong is out for work, or if she's busy with a shoot, they do not fail to get in touch with each other because DITO is seamless and proved time and time again, to be fast whether for work or play. They call each other even at home when they're in different parts of the house. They also enjoy internet time with the kids because they only let them use it when both of them are present. I was so impressed how they managed to still have time for the cute and talented kids no matter how busy they are.

 

 It just tells so much about how a company that believes in the Filipino talent, their artistry and supports them in their endeavors. Their endorsers believe in them, and this is why they've grown exponentially over the years since they started. They're not stopping there, because from what I've heard, both ALAMAT, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera Dantes will be doing several shows and appearances to make sure their message comes across all demographics. They are still putting up infrastructure, but from what is seen so far with regards to their network performance, they're certainly with the right people. 

We hope you get to enjoy these exclusive interviews with them like I did. Thank you to DITO Telecommunity for letting us experience interviewing ALAMAT and the King and Queen of Primetime.