Cheyenne Suarez

 Aicelle Santos, theater artists venture on the big screen in 'Isang Himala'

Article (news)

Leah C. Salterio

<div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734052101427IMG_8320.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Theater artists make their big screen debut </span></span></span></div><p>MANILA -- Director Pepe Diokno’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, “Isang Himala,” gathers the “crème de la crème” in Philippine theater.</p><p>Although some of them have previously appeared on the big screen, others are making their film debut and the artists cannot be any prouder.</p><p>Essaying the role of Elsa, the barrio lass who witnessed the apparition of the Virgin Mary that changed her life in director Ishmael Bernal’s “Himala” (1982), is a huge challenge for any actress who will portray it, especially since it was originated by Nora Aunor.</p><p>Lead actress Aicelle Santos earlier brought her United Kingdom experience when she essayed Gigi in the staging of “Miss Saigon” (2014) to the Philippine stage when she did “Himala: Isang Musikal” in 2018.</p><p>Santos was earlier featured in other known theater musicals like “Katy! The Musical!” (2013), “Rak of Aegis” (2014) and “Maynila: Sa Kuko ng Liwanag” (2017).</p><p>“Isang Himala,” which is one of the 10 official entries in the 50th year of the MMFF, marks Santos’ big screen debut. I</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734052150389IMG_8321.png" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner"> “Isang Himala” director Pepe Diokna </span></span></span></div><p>Santos will rather say she is “excited” rather than “pressured” now that she is joining the MMFF for the first time.</p><p>“Ang hirap isipin ng pressure,” Santos said. “Nakakatakot ang word na ‘pressure.’ I just know that we all enjoyed the process and the filming of ‘Isang Himala.’ Whatever the outcome of this film, we are all hopeful.”</p><p>Neomi Gonzales plays Chayong in “Isang Himala” and also in the 2018 stage play. “Itong film na ito ay isang napakalaking himala para sa aming lahat,” Gonzales asserted. “It was something we didn’t expect would happen to us.</p><p>“Today, I look at miracles every day. It is something I experience every day. To be in this room with all of you is already a blessing and a miracle. This project grounded us and made us so grateful. Direk Pepe trusted us to do this film. Every day is a miracle.”</p><p>Sweet Plantado Tiongson, who is popularly known as a member of the vocal quartet The Company, plays the “wonderful wizard of Cupang” Mrs. Alba, in “Isang Himala.”</p><p>“I watched the 2003 staging of ‘Himala,’ then in 2013. I became friends with Vince de Jesus,” Tiongson said. “I was having second thoughts if I would join this film musical, but I got attached with the script and had the best time with these wonderful people.</p><p>“Our captain of the ship, Direk Pepe, talagang hindi niya kami pinabayaan. He allowed us to grow. That was my himala.”</p><p>Kakki Teodoro was cast in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Pingkian,” a narrative inspired by the brains of the Katipunan, Emilio Jacinto. </p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:633px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1734052196087IMG_8324.png" style="width:633px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">National Artist Ricky Lee (right) and composer Vincent de Jesus </span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>On the big screen, Teodoro was cast in Petersen Vargas’ “A Very Good Girl.” She was also included in Prime Cruz and Galileo Te’s “Kung Ang Ulan ay Gawa sa Tsokolate” (2016) and the comedy crime series, “Magandang Dilag” (2023).</p><p>“Isang malaking himala ang mapasama ako sa film musical,” Teodoro admitted. “I got attached to the cast from the reading. Miracle of miracles, natuloy ako. I had the best time.”</p><p>Bituin Escalante joined “Himala: Isang Musikal” as Aling Saling in 2018. Miracle for her was she never imagined she would become a mother. Today, she is a mother of two.</p><p>“That experience helped how she portrayed Saling. They first cast my sister as Nimia in the PETA version. This is a family of Himala.”</p><p>David Ezra had a three-year stint at Hong Kong Disneyland but returned to Manila to resume his theater career. He did not deny that he missed acting onstage.</p><p>In the past, he did “Binondo,” “Little Shop of Horrors,” “Himala: Isang Musikal” and even “Ang Huling El Bimbo.” </p><p>He gets to make his big screen debut is “Isang Himala,” playing Orly.</p><p>So what are the chances of “Isang Himala” in the box office? “Nangangarap kami,” Santos smilingly said. “We hope the moviegoers will come and watch this film musical with their family.”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/4/nora-aunor-to-have-special-cameo-at-mmff-movie-musical-isang-himala-0056" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nora Aunor to have special cameo at MMFF movie-musical ‘Isang Himala’</a></div><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2024/12/6/bituin-escalante-on-finding-the-right-voice-in-isang-himala-1244" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Bituin Escalante on finding the right voice in ‘Isang Himala’</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEOS:</strong></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/3rlYKzsjfEI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q1Dqi2i3vJc?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>Director Pepe Diokno’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, 'Isang Himala,' gathers the 'crème de la crème' in Philippine theater.</p>

Director Pepe Diokno’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry, 'Isang Himala,' gathers the 'crème de la crème' in Philippine theater.