Tovic Salvador

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Song of the Fireflies

Josh Mercado

<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/1762818533693image1 (2).jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rachel Alejandro and executive producer Girlie Rodis </span></span></span>Filipino creativity has once again gained international recognition!</div><p>The heartwarming musical film &quot;Song of the Fireflies,&quot; based on the true story of the Loboc Children&#x27;s Choir, has received the Best International Feature Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival, tying with the German film &quot;Köln 75,&quot; a biography about American pianist Keith Jarrett.</p><p>“What a blessing to wake up to such wonderful news,” exclaimed “Song of the Fireflies” executive producer Celeste Legaspi.</p><p>This latest achievement builds on the film&#x27;s extraordinary journey, which began in March at Hollywood&#x27;s Manila International Film Festival, where &quot;Song of the Fireflies&quot; won five trophies.</p><p>This latest award boosts &quot;Song of the Fireflies&quot; campaign for the Golden Globes.</p><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/1762818581973image2.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Rachel Alejandro<em></em></span></span></span></div><p>Last month, production company Culturtain Musicat <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/11/3/-song-of-the-fireflies-submits-6-entries-for-golden-globe-awards-1420">submitted the Morisette-starrer to the Golden Globes for consideration</a> in the following motion picture categories: Best Motion Picture - Non-English Language, Best Director (for King Palisoc), Best Screenplay (for Sarge Lacuesta), Best Original Song (for &quot;Alitaptap&quot;), Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Drama (for Morissette), and Best Performance by a Female Actor in a Supporting Role in any Motion Picture (for Rachel Alejandro).</p><p>In a Facebook post, the makers of &quot;Song of the Fireflies&quot; praised everyone who helped them tell the uplifting story of how devoted teacher Alma Taldo (played by Morissette) led rural children to global fame.</p><p>The producers thanked their partner MQuest Ventures, the Department of Tourism and DOT Secretary Christina Frasco, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte, the Quezon City Film Commission, and many other individuals and organizations.</p><p>The film was shown in two Newport Beach cinemas, thanks to the cooperation of the Filipino community, the Philippine Consulate in Los Angeles, and the Department of Tourism. The excellent turnout was due to organic promotions.</p><p>&quot;We relied on friends to spread the word,&quot; said Alejandro.</p><p>“The sold-out screenings and the award would not be possible if not for them, especially those who live out of state but bought tickets or invited their families to watch,” she added.</p><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1762818613774image3.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><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/1762818629351image4.jpeg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left"><em></em>Rachel Alejandro<em></em></span></span></span></div><p>Alejandro and executive producer Girlie Rodis attended the screenings as well as the after-party, where the singer performed her late father Hajji Alejandro&#x27;s award-winning song &quot;Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika&quot; with the US-based Malaya Dance Arts, which also did a Pandango sa Ilaw dance. Their performances contributed to the film&#x27;s concept of becoming a light in the world.</p><p>The next stops for &quot;Song of the Fireflies&quot; are Hollywood, where a screening for Golden Globes members will take place on November 13; and Blacktown, Sydney, where the Boholano and Friends Australia have planned a showing on November 22.</p><p>“The Newport Beach Film Festival is an important stop for Oscar and Golden Globe hopefuls because the films that are in the Official Selection are usually the ones that have won awards throughout the year and are seen to be top contenders,” Alejandro said.</p><p>No other Filipino film has ever been nominated for a Golden Globe, but that hasn&#x27;t stopped the &quot;Song of the Fireflies&quot; team from hoping for recognition from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association.</p><p>“As Nelson Mandela famously said, ‘It always seems impossible until it is done,’&quot; Alejandro said. &quot;We pray this coming year, our film breaks the glass ceiling and that we manifest what I see so clearly in my mind’s eye: ‘Live on the Beverly Hilton stage, broadcasted all over the globe, the Loboc Children’s Choir with our teenage leads, Noel Comia Jr. and Krystal Brimner, singing with angelic voices the main theme of our film, ‘Alitaptap,’ music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab and words by Sarge Lacuesta.’”</p><p>She added, “When that moment happens, I see myself looking to the heavens and dedicating all of it to my Dad, whose legacy has been to bring joy to people everywhere thru his artistry and to uplift Original Pilipino Music. That would be such a proud moment for all of us, right?”</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/entertainment/showbiz/movies-series/2025/11/3/-song-of-the-fireflies-submits-6-entries-for-golden-globe-awards-1420" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">&#x27;Song of the Fireflies&#x27; submits 6 entries for Golden Globe Awards</a></div><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div><br/></div><div><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/2NQmcA8nlwI?autoplay=1&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>The heartwarming musical film "Song of the Fireflies," based on the true story of the Loboc Children's Choir, has received the Best International Feature Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.</p>

The heartwarming musical film "Song of the Fireflies," based on the true story of the Loboc Children's Choir, has received the Best International Feature Audience Award at the Newport Beach Film Festival.

Golden Globes next? ‘Song of the Fireflies’ wins award at Newport Beach film fest

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Golden Globes next? ‘Song of the Fireflies’ wins award at Newport Beach film fest

Josh Mercado

Published November 11, 2025 12:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Songs of the Fireflies

Rachel Alejandro

Loboc Children's Choir

Newport Beach Film Festival

Golden Globes

Celeste Legaspi

Morissette

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