October 29, 2024 | 12:00am
MANILA, Philippines — As the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) celebrates its 50th anniversary, the final five films have been announced, completing the lineup of 10 highly anticipated entries.
Each film boasts a star-studded cast, with hopes of drawing millions of viewers to cinemas on Christmas Day. There is a palpable sense of unity and camaraderie within the industry as filmmakers strive to rejuvenate Philippine cinema by offering a rich variety of genres — from drama, action, and fantasy to romantic comedies and some out-of-the-box narratives.
The goal is clear: to bring people back to the theaters, encouraging families and friends to enjoy the magic of cinema together during the holidays.
Among the standout titles are “The Kingdom,” starring two of the biggest names in Philippine entertainment, Piolo Pascual and Vic Sotto; “And The Bread Winner Is…”, a comedy headlined by the comedic duo Vice Ganda and Eugene Domingo; “Espantaho,” which marks the return of Judy Ann Santos in a chilling role; “Uninvited,” featuring veteran icons Vilma Santos and Aga Muhlach alongside the multi-awarded Nadine Lustre; and “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” a horror-thriller, starring Enrique Gil and Jane de Leon, produced by MM Studios.
Amidst the impressive lineup, one film stands out for a different and deeply significant reason: “Himala.” A musical adaptation of the 1982 classic film by National Artists Ricky Lee, Ishmael Bernal, and Nora Aunor, the new version, directed by visionary filmmaker Pepe Diokno, breathes fresh life into an iconic story.
The original “Himala” has been lauded as one of the greatest films in Philippine cinema history, and its transformation into a musical film — featuring a stellar cast led by singer and stage actress Aicelle Santos as Elsa, a role immortalized by Aunor — has generated significant buzz.
The cast and production, led by director Pepe Diokno, on set with ‘Himala’ original screenplay writer, National Artist for Film Ricky Lee.
Aicelle is joined by members of the original cast from the 2018 stage production (with music and lyrics by Vincent de Jesus), adding to the excitement as they bring their deep experience to the big screen.
“Himala”’s journey to the MMFF is one of unexpected triumph. Produced by Unitel Films, executive producer Madonna Tarrayo recounted how they never anticipated being selected for the prestigious festival.
In a candid interview for The Philippine STAR exclusive, Madonna shared how the project came to be and the emotions that accompanied their entry into the MMFF.
“Pepe (Diokno) really wanted to turn ‘Himala’ the musical into a film adaptation,” Madonna explained. “He sought Ricky Lee’s blessing since Lee wrote the original screenplay, and that was the first step. After that, Pepe approached me and asked if I would be the producer. Of course, I said yes — how could I not? This is ‘Himala,’ after all, a film created by three National Artists! Plus, I’m a huge fan of the play. Turning it into a film felt like a dream come true.”
Madonna admitted that their MMFF submission was somewhat of an afterthought.
“Pepe mentioned submitting it to the festival, and I thought, ‘Sure, why not?’ But I also knew the MMFF is known for big commercial stars and celebrity-driven films — entries that often feature box-office favorites like Vice Ganda. So, when Pepe insisted on casting the actors from the stage version, I told him I would support it 100 percent. It didn’t matter if we weren’t headlined by a traditional movie star, because I believed in the power of the story and Pepe’s vision. People often ask, ‘Who’s your star? Who’s your Nora Aunor?’ But Pepe was clear — Aicelle Santos would be our Elsa. I had no doubt that the film, with its iconic material and Pepe’s fresh direction, would stand on its own.”
Executive producer Madonna Tarrayo shares how the new version of ‘Himala’ came to be and the emotions that accompanied their entry into the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF).
In spite of their confidence in the project, they kept their expectations low. “We didn’t really think we’d make it in,” Madonna confessed. “There was no sign or indication that we would be selected, especially with so many big studios competing for a slot. But we decided to attend the 50th-anniversary party of the MMFF for the experience, without any real expectations. As the announcements were made, with names like Vice Ganda and GMA being called, we thought, ‘Well, that’s it for us.’ Then, all of a sudden, they started reading the synopsis of a film that sounded familiar. When they said, ‘Produced by Madonna Tarrayo and Jose Lorenzo Diokno,’ we were in shock. I looked at Pepe, and we both realized — we got in! It was an unbelievable, surreal moment.”
Madonna emphasized Pepe’s role in making ‘Himala’ a reality. “Pepe is a true visionary,” she said. “His last film, ‘GomBurZa,’ resonated so well with both Gen Z and millennials, and I think “Himala” will have the same impact. His unique perspective as a young filmmaker, combined with the timeless themes of the original film, makes for something truly special. And of course, the theater community is alive and thriving, which adds even more excitement around this film adaptation.”
With ‘Himala‘’s unexpected but well-deserved entry into the MMFF, Madonna believes it is the perfect time for Unitel Films to return to the spotlight. “There are so many opportunities out there now — beyond theatrical releases, we have streaming platforms, international distribution, and film festivals. The timing couldn’t be better for us to jump back into film production.”
As ‘Himala‘ gears up for its MMFF debut, it is clear that the film offers something unique amidst the usual glitz and glamour of the festival’s star-studded entries. With its powerful performances, iconic source material, and a director who understands both the history and future of Filipino cinema, ’Himala‘ may just be the miracle that the industry — and audiences — need this Christmas.
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